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Notre Dame Football Recruiting

2026 OL Greg Patrick Previews Pair Of Notre Dame Trips

March 15, 2025
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Gregory Patrick‍ is in the final stages of his recruitment. 

The 2026 Michigan offensive lineman is making the rounds on unofficial visits to his top schools this spring in advance of official visits and ultimately a final decision. 

Notre Dame, Michigan, Michigan State and Penn State stand out above the rest at this point, but Nebraska is trying to work its way down the stretch as well.

His spring swing will bring him back to South Bend for an unofficial visit April 4th.

“I really like the culture and the type of kids that the coaches recruit,” Patrick says of the Irish. “That's one huge thing, kind of how Coach Freeman leads the program.”

Patrick understands that better than even most prospects. He stays in close communication with the Irish’s three current offensive line commits; Sullivan Garvin, Ben Nichols and Tyler Merrill. Garvin and Nichols also both hail from Michigan and have found time to train together this offseason.

Patrick noted offensive linemen “most definitely” tend to be among the tightest units on a team.

“Because on the o-line, there's no individual stardom, they're not really ever making replays,” he says. “It's got to be all five guys working together, none of you guys are going to be filling up the stat sheets or anything like that. A big thing in our high school too is it's kind of like its own little culture like a subculture within the team. 

“I really couldn't narrow down reasons why, but it's just because all five are working at the same job, same mission. It's the most selfless position, so I guess you can kind of find pride and joy in that.”

The Portage Northern High School standout said Notre Dame checks that box “for sure.”

“I also really like the opportunities it provides outside of football with education and the future job market and also obviously the football,” he says of Notre Dame. “They're the most competitive in the country right now. They have all the things I'm looking for along with the development. I enjoy a lot of aspects about it.”

Over the next couple months, he’s hoping to hear more from the current players.

“Seeing it from their perspective, that's a pretty big thing I'm looking forward to with these spring visits and the OVs,” he says. “Getting a feel for the players there because that's not something I've had a ton of. Getting to know those guys, seeing their perspective on things too. That's definitely one thing I'm going to be looking for.”

He’s got officials set to Penn State (May 30th), Michigan State (June 6th), Notre Dame (June 13th) and Michigan (June 20th). He’s also planning to see each beforehand on an unofficial. Nebraska could land on the official visit list, but it’s doubtful he’d take an unofficial there beforehand. 

It won’t be long after the officials before Patrick makes a final decision.

“I've kind of moved it up a little. I'd say early-July.”

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