Zeeland (Mich.) East three-star defensive end Adam Berghorst is one of the most coveted pass-rushers in the midwest.
The 6-7, 245-pounder from the class of 2019 is getting close to making a commitment, which will likely come following two more unofficial visits. Berghorst’s plan is to visit Northwestern on Friday, Apr. 6 and then Michigan State on Saturday, Apr. 7. A commitment should come right after that.
Berghorst, a two-sport star and one with aspirations of playing football and baseball at the next level, recently visited Notre Dame on March 24. He came into the trip with a few questions he wanted answered.
“I wanted to meet with the baseball staff and I did that,” said Berghorst. “I met with them for about an hour. It was really good. I also wanted to watch coach Elston coach at practice and I did that. I was very happy about that. Cole Kmet, I had lunch with him. I just wanted to ask him how hard it was to do that. Notre Dame, with the academics, with doing two sports, I wanted to see how tough it was to handle all of that. I got that all figured out. It was awesome.”
Michigan is also involved here, but Berghorst’s decision is expected to come down to three finalists: Notre Dame, Michigan State and Northwestern. All three schools continue to push hard and would like to land him come commitment time.
Berghorst opened up about each school with Irish Illustrated and 247Sports.
On what is most appealing about Notre Dame …
“The football program, the history and just the tradition they have. From the sellouts to how many guys are first-round draft picks, all of those numbers. The academics are by far the best. They present that to me every time and that really stands out to be, because they are the best.”
On defensive line coach Mike Elston …
“It’s a really good relationship. We text a lot. He just really wanted to get me back on campus, so that was good. I spent a lot of time with him and in his room. He’s a great coach. He was showing me the numbers from when he coached linebackers a few years ago and then going back to coach the defensive line. He showed me the differences, the improvements, as well as the guys he has put in the NFL.
On what is most appealing about Michigan State …
“Both coaching staffs, that’s probably the biggest thing. I love the baseball coaching staff. I’ve known them for quite a while, even before football recruiting ever started. The football coaching staff as well, I love the whole coaching staff, they’re all really good guys. I kind of grew up a State fan too, so that always helps.”
On defensive ends coach Chuck Bullough …
“I’ve only met with him once, but it was for a very long time. He’s very knowledgeable. He was in the NFL for a while, he’s been everywhere in college. He’s extremely knowledgeable. Even when I was with him for quite a long time, he was giving me tips and pointed stuff out on my film. He’s a really big football guy.”
On what is most appealing about Northwestern …
“Academics as well. It’s really good. Coach Long, the defensive line coach, we’ve got a pretty good relationship. Chicago is awesome. They’ve also done really well in football over the past years since coach Fitzpatrick has been there.”
On Northwestern defensive line coach Marty Long …
“I don’t know a ton about him, but I’m looking to learn more on the visit. We’ve had multiple talks on the phone and he seems like a really good guy. He tells me he’s staying at Northwestern and stuff like that. He’s a great defensive line coach.”
On how important academics are to his final decision …
“I would say academics are really important. Northwestern and Notre Dame have thrown a lot of stuff at me with how good they both are. Told me over and over that if you’re going to get a free education, you might as well take the best one. It is really important, but at the same time, Michigan State, it’s not nearly as good, but it still works.”
On playing both sports at the next level …
“I got recruited in baseball before football. I threw 89 a couple of months ago, so I think it would be stupid to give that up. So, I feel like I definitely am going to do both.”
