Irish OL Commit John Olmstead Remains Fired Up About Decision

John Olmstead‍ announced his commitment to Notre Dame last month, but the 2019 New Jersey offensive lineman knew his decision long before.

“I’ve known since last summer when I first walked on to campus,” Olmstead told Irish Sports Daily this week. “Obviously, I wanted to see other schools and stuff, but the tradition there and the football and they have a lot of Jersey ties really got me attracted to the school.”

When the Saint Joseph High School standout initially knew Notre Dame would be the school for him, Harry Hiestand was the offensive line coach. Hiestand was replaced by Quinn in January and Olmstead saw no reason to change his mind.

“My mom liked him, my parents liked him,” Olmstead said of Quinn. “I met him the first time he came to the school as soon as he got the job. I just got a good feeling for him.”

Notre Dame’s ties to New Jersey, especially on the offensive line, were highlighted recently when Quenton Nelson was drafted sixth overall by the Indianapolis Colts during last month’s NFL Draft. Olmstead has talked with Nelson a lot recently.

“He reached out to me as soon as I committed,” Olmstead said of Nelson. “We were talking back and forth. Obviously, he’s busy with the Colts right now. I congratulated him when he got drafted, he texted back and called me. I have a pretty good relationship with him. It’s great.

“I could see myself doing that in 10 years or whatever. He’s from right down the street in New Jersey, RBC (Red Bank Catholic). I’ll be playing the same position he played at Notre Dame, I’m playing offensive guard there. It’s really great having him to look up to.”

Nelson gave Olmstead some advice for when he gets to Notre Dame.

“He just said it’s a very tough academic school, but with the school I’m coming from, I’ll be fine,” Olmstead recalled. “He said to just work 110 percent all of the time and I’ll be fine.”

He also heard from Notre Dame’s 2018 New Jersey signees.

“As soon as I committed, the Ademilola twins both FaceTimed me,” said Olmstead. “It was good to hear from them. They were pumped up. Shayne (Simon), the same thing. He texted me. It’s great to have the support from them too.”

Academics played an important role in Olmstead’s decision for a simple reason.

“Football doesn’t last forever,” said Olmstead, who plans to major in Business. “I want to get a good education for Plan B of my life.”

Pennsylvania offensive lineman Andrew Kristofic committed to the Irish three days after Olmstead. The two hadn’t met, but have some strong mutual family friends.

“As soon as he committed, I FaceTimed him and we had a long conversation,” Olmstead said of Kristofic. “He seems like the type of kid I’d like to play with.”

Then, a week later Minnesota offensive lineman Quinn Carroll joined the group.

“I was really excited,” Olmstead said of Carroll’s announcement. “Me and Quinn were both heavily recruited by Minnesota, so we talked. I met him out there and stuff. It’s nice to know you have a really good friend coming in with you.

“It feels great to be a part of that. We all have a chance to go in and start right away.”

The trio is hoping to become a quartet when Ohio offensive lineman Zeke Correll makes his decision.

“Just the personality and the type of player and person he is, he’d fit right in with me, Kristofic and Carroll,” Olmstead said of Carroll.

The New Jersey lineman’s connection to Notre Dame’s 2019 class goes beyond the offensive linemen and the entire group stays in touch via group chat.

“Obviously, things can change and stuff, but us getting close will keep the class together and make the football team a bigger family than it already is,” he said.

Olmstead expects to be back in South Bend with his family this summer and then return for a couple games in the fall.

For now though, he’s focused on his high school squad.

“I just want to keep becoming a better player than I already, keep weightlifting and keep training and living the high school life and then getting out there,” he said.  “Just be the best leader I can and another GMC Championship.”

He does admit he’s also looking forward to getting to South Bend for good.

“I’m really excited.”