Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/226401
Notre Dame Lands Elite Junior Center By Tom Loy T he third time was the charm for Notre Dame and Pocatello (Idaho) Highland offensive center Tristen Hoge. During his third trip to South Bend, for the Dec. 6 weekend, the 6-5, 287-pound recruit committed to Notre Dame and became commitment No. 3 from the class of 2015. "The first time I stepped on campus commitment profile tristEN hoge I knew that I wanted to be at Notre Dame," Hoge said. "The first couple days I was there were surreal, and the experience was everything I hoped for and more. The coaches are top notch. It's the best coaching staff I've ever met." Hoge and Notre Dame offensive line coach Harry Hiestand first worked together during this past summer camp in South Bend and the two developed a special bond. "My relationship with Coach Hiestand is pretty incredible," Hoge discussed. "He treats me like one of his own players, children and just one of his guys. It means a lot that he is so upfront about everything and tells me that nothing will be given to me and that I need to work for everything I achieve. I think he and I are going to have a great few years here." Prior to making a commitment to the 247Sports ranks Hoge as a four-star prospect, the No. 55 overall recruit in the country, the No. 1 center in the land and the No. 1 player in Idaho for the class of 2015. photo courtesy 247sports Irish, Hoge wanted to take a few trips and ensure he was making the best decision for his future. The junior standout wanted to visit Stanford, see what game day was like at Notre Dame and take an unofficial visit to Florida. The trip to Palo Alto, Calif., for Stanford's summer football camp was successful, and he earned an offer from the Cardinal, but he didn't get the same vibe that he got from his time with the staff at Notre Dame for its camp. He was in South Bend when the Irish took on the USC Trojans Oct. 19 and called the experience "incredible," and he said he almost committed the very next day. On Nov. 30, Hoge made it to Gainesville to watch the Florida-Florida State game, and while he enjoyed his time on