Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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It Was Love At First Sight For Illinois Offensive Lineman BY JASON SAPP New Lenox, Ill., was told that a player was going to be transferring into his football program from cross- town Lincoln-Way Central High. When the player arrived he turned out to be a 6-6, 295-pound junior named Colin McGovern. D COMMITMENT PROFILE COLIN MCGOVERN was something special," Ernst said. "I knew that he'd be able to play big- time college football, and it wasn't just about his size. He had incredible work ethic." The hard work paid off. McGov- "I could tell right away that he ern landed his first scholarship of- fer from Northwestern in early De- cember, and the list soon included schools like Alabama, Iowa, Michi- gan, Nebraska, Ohio State, Tennes- see and Wisconsin. Notre Dame made its pitch in late February and was able to secure his first-ever trip to campus for its junior day on March 24, following McGovern's early March swing of visits to other programs. While it wasn't his intent head- ing into the visit, McGovern felt had seen enough. "I showed up and got pumped up about it right away," he shared of his decision to commit to the Irish dur- ing the campus visit. "I sort of grew up a Notre Dame fan being Irish Catholic, so obviously I was high on them and it was great knowing they were high on me. As the visit went avid Ernst the head football coach of Lincoln-Way High in prised the family that had accompa- nied him on the visit. "They had no clue it was coming," he shared of the moment he told Kelly his intentions. "We were talk- ing about it five minutes before we went to talk with Coach Kelly. My family was just helping me weigh my options. My mom, dad and even my sister were all throwing positives at me during the whole visit, and I was just soaking it all in and not showing any emotion. "We got in there with Coach Kelly and when he asked me if I loved Notre Dame, I told him I did and that I was ready to commit. … I don't think he knew it was coming because it was my first time ever even sitting in his office. He was taken aback and got really excited about me joining the family." McGovern, who has the option McGovern, a 6-6, 295-pounder, is rated as the No. 27 offensive tackle nationally and the No. 9 prospect in Illinois by 247Sports. PHOTO COURTESY 247SPORTS on I was able to get acclimated to the players and coaches, and I just fell in love. "It definitely took some thinking of enrolling early and is still mak- ing a decision on whether that is the course he'll take, has accepted an invitation to play in the 2013 Under Armour All-America Game. It's no surprise to his coach that he is re- ferred to as one of the best offensive linemen in the nation. towards the end, but the risk was definitely worth the reward." McGovern, who is rated by IRISH CATHOLIC, SO OBVIOUSLY I WAS HIGH ON THEM A NOTRE DAME FAN BEING "I SORT OF GREW UP 247Sports as the No. 27 offensive tackle nationally and the No. 9 pros- pect in Illinois, didn't only catch Irish head coach Brian Kelly off guard with an impromptu pledge, but his laid-back approach also sur- fense … Can step in either direction with quick feet and crushes the inside man on down blocks … Pulls well for his size, which is often used in Notre Dame's running game, and also has the athletic ability and strength to be strong in the inside and outside zone … Physical at the point of attack, blocks through the defender and constantly moves from snap to whistle. Strengths Stays low, keeps a wide base and chips off the initial block well to get to the second level of the de- FILM ANALYSIS at the next level. Needs to work on staying more square to mirror the defender … Does a great job of gaining control of the defender, but will need to keep hands further inside while latching on to not present any holding concerns on the edge of the play. www.BLUEANDGOLD.com Areas To Improve Opens hips a bit far on five-step drops which will allow faster, stronger defensive ends to beat him — Jason Sapp AS THE VISIT WENT ON I WAS ABLE TO GET ACCLIMATED TO THE PLAYERS AND COACHES, AND I JUST FELL IN LOVE." MCGOVERN AND IT WAS GREAT KNOWING THEY WERE HIGH ON ME. but the biggest thing that jumps out at you is his athleticism," Ernst said of his left tackle. "He's getting leaner, heavier and stronger all the time. He's not a waist bender. He's a knee bender, and he has great balance. That's what sets him apart from ev- erybody else. He's a big, strong kid." "He gets to the second or third "He's got a lot of God-given gifts, level really quick," 247Sports na- tional reporter Steve Wiltfong said. "He's explosive off of the line, he finishes blocks and he can take on a couple of guys a play." ✦ MAY 2012 41