Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/259072
BY ANDREW OWENS W henever Cleveland St. Ignatius High School found itself in a tight situation needing a crucial yard or two, head coach Chuck Kyle always opted for the same approach. He knew what was coming, his team knew it and the opponent knew it. And it still worked consistently the past couple years. The plan? Run behind incoming Irish offensive lineman Jimmy Byrne to grind out the tough yardage when St. Ignatius needed it most. "We were going to go behind Jimmy because he'd find that extra push," Kyle said. "We'd rely on that, and not just physically because he's dominat- ing the opponent, but also stepping up to that mental moment. Maybe every- one's tired at this point, but there ap- pears to be a mind over matter battle, and Jimmy, time and time again, was the reliable guy. Run behind Jimmy, let the ball carrier cut, and we should be in good shape." The 6-4, 285-pound lineman played tackle in high school, but will move inside to guard and perhaps even center for Notre Dame. The four-star recruit lives deep in the heart of Ohio State territory and grew up rooting for the Buckeyes, but he couldn't help but fall in love with what Notre Dame had to offer when he committed in December of his junior year. "I was able to narrow it down pretty quickly based on distance," said Byrne, who added that his relationship with the coaching staff, specifically offen- sive line coach Harry Hiestand, served as the tipping point in the decision. "I knew I didn't want to go too far. I wanted my parents to be able to come Jimmy Byrne Brings Toughness To Irish Haul Byrne started on the Cleveland St. Ignatius offen- sive line for three years. PHOTO BY STEVE HELWAGEN/COURTESY BUCKNUTS