MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. -- As a reporter heading into Notre Dame’s media session, you needed to prioritize. For the first time in my years covering this team, you had access to everybody on the football team. Everybody. From Manti Te’o, propped up in front of a dozen cameras, to Cam McDaniel, sitting with the non-starters in the bleachers, baking under the sun at Sun Life Stadium.
But the clock was ticking. Sixty minutes. And it goes by way too quickly.
After 40 days of run-up, there are no new stories to tell about Monday night’s National Championship. With hundreds of media members looking to find an angle that hasn’t been trampled, and players on both team’s being more than respectful about their opponents, it’s a heavy burden to try and pry any newsworthy quote from player.
No, Tyler Eifert wasn’t willing to let the world know he’s heading to the NFL next year. An announcement will come after the season. No, Chris Watt and Christian Lombard weren’t all that willing to discuss the success of the Irish offensive line, especially after hearing about the Tide’s heralded front five all month. And even a linebacker like Dan Fox, all but assured a fifth season after playing key minutes the past few years, was only hopeful that he’d get the invitation to return, struggling to look past the tremendous challenge that Alabama’s offense presents on Monday night.
For a Notre Dame fan, Media Day presented an opportunity to chase a quote from guys at the top of the roster, or spend five minutes with people at the bottom. And while it was tough to find even a redshirting freshman that wasn’t only focused on the task at hand, it was a terrific opportunity to talk to guys that will play significant roles in future Irish teams.
More than anything, the personality of this team showed through this afternoon. There was Cierre Wood, kept away from reporters all season, high-stepping down the sidelines, hollering as he made his way towards the Crystal Ball, prominently on display. And there was Te’o, once again surrounded by reporters and cameras, being asked a question about the greatness of fellow Hawaiian and best friend Robby Toma. By Robby Toma.
There’s no getting around the fact that Notre Dame is still decided underdogs against Alabama. With Las Vegas pegging the Tide a ten-point favorite, the Irish walking away from Monday night undefeated is another challenging proposition, not unlike this entire season.
But if there’s one thing worth taking away from this season -- other than the national championship -- is the camaraderie of this group. This is a team of terrific personalities, a team filled with front page quotes and feature profiles. And watching kids like Matthias Farley, Bennett Jackson, and Troy Niklas take in the surreal proceedings of a national championship media day, one year after stumbling to an 8-5 season, is a tremendous experience.
I had only begun to work my way through the bleachers, working my way to guys like Amir Carlisle and Cam McDaniel, when the ten minute warning hit. An impromptu interview session by Kendall Moore and Sheldon Day turned Bob Diaco and I into subjects, and steered me away from any head coaching questions, as the players turned into intrepid reporters.
The ultimate measure of this season will come when the clock hits zero late on Monday night. But after watching this team enjoy the moment and a week-long trip to South Florida, it’s apparent that whatever happens Monday, this team is one for the history books.