http://sports.yahoo.com/ncaaf/news;...1LYF?slug=rivals-130220&prov=rivals&type=lgns
Dever ready to check in
After spending the last several months enjoying his final days as a high school student, Taylor Dever is ready to turn the page and begin his career at Notre Dame. The 6-foot-6, 289-pound offensive lineman will travel to South Bend in a couple of weeks to begin classes and summer conditioning.
"We're heading out on June 16," he said. "I want to get on campus and get set before everything starts to take place."
Dorm check-in is on June 17 and summer sessions begin two days later. Dever is ready for classes but knows he has an important meeting with strength and conditioning coach Reuben Mendoza.
"The day we get there, after dorm check-in, we meet with coach Mendoza to go over what we'll be doing in the weight room and with conditioning," he said.
To prepare for what he thinks will be a difficult summer, Dever has worked hard to ready his body for the physical punishment he expects under Mendoza's watchful eye.
"I've been lifting and running more than ever," he said. "I don't want to be in horrible shape when I get there. I've been using a workout that Notre Dame gave me. Right now it's a lot more reps and lighter weight. I think that's good for me right now."
When the ink dried on his Letter of Intent last February, Dever turned his attention to his friends and family. He wanted to enjoy his last few months with those closest to him before traveling halfway across the country for college.
"The past few weeks have been a lot of fun," he said. "I've just been hanging out with my friends as much as I can before I leave. It's definitely going to be a big change. I'm excited but I'm sure I'll be nervous at first. I have a lot of emotions running through my head but my parents have been real supportive and I think once I get there I'll be fine."
Dever spent a couple of days in South Bend this spring. He attended the Blue-Gold Game and left even more excited than when he chose Notre Dame over offers from Miami, Nebraska, Oregon and others.
"The spring game was pretty awesome," he said. "That was my first experience at a Notre Dame game and it was pretty amazing. I took a couple of other visits but nothing even compared. Even the stadium … it was only half full, but I imagined what it would be like when I'm playing there."
Since the spring game the Notre Dame staff has not forgotten Dever.
"At the spring game, coach (John) Latina pounded me with playbook stuff and I have been in contact with coach (Brian) Polian; he's my recruiting coordinator."
RIP
