1. Exceptional Athletic Ability:
* High School Performance: You need to be a standout player at a high level. This means starting varsity early, excelling in your position, and accumulating impressive statistics. Playing for a nationally recognized high school program can help increase visibility.
* Recruiting Services: Your performance needs to attract attention from major college recruiting services like ESPN, Rivals, and 247Sports. High rankings on these services are crucial for attracting the attention of college scouts.
* Camps and Showcases: Attending highly regarded football camps and showcases gives you a chance to directly demonstrate your skills to college coaches, including those from Notre Dame. Performing well at these events is critical.
* Game Film: High-quality game film is essential. Coaches will analyze your film extensively to assess your skills, technique, and potential.
* Positional Need: Notre Dame, like all colleges, has specific positional needs each year. If your child excels at a position where Notre Dame needs players, their chances increase significantly.
2. Academic Excellence:
* High GPA: Notre Dame is academically rigorous. A high GPA and strong academic record are non-negotiable. They look for students who can handle the demanding academic environment.
* Standardized Test Scores: Strong scores on the SAT or ACT are essential for admission, even with athletic talent.
* Course Selection: Taking challenging courses, like AP or IB classes, demonstrates academic preparedness.
3. The Recruiting Process:
* Early Contact: Building relationships with Notre Dame's coaching staff early in high school is beneficial. This can involve attending camps, sending film, and maintaining contact.
* Unofficial Visits: Unofficial visits to Notre Dame allow your child to experience the campus and meet the coaches.
* Official Visits: If Notre Dame shows significant interest, they may offer your child an official visit, which is a fully funded trip to the campus.
* Offers and Acceptance: Receiving a scholarship offer from Notre Dame is extremely competitive. Even if offered a scholarship, it's not guaranteed until the letter of intent is signed.
In summary: Getting a football scholarship to Notre Dame requires exceptional talent, dedication, hard work, and a bit of luck. It's a long and challenging process that begins long before high school. The emphasis is on both athletic prowess and academic achievement. If your child possesses the potential, early and consistent effort is crucial to maximizing their chances.