It was Notre Dame assistant coaches, Mike Haywood and Brian Polian. They were calling in regards to Dustin Hopkins.
Perfect timing.
“They said they were offering me a scholarship,” Hopkins said. The Houston, Texas product is perhaps the top prep kicker in the country.
“There were like coach (Charlie) Weis, if he wasn’t in Iraq right now, you’d be getting a call from him.”
The 6-foot-1, 175-pound Hopkins now has scholarship offers from Baylor, Florida State, Kansas State, Missouri and the Irish.
“It’s Notre Dame, so I just told them I was honored to have such an opportunity,” Hopkins said. “It’s true because not too many people get a chance to play for Notre Dame.”
Named class 5-A first team all-state this past season, Hopkins connected on 6-of-7 field goals. Two came from 43 yards out. He also made all 37 extra point attempts, and averaged 73 yards per boot on kickoffs.
Hopkins has made a 75-yard field goal with a one-inch tee, and recently connected from 65 yards out without one. His career long in a game is 48 yards.
Hopkins has never been to Notre Dame.
“We definitely want to come visit,” he said. With honors classes, Hopkins has a 4.25 GPA. “We don’t know much about it other than it’s a great academic school and it’s great football. We want to check it out for ourselves.
“I’m attending a Kohl’s kicking camp in Chicago, so we think that will be a good time to come and visit. It’s in July.
“I’m also talking to Northwestern, so maybe when I’m in Chicago for the Kohl’s camp, we were also thinking about visiting that campus as well. And then possibly that week, we’ll make a decision on seeing Kansas State and Missouri because they’re kind of close as well.”
The Clear Lake High coaching staff was excited about Hopkins latest offer to Notre Dame.
“All the coaches were telling me to get them tickets to games, box seats,” Hopkins laughed.
Depending on his college decision, Hopkins may be able to arrange that.