Notre Dame Gives Tariq Bracy Plenty To Think About
2018 Milpitas (Calif.) cornerback Tariq Bracy entered his official visit to Notre Dame with the Irish high on his list. As with most kids, the 6-foot, 170-pounder had some questions and concerns with South Bend being so far away from home.
Notre Dame’s staff is well versed in recruiting kids from outside the area and hit all the right notes according to Bracy’s mother, Annetta Carter, who joined him on the trip.
“I thought it went really well,” Carter told Irish Sports Daily. “I think Tariq had some reservations going in about coming, but the trip this weekend might have turned the tide a little more in Notre Dame’s favor.
"I know his dad is for sure having second thoughts now. He was kind of opposed to him coming out here, but afterward, he's having second thoughts also.
"I think the trip was a good thing.”
The educational opportunities at Notre Dame aren’t a secret, but Carter was impressed with the opportunity her son could have in South Bend.
“The academics were great, and it was impressive,” stated Carter. “I told the gentleman from admissions that I was surprised the student body was so low. Only 8,000 students, it won’t be such a big class size or overwhelming, especially for an incoming freshman. They can have more one-on-one time or face time with the professors.
“There are high school classes bigger than that, so it’s amazing. I definitely thought Notre Dame would have more students because its such a well-known school.”
The chance to see the football side of Notre Dame was also crucial for Bracy and his family. The 49-14 beatdown of USC was impressive, but the game day environment left an impression on the family.
“It was great,” laughed Carter. “The excitement in the stands. I’ve been to college games before, and I don’t think they’ve gotten that wild. Maybe it was because we were so close to the students, but even the attendance was impressive.
“We’ve to game where the crowds weren’t sold out. It was really great. Plus, Notre Dame beat the pants off USC, so that was good. The team looked really good too. We had a blast. He had a good time.”
The family was impressed with Brian Kelly when they sat down with the Notre Dame head coach, but Carter also had some of her concerns relieved after seeing how the program runs on a daily basis.
“The whole trip was a positive experience,” stated Carter. “Just knowing they are going to take care of my son. That’s our biggest fear - him going off to college so far away and getting into trouble with bad influences or just worrying if we’ve left him in good hands.
“I know the whole recruiting side is a business. I know his education is getting paid for, but I also want to know he’s getting taken care of too.”
It wasn’t just Kelly that impressed the family, but the entire staff.
“Absolutely,” Carter said when asked if she felt comfortable sending her son to play for the Notre Dame staff. “They all have a really good background and said the same thing. They were consistent with their message, and that feels good.”