Three Marist football legends, Carnell Tate and Nolan Baudo at Ohio State University, and Pat Coogan at Notre Dame, will face off in the NCAA football championship on Monday, January 20 in Atlanta.
Ohio State is known historically for having one of the best NFL-producing wide receiver rooms in college football. Tate, who attended Marist until transferring in 2020 to IMG Academy during his sophomore year, has played a noticeable role in Ohio State’s offense this year. Garnering 50 receptions for 698 yards and four touchdowns this year alone, Tate is expected to climb to an even more vital role next year.
Baudo, from the class of 2023, will also be competing alongside Tate. Baudo is currently a sophomore waiting for his shot to prove himself, as he is yet to receive his first pass this year.
Baudo’s time at Marist was spent engaged with the school on and off the field, as he was not only a key part of the football team, but also class president.
“As a senior, [Baudo] was student council president and one of the captains on the football team. He was elected by his peers for both of these roles. These are both great examples of the natural leadership ability he possesses,” says former Marist head football coach Ron Dawczak.
Coogan, class of 2021, has spent his years at Notre Dame grinding for a starting position. This year, he has played a critical role in new, and recently polarizing, head coach Marcus Freeman’s offense. Coogan has started nearly every game of the season and has gone viral a number of times on social media for his pre-game pep talks.
“He provides leadership to the talented, but youthful, offensive line. In games, Patrick is responsible for making the calls before each play that dictates the blocking assignment for the entire offensive line. His fiery pre-game speeches…are proof that his teammates look to him as the leader,” says Dawczak.
Notre Dame’s offensive line paired up with running back Jeremiyah Love has been very successful this year. Over 1,000 yards and almost 20 touchdowns from Love this season could not have happened without Coogan.
This will be the second year in a row a Marist RedHawk has won the NCAA football national championship, with Jimmy Rolder, from the class of 2022, winning with the University of Michigan last year.
For Dawczak, it is a pleasure to see how these three RedHawks have developed into the athletes and leaders they are today.
“Great players for us during their time here, great kids…I’m so proud to be able to watch them,” says Dawczak.
