Can Titus Hawk become the modern-day Jeff Samardzija at Notre Dame?
Titus Hawk is headed to Notre Dame on a similar path that another player took with the Fighting Irish.
The Notre Dame Fighting Irish secured an important commitment for the class of 2027, landing multi-sport athlete Titus Hawk out of Oklahoma. Hawk has a little time before he suits up for Notre Dame on the gridiron and on the diamond, and will undoubtedly chart his own path once he gets to campus. With that said, his athletic skills and frame are similar to those of former Fighting Irish football and baseball star Jeff Samardzija.
Samardzija was an offensive force for Notre Dame in the 2000s, going over 1,000 yards and double-digit touchdowns in his junior and senior seasons. The 6-foot-4 wide receiver was a downfield threat as well as a priority in the red zone. He was also a force on the mound as well.
As noted by Baseball Almanac, Samardzija pitched to a 3. 83 ERA in three years for Notre Dame's baseball team. Samardzija ended up choosing a professional baseball career, which ended up lasting 13 years, but he valued his time as a double agent of sorts at Notre Dame.
"It keeps you fresh, too. You don't get burned out on any one thing," Samardzija once told MLB. com about his college experience.