The date Feb. 27, 2005, may go down as one of the most memorable days in the recent history of Notre Dame athletics - not because of what happened in the Irish men's basketball game but because of who was there.
Head football coach Charlie Weis and over 80 of the nation's top high school junior football recruits were in attendance at the game, a 75-65 loss to UCLA. Despite the setback for the basketball program, the game started the Weis era off with a massive and aggressive recruiting effort.
On Thursday, Notre Dame received its second commitment from that group of prospects, as Belmont Hill (Mass.) High wide receiver Barry Gallup, Jr. joined running back Munir Price in promising to play for the Irish.
"I just went out and visited for junior day, and I fell in love with it [Notre Dame]," Gallup said. "I felt like it was an opportunity I couldn't miss. Because of the tradition and what I saw there, I just knew it was the place for me."
The 5-foot-11, 175-pound Gallup is a downfield threat and is expected to continue to play that role once he begins his Notre Dame career.
"He's got comparable speed to, I'd say a Matt Shelton type of player," IrishEyes.com's Mike Frank said. "He's also a guy who can do a lot with the ball in his hands. Notre Dame has a lot of bigger receivers, guys with good size and good hands, but they also need guys who can stretch the field."
Gallup, who has been clocked at 4.45 in the 40-yard dash, has played much of his high school career at running back, while also working at receiver and defensive back.
Last season, Gallup made quite an impression for his team, rushing for 1,700 yards and picking up 500 more receiving, while scoring 24 touchdowns and recording 6 interceptions. With those impressive numbers and another year of play still to go, Gallup has the potential to impact the team immediately in 2006.
"I think he'll definitely show up prepared, and he's got the type of ability to help right away in special teams type player, maybe as a returner," Frank said.
The commitment is also a big recruiting win for the school because of Gallup's bloodlines. His father, Barry, Sr., is a Boston College graduate and former gridiron star, and now he serves as the Eagles' assistant athletic director for football operations.
Gallup, Sr., however, never pressured his son to follow his footsteps.
"He was very open about it. He told me that he knew that it may stir up some animosity [at BC], but he told me it was my decision," Gallup said. "He wanted what was best for me."
Ultimately however, everyone involved realizes that Gallup has one more year of making plays that doesn't wear gold helmets on Saturdays.
"I want to focus on helping my team win a championship [in my senior season]," Gallup said.
