Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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PREP PROFILES An opportunity to take in a Notre Dame home game was too enticing to pass up for Ann Arbor (Mich.) Pioneer linebacker Derrick Hubbard. The junior made the three-hour trip from the hometown of Irish rival Michigan to South Bend Nov. 14 to see head coach Brian Kelly's squad face Wake Forest. Numerous factors from the atmosphere around campus to facilities can leave an impression on a prospect, but sometimes it's the little things that can leave the strongest im- age in the mind of a recruit. Hubbard's favorite part of his packed, unofficial trip was trying on Irish equipment and taking photos, visualizing what he'd look like as a Notre Dame player. "Putting on the uniform, the jersey and the gloves — it just felt sweet," Hubbard said. "It felt like I was a player." The 6-2, 200-pound junior line- backer was joined by his father and high school teammate Cedric Benton on the trip, and they spent a full day taking in everything Notre Dame has to offer. The trio arrived around 10 a.m. and began by walking around campus, checking out the practice facilities and the tailgating scene. Then they were hosted inside the Guglielmino Ath- letics Complex, where they received a tour of the facilities among other activities before heading to the game itself. "It was a great game," he said. "The student section was so lively. They were out there competing and making plays. The 98-yard touchdown run [by Josh Adams] was huge. "It was a great time; it was probably the most fun out of all the visits I've been on. It was really different. … I'd love to go back." Hubbard is still in the early stages of his recruiting process with the Irish, saying he's received numerous letters from the school since the middle of his junior season. Michigan, Michigan State, Virginia and Purdue are also interested, and Toledo has already of- fered a scholarship. "I've always thought Notre Dame had a really good program, even be- fore I visited," Hubbard said. "It's Notre Dame. It's always been a pres- tigious school. Hubbard earned first-team all-con- ference honors following his junior season. — Jordan Wells Ann Arbor Standout Sees Notre Dame DERRICK HUBBARD Pioneer High School Ann Arbor, Mich. Status: Interest Class: 2017 Position: Linebacker Ht.: 6-2 · Wt.: 200 Rivals Rankings: Currently unrated