Notre Dame's Link signs with Warhawks

CROWLEY – Notre Dame defensive end Nate Link has known for a long time that he was going to play college football. And he knew exactly where he was going to play.
He just had to wait until Wednesday to make it official, which he did by signing a National Letter of Intent with the UL-Monroe Warhawks.
“I knew where I was going before the football season because they (ULM) had offered me way back in the spring,” said Link, who was a three-year starter for the Pios. “They didn’t need me to go to any camps or anything like that so I knew that was the place for me to go.”
Link took his first official visit to the ULM campus a few weeks ago, but he was already well familiar with the campus and facilities after attending a number of the Warhawks’ home games in 2014.
“I liked what I saw,” he said.
Link, who also had an offer from Air Force, said that remaining in Louisiana and being close to home played a role in his decision. But there were other intangibles that played into his signing, as well, the biggest being the possibility of early playing time.
“Air Force offered me and I was thinking about it, but they (ULM coaches) told me that I have a chance to play young,” said Link. “They have some older guys moving out and they want a young guy to come in and step up so I like that about them.
“And then, the competition is there. Next year, they have Alabama and Georgia to begin the season; so I thought that was pretty neat.”
Link is used to playing good competition after starting three years for Lewis Cook’s Pios, traditional powerhouses in Class 3A football.
“We’re excited for Nate,” said Cook. “He’s worked so hard and this is something that he really wanted to do. And I think it really means a lot to be able to sign with a Division I school. It’s close enough to where we’ll all get to see him play and, of course, being in this conference; he’ll be in Lafayette every other year when they play the Cajuns.”
For Cook, it is always gratifying to see one of his players move on. With Link it especially gratifying.
“If there was ever a deserving kid, he’s one,” said Cook. “Usually during the holiday’s, Nate would text me to see if I’m going to be at school because he wants to get in the weight room to work out.
“I keep one of his texts on my phone to show to the other coaches. It’s one where he wanted to get in the weight room, and it was Dec. 24, Christmas Eve!
“That’s just the kind of kid he is. Not only is ULM getting an outstanding player, they’re getting a great kid. He’s just one of those guys that become the foundation of your program.”
Link has been an integral part of the Pios’ defense the last three years, earning All-District, All-Parish and All-State honors in each of the last two seasons. In 2014, he was selected as the Defensive MVP on the 6-3A All-District team as well as the All-Acadia Parish squad. He also earned Defensive MVP honors in the East–West All-Star Game in Shreveport last month.
“Nate started for us as a sophomore and a lot of times, when a sophomore starts, it’s because they don’t have anyone else or the team’s not that good,” said Cook. “But that year was the year that we played for the (state) championship, so he played 15 weeks as a sophomore starter on a pretty good football team.
“He was mature and he prepared himself well and that’s why he was able to be productive for us all the way back as a 10th grader.”
His best year, however, was this past season.
During his senior campaign, Link racked up 65 tackles, 22 for a loss, and he had 14 sacks and 30 quarterback hurries. He also forced and recovered a pair of fumbles in helping lead the Pios to the Division III state semifinals.
“I am excited about my opportunity, but I wouldn’t be here without my team, my friends and Coach Cook, coach Mac and Vick, one of the best coaching staffs around,” said Link.
“I couldn’t ask for anything better and they definitely put me in a good situation. And hats off to my dad, he helped get me here, too, and it’s just been great here at Notre Dame. It’s a real disciplined school: they made a name for themselves and I’m just one of the good players to pass through here.”
Nate, a pharmacy major, is the son of Kerry and Jeanette Link of Crowley.