Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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BY ANDREW IVINS A d e t o k u n b o O g u n d e j i n e v e r thought he would play college football. His parents, who were born in Nigeria, didn't think he would either. To them, receiving a free education to play a sport in college was a foreign concept. That's why when Notre Dame called the family to offer Ogundeji a scholar- ship, they had to listen. Ogundeji, who goes by the nickname "Ade," had worked out in front of the Irish coaching staff with his Walled Lake (Mich.) Central teammates at a camp June 22. He arrived in South Bend as a relatively unheralded de- fensive end that had at one time been committed to Western Michigan, but left as one of the top targets on the board. "When I got on campus, I realized that Notre Dame was really going to be an option," Ogundeji said. "I learned a lot about the educational aspect of things. I talked with my parents to make sure I knew what I was doing, and then I committed." On July 17, Ogundeji committed to the Irish, completing his rise from a relative unknown on the recruiting scene to a Notre Dame pledge. Growing up in a household where there was more of an emphasis placed on academics rather than athletics, Ogundeji didn't focus on the big pic- ture with football. So when Western Michigan offered him a scholarship in February, he committed right away. "It was more of an excitement thing," Ogundeji said looking back on the pledge. "I was just so excited about this recruiting process. Once you get that first offer, you just don't know. I loved Western Michigan and Irish Find A Defensive End With Plenty Of Upside COMMITMENT PROFILE ADETOKUNBO OGUNDEJI Ogundeji recorded 66 tackles, eight sacks and 15 pass deflections en route to earning all-county and all-league honors as a junior. PHOTO BY ANDREW IVINS