New Canaan's Conor Hanratty Signs With Notre Dame

Ever since he was barely a teenager, when his father would take him to games in South Bend, New Canaan's Conor Hanratty dreamed of playing for Notre Dame.

That dream is now a reality after the younger Hanratty, a 6-foot-5, 290-pound offensive lineman, officially signed his National Letter of Intent on Thursday. The ceremony at was postponed one day because of the recent ice storm.

The signing came as no surprise, of course, since Hanratty verbally committed to the Fighting Irish more than a year ago. He will be following in the footsteps of his dad, Terry, who played on Notre Dame's 1966 national championship team before enjoying a successful career in the NFL.

The younger Hanratty is quite familiar with the Golden Dome, 'Touchdown Jesus" and the legacy of the Fighting Irish, who despite an extended run of mediocrity, still have won more national titles than any other school. 

"I used to hang out near the sidelines and make believe I was out on the field," Conor Hanratty said.

According to New Canaan coach Lou Marinelli, Hanratty may be too small to play tackle -- his high school position --at  Notre Dame.  Therefore, Hanratty expects to be shifted to guard or center.

"He's got a great last name," Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly said. "Terry Hanratty, you may have heard of him here at Notre Dame. He went on to a great career. Pretty good player for us here at Notre Dame. Went on to a great career."

The starting quarterback for the Irish from 1966-68, Terry Hanratty was a consensus All-American in his senior year and finished third in the Heisman Trophy voting.

But Conor wants to make his own mark at Notre Dame.

"What we liked about Conor is that he's young (17) at the position," Kelly added. "He's somebody we believe over a period of time, (will) be a really good player for us. We liked his tenacity. He moves his feet really well but he also likes to finish things off.

There is something else Kelly liked about Hanratty during the recruiting process.

"He had an edge to him in the way he played," Kelly said. "When I say an edge to him, he had that gnarly kind of demeanor at the offensive line."

Hanratty was ranked as the third best player in Connecticut by Rivals.com. In addition, he earned  first- team all-state honors by the CHSCA, the FCIAC and the Walter Camp Football Foundation.

"I'm very proud of him and look forward to the great opportunities that lie ahead at a great school," said his mother, Kelly Hanratty.