Adam Berghorst Talks "Great" Notre Dame Offer, Top 3 & Timeline

Adam Berghorst‍ added a key offer last weekend and the 2019 Michigan defensive end seems to be closing in on a decision.

The 6-foot-7, 245-pounder visited South Bend last weekend and had added Notre Dame to his offer sheet by the time he left.

“We got up there around 9 and watched the end of their workouts,” the Zeeland, Mich., native said. “Then, we met with the d-line coach, met with the defensive coordinator, toured the campus, met with the academic advisor and then had lunch in the cafeteria.

“We met with the strength coordinator, saw all of the facilities and then we ended meeting with Coach (Brian) Kelly and that’s when he offered me.”

Even with offers from schools like Michigan, Michigan State, Kentucky, Northwestern, Minnesota, Iowa State, Purdue and Indiana among others, the Notre Dame offer was very important.

“I was very happy, very grateful,” he said. “It’s a huge offer for me. I kind of saw it coming, but it’s a great offer and I’m happy about it.

“I’d like to stay somewhat close to home. Obviously, that’s pretty close, only an hour and 15 for me. It’s a very successful program with great academics, so I could definitely see myself going there.”

Berghorst spent a great deal of time during the visit with Irish defensive line coach Mike Elston.

“We went in his room and did a lot of film and stuff like that,” he explained. “He seems like a great coach, very detail-oriented, which was awesome.

“The first thing we did in Coach Elston’s room, he showed me their depth chart. They’re going after me, they don’t have a lot, so when I get there, I’d have a chance to play early on. He really likes my length, my athleticism. He’s watched some of my basketball film, so he likes how I move a lot, my quick-twitch, being very loose, those types of things.”

He also had a chance to meet with defensive coordinator Clark Lea.

“He just really talked more about the academic side and what it means to be a Notre Dame football player,” Berghorst explained. “The whole thing was really impressive. I knew their academics were good, but not that good.”

A standout baseball player, the Zeeland East High School product wants to play both sports at the next level. The Irish football staff has already signed off, so Berghorst is looking forward to talking with the baseball coaches during his next trip, which should come within the next several weeks. He’d also like to check out a spring practice.

Upon arrival, he had the chance to speak with Notre Dame freshman Cole Kmet, who is juggling both sports right now.

“He said it’s been an excellent experience for him so far,” Berghorst said of Kmet. “He said it’s tough, but it’s definitely doable and he’s enjoying it.”

Berghorst has narrowed his focus a bit.

“I have 13 offers, but my top three are probably Notre Dame, Michigan and Michigan State,” he said, adding that he’d visited both in-state schools recently and would like to take return trips for spring practices in Ann Arbor and East Lansing as well.

After that, he could be headed toward decision mode.

“I’d probably like to be decided before school ends, for sure by football season.”