Notre Dame offensive lineman Mike McGlinchey has kept a watchful eye on the Houston Texans. Two of his former teammates, Nick Martin and Will Fuller V, are now entering their third season with the Texans.
The 6-8, 312-pound tackle is currently hoping to impress teams at this week's NFL Scouting Combine, putting up 24 reps on the 225-pound bench press workout on Thursday.
"I talk to Nick probably once or twice every week," McGlinchey said Thursday in Indianapolis. "He's one of my best friends in the world. I'm standing in his wedding in June. He's an even better guy than football player which says a lot about him because he's as good of a football player as you can get. Hopefully, he can continue to stay healthy for the Texans. I know he's had a lot of success with their coaching staff. They like him a lot down there and they should. They should fall in love because of the kind of guy he is, the type of player he is and the type of leader he is."
McGlinchey and Martin shored up the Fighting Irish offensive line for three seasons together (2013-15). In 2015, the two starters helped paved the way for a run game that averaged 207.6 yards per game, the highest average for the Fighting Irish since 1998.
Martin went on to be drafted by the Texans in the second round of the 2016 NFL Draft and started 14 games at center last season.
McGlinchey's friendship with Fuller extends back to their high school playing days together in Philadelphia. The two Philly natives attended opposing schools with Fuller at Roman Catholic and McGlinchey playing for William Penn Charter School.
"Will and I actually grew up throughout high school knowing each other," McGlinchey said. "Will is a freak talent and one of the best kids you could get. He's just a guy that just goes about his work, doesn't say a lot but just wows you with his tape and he's done that since he was a sophomore or junior in high school at Roman Catholic in Philadelphia. I love Will, talk to Will regularly too and he's going to continue to have a great career with the Texans as well."
The first cousin of Matt Ryan, McGlinchey started all 12 games at left tackle in 2015 and all 13 games at right tackle in 2016 for the Irish. McGlinchey is a projected first-round selection, but would be excited if he reunited with his teammates in Houston.
"It would be incredible," McGlinchey said. "I'd have a place to live the first couple of months I was there."
Check out shots of current Texans players from previous NFL Combines. (Photos via AP Images)