CODY, Wyo. — This small town of roughly 10,000 boasts popular attractions like the Buffalo Bill Museum, the Cody Stampede Rodeo with over 100 years of history, and a strong high school sports tradition with the Broncs and Fillies.
Despite not being a hotbed for athletic recruiting, Luke Talich’s journey to Notre Dame stands out as impressive.
“I started loving Notre Dame football when I was around 10 or 12 years old,” Luke shared during an interview with MTN Sports in his family’s living room. “It’s been a while.”
His mother, Jen, recalled how Luke’s passion for Notre Dame grew from a stocking hat to stickers adorning his bedroom.
His high school team’s colors coincidentally matched Notre Dame’s, and as a sophomore, Luke helped the Broncs win a state title. They won another championship the following year.
Despite breaking his collarbone in his senior year, Luke’s dream of playing for Notre Dame persisted.
His recruiting journey started with an offer from Montana Tech but later led to interest from Power 5 schools like Oregon State and the University of Utah.
After attending multiple camps and receiving several offers, Jim, Luke’s father, reached out to Notre Dame to see if they had noticed Luke.
Eventually, Luke received an offer to walk on at Notre Dame, fulfilling his dream. He committed to the program before the early signing day, turning down scholarship offers from other schools.
After earning a scholarship through hard work and dedication, Luke played in several games during his freshman year at Notre Dame.
His journey, from a small town in Wyoming to playing for Notre Dame, is a testament to his perseverance and faith. His family and coaches supported him every step of the way, making his dream a reality.
