Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/296331
As a junior, Fertitta recorded 47 tack- les, four tackles for loss, five passes bro- ken up and one interception. 247Sports lists him as a three-star prospect, the No. 3 player in Nevada and the No. 60 safety in the land. Fertitta noted that Arizona finished second and Boston College third in his recruitment. It was difficult for him to choose a school far from home, but added that: "Passing on Notre Dame would have been a mistake." "It's Notre Dame," Fertitta said. "It was a tough decision. I really liked Ari- zona a lot. I just couldn't miss an op- portunity to play for Notre Dame and be a part of such great tradition in South Bend." During his visit to the campus, Fer- titta sat down with new defensive co- ordinator Brian VanGorder and the two discussed his future at Notre Dame. Although the two have talked on the phone in the past, this was Fertitta's first opportunity for a face-to-face meeting with the leader of the defense. "I liked Coach VanGorder a lot," Fer- titta said. "I liked that he didn't care about size and speed. He said I can play football, and he wants a guy like me on the team. He said that I'll have ev- ery shot possible to make an impact on his defense and to make plays for him down the road. It seemed genuine from him and I could tell that he was serious about giving me a shot." While at Notre Dame, Fertitta got plenty of time to pick the brains of some current players on the Irish ros- ter. He has known former Bishop Gor- Per 247Sports, Fertitta is ranked as the No. 60 safety in the land and the No. 3 prospect in Nevada. PHOTO COURTESY 247SPORTS