Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/259072
PREP PROFILES Nicco Fertitta, a rising safety out of national powerhouse Bishop Gorman High in Las Vegas, proudly picked up an offer from Notre Dame Jan. 21. The three-star prospect is the son of billionaire Lo- renzo Fertitta, co- founder of Station Casinos and Co- O w n e r / C E O o f the Ultimate Fight- ing Championship (UFC), and has felt his Notre Dame of- fer is proof of his hard work and ded- ication to football. "I have worked so hard for this, and I did it all on my own. It felt like a sense of accomplishment," Nicco Fer- titta said. "My father has done nothing but support me. I let what people say, like my dad got me this or that, roll off my shoulder. If you have haters, you're doing something right." Fertitta said a favorite hasn't emerged among his six offers, which include Boston College, Hawaii, Utah and Villanova (where his older brother is a defensive back), but Notre Dame has all that he is looking for. "It's one of the most prestigious pro- grams, it has the tradition, it's a school of my Catholic faith, it has a sense of family, and I respect the coaches," Fer- titta said. "My grandfather is a diehard fan, so in a way, I've always been a fan." Fertitta specifically pointed out Tony Alford as the Irish coach who's been mainly recruiting him and noted how much he likes him. He also mentioned former high school t e a m m a t e a n d Notre Dame start- ing offensive line- man Ronnie Stan- ley. "Ronnie has been trying to get me to come out there," he said. "He loves it up there, and he's never said one bad thing about Notre Dame." The 5-9, 160-pound prospect may be considered undersized for a defensive back, but he is confident he can com- pensate for that. "I think my intelligence on the field and being physical and aggressive is what separates me from other play- ers," he said. "I'm not the biggest player, but I will make you feel like you got hit by someone much bigger. I can promise that." Fertitta has made a few trips to South Bend for camps, but plans on taking an official trip this spring. He hopes to makes a decision and commit before next fall. — Staci Gasser Las Vegas Safety With Well-Known Father Gets Irish Offer NICCO FERTITTA ✪ ✪ ✪ Bishop Gorman High School Las Vegas Status: Offered Class: 2015 Position: Safety Ht.: 5-9 • Wt.: 160 40-Yard Dash: 4.6 Rankings: No. 31 safety in nation according to Scout.com