By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Notre Dame became the frontrunner to land Joe Otting from the time the Irish made an official offer to the Hayden star junior lineman back on May 4.
Hayden three-sport standout Joe Otting (65) announced his oral commitment to Notre Dame football Tuesday afternoon. [File photo/TSN]
"Especially growing up in the catholic community at Hayden, just wearing the blue and gold has always been a dream of mine,'' Otting said.
But his college choice still wasn't a slam dunk, with the 6-foot-4, 275-pound Otting seriously weighing several other offers, including Kansas State and Iowa, before making an oral commitment to the Irish on Tuesday after a pair of visits to the school.
Otting's commitment came after he participated in Notre Dame’s lineman’s challenge camp last week. Otting also attended Notre Dame’s 55-0 win over Georgia Tech last Nov. 20.
"It was pretty tough, just because of the relationships I've built over time, especially with K-State,'' Otting said. "They've been with me from the start. It was a tough decision, no doubt, and saying no to Iowa as well and all the other schools.''
But in the end, Notre Dame was Notre Dame and impossible to say no to, especially after taking an unofficial visit to the South Bend, Ind. campus.
"It's so beautiful,'' Otting said. "Just the cathedral, the gratto, it's a beautiful place.''
And Otting said Tuesday it feels good to get his college decision out of the way and be able to concentrate on his senior year at Hayden.
"It's a big relief,'' said Otting, who will take an official visit to Notre Dame June 17-19.
Otting is coming off an outstanding junior season in three sports for the Wildcats, earning first-team All-Shawnee County honors in football and basketball while also standing out in track and field as a thrower.
Otting helped lead Hayden to the second round of the Class 3A football playoffs and an 8-2 record last fall and helped the Wildcats finish fourth in the Class 4A state basketball tournament.
