Notre Dame Checks On 2026 Wisconsin ATH Ryan Westrich
Even with their current run through the College Football Playoffs, the Notre Dame Football program has found time to get on the road recruiting.
Last week, they made their way to Bonduel, Wisc., to check in on 2026 athlete Ryan Westrich. They were able to leave messages for the Bonduel High School standout.
“Their message to me was just basically saying that they're interested in me and they want to try to get me down to campus sometime for a visit,” the 6-foot-6, 245-pounder said.
“It means the world. I've always been working hard so I can have opportunities like this to go and maybe make an impression on one of the best college football schools in the nation. It's just a great experience and I'm glad to be able to be part of this.”
Westrich doesn’t have any potential dates just yet, but said when the Irish send some, he will “definitely” try to figure out a way to get down for a visit.
“I'd be looking forward to learning more about their academic programs, their Engineering programs,” he explained. “I'll also be looking forward to seeing their facilities and meeting with their coaching staff and just seeing what Notre Dame Football and Notre Dame community is all about.”
Westrich has offers from Texas Tech and Central Michigan.
“It's amazing,” he said of the early offers. “It's really helping with confidence. It makes me glad to know that I'm doing stuff right, but it's also motivating me to better prepare myself for future.
Westrich could play a number of positions on the college level.
“A couple different schools want me for different positions,” he said. Some schools want me to play defensive end. Some schools are looking at me for offensive line, other schools, tight end.
“I'm not sure which Notre Dame is recruiting me for right now because they didn't express that specifically, but I will be willing to play any position that they see fit.”
While he’d be willing to play any position, he did acknowledge having a favorite.
“I guess I'd probably lean more towards defensive line because I love hitting people,” he said. “I love just making tackles. I just love playing defense.”
He’s already taken trips to Wisconsin, Illinois, Minnesota, Michigan State and Iowa State. In addition to Notre Dame, he’s eyeing stops at Texas Tech and Northwestern.
He has a good idea of what he’s looking for in a college.
“Their academic program to me is a must. They must have a good academic field in what I'm interested in, which would be some field of Engineering. They need to have a good Engineering program while also being a high-quality football team with a great atmosphere and a good community.”
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