Irish eyes smile when Lombard commits

Saturday was a day to remember for Fremd offensive lineman Christian Lombard.

Lombard was in San Antonio for the U.S. Army national combine as one of the top 500 juniors from across the country who participated in drills and one-on-one scrimmages on Friday, the day before the U.S. Army All-American Bowl featuring many of the nation's top seniors.

On Saturday morning, he received an invitation to participate in next year's All-American Bowl. During the game that afternoon, Lombard placed a phone call to Notre Dame receivers coach-recruiting coordinator Rob Ianello and made a verbal commitment to play for the Irish in 2010.

Lombard, a two-year starter for the Vikings, became the first prospect from the class of 2010 to make a commitment to play for Notre Dame. The moment was captured in a photo on a Notre Dame recruiting Web site, Irish Eyes, with Lombard wearing a U.S. Army jersey and a Notre Dame cap.

"On Saturday, I thought I was ready to make that decision," he said. "I felt now is the time. I did not decide that on that particular day. I thought about it, and I did it."

Lombard selected Notre Dame over Iowa and Wisconsin. He watched games at all three schools during the season, visiting Iowa during its game against Wisconsin Oct. 18. Among the dozens of schools making offers were Michigan, Illinois, Nebraska and Stanford.

The 6-foot-5, 280-pound tackle, a Pioneer Press Great Northwest selection, visited Notre Dame for the third time last year Dec. 18 to meet players before the Irish left for their game at the Hawaii Bowl.

"I've been in this process a while, since the early part of the summer," said Lombard, who hopes to study business. "There will be so much less (pressure) because recruiting could be a nightmare. I felt Notre Dame had a good blend of academics and athletics. There were not many good opportunities to play early (at other schools)."

He will become the second consecutive top-ranked lineman in the state to attend Notre Dame. Lombard will follow Glenbard West senior Chris Watt, who plans on signing with the Irish Feb. 4. They met during a recruiting visit to Notre Dame a year ago and the two have stayed in touch. Lombard cannot sign a letter of intent until Feb. 3, 2010.

Watt, a projected guard and this year's Illinois Gatorade Player of the Year, was one of two Chicago-area prospects to play in Saturday's U.S. Army All-American Bowl.

"We met at a junior day last year, that's when I first met him," Lombard said. "We have talked since and share advice. We talk about recruiting and early commitments."

Lombard, Fremd running back Evan Wright, and St. Viator wide receiver Richard McLoughlin were the area's only juniors to attend the national combine. Lombard met McLoughlin for the first time during the flight Jan. 1 to San Antonio.