In general, kickers don’t attract much attention on the recruiting scale unless they have otherworldly talent. Still, with college kickers seemingly only being useful for so long, it never hurts to keep your options open. On Wednesday, Notre Dame will have one such option next season in Christopher Salerno, brother of current Irish punt returner Matt Salerno:
Beyond blessed to announce my commitment to the University of Notre Dame as a PWO! Thank you to everyone who helped me get to this point and thank you @dpeloqu1 and @BrianPolian for this opportunity!@WOPUnation @aarynkearney @NDFootball @CrespiAthletics #GoIrish #WOPUnation pic.twitter.com/dh0S5adWkf
— Christopher Salerno (@ChrisSalerno8) December 23, 2020
Like his brother, Salerno is from Crespi Carmelite in Valencia, California. When not on the gridiron, he’s also played soccer and lacrosse. Though also listed as a receiver, he definitely was recruited for his kicking. Why else would he have named Brian Polian in his announcement?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PF1SgXBC9Vk
Matt Salerno is responsible for 10 of the Irish’s 14 punt returns this season, averaging 4.5 yards a return. He spent most of his first two seasons in South Bend on the bench before finally finding a role on special teams. Luckily for him, special teams appear to run deep in the family, so he’ll get to show his younger brother what it means to play at Notre Dame. Perhaps he’ll even help Christopher earn a scholarship.