Bauer Takes Part In Second Invasion

Bo Bauer earned a scholarship offer to Notre Dame in part due to his performance at Irish Invasion a year ago.

It was an offer the 2018 Pennsylvania linebacker would accept as he committed to the Irish a couple months later.

Bauer was back in South Bend this past weekend for the 2017 Irish Invasion and had another great time.

“It went excellent,” the Erie, Pa., native said. “It was a good learning experience more than anything.”

The 6-foot-3, 217-pounder gained an understanding of where he could continue improving.

“I have a lot to work on with my movement ability and things like that especially,” he said. “We kind of went through the very, very basics of the defense. I thought the whole trip overall was more of a learning period more than anything.”

It also offered him his first chance to get on the field with new Irish linebackers coach Clark Lea.

“It was still fun to come back and get to work with Coach Lea,” said Bauer. “It was great to be on the field with him and be surrounded with good competition.”

Bauer has appreciated getting to know Lea since the assistant was hired from Wake Forest back in January.

“He’s like a real high-energy guy who is a perfectionist, kind of like me,” said Bauer. “I feel like we have similar personalities.”

The Cathedral Prep standout also had the chance to speak with some of the uncommitted targets who were in town, including 2018 Rover target Cam McGrone.

“I like him,” said Bauer. “He’s one of those quieter guys who doesn’t talk too much. I just told him why I like Notre Dame. That’s like the best you can do. You just have to keep working on him. I just told him it’s a good way to balance everything because you have a good alumni base, good schooling and good football too. It’s a well-rounded school.

“I don’t know him too much, but he wasn’t cocky or anything. He did his best in the drills. He wasn’t the guy who was trying to show people up for no reason. I have to get to know him more, but the initial impression was good.”

Bauer was also impressed with what he saw from McGrone on the field.

“I thought he showed good athleticism and did well in the one-on-ones against the running backs,” he said.

Bauer doesn’t have his next trip to Notre Dame completely locked in yet, but it’s looking like it could be for the Irish’s game against Georgia in September.