TOPEKA (KSNT)- Hayden High School lineman Joe Otting will play football for the University of Notre Dame.

“Wearing the blue and gold, kind of like the Hayden Wildcats, I’ve always dreamed of playing for the Fighting Irish,” Otting said. “That’s what it was for me. Going up there, meeting the people, everything just checked out so I just thought it was time.”

Otting is entering his senior year at Hayden and had several Division I offers, including offers to stay in Kansas from KU and K-State.

“God has blessed me with the ability to play the game that I love at the place I’ve always dreamed of,” Otting said in his commitment on social media Tuesday.

Otting also thanked his coaches, teammates and community from Hayden High School for all their support.

“If I knew this as a kid it’d be pretty crazy,” Otting said.

He also says making the announcement takes a weight off his shoulders.

“Big relief. I get to be a kid again. I get to just enjoy my summer,” Otting said. “I don’t got to worry about what I want to do next year, I get to focus on my team and just play football and already know where I’m going. So, I’m excited.”

The 6-foot-4, 270 pound incoming senior also had offers from Baylor, Iowa State, Nebraska, Iowa, Minnesota and New Mexico. Otting will play offensive line at Notre Dame.

27 News talked with Otting and others close to him recently before his commitment for an update on his recruitment. Click here to read that story.