CLARKSTON, Mich. – Notre Dame’s theme song blew off speakers at the football stadium outside Clarkston High School on Saturday as Rocco Spindler and his family – two of his sisters, his mother and father – all put on navy blue hats to celebrate.
The state’s top offensive lineman had made his choice. It was a ‘hair splitting,’ Spindler and his father would later say, but one that took root almost a year ago.
With the media crawling around him, the 6-foot-4, 315-pound reporter told reporters of the promise he made to his grandfather. A Scranton, Pa., Native, the older Spindler often told young Rocco of the benefits that come with going to Notre Dame. About the Irish heritage of the school, its prestige and the history of the football program.
“He only had three days left (to live), and I told him he could go in peace knowing before he died,” Spindler said. ‘I just said,’ Hey, Grandpa, I’m going to Notre Dame. “He was so happy. ”
Of course, the decision was not so tight and dry. Spindler had to do his homework, a process to go through – and many schools, some of the most elite football programs in the country, followed him.
But once the list was reduced to five in May – Notre Dame, Michigan, Ohio State, Penn State and LSU – it became clearer for Spindler, a consensus four-star prospect who ranks in the top 100 nationally among football recruits in the United States. 2021 class.
“Some may say, ‘Why haven’t you just started before?’ Spindler admits, “It was a very difficult decision.”
MORE: 4-star OL Rocco Spindler, a UM goalie, commits herself to Notre Dame
Spindler praised Notre Dame’s business school, his reputation for developing offensive linemen in NFL players, and winning history on the field. He believes the Irish are close to a breakthrough, and could win a national title in the next few years.
“I could not be more proud that part of his decision-making process was his grandfather’s dream,” said his father, Marc Spindler. Spindler turned down Notre Dame High School to attend Pittsburgh, then went on to play for the Detroit Lions.
‘But that’s not the only reason why. He really went through this line item by line item. It just came back as the best opportunity to develop. ”
Spindler said he reversed his decision and informed Notre Dame “a few weeks ago”, asking the coaching staff to remain silent. He wanted his decision to be a real surprise – and it was for some who wore ‘Clichston High School’ football stadium to ‘Michigan’ shirts on Saturday.
The Wolverines were on the verge of landing Spindler, who praised job head coach Jim Harbaugh, offensive line coach Ed Warinner and recruiting director Matt Dudek did in recruiting him.
“It was very difficult,” Spindler said. ‘It was heartbreaking. Everything they said and I said was sincere. It was quite a decision. When I say split hairs, it was not easy. That is why it has taken so long to reach this point. ”
Spindler said he was impressed with Michigan’s approach. They put in the time and energy. They have never had another school bad mouth.
“They really put their heart and soul into this, and today there is no doubt that it stung,” said his father. ‘But I will say this: they treat the call as well as I could have expected, with respect and appreciation, and I hope they know that sincerely.
Then Marc Spindler went on: “I do not stumble people; I do not piss people’s backs and tell them it’s raining. I tell her exactly how it is. I was a Jim Harbaugh fan. Not necessarily a man from Michigan, but I was a Jim Harbaugh by the way before he came to Michigan. Then I became Michigan fan. And I will remain a fan of Michigan. Just not when they play Notre Dame, that’s all. ‘
Inside, said the younger Spindler, his heart was always drawn to Notre Dame. And the recruitment process just confirmed that; the visits and games and success that went hand in hand with what his grandfather told him he was growing up.
Spindler said there was also luck in leaving the state to chart a new path, which his teammate at Clarkston, four-star offensive tackle Garrett Dellinger, did when he pitched for LSU in June. And he had many of the same schools after him, including Michigan.
Michigan and the rest of the schools gave it their best shot, ‘Spindler said. “I believe Michigan is one of the best recruiting schools, starting with Matt Dudek, coach Harbaugh, Warinner – they really could not have done anything better. It’s exactly what I wanted, myself, and also with my family.
“I said I really wanted to go to Notre Dame and I will keep that promise. Now I did. ‘
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