Cody native Luke Talich has gone from a walk-on to full scholarship football player for the University of Notre Dame. After dominating on defense in the annual spring game, Talich is a strong contender to earn a spot in the starting lineup.
For most athletes, earning a scholarship at a storied program like Notre Dame is a dream that starts with stars next to their name, early offers, and a parade of recruiting visits. But Luke Talich’s path was different—less flashy, more gritty. The Cody, Wyoming native didn’t arrive on campus with headlines or fanfare. He came as a walk-on, determined to prove he belonged.
Fast forward to the present day, and Talich is no longer just another name on the roster. After a dominant performance in Notre Dame’s 2025 Blue-Gold spring game, the former walk-on has not only earned a full scholarship—he’s now competing for a starting spot in the Irish defense.
It’s the kind of story that echoes through the halls of college football: a self-made player who bet on himself, outworked the doubters, and turned grit into greatness. And Talich’s story might just be getting started.
Humble Beginnings in Cody, Wyoming
Cody, a small town nestled at the edge of Yellowstone National Park, isn’t exactly a pipeline for Power Five talent. But that didn’t stop Luke Talich from chasing big dreams. A standout athlete at Cody High School, Talich played quarterback, safety, and returned kicks. His blend of athleticism, toughness, and football IQ made him a local legend.
Despite his talent, Talich didn’t draw the kind of national attention many elite prospects receive. He had offers from regional programs and FCS schools, but he had his sights set higher. Notre Dame had shown some interest, but with limited scholarships available at the time, the opportunity came with a catch: walk-on status.
For many, that would be a hard pill to swallow. For Talich, it was a challenge he embraced.
“I knew it wasn’t going to be easy,” he once said. “But I also knew I could play at this level.”
Earning Respect in South Bend
Walk-ons don’t get a lot of shine. They’re the guys who wear scout team jerseys, who run drills late into practice, who fill gaps when needed but rarely get their names called on Saturdays. But inside the walls of Notre Dame’s football complex, talent and effort get noticed—and Talich brought both in abundance.
Whether it was film study, weight room work, or extra reps after practice, Talich set a tone that coaches couldn’t ignore. His size—6-foot-1, 200 pounds—combined with explosive speed and a willingness to hit like a freight train, made him a perfect fit in the defensive backfield.
By his second year in the program, Talich was rotating with the second-team defense, getting occasional special teams snaps, and earning praise from teammates and coaches alike.
“He just plays the game the right way,” said head coach Marcus Freeman. “He prepares like a starter and competes like he has something to prove—because he does.”
The Spring Game Breakout
Every spring, Notre Dame’s Blue-Gold Game serves as more than just a fun scrimmage for fans—it’s an audition for players looking to climb the depth chart or solidify a role heading into the fall.
This year, Luke Talich stole the show.
Starting at safety for the Gold team, Talich was everywhere—flying downhill in run support, breaking up passes across the middle, and even recording a key interception that brought the stadium to its feet. He finished with 8 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, a pass breakup, and a pick, showcasing both his physicality and field awareness.
“Luke had the best game of anyone out there,” said defensive coordinator Al Golden after the scrimmage. “He’s taken every opportunity and maximized it. We’re going to have a real competition on our hands this summer.”
That performance wasn’t a fluke—it was the result of years of silent grinding. And it might have just catapulted him into the starting conversation.
Full Scholarship: Earned, Not Given
Following his standout spring, Notre Dame made it official: Luke Talich had earned a full athletic scholarship.
The news broke in a team meeting, where Freeman delivered the announcement in front of a raucous locker room. Teammates erupted in applause, many rushing to embrace Talich, who stood quietly with a grin and misty eyes.
“It’s surreal,” he told reporters later. “You work every day hoping it’ll pay off, but to have it actually happen—and to have it happen here, at Notre Dame—it means everything.”
Talich’s scholarship wasn’t just a reward for past effort. It was an investment in the future. Notre Dame sees him as a vital piece of its defense in 2025, and possibly beyond.
What He Brings to the Irish Defense
At first glance, Talich fits the mold of a traditional safety—smart, instinctive, and physical. But he’s proven to be much more than that. His athleticism and versatility allow him to line up all over the field: as a deep safety, in the box against the run, or even over the slot in coverage.
He’s also a natural communicator, the kind of player who sees the whole field and helps direct teammates. Those leadership traits are invaluable—especially in a defense as complex and multiple as Notre Dame’s.
What truly separates Talich is his motor. He plays every snap like it’s his last, never taking a rep off, never letting up. Coaches say he sets the tone in practice and holds others accountable.
“He’s a glue guy,” said veteran linebacker Jack Kiser. “You want 11 guys like Luke out there.”
Competing for a Starting Spot
As the Irish transition into fall camp, Talich will be in a heated battle for the starting safety role, alongside returning contributors like Xavier Watts, Ramon Henderson, and rising star Ben Minich.
The competition will be fierce. Watts, the 2023 interception leader and a potential All-American, has one spot locked up. But the other is wide open, and Talich has thrown his name right into the mix.
Don’t be surprised if he emerges as more than just a rotation piece. Freeman and Golden value trust—and Talich has earned theirs.
He’s also emerged as a favorite among fans, who love a good underdog story. A walk-on from Wyoming with no stars who rises through the ranks and earns a starting role at Notre Dame? That’s movie-script material.
Beyond the Field: A Leader in the Locker Room
Luke Talich isn’t just making noise on the field—he’s becoming a voice off of it, too. Younger players gravitate toward him. He offers advice freely, leads by example, and embodies the “team-first” ethos that Freeman is building his program around.
He’s also a standout in the classroom and active in community outreach. Whether it’s mentoring local youth or volunteering for team service events, Talich brings the same work ethic and humility wherever he goes.
“He’s the kind of guy every program needs,” said senior captain JD Bertrand. “He lifts people up just by being himself.”
The Road Ahead
Notre Dame enters the 2025 season with high expectations. After finishing just outside the College Football Playoff last season, the Irish return a loaded defense, a maturing offensive unit, and a clear vision under Freeman’s leadership.
For Talich, this season represents both the reward and the responsibility of his journey. He’s no longer the walk-on trying to get noticed—he’s now expected to contribute, to lead, to make plays when it counts.
And if his past is any indication, he won’t back down from the moment.
From Small Town to National Stage
Luke Talich may have come from a place that’s often overlooked in the recruiting world, but he’s proven that heart and hustle know no boundaries. Whether in Cody, Wyoming or under the lights of Notre Dame Stadium, he brings the same mindset every day: earn everything.
