FOOTBALL RECRUITING
with the talented linebacker.
Per 247Sports, Hilliard is the No. 13
overall prospect in the nation, the No. 1
outside linebacker in the country and
the top player in Ohio.
Dublin, Ohio, four-star linebacker
Nick Conner made his first trip to
South Bend and was blown away by
what he saw. Although he doesn't
hold an offer from the Irish, the 6-3,
225-pound prospect has developed a
strong relationship with defensive line
coach and Ohio recruiter Mike Elston.
The two got a chance to spend some
time together before the game.
"Coach Elston is great, and he's hon-
est about everything," Conner said. "I
want an offer from Notre Dame, and
he said that if I'm patient good things
will come. He was telling me that they
don't just offer guys to offer them, and
they don't offer guys because other
schools offer players. He was telling me
that a Notre Dame offer means some-
thing, and if I get one it means that I've
earned it.
"I'll be back in June for the Irish In-
vasion camp. I want this offer pretty
Pocatello, Idaho, native and Irish commitment Tristen Hoge — the nation's top center according to
247Sports — was in South Bend with his parents for the Blue-Gold Game.
PHOTO COURTESY 247SPORTS
