Marist standout Pat Coogan commits to Notre Dame

As the scholarship process begin to ramp up for Marist offensive lineman Pat Coogan, he had initially promised himself that he was going to be patient and let things play out in this unique recruiting season.

Then Notre Dame called and offered.

And everything changed for the 6-foot-5, 290-pounder, who is a consensus Top 20 prospect in the state in the Class of 2021.

Coogan had been offered by over 30 schools earlier in the process, but even early on he admitted he was holding out hope that the school list would increase by a few other notables. So when Notre Dame, the school he had wanted all along, offered, it didn't take look for Coogan to make his intentions known.

Coogan had notable offers from Illinois, LSU, Michigan, Michigan State, Tennessee, Ohio State, Oklahoma and Oregon among many others.

His Marist coach, Ron Dawzcyk, is confident that the Fightin' Irish have gotten themselves a player that will fill whatever role is asked of him and add great value at the next level.

"The thing that has really, really helped him is not only his physical development, but his work ethic. He got in the weight room to build up his upper body, he really has the mentality of someone that wants to be the best football player that he can be," Dawczyk said. "He has all the intangibles that you would look for in a coach for a player to be successful. He's mature, he's a leader and the work ethic that he has, he sets the tone for the entire team."

Coogan was relieved he was able to reach a resolution to his recruiting. Before the pandemic spread, one of his initial goals was to secure his place prior to his senior season.

"It has been an awesome process, I don't think I could have ever imagined being in the position I am now. It's really just a nod to all my teammates and my coaches," Coogan said. "They have put me in this position, they have helped me out on the field, in the weight room and in the classroom they have always been there for me."