July 13, 2008

Pete Sampson
IrishIllustrated.com

Charlie Weis probably didn't mind this vacation time out.

Watt ranks as the second highest rated prospect in this class.

"He had heard that I wanted to talk to him," Watt said. "He was very excited about the commitment. He was thrilled."

Watt's decision to select Notre Dame over Ohio State became official today, but the 6-foot-3, 280-pound prospect began the process of committing to the Irish two days ago when he tracked down recruiting coordinator Rob Ianello. Watt let Ianello know he wanted to be a part of the Notre Dame program, meaning the only move left was to phone Weis.

Watt is Notre Dame's 12th commitment and the second on the offensive line alongside guard Alex Bullard. Those two figure to be practicing together often in coming seasons.

"That's what the plan is for right now, definitely offensive guard," Watt said. "I'm going to try to come in and compete there. I'm open to them having me play any position."

Watt also ranks as the second highest rated prospect in this developing class behind five-star running back Cierre Wood. Yet in terms of heated recruitments, nobody beats the Chicagoland prospect.

The latest Irish pledge was almost a fixture in South Bend during the past six months, hitting junior days, spring practices and summer workouts. He was doing much of the same at Ohio State too, leaving Watt conflicted about where he wanted to spend his college career.

Watt eventually made a list of pros and cons for his favorites, then handed it to his parents. Watt said at times he was leaning to Ohio State while his father liked Notre Dame.

"They were happy with whatever decision I made," Watt said. "They were kind of surprised when I told them and I handed them the phone to talk to coach Ianello. They weren't expecting a commitment. They were happy.

"It just hit me that Notre Dame was where I wanted to be."

The Irish roster helped that cause, specifically freshman Sean Cwynar. Watt also credited Dayne Crist, Trevor Robinson and Brandon Walker for making him feel welcome on the Irish roster during multiple stops in South Bend.

"The people surrounding Notre Dame really got to me," Watt said. "Obviously all the kids there I just really liked hanging out with. Sean showed me around and really let me know what the program is really about and that there's no B.S. there."

The recruiting process probably held some of that for Watt, who said he enjoyed the college courtship for the most part but that it also became tiresome.

"It was an interesting process and kind of a learning process going through it," Watt said. "I really didn't know what I was going to do. Every coach you met you liked better than the last one. Each school you saw you liked better than the last one."

Selecting between Weis and Jim Tressel gave Watt two renowned options.

"You can't beat Coach Tressel. He's a phenomenal person and a good coach, but it's about the overall school and everything," Watt said. "Coach Weis is an NFL coach and to play for him is a very big step.  Just the overall package of everything, being close to home and being in a big-time football program with really good academics, that was all big.

"It's always been a dream school."

     It what had been rumored for the past week, became official today when Chris Watt officially became a part of Notre Dame. Watt chose the Irish over the presumptive front runner Ohio St. as well as Illinois, Penn St., Boston College and Northwestern amongst others.

     The Illinois product becomes the twelfth commitment of the 2009 class. And the second along the offensive line, coupled with Alex Bullard, making it two interior prospects.

     Watt’s recruitment had been a two team battle for the last month between Ohio St. and Notre Dame, this despite visits to other schools. Over the last six months, Watt had attended junior days, spring practices and summer workouts in both South Bend and Columbus.

     There were many variables that helpled steer Watt toward Notre Dame, namely the closeness of the team and the overall attitude on and off of the field.

     “The people surrounding Notre Dame really got to me,” Watt said. “Obviously all the kids there I just really liked hanging out with. Sean showed me around and really let me know what the program is really about and that there’s no B.S. there.”

     What has made Watt the top prospect out of Illinois is his overall athletic ability along with excellent lateral footwork. This seperates him when it comes to any offensive lineman in the country. Watt will excell as a pulling guard, after playing tackle in high school, and getting to the second level will be secondary. 

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