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2020 TX RB Elias Pino Jr. Recaps Notre Dame's Elite Skills Camp

June 19, 2018
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2020 Cypress Ranch (Texas) running back Elias Pino Jr.‍ made the trip to South Bend last weekend for Notre Dame’s Elite Skills Camp. 

The 5-foot-7, 165-pounder admitted he got off to a rough start, but he rebounded with one of the top plays from the camp as he caught a long touchdown from 2021 quarterback Tyler Buchner‍  during 1-on-1s.  

 “I started off kind of bad because of the heat and what I ate before the camp,” Pino told Irish Sports Daily. “After sitting out for a little bit, I came back and competed. I didn’t do my best, but I did decent.” 

The Texas native was at the Blue-Gold Game in April, but the chance to compete at camp was too good of an opportunity to turn down. 

“I felt like it was going to be a good opportunity for me to get out of Texas and explore a different college,” said Pino. “Overall, I just liked Notre Dame from my first visit, I talked to my dad, and we decided to come back for the camp.” 

Pino has done his research on Notre Dame, and it could be a good fit when it comes to what he wants in a college. 

“I really liked the campus,” explained Pino. “Everything was nice. I know the enrollment is only 8,000. I’m not really a loud or party person, so 8,000 people is great for me if I had the chance to go to Notre Dame.

“I’m looking for a balance of academics and athletics. I want to major in Business Management. I know Notre Dame has a great Business program.” 

The chance to get coached by Notre Dame running backs coach Autry Denson was also an excellent opportunity for Pino. 

Denson was able to teach Pino a few things he could immediately incorporate into his own game and summer workouts.

“I learned a lot of new things from Coach Denson,” stated Pino. “He taught me how to stay low, move my hands more and explode my hips. We also worked on footwork.

“He really broke it down when he taught it. I had a one-on-one talk with him during the drills, and he helped me out a lot.” 

Pino will now turn his attention to future camps, including one in Texas in the coming days.

“I went to the Northwestern Showcase, and I will go to the SMU camp,” said Pino. 

The Cypress Ranch standout rushed for 655 yards and scored eight touchdowns in 2017. 


 

 
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