2019 P Jay Bramblett Impressed By Notre Dame And Brian Polian

On Saturday, Notre Dame hosted 2019 Hillcrest (Ala.) punter Jay Bramblett‍ for a visit, and it couldn’t have gone much better for the nation’s top punter. 

“It was awesome,” Bramblett told Irish Sports Daily. “I couldn’t have asked for a much better time. Coach (Brian) Polian gave us a great tour. We got to see the facilities and the stadium. I just couldn’t have asked for anything else.” 

It was the first time Bramblett got to meet Polian and the 6-foot-2, 175-pounder left extremely impressed. 

“He’s a first-class guy,” stated Bramblett. “I’d say he’s one of the best special teams coordinators in the country. He’s just an awesome guy to be around. He’s a really nice guy.” 

Saturday’s visit wasn’t the first time the Hillcrest standout had been to Notre Dame, as Bramblett was in South Bend last fall for a game.

“I came up for the Wake Forest game last year, and it was about 16 degrees and raining,” laughed Bramblett. “Yesterday it was sunny and 88 degrees. The weather was a big difference, but to see what it’s like when everyone is off campus on a regular day was awesome.” 

Polian didn’t offer a scholarship to Bramblett, but he’s hopeful there will be some clarification in the coming days.

“He did not offer,” Bramblett said. “Hopefully I’ll know something in the coming days or the next week. We’ll see.” 

Bramblett grew up in the shadows of Alabama, and while the Crimson Tide aren’t going to offer a punter in 2019, the Tuscaloosa native is just fine with it. 

“I have visited Alabama, but they aren’t going to scholarship a 2019 punter, so I’m out of the picture on that one, which is OK,” said Bramblett.

Alabama has hosted Bramblett, and the most significant difference between the programs is on the academic side. Notre Dame was able to show what a degree would mean after football, and it hit home with Bramblett. 

“The life after college part at Notre Dame is so much greater than Alabama or anywhere else,” explained Bramblett. “That really sold me, and that’s why I like Notre Dame a lot. The relationships that are being built are far more important than they could ever be at Alabama or anywhere else.”

Even though classes are over and it was a Saturday, Notre Dame made sure there was an academic advisor on campus to explain what the degree could do.

“My family and I talked to an assistant,” stated Bramblett. “Most of them were out of town. He gave us a rundown, and it was interesting. They do a great job with academics.” 

LSU, Mississippi State and Penn State are three programs recruiting Bramblett hard right now, but the Irish pulled out one more card those programs don’t have on Saturday. 

Bramblett was able to meet 2018 captain and punter Tyler Newsome. 

“It’s really cool,” Bramblett said of Newsome being a captain. “It shows he has put a ton of time and everything he has into the team. It shows the kind of leadership he has.

“We actually got to meet him yesterday in the weight room. Tyler Newsome is an awesome guy.”