Family Always Comes First: Why Four-Star Offensive Line Recruit Gregory Patrick Chose Notre Dame with Loved Ones in Mind

Gregory Patrick didn’t need much time to understand what really mattered when it came time to pick a college. The towering four-star offensive line recruit from the heart of Georgia had all the traditional bluebloods lined up for his services—Alabama, Georgia, LSU, Florida State, and Ohio State, just to name a few. But when the opportunity to commit to Notre Dame became a reality, Patrick’s decision came down to something bigger than football, rankings, or NIL: his family.

From the outside, Patrick looks like everything college coaches dream of on the offensive line. At 6-foot-6, 315 pounds, with exceptional footwork and a wingspan that swallows defenders, he’s the kind of cornerstone tackle that builds championship programs. But inside the helmet is a young man driven not by ego or accolades, but by the people who have poured love, discipline, and sacrifice into his journey.

“To me, family is everything,” Patrick said shortly after announcing his commitment to Notre Dame. “And when I visited South Bend, I felt like I wasn’t just joining a football team. I was joining a family. A real one.”

Patrick’s mother, Carla, is a schoolteacher who raised Gregory and his younger sister with unwavering support. His father, Andre, works construction and made sure every summer Gregory spent hours sweating in the Georgia heat learning about hard work—not only with tools but in life. His grandparents were fixtures at every high school game, often driving several hours just to sit in the stands for kickoff.

“When I started talking with Notre Dame, I told my parents I wasn’t just looking for a place to play football,” Patrick said. “I wanted a second home. Somewhere that values what we value.”

Those values—faith, education, loyalty, and character—align seamlessly with the Notre Dame tradition. It’s not a coincidence that Marcus Freeman, head coach of the Irish and a family-first man himself, made the difference.

“Coach Freeman didn’t talk to me like a salesman,” Patrick explained. “He talked to me like a father would. He wanted to know about my mom, about my sister, about what kind of man I want to be. That’s what stood out.”

While many programs push the glitz and glamor of NIL deals and fast-track NFL development, Notre Dame’s approach with Patrick was rooted in personal growth and long-term value. Offensive line coach Joe Rudolph emphasized what Notre Dame has long been known for—a commitment to excellence in the trenches and developing elite offensive linemen who also thrive off the field.

“That’s what got me,” Patrick said. “You see guys like Quenton Nelson, Mike McGlinchey, Ronnie Stanley—they weren’t just stars on Saturday. They became pros, leaders. And Coach Rudolph showed me how they got there, step by step.”

But Patrick’s story isn’t just about football stardom. It’s about responsibility. As the oldest child in his family, he’s always felt the pressure to be a role model. That burden, he says, is one of pride.

“When my sister watches me, I know she’s learning what it means to chase your dream and stay grounded,” Patrick said. “That means something to me. I’m not perfect, but I try to live the right way. Going to Notre Dame, where faith is strong, where academics matter, where the program treats players like sons—that’s where I wanted to be.”

His mother Carla echoed those sentiments.

“We prayed over every offer,” she said. “And I told Gregory, ‘God will show you where you’re meant to be.’ When we walked through the campus at Notre Dame, I knew it. You could feel it. This is a place that will care for my son.”

Despite being courted by powerhouse SEC schools much closer to home, Patrick never felt pressured to stay in the South. His family encouraged him to follow where he felt called, and as his recruitment intensified through spring and summer, he quietly began leaning toward the Irish.

The turning point came on a visit during Notre Dame’s spring game weekend. While most recruits focused on the atmosphere and the fanfare, Patrick spent over an hour just walking around campus with his mother and sister. It was a simple moment, but one that sealed it.

“We sat near the Grotto and lit a candle,” Carla recalled. “And Gregory said, ‘This is peace. This is where I want to be.’ And that was it.”

For Notre Dame, Patrick’s commitment is a massive win—not just on the field, but in the locker room and the community. Rated among the top 10 offensive tackles nationally and a top-100 player overall in the 2025 class, Patrick has the tools to be a multi-year starter and eventual NFL Draft pick. But what separates him from others is his maturity and sense of mission.

“He brings leadership, discipline, and humility,” said his high school coach, Terrence Mitchell. “You rarely find a kid this talented who is also so grounded. He lifts up his teammates. He mentors underclassmen. He’s just different.”

Patrick’s plans extend well beyond football. At Notre Dame, he hopes to major in business or education, inspired by his mother’s career and his own dream of giving back.

“I’ve seen what my mom does in the classroom every day,” he said. “She’s my hero. One day, whether I’m playing football or not, I want to make a difference in kids’ lives too. That’s why Notre Dame fit—it’s a platform to do more than play a game.”

As for the transition to South Bend, Patrick knows challenges await—midwestern winters, the academic rigors, and the competition in the trenches. But he embraces the adversity.

“I’m not afraid of work,” he said. “That’s how I got here. That’s what my dad taught me—show up early, stay late, do the job the right way.”

Patrick will arrive at Notre Dame next summer, joining what is already shaping up to be a top-tier recruiting class for Coach Freeman. But his goals aren’t flashy.

“I want to earn respect,” he said. “Be coachable. Be dependable. Help us win. And do it all with honor.”

His message to Irish fans? It’s simple, heartfelt, and pure Gregory Patrick:

“I’m coming to Notre Dame not just for me, but for everyone who ever believed in me. For my mom, my dad, my sister. For my coaches and teachers. For my family. I won’t let you down.”

And if there’s one thing Notre Dame fans have learned over the years, it’s that when a young man puts family first, the foundation for greatness has already been laid. In Gregory Patrick, the Irish aren’t just getting a premier offensive lineman—they’re getting a leader, a son, a brother, and a reflection of everything the program stands for.