Coach: Lyght Deserves Credit For Lighting Way With Noah Boykin

For weeks, Greg Fuller had a “gut feeling” that Noah Boykin‍ would chose Notre Dame in the end. Even when just about everybody else had his 2018 cornerback pegged to Florida, the H.D. Woodson High School head coach had a feeling he couldn’t really explain that Boykin would end up with the Irish.

Fuller had an even stronger feeling that Notre Dame would be the best fit for Boykin.

In the end, he was right on both counts as Boykin pulled a shocker on National Signing Day, signing with the Irish over the Gators and a late push from Virginia.

“I’m just grateful that it’s over with and thankful he chose the right school,” Fuller said.

The coach is glad Boykin didn’t make what others may have considered an easier decision.

“Noah has been the type of person who loves challenges,” said Fuller. “He knows this will be a challenge for him, but a great challenge that he can grow and develop into the young man he’s destined to become.”

Fuller credited Notre Dame defensive backs coach Todd Lyght with helping Boykin see the brightest path.

“I just think what Coach Lyght did with that young man, bonding with him, really helped him convince him to come on over,” he said.

Fuller couldn’t say just how close Florida and Virginia were to keeping Boykin on the East Coast.

“I think he was really tight-lipped up about it,” the coach said. “He didn’t really want to make a big thing about it until the final day.”

He definitely caused a big uproar in the Notre Dame Football offices with his announcement and Fuller understands why.

“He’ll bring one helluva football player for sure. He’ll bring a lot of commitment, a lot of dedication, a lot of hard work and good leadership. He just has a knack to be a good football player.”