Coppell, Texas, running back Cam McDaniel put work in early to get considered by the Irish coaching staff.
Irish head coach Brian Kelly’s predecessor, Charlie Weis, saw film of the 5-10, 190-pound running back following the prospect’s sophomore campaign. He liked what he saw and extended an invitation to Notre dame’s camp that summer.
The previous regime continued to display interest following McDaniel’s performance, but something happened. Weis was let go and the Texas native had no idea where he stood on the new coach’s interest list.
McDaniel kept going about his business and had programs that didn’t undergo staff changes continue to go after him.
Some he strongly considered.
“I had really been talking to Stanford quite a bit and was looking forward to the opportunity there,” he said. “I almost committed back in the spring. (Head coach Jim) Harbaugh gave me the opportunity to commit in March with an offer and he said they were really impressed.”
And others were dropped from the list.
“From the very beginning Iowa was one of my offers, but that opportunity for me kind of got shut down,” McDaniel added. “They talked about me playing running back until I went to their junior day and (head coach Kirk) Ferentz thought I was a safety. He hadn’t even had a chance to watch my film which was kind of odd.”
With the Cardinal among McDaniel’s favorites with Iowa State and Minnesota, he began hearing from another program that he liked early on – Notre Dame.
Dallas-area recruiter Kerry Cooks had seen film from McDaniel’s first three games of the season, and both he and the Irish coaches were impressed.
“It was a very quick deal,” he said of his mid November contact with Notre Dame. “I just got an e-mail from Coach Cooks asking if I was still interested in Notre Dame. I sent him one back telling him I was definitely interested and he called me the next day.”
After seeing an updated tape with 10 games from McDaniel’s senior campaign, Kelly made it a point to upgrade his status on the recruiting board to an offer.
“Doors were being closed that needed to be closed, and doors were being opened that needed to be opened,” he said of his recruitment up to the Nov. 29 offer. “A lot of colleges I was talking to had a lot of red flags being throw up in my perspective. And that’s when Coach Kelly came in and presented me with an offer.”
McDaniel was taken aback by the Irish offer and realized the opportunity almost immediately.
“It was very surreal to me. I had kind of heard rumors and expected it to happen, but when it did it was so humbling,” he said. “To think of all the kids around the country that know Notre Dame football and want to go there. … You may love them or hate them, but you know who they are.”
After taking a lap around the parking lot with his teammate, cornerback Bennett Okotcha, McDaniel was convinced that committing to Notre Dame sat right with him in his heart. He couldn’t wait any longer to let Kelly know, who was still on school grounds.
“I went back in and told Coach Kelly it didn’t take me very long,” he said. He came over and hugged me, welcomed me and told me he’s looking forward to me doing great things at Notre Dame.
“It’s such a blessing and a great opportunity. I give all the glory to God on that one. I thanked Coach Kelly for the opportunity right away.”
Coppell High had a 13-0 run before losing to Trinity, 41-40, in the state quarterfinals. He had 301 carries for 1,906 yards and 32 touchdowns, adding 40 receptions for 492 yards and three touchdowns.
Some have projected McDaniel as a slot receiver at the collegiate level, but Notre Dame has pursued him as a running back in the spread offense.
“Coach Kelly made it clear when they offered me that they fell in love with the way I play,” he said. “They like my passion and the way I fight for yardage. They complimented me on a few other characteristics about my running.
“He said they feel I can catch the ball and be a slot, but he wants me to be the running back. That was very important for me to hear and I was very attracted to that. The way he was upfront about it and honest about it was great.”
Even though the Cowboys weren’t able to clinch the state title, McDaniel is nothing but grateful when reflecting back on his high school career.
“It’s been a memorable experience,” he said. “It’s been absolutely amazing. I couldn’t have asked to play for a better community or atmosphere than Coppell. We get close to 15,000 people at every game. It’s an awesome, electric atmosphere with great fan support. My senior class is really close. We’ve invested a lot since we were freshman and we were able to make it all come together.”
McDaniel will be joined by one of his teammates, Okotcha, in South Bend, and the two are planning on having similar success together at Notre Dame.
