Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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position in high school except the de- fensive secondary. "I didn't play it very often, but I know how to throw a football. All my family has grown up being Division I football players and they were all quarterbacks," said McGlinchey, a first cousin to Atlanta Falcons signal-caller Matt Ryan. "I was the only one that wasn't a skill guy. When I was in high school that's probably why I played so many positions, because I was their route runner when we were down on the shore working out. I just kind of picked it up from watching them." That athleticism complements his bruising strength, which is typically the first attribute offered by Mc- Glinchey's teammates when asking about him in interviews. "He's one of the hardest-hitting players on the team. I'd say he's in the top five for sure," fifth-year senior linebacker Joe Schmidt said. "Him and [left guard] Quenton Nelson are abso- lute loads. You have to be ready for his physicality. "There are a couple plays where he gets a clean shot at me without me seeing him and those are always fun," Schmidt quipped. "He's a really good offensive tackle," junior defensive end Isaac Rochell added. "Both him and Ronnie are huge guys and really tough to go against. It helps going against other guys. "You're really not going to get any- one bigger, which is huge. He's a re- ally good player and a really good look." McGlinchey's look has always been a little different, and it usually works out just fine for him. ✦