Jurkovec Looking Forward To Notre Dame Arrival
Phil Jurkovec has done it all.
The Pine-Richland (Pa.) star threw for 8,202 yards and 71 touchdowns while rushing for 2,942 yards and 43 touchdowns over his three years as the starting quarterback.
Yes, that’s 11,144 total yards and 114 touchdowns in just 34 games as the 6-foot-5, 220-pounder played only six games his junior season.
Jurkovec also added 1,656 points on the basketball court in his prep career.
So what’s Jurkovec doing now?
“I’ve been working out, studying the playbook, lifting, running and throwing,” Jurkovec told Irish Sports Daily. “I want to get stronger and faster before I get to Notre Dame.”
Last week, Jurkovec’s hard work paid off for maybe the final time in his high school career as he was named second-team all-state in basketball, which made him the first quarterback from the WPIAL in 50 years to play in the largest division and make all-state in both sports.
“It’s important to me,” Jurkovec said of the honor. “I’m grateful for having played on some very good teams. High school was a really nice time, and I hope I’m remembered, but I also hope I can carry it over to college.”
Pine-Richland won a State Title in Jurkovec’s last football game, and Notre Dame fans hope that success carries over to his career in the blue and gold. Jurkovec knows his success starts and ends with mastering the playbook.
“I have a bunch of the plays, so I just go over them,” explained Jurkovec. “I’ve got film, but for now, I’m learning the plays before I watch a lot of the film. I’ve watched a little bit of film though.”
The good news for Jurkovec is Chip Long’s offense is somewhat similar to Pine-Richland’s, but the Gibsonia native has found out the Notre Dame playbook has depth to it.
“Everything we had in high school, Notre Dame has in its offense,” stated Jurkovec. “It’s definitely more substantial than high school.
“Notre Dame has a lot more formations and more plays. It’s basically everything you can do. We didn’t do as much under center and rollouts in high school.”
Jurkovec’s recruiting class is about a month away from reporting to South Bend, and there’s an excitement building from each play.
“We’re working hard right now,” said Jurkovec. “Once we get up there, we’re going to be throwing a ton and working together. We’re finishing out our high school days, but we’re going to be ready to play once we get there.
“I want to improve my game every day. I know it’s going to be a grind once the summer hits and I just want to help the team.”
Brandon Wimbush and Ian Book have kept tabs on the incoming quarterback over the last few months, and Jurkovec couldn’t be more excited to join the Red Army.
“All the quarterbacks have reached out to me,” said Jurkovec. “We talk here and there. I’m excited to get in there and work with all of them once the summer hits.”
Jurkovec was at last month’s Blue-Gold Game, and the progress of the team caught his attention.
“It was really nice,” Jurkovec stated. “The team has a lot of talent this year. I think we’re one step away from taking it to the College Football Playoff.”
As the days get closer to Jurkovec’s much-anticipated arrival, he admits he's been thinking about running out of the tunnel for the first time on September 1st.
“I think about it every day,” said Jurkovec. “It’s going to be awesome to put on the gold helmet, the jersey and run out of the tunnel in front of 80,000.
“We’re going to play in some awesome atmospheres this year.”