WATCH: Liam Eichenberg UA jersey presentation

ESPN 300 offensive lineman Liam Eichenberg received his Under Armour All America jersey on Friday, where Eichenberg reflected on the accomplishment and what lies ahead in the game.

“I want to play in this game so I can compete with the top players in the nation,” Eichenberg said. “That’s something special to me, to get an opportunity to play with the top players.”

Under Brian Kelly, Notre Dame has had tremendous success recruiting offensive linemen, landing 12 ESPN 300 linemen since the 2013 class. Eichenberg, who has been committed to Notre Dame since April, says he attributes the success Notre Dame had with his recruitment to line coach Harry Hiestand.

“It’s definitely (him). When I first went up there I didn’t expect much from Notre Dame,” he said. “I met him and he sort of explained what Notre Dame would do for me and how he knows how good I could possibly be. I’ve talked to all the offensive linemen and they say he’s the best they’ve been coached by.”

The No. 61-ranked prospect isn’t graduating early, so he’ll have to wait to experience being coached by Hiestand until next Spring. That hasn’t kept him from looking forward, though, and preparing for his time in South Bend.

For now he’s focused on his team and the opportunity he has to play in the Under Armour game.

What players are you looking forward to competing with or against at the UA All America Game?

I’m looking forward to competing with Ben Bredeson and Michael Menet. I’ve met them before, but I haven’t really spent a lot of time with them.

Then players I want to compete against, I’ve played against Rashan Gary when I was a junior. I played against him when I was hurt, so I want to play against him when I’m healthy.

If you could start a team with any other player in your class, who would it be?

I would probably take Jacob Eason, a quarterback committed to Georgia. I’ve seen his highlight film and he’s one of the best quarterbacks in our grade. He seems very calm and collected in the pocket.

What was your earliest football memory?

I really wasn’t into football when I was younger, I was more of a basketball guy. As I got into high school I shifted my focus towards football.

Which football player did you watch as a kid?

I didn’t really watch football a lot, because I grew up liking basketball. Now that I’m into the sport, I like to watch Joe Thomas of the Browns. He’s one of the greats at tackle and I want to see how he plays the position.

If you could take on any pro in their sport, who would it be?

Maybe if I had two years to get ready I would want to take on J.J. Watt to see how I do against him. Right now he would just give me a bull rush and I would go flying.

Why do you wear your number (74)?

I didn’t really have a choice, I was given the number. I’ve come to love the number, though, and I’ll try to keep it at Notre Dame.

What is one thing people would be surprised to know about you?

Back when I was in second grade up until fourth grade I did Irish dance. My mom sort of threw me in there with my sister, but by the time I was the only guy left dancing in there I decided I didn’t want to do it anymore. We would go to dance competitions and stuff like that. I don’t really remember a lot of it, but I did that.