Greg Patrick’s visit to Notre Dame last Friday wasn’t just impactful.
It was decisive.
So, a week after that Friday trip to South Bend, the 2026 Michigan offensive lineman quietly returned this past Friday to give the Irish coaching staff his verbal commitment in person.
“They were really excited,” Patrick said. “It was a bit more of a surprise. I kept it under wraps. I didn't tell anybody there really until my meeting with Coach (Marcus) Freeman and Coach (Joe) Rudolph in their office.
“I think they were pretty surprised. I don't think they knew, so they were super excited. Everybody there was really excited.”
Patrick made his decision public on Sunday.
“It really came down to the type of people that they have in their program; all the coaches, all the players, they're all really, really great people and they have ambitions outside of football,” said Patrick, who chose the Irish over offers from schools like Michigan, Michigan State, Nebraska, Penn State, Wisconsin, Alabama, Oklahoma and Washington among others.
“And obviously, Notre Dame plays at the highest level of football. They were in the National Championship Game. That on top of the education and the development and just really the people there is really what sets it apart.”
The 6-foot-5, 275-pounder gives the Irish 10 total commits and four on the offensive line, where he joins Sullivan Garvin, Ben Nichols and Tyler Merrill. Patrick and Garvin have been training with Patrick’s father all offseason and Patrick is also friendly with both Nichols and Merrill.
“Those guys are really awesome people,” said Patrick. “They're great players, but they're great people too. Just being able to play with those guys in the future is something that I really look forward to. Those are kind of your dream teammates up front.”
Patrick believes he’ll be able to help the program and his future teammates.
“I think I'm a pretty athletic offensive lineman, so I'll be able to bring that up front,” he said. “I think I'm a great coach too. I feel like I could help a lot of my teammates out. I have a pretty decent understanding of offensive line play, so I think I'd also bring that aspect and be able to help a lot with the other guys.”
More than anything, Patrick is excited to have the recruiting process behind him and to have found a home.
“It feels great. It's like a breath of fresh air just knowing this place is a place for me and now I guess the work just begins. I'm really excited to get to work. It feels good just taking one official visit and knowing.”
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