While the current members of the Notre Dame football program had a night to remember last Saturday in shutting out rival Michigan, potential future Golden Domers also made memories in the stands at Notre Dame Stadium, including a trio of local products.
Juniors Austin Mack of Bishop Luers, Auston Robertson of Wayne and Ben Skowronek of Homestead were front-row spectators for the 31-0 Fighting Irish rout, taking in the action from the student section.
“It was real exciting to be able to go up there,” said Mack, a wide receiver rated a four-star recruit by 247sports.
Front and center was the performances of a pair of Athletes With Purpose “graduates” in Jaylon Smith and Drue Tranquill. While Smith's emergence as one of the top linebackers in the country was on the mind of the current AWP disciples, seeing Tranquill make an impact as a true freshman was eye opening.
“The thing that Notre Dame and a lot of other programs do is if you perform and do what you do, you will get to prove yourself in games,” Mack said. “I know Drue's work ethic. I knew right away he was going to … get playing time.”
Robertson was impressed as well and gave him a preview of what could happen if he landed in South Bend.
“(Tranquill) is a freshman doing all the hard work, and it has paid off with getting playing time,” Robertson said. “If I went there, I could do the same thing he did.”
With Mack and Robertson each having scholarship offers from both Michigan and Notre Dame, Saturday was a chance to see both programs in one shot, as well as have to figure out proper attire to wear.
“At first I didn't know what to wear (since both teams have offered),” said Robertson, a four-star defensive end. “I went with a Notre Dame sweatshirt out of respect.”
The trio took part in some of the game day traditions at Notre Dame and were in the locker room post-game as Notre Dame celebrated its biggest margin of victory over the Wolverines.
The three were able to speak to their recruiting coach Mike Elston after the game as well as Smith.
“The best part of it was talking to Jaylon after the game, talking to us about how Notre Dame is a good place and we would fit in well,” Robertson said. “I loved the atmosphere of the game, but the thing I like the most was how good the defense played.
“I wasn't expecting Michigan to play like that.”
Mack took the opportunity to do as much scouting on the Michigan wide receivers as he did the wideouts of the Fighting Irish.
“I was watching (Michigan wide receiver) Devin Funchess a lot, as well as (Notre Dame's) Corey Robinson and a couple other guys, just trying to observe,” Mack said. “I was even able to see Brady Hoke after the press conference.”
While an atmosphere like Saturday can get the blood going in terms of favoring one team over others or even a commitment, Mack and Robertson focused on trying not to get caught up in the moment, especially when the media started questioning them about the weekend.
“It gets kind of annoying too,” said Mack about being asked if he has any leaders. “What I am trying to do is keep everything even, open up all my options.
“I don't want to give any leads or hints until my commitment day.”
Skowronek has now made back-to-back trips to Indiana and Notre Dame the first two weeks of the collegiate season. His big start to the high school season with the Spartans has led to increased interest, with several Big 10 programs contacting him this week.
“A lot of teams have taken notice, it's pretty cool,” Skowronek said.
Mack will visit Ohio State this weekend for its game against Kent State. He also plans to return to South Bend for Notre Dame's game with Stanford on Oct. 4.
Robertson hopes to get to both Michigan and Michigan State soon and may join Mack at Ohio State this weekend.
Skowronek, on the hunt for his first offer, will soon be visiting West Lafayette to check out the Boilermakers.
