Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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34 MARCH 2021 BLUE & GOLD ILLUSTRATED 2021 FOOTBALL RECRUITING ISSUE BY MIKE SINGER Montvale (N.J.) St. Joseph Regional running back Audric Estime has no regrets about his decision to flip from Michigan State to Notre Dame on the final day of the early signing period. After the Fighting Irish offered late in the process, Estime consid- ered skipping the early signing pe- riod altogether and making it official in February to buy some more time. Ultimately, though, he decided that he was ready to join Notre Dame on Dec. 18. "I wouldn't do anything differ- ently," Estime said. "Everything happens for a reason, and I think it worked out perfectly. I'm ready to go. I wouldn't change a thing." Estime had a fantastic senior sea- son, running for 1,857 yards and 22 touchdowns on 190 attempts and winning three separate New Jer- sey Player of the Year awards (from NJ.com, MaxPreps and Jersey Sports Zone). "I had so many people around me to support me and help me reach my goals," he said. "I set high goals for myself, and I had to put in the work daily to reach them. I had a pretty good high school career with my teammates, coaches and family supporting me." The Fighting Irish staff noticed Estime carving up defenses in the highly competitive New Jersey Catholic leagues and got in contact with him. However, the Notre Dame coaches didn't offer Estime until Dec. 14, which was two days before the start of the three-day early sign- ing period. Estime and Geno VanDeMark, a four-star offensive lineman and teammate at St. Joseph Regional, visited Michigan State together last August. Both committed to the Spar- tans soon after the trip, and it was difficult for Estime to tell his friend he wouldn't be joining him in East Lansing. "It was hard because I was com- mitted to Michigan State and was planning on sticking with them," Estime added. "Once Notre Dame offered, it changed things, and I had to pick between those two schools. It was hard for me because of the rela- tionship I had with Michigan State." Estime informed Notre Dame head coach Brian Kelly and running backs coach Lance Taylor of his decision on Dec. 17 and signed the following day. "I loved the plan they had for me," Estime said. "It was a best of both worlds with the academics and foot- ball. They're a historical, great foot- ball program. "I can see myself contributing in that offense. That's why I picked Notre Dame." He picked the Irish without a visit to South Bend, though. Estime did plenty of his own research and had virtual tours with the staff, but noth- ing can truly replace the in-person experience of seeing Notre Dame's campus, which he does plan to do in the spring. "It's a beautiful campus," Estime stated. "I think it's a place that looks comfortable. It's not a big school, so you won't have classes with 300 other people. That was a big thing. My family and I feel comfortable with Notre Dame." "I think it's tremendous for him, it's a perfect fit," St. Joseph Regional head coach Dan Marangi said. "He's Audric Estime Jumps At The Opportunity Offered By Notre Dame Estime flipped from Michigan State to Notre Dame during the early sign- ing period in mid-December. PHOTO BY RYAN PATTI