Penn Charter's Mike McGlinchey starting at Notre Dame

THE PEOPLE toting babies, in line waiting for their first picture with Santa Claus, couldn't believe it. They refused to believe it. Mike McGlinchey, nearly a year old, was in his first Christmas bib and Janet and Mike McGlinchey, Michael's parents, had a laugh as they tried to convince everyone around them that their oldest was really still a baby - not 3 years old.

Then there was the time at Disney World, when curious strangers would approach the McGlincheys about how much their baby weighed.

At youth basketball games, Mike McGlinchey constantly had to bring a birth certificate to verify his age, since he was so much bigger than the other kids.

Peering up the tunnel that leads to Notre Dame Stadium, the first thing you notice looming in the background is "Touchdown Jesus." The second thing you'll see bobbing down the ramp these days is the gold helmet of Mike McGlinchey - all 6-9, 310 pounds of him, though he's listed at 6-7 1/2 on the Notre Dame website.

The Notre Dame starting right tackle, by way of Penn Charter, is steadily adjusting to a new position and the new world of major college football. The oldest of six, and the cousin of Atlanta Falcons star quarterback Matt Ryan, McGlinchey is gradually making a name for himself as a redshirt sophomore for the Irish.

"I like everything about Michael," said NFL Network analyst Mike Mayock. "He's close to 6-9, he's over 300 pounds, he looks like a tight end, he moves like a tight end, he's coached by one of the best offensive line coaches in college football, in Harry Hiestand.

"When you're talking about potential and upside as an offensive tackle down the road, he has length, size, good feet, toughness, intelligence and work ethic. So when you add it all up, the individual components are there. Now he needs to become a really good football player. He needs to put everything together and make his case to be a (first-round) draft pick. What I like about Mike is he has one of the greatest work ethics of any player I ever met. Harry Hiestand constantly challenges him."

Probably not more than McGlinchey challenged himself. He sat his first year at Notre Dame, watching and absorbing as much information about footwork, angles and body placement. He also was patient and believed in the process that his time would come.

"I think Mike is making great progress," Irish head coach Brian Kelly said. "He's long and athletic, and each week he's learning more and more about the intricacies about playing the (right) tackle position. He has a positive demeanor, work ethic and toughness. He possesses all of those traits that make him a good player.

"Every day he's learning a little more. He's very easygoing, but on the field he is one tough son of a gun, and that's what we like about him. I think he has an overall knowledge of the position. Sometimes he gets a little too engaged in one thing, and sometimes he's an all-or-nothing guy, but that comes from learning the position. That's the biggest learning curve for him."

McGlinchey says that's been a key to his evolution at right tackle, a position he never played at Penn Charter. He arrived at Notre Dame at around 275, but gradually added close to 40 pounds. Carrying 300-plus pounds fits him well.

He started this year after playing in all 13 games in 2014, predominantly on special teams, before earning his first career start at right tackle in the 31-28 victory over No. 22 LSU in the Music City Bowl last Dec. 30.

"I'll admit, I really didn't know a whole lot about what it took to play offensive line at the major college level," McGlinchey said. "It was like starting over from scratch. The technique, scheme, it has been like a whole new world. The new weight is something I've adjusted to."

What hasn't changed from McGlinchey's Penn Charter days is his intensity. A gentle giant off the field, he turns into a terror on it. Janet says that may be derived from Mike's youth. He was always urged to hold back physically, because he could seriously hurt the other kids he was going against. At Penn Charter, that changed. He plays offensive line with the aggressive mindset of a defensive lineman.

"Absolutely, that's the only way I know how to play," said Mike, who is on schedule to graduate with a degree in communications, film and television. "On the offensive line, you have to outhit the opponent. That's what I try to do on every snap. I try to outlast the guy as long as I can and beat him down in the fourth quarter. I'll admit, every now and then, you get doubts, but you have to work through those times, which is what I think I've done here at Notre Dame.

"I have three years left here and don't entertain thoughts about the NFL. I want to focus on my job helping Notre Dame win games. I am looking forward to coming home (on Oct. 31 against Temple, at Lincoln Financial Field). I was there when Matt played the Eagles in 2012. I have a huge family, and they'll be there to see me. I'm on the other side of it now."

Mike was there when his cousin Matt was the third overall pick in the 2008 NFL draft. It could be the other way around a few years from now, too.