How Notre Dame’s ‘life after football’ pitch stuck out during On300 OL Ben Nichols’ return visit

Four-star offensive line recruit Ben Nichols has been on his fair share of college recruiting visits. In fact, the 6-foot-5, 315-pounder from Davison (Mich.) High has been on at least 20 of them. However, he has never heard a pitch like the one the Irish gave him on Saturday.

Nichols, the On3 Industry Ranking’s No. 209 overall player and No. 19 interior offensive lineman in the 2026 cycle, checked out the Fighting Irish for the first time since they offered him on Pot of Gold Day. 

He previously visited campus for the program’s “Lineman’s Challenge” camp on June 3 and the Southern California game on Oct. 14. Naturally, a spring visit provided much more detail, especially into the program’s off-the-field operation. 

After all, current Irish offensive linemen Rocco Spindler and Sam Pendelton did an excellent job selling it. 

“They have this program where they sit down five or six times a year with former players and businesses,” Nichols told Blue & Gold on Sunday. “You connect your phone number with all these CEOs and owners of companies. 

“Then, once you’re interested in starting your own thing, you hit up all of these guys, and they pretty much set you up for the rest of your life, which I think is amazing. … I was really shocked when I heard it because that’s really important to me.” 

In addition to Notre Dame, Nichols has previously visited Northwestern, Michigan, Michigan State, Ohio State and Penn State. Those schools have not offered him or discussed life after football to the extent the Irish did on Saturday. 

“It’s so much different compared to what these guys are doing,” Nichols said. “They showed us slides of their former players and what they’re doing now. There are tons of CEOs at huge companies. It’s all over, which is super important.” 

Yet Nichols said Notre Dame’s off-field approach does not detract from its on-field O-line development. 

“Not at all,” he said. “Their guys are focused on football. That’s what they are there to do. This just sets them up for after football, so they know if anything ever happens, they got this too.” 

How Notre Dame made Ben Nichols feel like a priority

Although Saturday was his first time visiting campus since Notre Dame offered him, Nichols said the coaching staff’s treatment of him did not change.

“No, not really,” he said. “Every time I’m there, I feel very welcomed. It’s a home-like feeling. So, I mean, (having an offer) just added to that feeling. Everybody on the staff knew who I was and really made it feel like home.” 

According to Nichols, offensive line coach Joe Rudolph and the rest of the Irish staff have maintained a consistent message since they began recruiting him last spring.

“It’s really been the same the whole time,” he said. “They said that since I came to camp, aside from football, they think I dominated. They think I’d really fit in with the program. I’d be really great at Notre Dame, and they think I fit the personality that the guys have. They really would like me at Notre Dame.” 

Nichols said Rudolph has not discussed a direct positional fit. However, other schools have discussed him playing guard. In On3’s rankings, Nichols is the No. 192 overall player, No. 17 interior offensive lineman nationally and No. 2 prospect in Michigan in 2026.

Next Saturday, Nichols will visit Michigan State before checking out Illinois for the first time on April 20. After a great third Notre Dame visit, Nichols is eager to return for a fourth. 

“Without a doubt,” he said. “I am fully confident I’ll be back for a game day visit. Then, maybe if I have nothing going on, I’ll go back to camp and work with Coach Rudolph again. …

“They’re definitely one of my top schools. They’ve been great in the recruiting process. Like I said, it’s a home feeling. It’s a great program. The history behind it is the best in the world. I mean, you can’t get better than Notre Dame. So yeah, they’re definitely one of my top schools.” 

The post How Notre Dame’s ‘life after football’ pitch stuck out during On300 OL Ben Nichols’ return visit appeared first on On3.