Life’s a game, and sometimes you gotta make a splash. Luke Talich did just that with a jaw-dropping 79-yard pick-six against Florida State. This guy’s got skills for days—not just football, but basketball and track too. Meet Notre Dame’s safety, a true triple-threat athlete who’s redefining versatility. And don’t chalk it up to just family genes; the Talich crew treats sports like a way of life. It’s not just a hobby; it’s a legacy.

Just so you don’t know, Jim Talich, Luke’s dad, is basically a Wyoming legend. He had an impressive stint as a linebacker from ‘94 to ‘97, accumulating a remarkable 440 career tackles. Not only that, he also took on the role of coaching Luke and his brother during their time at Cody High School. It’s safe to say that Jim possesses an extensive knowledge of football and has successfully passed on that passion to Luke. Now we can’t blame him for wanting to follow in those footsteps.

Then there’s his mom, Jen Talich. Well, she had her own athletic achievements, having played volleyball at Montana State. Jen is just as influential as Jim, consistently providing unwavering support and cheering Luke on, no matter the circumstances. So, one thing is evident: the Talich fam is basically the ultimate support squad, pushing Luke to chase his dreams every step of the way.

Until last season, Luke Talich was a walk-on in Notre Dame’s army, but all thanks to Talich’s grind last season, which got him a scholarship! He got in 9 games and 72 plays, mostly killing it on special teams. His 15 kickoff and punt return plays in Game 4 against Central Michigan earned him praise from special teams coach Marty Biagi and a scholarship.

He’s gone from walk-on to scholarship player at Notre Dame, joining teammates like Davis Sherwood, Matt Salerno, and Chris Finke. Crazy, right? And honestly, all this success? It’s because his parents had his back the whole time.

Luke Talich’s parents support his career

Well, moving from walk-on to scholarship at Notre Dame wasn’t exactly a walk in the park for Talich. But this dude’s all about chasing his dreams. Even with offers from Power 5 schools like Utah, Washington State, and Oregon State and a chance to be just the 5th player from Wyoming to grab a Power 5 offer in nearly 30 years, he just focused on his desire. Moreover, he could’ve just stayed home in Wyoming, where his fam is basically the football squad. Plus, his dad, Jim, and uncle were linebackers, and his bro is also doing the same. But one reason was enough for him to ignore all the other ones.

So, here’s the twist: Luke Talich had bigger dreams. This guy was determined to pursue his goal of attending Notre Dame, despite the hefty price tag of over $75k. Yes, you read that right. He really wanted to be a part of the program he’d always looked up to. Plus, the cherry on top, Luke had the opportunity to visit South Bend twice—once for a camp and then again for the Boston College game. The snowy weather? Surprisingly, it was perfect for a kid who grew up in Wyoming. Now all that was left to do was talk it over with his parents, Jim and Jen.

Most parents would freak out about dropping $75K, right? Let’s be real; it’s not exactly pocket change. And probably try to talk their kid out of the situation. But not Jim and Jen Talich. They totally understand Luke’s passion for sports, and instead of holding him back, they’ve got his back 100%, as Luke says, “My parents said they’d help me out just with the school because the school is very, very expensive. They’d help me out for a year.” It sure took time, but Luke Talich effortlessly made his way through the years!