Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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BLUEGOLDONLINE.COM DECEMBER 2024 33 Patrick's father is not the only one in the family to have played college foot- ball. His uncle, Chris Patrick, was a two-year letter winner on the Nebraska offensive line in the early 2000s. Greg- ory grew up attending Michigan State and Cornhusker games. But when Patrick returns to East Lan- sing or Lincoln on recruiting visits now, he isn't thinking about following in his father's or uncle's footsteps. Rather, he is considering how playing for those schools could benefit him. "You don't really want to look through those lenses at all," he said. "Feelings should have a little bit of a role in your decision, but it is an opportunity and a business in the end." When Patrick said it is an "oppor- tunity and a business in the end," he didn't mean to an end. As much as he loves football, his education is equally, if not more, important. That's where his mother and grandmother's mentorship comes into play. His mother majored in chemical engi- neering at Michigan State, and her sci- entific expertise has inspired Patrick's professional interests. He is curious about pursuing a career in chemistry specializing in nutrition. "Obviously, I'm really big into food if you looked at me," Patrick said jokingly. But he knows the opportunity to play college football on scholarship is far from a joke. It means having a head start on life after it, whenever that comes to an end. "I'm not going to be one of those guys who wants to float through college," Pat- rick said. "It's definitely something that I see as a business part. I get this free oppor- tunity to make myself a little bit smarter and value myself in the work field. I'm go- ing to approach it to the fullest degree." Even if Patrick tried to break char- acter and only focus on football, his grandmother wouldn't let him. She is a former teacher, and her guidance has been beneficial in helping him navigate the academic pages of college websites. For example, he has found that Michi- gan and Michigan State offer more vari- ety in the science field than Notre Dame. Still, Patrick is more concerned about what career and college fits him best over an assortment of academic options. "At whatever school I choose, I've found something that I would fit best in," he said. On July 29, Patrick narrowed down his options to nine schools: Alabama, Michigan, Michigan State, Minnesota, Nebraska, Notre Dame, Oklahoma, Penn State and Wisconsin. However, in the first four weeks of the college foot- ball season, he only visited the three schools he's already seen most fre- quently: Michigan, Michigan State and Notre Dame. Each one is no more than 100 miles from his high school. Penn State was the exception when he re- turned to State College, Pa., on a game- day visit Nov. 9. The Irish specifically have his atten- tion for a few reasons. During his trips to South Bend, Patrick has discovered that Notre Dame's identity is "more than football." Of course, the Irish have the football part covered, too, with Rudolph being among the nation's best develop- ers of offensive line talent. The coach- ing staff has reflected that in their pitch, which has hit close to home for Patrick. "What's important to them is what's important to me," he said. "They're an extremely competitive program with everyone in the country. They win at a pretty high level. That's a pretty big part of it. "Coach Rudolph is a very personable guy. We connect on a personal level." Considering the way Patrick values his family, it is far from a surprise that three of the four schools he is focusing on are within a two-hour drive from home. Once the game is over, he wants to be more than just football to his family. "Proximity to home is pretty impor- tant to me," Patrick said. "I do want to see my younger siblings a little bit more." It's now up to Patrick to decide which school offers the best opportunity. And he can expect his family to have some- what of a say. ✦ On3 rates Patrick the No. 1 prospect in Michigan, and the No. 7 interior offensive lineman and the No. 90 overall player nationally in the 2026 class. PHOTO COURTESY ON3 "What's important to them is what's important to me. They're an extremely competitive program with everyone in the country. They win at a pretty high level. That's a pretty big part of it." PATRICK ON NOTRE DAME