Elite 2020 OL Likes What He Sees At ND

There was a lot that caught Miller Merriweather-Lewis‍’ attention while in South Bend this weekend, but one thing – well, actually two things – grabbed the attention of the talented 2020 offensive lineman from Florida most.

“My biggest impression is their left side of the offensive line because that’s something amazing to watch,” Merriweather-Lewis said of Quenton Nelson and Mike McGlinchey, the Irish’s All-Americans at left guard and left tackle.

“It’s two massive people moving that fast and moving a lot of people.”

The 6-foot-4, 310-pound sophomore imagined himself out on the field as he watched Notre Dame beat North Carolina State 35-14.

“Of course,” he said. “Who doesn’t?”

The Ocala, Fla., native already has offers from schools like Florida, Miami, Georgia, Auburn, North Carolina, Michigan, Oklahoma State, Texas A&M and USC, but said watching the Irish gave him added motivation. 

“I know I came into Vanguard (High School) and started as a freshman, but I know college is a whole different story,” he explained. “There are five, 10, 15 people on the offensive line. You have to work, see who is the hardest worker and who does their job the best. I know that’s going to motivate me to become the best I can be to try to get that starting spot.”

Merriweather-Lewis has been to other campuses before, but this was his first college game this fall and he was impressed with more than the game.

“It’s a very beautiful campus,” he said. “It’s very wide and not all compact in one area.

“It had a different feel to it because Notre Dame has so much great history. It’s like, ‘I can’t believe I’m on this campus right now.’”

After registering and getting checked in, Merriweather-Lewis and the other visitors took part in photo shoots. He had a chance to check out Notre Dame’s facilities and said, “They’re amazing. They’re seriously amazing.”

“Then, we went over to the new locker room and we got to see all of the new stuff in there,” he continued. “I got to see the Play Like A Champion Today sign.

“After that, we went back over and ate lunch. Then, we hopped in a golf cart and went over to the stadium. We hung out in the lounge with all of the other recruits and met some coaches. We got to see the Player Walk, then we got our tickets and enjoyed the game.”

He thought the player walk was a “cool experience.”

“Usually at a game, you’re in the stands and they’re far away,” he explained. “If you try hard enough, you could probably get a handshake from one of them if you really try. It was a pleasure to see all of those players in one spot.”

The atmosphere inside the stadium certainly caught his attention.

“It was a very intense game,” he remembered. “It was a very loud game, especially with their band since it’s the first band ever at a university. Their band took up a whole 50 yards. People were pushing other people up in the air whenever they scored a touchdown.”

The big man laughed when asked if he was launched up for celebratory push-ups.

“No,” he said. “No, no, no, no.”

The coaches let Merriweather-Lewis know they appreciated him making the trip up and he plans on returning in the future and remaining in contact in the meantime.

“I’m trying to do all of that. I’m trying to keep in touch. I’m trying to come back. I’ll try to come to some camps if they have any.”