Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1313320
42 DEC. 5, 2020 BLUE & GOLD ILLUSTRATED Notre Dame pulled off a pair of recruiting flips from the Pac-12 in mid-November. On Nov. 16, it was Valrico (Fla.) Bloomingdale corner- back Philip Riley from USC, and the following day the Fighting Irish lured Chatsworth (Calif.) Sierra Can- yon kicker Joshua Bryan away from Colorado. Bryan was in contact with Colo- rado and Notre Dame over the sum- mer, but had no guarantees that a scholarship would open up for him in South Bend. Because of that he locked in a spot with the Buffs, a school he truly did like a lot. "A week after I committed to Colo- rado, [Brian] Polian came back to me and said that it was going to work out, so that was a bit of a stunner," Bryan told Blue & Gold Illustrated. But even at that point, Bryan didn't have final word from Polian, who serves as Notre Dame's recruiting coordinator and special teams coor- dinator, that he had a scholarship. He finally received confirmation in late October, and announced his flip to the Irish a couple of weeks later. "I felt like I had to do it because of what Notre Dame is as a school," Bryan explained. "It wasn't an easy decision; I enjoyed my visit to Colo- rado and it was a really nice campus. But academically, Notre Dame has such a valuable degree, and I can be very successful coming from a school like that. I've always been at small, private schools. "They're on a roll right now, and that makes things even more exciting for me." For a couple of months, Bryan was in limbo with the Fighting Irish while he waited to hear whether or not they were going to offer him. He greatly appreciated Polian's honesty and transparency throughout the process. "Especially in a time like this, the trust aspect was the most important thing," Bryan said. "Having talked to him for months, he'd tell me honestly if something was up or if they didn't know what they were going to do about me. "He really helped out this whole process with me. That was a huge benefit and added more comfort in my decision." The 2020 cycle has been a year of discomfort in recruiting, with hun- dreds of prospects having to commit to schools that they've never taken a normal visit to, nor have they met the coaching staff in person — all due to the NCAA's extended dead period. But along with a strong relationship with Polian, Bryan finds comfort at Notre Dame because he was able to make a trip out to South Bend in late August and enjoyed every second of it. "I loved the campus," Bryan said. "I walked around and got the feel- ing of being at home even though I couldn't see the coaches or facili- ties. So much time is going to just be spent at the school. If I'm comfortable and happy there, then it's the right school for me. "I feel like I'm ready for this opportunity. It's a big stage, but I wanted to pursue that. Notre Dame is going to make that happen for me." Bryan credits Chris Sailer Kicking for his development as a specialist. The service ranks Bryan as a "six- star" recruit, which is designated as a Power Five freshman-year starter and scholarship selection. Notre Dame kicker Jonathan Do- erer has expressed interest in return- ing in 2021, which is made possible due to the NCAA giving student- athletes an extra year of eligibility. If he does return, Bryan may not make his mark on the Notre Dame football team until 2022. — Mike Singer COMMITMENT PROFILE JOSHUA BRYAN Fighting Irish Land Their Kicker Of The Future Chris Sailer Kicking lists Bryan as a "six-star" kicker, a rating given to a Power Five freshman-year starter and scholarship selection. PHOTO COURTESY CHRIS SAILER KICKING FILM ANALYSIS "Josh [Bryan] is simply a phenomenal high school kicking prospect. He's a great athlete with big-time college potential. He hits a pure ball on field goals off the ground. He gets big-time lift on his ball and has 60-plus-yard range. His kickoffs are excellent, D1 ready. He drives the ball deep in the end zone with 4.0-plus hang time. "He's also a capable punter. He is a major competitor that thrives under pressure. Josh continues to prove that he is the best kicker in America in the class of 2021. I look forward to seeing what the future holds. He's a fine young man that is always a pleasure to work with — one of the hardest workers out there. Josh is a scholarship pick without a doubt." — Chris Sailer of Chris Sailer Kicking "They're on a roll right now, and that makes things even more exciting for me." BRYAN ON NOTRE DAME