Former St. Peter's Prep QB Brandon Wimbush continues to wait for his shot at Notre Dame, but will return to N.J. for the first time with Notre Dame on Saturday.
EAST RUTHERFORD- The rain was falling torridly at MetLife Stadium.
It was Dec. 5, 2014. The final whistle had just gone off and the scoreboard read St. Peter’s Prep 34, Paramus Catholic 18. The Marauders erupted in celebration at midfield, but No. 7 fell to the turf about 30 yards away, emotionally celebrating his first Non-Public, Group 4 title.
That was the last time quarterback Brandon Wimbush put on the pads at MetLife Stadium. He'll be back on Saturday, but won't see the field as he's redshirting this fall.
That doesn't matter to the more than 100 Wimbush fans, made up of family, friends and St. Peter’s Prep Marauders, expected to fill the stands at MetLife as the Fighting Irish take on Syracuse. None bigger than his biggest supporter: his mother Heather Wimbush.
RELATED: St. Peter's Prep breaks in new 15,000-square-foot facility
The elder Wimbush spoke with NJ.com on Thursday night from her new home in Georgia, where she relocated to six months ago from Bergen County. She flew out of Georgia at 7 a.m. Friday. Even though her son won't be throwing deep balls or breaking free for runs, there’s no chance she’s missing his homecoming.
"Oh my God, this is all coming together full circle," Heather said with a laugh. "I’m sure he’s going to be full of emotion. He’s back again, but now he’s in his second year of college. He’s going to feel a sense of growth when he walks out onto the field.
“Everyone I’ve talked to back home is just so excited for Saturday. It’s really nice because although he has to wait for his shot, the support system he has from the folks back home is amazing. They’re always encouraging him and letting him know he’ll get his opportunity soon.”
The younger Wimbush indeed is having to wait for his shot. After seeing the field as a true freshman last year, the 6-3, 215-pounder was told by Notre Dame head coach Brian Kelly in the offseason that he’d redshirt this year.
Last fall, Brandon appeared in two games, throwing for 17 yards and rushing for 96. His season was highlighted by a 58-yard touchdown run vs. UMass during Week 4 play. However, he entered 2016 behind junior DeShone Kizer and senior Malik Zaire on the depth chart.
Standing on the sidelines hasn’t been easy for Brandon, Heather said, but he’s pushing forward for himself and the team. His off-the-field work is keeping him busy as well. In the spring, Brandon accepted an exclusive internship with KPMG in New York City, spending three weeks in the Big Apple. He’s currently enrolled in the Mendoza Business School at ND and is pursuing his degree in accounting.
“From my perspective, Brandon realizes it’s the school,” Heather said. “If the football part ever gets shaky, the more you love the school you’re at, the more likely you’ll be patient. In Brandon’s class, a lot of the upper-echelon QB have left their programs. He wants to be patient. He lives for Notre Dame and knows this is a 40-year decision, not a four-year one. He has met some amazing people because he goes to Notre Dame and he doesn’t take that for granted.”
And although he won’t be playing on Saturday, seeing him don a college football uniform back in his home state for the first time is something Heather said she also won’t take for granted.
Signs are being made and plans have been set. Among those expected at MetLife include former Local area quarterback coach Madei Williams, St. Peter’s Prep head coach Rich Hansen and many, many others.
And having fellow Marauders on hand showing their support for the program’s former starting QB will be big for Heather and the family.
“The decision to send him to St. Peter’s Prep was the best decision I’ve ever made in my life,” Heather said. “Was it just a football decision? Not at all. Paramus Catholic was the big dog at the time and we lived in Bergen County. We sent our sons there as well-minded boys and they came out as such fine young men. That’s a testament to how they’re prepared.
“Brandon didn’t start at St. Peter’s Prep until his junior year. I had people telling me we needed to transfer out so he could play. He stayed patient and he took things to the top in two years. I’ve been telling Brandon since he was young that we’re going to focus on academics first and then trust that the rest will fall into place. His talents will lead him onto the field. It happened at St. Peter’s Prep and I know it will happen for him at Notre Dame.”
Braulio Perez may be reached at bperez@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @BraulioEPerez.