Notre Dame has spent plenty of time telling Jeremiah Figaro about the power of its alumni network.
In town on an unofficial visit for Notre Dame’s home opener against Rice, the 2028 Massachusetts defensive end got an unexpected demonstration of it while touring the Irish's brand-new Shields Family Hall this weekend.
"They're always talking about networking," said Figaro. "On Friday, I'm just walking around the facility, getting a little tour, and I see the guy who built the new facility, and he's saying what's up to me and me and my parents are having conversation with him, Jack Shields.
"We're having a conversation with Jack Shields and he's the person who built the new facility. Oh my gosh, the alumni base and the networking is just so crazy here."
Shields Family Hall opened this fall after the former Notre Dame linebacker and his wife, Kathy, led the support for the 150,000-square-foot football facility.
The encounter was just one piece of an extensive weekend for the 6-foot-5, 205-pound Figaro, who made the trip from Dexter Southfield with his family.
Figaro arrived Friday and was able to sit in on multiple Notre Dame meetings before watching the Irish go through their walkthrough.
"I got to see the special teams meeting,” he said. “I got to see the defensive meetings, and then I got to see the d-line meeting.
"After those, we went outside, went to the walkthrough. I got to see them walk through stuff. It was awesome being able to see how the coaches coach on kind of a light day."
Saturday gave Figaro an opportunity to experience a Notre Dame game day and the atmosphere exceeded his expectations.
"This fan base is crazy," he said. "I'm not going to lie. I wasn't expecting this. It's a lot more than I thought."
Figaro also got a close look at a defensive line he's been particularly interested in watching since Notre Dame offered him following a camp in South Bend in June.
One player in particular had already caught his attention, fellow Massachusetts native Boubacar Traore. Figaro sees Traore's development in South Bend as a potential blueprint for his own path with the Irish. He didn’t need to wait long to see Traore make an impact on Saturday.
On Rice's first possession of the game, Traore returned a fumble for a touchdown.
"It was awesome," Figaro said. "It was great to see."
From there, Figaro watched Notre Dame control the game.
"I don't even know how to explain it," he said. "Rice couldn't do anything with the ball.
"They kicked off and then Boubacar scored and it was a straight domination. There's nothing you can say about it. It was crazy."
Figaro's recruitment has taken off since Notre Dame defensive line coach Charlie Partridge and the Irish offered him following his June camp performance. He returned this weekend already having established a strong relationship with Partridge and the Notre Dame staff, and the additional time together only strengthened it.
"It was great as usual," Figaro said of his time with Partridge and the Irish coaches. "No complaints. I love those guys. They're so welcoming. They make you feel like home."
Figaro also spent some time with Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman.
"He was just saying that he wants me to just be part of Notre Dame," Figaro said. "I fit the program."
It's still early in the process for Figaro, who has offers from Florida State, Tennessee, Penn State, Ole Miss, UCLA, Rutgers, Miami, Virginia Tech and several others in addition to Notre Dame.
And, he understands what Freeman is talking about.
"I love Notre Dame…I love it."
