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Notre Dame Football

Mustipher Embracing Leadership Role

August 7, 2018
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Notre Dame captain Sam Mustipher will enter his third year as the starting center, but he’s also become an experienced veteran of handling the grind of fall camp. 

As a graduate student, 2018 is camp No. 5 for the 6-foot-2, 306-pounder and Mustipher is looking forward to seeing how his team develops over the course of the next few weeks. 

“Just attention to detail, focus, and that’s really it,” Mustipher said of his goals for camp. “If we do that, this season will be great for us. The first few days aren’t easy, but they are the days guys are fresh and ready to go. We’ve been off since April, and once we get into camp and the nitty gritty of it, we’ll see what our team is really about.” 

The Culver Academies has hosted Notre Dame for the last few years, and Mustipher enjoys the chance to get off campus for the first week of camp. 

“I like it,” stated Mustipher. “It’s a nice getaway. We go back, and that’s also refreshing. Being down here, it’s just football, and we’re together all the time. We’ll be together when we get back to campus, but it’s for a limited amount of time before school starts.” 

This spring gave Mustipher the chance to step into the spotlight as he was named a captain. 

Mustipher has remained the same person on and off the field for the last five seasons, and he doesn’t plan on changing with a new title. 

“I think what makes good leaders is they are the same person every day,” explained Mustipher. “I think I’ve matured from my freshman to my fifth year, but it’s the same accountability I’ve always had along with the same drive I’ve always had.” 

Notre Dame returns a ton of experience on the offensive line in 2018, but they also brought in a large freshmen class of John Dirksen, Luke Jones, Cole Mabry and Jarrett Patterson. 

“I think they’re all doing great,” Mustipher stated. “They’re really learning and learning to communicate. That’s the biggest part of this level for guys coming out of high school.” 

As the freshmen and sophomores earn their way up the depth chart, Mustipher believes having senior Trevor Ruhland leading the second group is a huge positive for the growth of the unit. 

“Trevor is a great player, and I’m excited to see what he’ll do this year,” Mustipher said. ‘I know for a fact he’ll see the field because he is that talented. We’re roommates and live together at home, so I know the type of work he has put in and dedication he has to this football team.” 

When it comes to the starting unit, Mustipher knows first-time starter Liam Eichenberg will be the key to the engine this fall. 

“Confidence in himself,” Mustipher said of the biggest area of growth in Eichenberg. “That’s really everyone once you get more reps and experience under your belt. It’s different from a practice rep to a game rep, and even the spring game reps are different. He’s just growing in his confidence.” 

 
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