From walk-on to starter, Luke Talich's leap of faith pays off for him and No. 3 Notre Dame
Now the 6-foot-4, 222-pound Wyoming native has turned his 1,376-mile football journey into a made-for-Hollywood script. The two-way high school star turned down scholarship offers from three Pac-12 schools, Wyoming and Colorado State so he could become a preferred walk-on with the Irish.
SOUTH BEND, Ind. (AP) — Luke Talich, a Wyoming native and former high school star, decided to become a Notre Dame Fighting Irish football player despite turning down scholarships from other schools. Now, in his fourth college season, Talich has earned a starting position on the nation's No. 3 team. The 6-foot-4, 222-pound player joined the Fighting Irish to challenge himself and prove himself, stating that he wanted to earn something rather than receive it.
Talich's journey to the starting lineup has been a made-for-Hollywood script, with his success rekindling memories of another inspiring walk-on, Daniel "Rudy" Ruettiger, whose story was portrayed in the film "Rudy." Coach Marcus Freeman recognized Talich's potential even before Johnson's injury and has seen his performance improve since becoming a starter.
Talich initially made his impact on special teams, but now plays a key role as a backup safety, recording 20 tackles and returning an interception for a score. His faith in God has helped him overcome challenges, and now he continues his strong performance while supporting his fellow starter, safety Brauntae Johnson, who is expected to miss more time due to an injury.
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