2023 OL Chris Terek explains decision to flip from Wisconsin to Notre Dame
Glen Ellyn (Ill.) Glenbard West class of 2023 offensive lineman Chris Terek was happily committed to Wisconsin — despite Paul Chryst’s firing — before Notre Dame entered the picture with an offer in October.
Wisconsin decided to go with Luke Fickell as its next head coach rather than retaining Jim Leonard who held the role in an interim capacity, and this move for the Badgers means it’s highly unlikely that offensive line coach Bob Bostad will be on staff in 2023.
If Leonard and Bostad were retained, there’s a good chance Terek sticks with the school he had been pledged to since June. But with three weeks and change away, Terek had a big decision to make.
The Fighting Irish staff had been keeping in close contact with him over the past several weeks and made the decision rather easy for him at the end of the day.
“There was uncertainty [with Wisconsin] and, obviously, Notre Dame is Notre Dame,” Terek said. “I love Notre Dame.
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“The culture there is top tier. What they’re building now is pretty special with the 2023 and 2024 classes.”
Terek made up his mind on the flip Sunday and announced his news publicly that evening.
“I had been thinking about it, and Notre Dame has given me a bunch of time to make my decision,” Terek said. “Honestly, it was more time than I expected. That showed a lot to me. I thought it was time to get it figured out with signing day being soon. [Sunday] was the perfect day.”
Terek has a few interesting connections to Notre Dame. The Chicagoland prospect attends the same high school that produced former Irish offensive lineman Chris Watt, who is now on staff at Notre Dame and helped recruit Terek to South Bend.
His high school teammate, Marcello Diomede, is a kicker prospect committed to Notre Dame as a preferred walk-on in the 2023 class. And Terek grew up a close friend of Irish class of 2024 wide receiver commit Cam Williams, who is also from the Glen Ellyn area.
“I’ve always watched Notre Dame games, and I’ve been to a few, too,” Terek continued. “It’s one of the craziest football environments in college sports; that drew my attention. And having all of those connections — those are all dudes I’ve known growing up. That’s super cool.”
Terek spoke to Watt, head coach Marcus Freeman and offensive line coach Harry Hiestand to inform the staff of his commitment.
“They were all super pumped,” Terek added.
Watt of course played played for Hiestand at Notre Dame, and the offensive line tradition in South Bend played a role for Terek in picking the Irish.
“Coach Hiestand has a pretty good track record of dudes he’s produced,” Terek noted. ”Notre Dame in general is known for offensive linemen, which is a big deal. Coach Watt is someone I know well and has been through what I’m going through.”
Terek will wrestle for his high school this winter and enroll at Notre Dame next summer. He reports that he currently stands at 6-5, 310 pounds. The Irish are looking at Terek to play as a guard or center in their offense.
“I’m a guy who’s going to work and help build something special at Notre Dame,” Terek said.
Terek is the No. 519 overall player and No. 43 interior offensive lineman nationally according to the 2023 On3 Consensus.
