With Notre Dame having a bye last week, Irish offensive line coach Joe Rudolph hit the road to check in on a couple of his future charges, including Pennsylvania’s Tyler Merrill.
Merrill, who has been committed to Notre Dame since January, was glad to have Rudolph come see him.
“Him coming beforehand and just getting to sit down and talk with him, that was awesome,” Merrill says. “It definitely meant a lot to me that he's still coming out and supporting me the same as when I was at the peak of my recruitment. It definitely means a lot and it just kind of further solidifies my decision.”
Merrill chose the Irish over offers from schools like Penn State, Wisconsin, Clemson and Alabama. The continued attention from Rudolph and Notre Dame reinforces his opinion of that choice.
“I think it shows me a lot,” he says. “It makes me feel good about my decision, but I think they also feel great. I'm part of the family now and they're super excited for me to be coming back out in January. It just adds a little bit more structure to how I feel about leaving early.”
The 6-foot-6, 325-pounder appreciates Rudolph taking such interest in him.
“I think he really wants to be integrated with me and my family and my coaches, so I really feel comfortable when I get there to South Bend,” he says. “He's an awesome dude. My mom works in the school and we always stop by her office when he comes over and they have an awesome time. I spent an hour and a half talking with him after school.
“It's really just talking about things in life and different experiences. We talked about the Miami game a little bit and how that can translate and all that stuff. I think what he does best right now for me is wanting to make me comfortable, used to being with him and understanding where he's coming from, his morals and what he goes through versus what I go through.
“I think it makes it more relatable for me and makes me more comfortable. And again, like I said earlier, solidifies my decision to go there.”
After receiving a visit from Rudolph last week, Merrill will make his own this week, when he travels to South Bend for the home opener against Texas A&M.
“I think it's going to be an electric crowd…I'm super excited to get back there and see all the guys.
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