March 22--Just like that, Julian Love picked sides.
It wasn't a difficult decision.
While in a meeting with Notre Dame football coach Brian Kelly on Saturday during junior day in South Bend, Love chose to accept a scholarship offer to his "dream school."
"Everybody either loves them or hates them," Love said. "I'm on the love side."
The 5-foot-11, 175-pound junior ran for 749 yards and 11 touchdowns, had 20 catches for 549 yards and nine touchdowns and had 72 tackles and five interceptions while leading the Roadrunners to the Class 6A state championship last season.
"My parents started crying," Love said. "I committed right then and there. We talked it about going in.
"I've been dreaming it my whole life. I knew this is where I wanted to be."
Love compared the feeling of committing to winning a state title.
"It's definitely up there," he said.
Soon after he committed, Love took to Twitter to announce his dream had come true.
"Received an offer from the University of Notre Dame. And I have decided to commit to my dream school!" he tweeted.
"I really like the environment around Notre Dame, the city of South Bend," Love said.
Love, a Tribune All-State pick last season, had offers from Boston College, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Iowa State and Northwestern among others.
Notre Dame also received an oral commitment Saturday from long snapper John Shannon of Loyola Academy in Wilmette.
pskrbina@tribpub.com
