Q. Jordan, is there a moment when you knew this team was capable of winning a National Championship?
JORDAN FAISON: Yeah, throughout every week, we put in hard work in our preparation for each game. We had some failures throughout the season, but I think those failures allowed us to play to our fullest capability and reach our full potential.
I wouldn't say there's a specific point, but I knew this team had the potential to go all the way.
Q. (No microphone)? What would you say the role is and his involvement? Especially like Jaden Greathouse being able to break out in the run game?
JORDAN FAISON: We're going to do what we've got to do. We're a top team, so if it takes 60 passes to win the game, that's what we're going to do. If it takes 60 runs to win the game, that's what we're going to do.
In the run game, we've got to make our blocks, dig out safeties, block corners to allow the run game to open up. In the pass game, whatever opportunities we get coming our way, we're going to make the most of them.
When the opportunity comes, we've got to make them just like Jaden Greathouse did in the Penn State game.
Q. What is it like now that you're here?
JORDAN FAISON: It's a dream come true. As a little kid, you watched it on TV all the time. The ability to be here and the opportunity to be here, it's truly a blessing.
Q. Holding that trophy Monday night, is that something that's gone through your mind before? What will it mean?
JORDAN FAISON: Yeah, a hundred percent. It would mean a lot to us, a lot to this team, all the hard work we put in. It would be a dream come true ultimately to hold the trophy up with your brothers and your family.
Q. Thinking back a year ago, is this something that you envisioned? Did you see this coming together for yourself and also your personal development?
JORDAN FAISON: Yeah, a hundred percent. It's always our team goal. Individual goals is to hit the highest level you can possibly, and this is what this team wanted, and that's what we achieved.
Q. Over the course of the season, you guys have had some tough moments. These last couple games where you've been winning games, has there been a moment that Riley Leonard, the coaches refer to as such a fighter, when did you guys connect? What was that moment like that stuck out to you where you felt the most connected with Riley Leonard?
JORDAN FAISON: We connect every week. In games times get tough, people make mistakes, people mess up on some plays. We've messed up. He's messed up. A lot of people have messed up.
But being around your brother and your team who lift you up and support you is big time. You come to the sideline, you're down on yourself after you make a bad play, your brothers aren't going to let you stay down. They're going to get you back up and keep you back going. I would say that's a big part of this team and where we've gotten to today.
Q. You have great hair, and Xavier, Greathouse. Where would you rank everybody?
JORDAN FAISON: I would say Jaden Greathouse, his hair is very versatile. He's got the 'fro. He can do cornrows with it and whatnot. Mine is kind of up there too. I like to think that curls, they handle business, they get the job done. Xavier also. The whole team has great hair.
Q. They asked Riley if you had to pick your team's starting five in basketball, who would it be. Who are the starting five for you?
JORDAN FAISON: We've got some hoopers on the team. J.G. is a hooper. Tae Tae is. Riley is. I'd say that's three right there. Micah Gilbert too. I need five? I need a big guy, probably like Taj Baker or something.
Q. How would you say being at the National Championship game compares to what you dreamed it would be?
JORDAN FAISON: Obviously it's everyone's dream being a football player, coming to the biggest stage, the National Championship. To get here, it's crazy. It doesn't fully hit you when you're not here, but then when you get up here and see all the stuff that's going on, you're like, dang, you're really playing for a National Championship. You know, it's awesome.
Q. (No microphone)?
JORDAN FAISON: Favorite player, I'd have to go with Deion Colzie, top guy.
Q. (No microphone)?
JORDAN FAISON: When you touch down, you know reality sets in. You're at the National Championship, and it's time to play. We got a little chain with the 2025 thing on it, a little bling, so it was nice.
Q. Defensively, what stands out from Ohio State's defense?
JORDAN FAISON: They've got a bunch of dudes all over the field, from their D-line to backers to DBs. All guys that float to the ball, make plays. Specifically their DBs, looking at it from a receiver perspective, they've got dudes that can make plays all over the field, they can cover the whole field. Play man, play zone, all athletic, all can make tackles. It's going to be a challenge for us. We're looking forward to it.
Q. How do you feel like your game's grown this year?
JORDAN FAISON: I would say my confidence overall. Understanding the game and players I'm going against. First year I wasn't as confident, wasn't as comfortable playing. Now I feel like I'm in my groove.
Q. (No microphone)?
JORDAN FAISON: We celebrate a little bit, so he comes in pumped. Then he's immediately onto the next game, onto the next target. I think that's huge for us keeping our team humble, kind of teaching us how to handle victories throughout the season.
Q. (No microphone)?
JORDAN FAISON: I mean, his energy is just so contagious. He comes in, he's screaming, fist pumping and whatnot. Yeah, pretty much that.
Q. (No microphone)?
JORDAN FAISON: Yeah, it's been big time. That grows mostly in practice. That's the biggest part of it. Then when we get out to the game, we do what we repped in practice. Things work out on the field, and that allows our relationship to be good on the field.
Q. How pivotal was Jayden's on that one drive coming out of halftime?
JORDAN FAISON: Definitely, it was huge. For him to come in having not played and get into such a big game and be able to execute just shows who he is as a player, who our team is, and kind of like how he was ready for any big moment.
Q. From your perspective, this 12-team playoff makes the season a lot longer. What's it been like now that you've been through it?
JORDAN FAISON: Now I see what the NFL is like, so you kind of get a taste of reality. No, it's been great. We take every opportunity to the fullest that we can.
Also, the first round home game, those are electric, I think. Happening in South Bend for us, it was big time. Having the fans, it was one of the best atmospheres I've been a part of. So I've really enjoyed it so far.
Q. With Riley coming in, what was it like initially, how was he able to get guys rally around him as quarterback?
JORDAN FAISON: He came in being positive. He became friends with everyone on the team really fast. I think that led to the overall relationship with everybody and allowed him to build confidence with us.
Obviously getting onto the field, working with him, throwing the ball around, that allows him to build confidence with us and shows in the games.
Q. How is he positive? What does he do?
JORDAN FAISON: He's a big man of God. We have bible studies, and he's in there leading that. That just shows his positive attitude. You never see him down, frowning. He's always smiling, always upbeat.
Q. We want to know who's your favorite wide receiver and why?
JORDAN FAISON: My favorite wide receiver is also my favorite player on the team. It would be No. 0, Deion Colzie. Just a great dude, very funny. He's so elegant, great guy (laughter).
Q. What does it say about you that your teammates are here to heckle you?
JORDAN FAISON: I think it just shows what our locker room is like. It's just a bunch of dudes messing around. When times are serious, we get serious, but we're just a bunch of best friends playing the sport we love.
Q. You're a multisport athlete. What can you say about having that at this level in Division I, you're playing for a National Championship, and you also have lacrosse on the other side. What's it like to live in those worlds?
JORDAN FAISON: It's awesome. Both our locker rooms are similar. We've had the same journey towards the National Championship. I would say our culture is the same in both locker rooms, and we have that in both locker rooms. I think that was a big part of allowing us to get to where we are today on both sides, both sports.
Q. When the play breaks down, what goes through your mind?
JORDAN FAISON: It's either get open or start blocking so he can make a play.
Q. Do you have rules for that?
JORDAN FAISON: Everyone pretty much has set in stone the regular scramble rules. It's pretty much get open for him, and if you can't, start blocking.
Q. What's been your favorite catch in your career?
JORDAN FAISON: I'd probably say last year in our bowl game. I ran a big box, and Steve put it up right in the pocket, and it kind of went through the defender's hands. He kind of missed it a little bit, but I was able to re-catch it. I would say that's one of my top catches so far.
Q. What's been your favorite purchase with your NIL money?
JORDAN FAISON: I couldn't say I purchased much. Right now I got a new car, a new Bronco. That's probably been the best so far, getting me around.
Q. What's your favorite play?
JORDAN FAISON: Favorite play I would probably say is all of Jeremiyah Love's hurdles. Watching him hurdle dudes all over the field, it's so fun to watch.
Q. My last question is obviously at Notre Dame you guys have a huge fan base. What's your message to your young fan base like to pursue their dreams?
JORDAN FAISON: Yeah, a hundred percent. Being a role model for a bunch of young kids is definitely a dream of mine, and it's awesome to take that role. My message is keep doing what you're doing. No one can control your life. Do what you want to do and don't let anyone alter you off your journey.
Q. How many times have you watched Rudy?
JORDAN FAISON: I'd definitely say I watched that more before I came to Notre Dame. We don't watch it as much, but it's a great movie.
Q. (Question comparing football to lacrosse)
JORDAN FAISON: Yeah, athleticism and hand-eye coordination pretty much go hand in hand in both sports. They both help. A little deeper piece in both football, you got your DB in front of you covering you and then safeties behind rotating.
It's the same thing with lacrosse. You're dodging the guy right in front of you and seeing the defensive side and whatnot. Those two go hand in hand in helping with both.
Q. (No microphone)?
JORDAN FAISON: I think the biggest thing we got from that, or that I've learned, is that no game is too big and don't let any moment get too big. It's just another game. I'd say that's a big piece coming into this. We prepared the whole week. It's just another game like we have the rest of the season, and we're going to go out there and execute.
Q. (No microphone)?
JORDAN FAISON: I'd say same journey we had in lacrosse. We had a loss, and that loss we kind of saw as a blessing and allowed us to play even better, play to the fullest of our capability and go out and finish the rest of the season. Similar in both ways. It was in Georgetown, yes.
Q. (No microphone)?
JORDAN FAISON: We were just taught do the most with the opportunities that come our way. Opportunities came more in the recent games that we played. That's just been a big part of it. Go out there and make the most of any opportunity that comes your way.
Q. Which one of your teammates is most likely to get lost in the hotel?
JORDAN FAISON: Probably Jayden Thomas.
Q. And what's your favorite pregame snack?
JORDAN FAISON: Probably a peanut butter and jelly.
Q. Is there some advice that you would give to the younger generation that want to play sports in high school and college?
JORDAN FAISON: I would just say do what you want to do and don't let anyone get you off your journey of wherever you want to go.
Q. What do you think your greatest strength is?
JORDAN FAISON: I would probably say my athleticism. Being able to make cuts with the ball in my hands, making fast moves, I would probably say that's my best asset.
Q. (No microphone)?
JORDAN FAISON: They're very physical DBs. They want to get hands on you, and they've got good feet as well. We've got to be able to play through that kind of contact, that physicality, and be able to get open for our quarterback.
Q. (No microphone)?
JORDAN FAISON: Yeah, he never lets any moment get too big or too small or gets down on any moment. He just keeps going and making plays, and that competitive spirit leads the rest of our team to keep going.
Q. (No microphone)?
JORDAN FAISON: A hundred percent. We follow everything he says. We kind of adopt the same ideas that he tells us throughout every week and every meeting. We're a reflection of him.
Q. What's your nighttime routine?
JORDAN FAISON: Go to the bathroom, take a shower, brush my teeth, and put on my lotion and whatnot, take care of my face, and then go to bed.
Q. I'm going to need to know the top five shadow boxers on this team.
JORDAN FAISON: Number one, obviously me. Number two, give me Deion. Number three, J.T. four, KREES. Five, Logan.
Q. Who is most likely to get lost in this hotel?
JORDAN FAISON: Jayden Thomas.
Q. You've been in a position like this before in lacrosse. What did you learn?
JORDAN FAISON: I would say what I've learned mostly is don't let no moment, no game get too big. It's just another game. You put in work all season every day, every practice for moments like this. We've done the same over here on the football side. I would say that's probably the biggest connection.
Q. (Question regarding Ohio State's defense.)
JORDAN FAISON: They've got physical guys that can cover all over the field and in man and zone. They can come up and make tackles, make plays. It's going to be a challenge for us. We're looking forward to it.
Q. People always talk about the Notre Dame mystique. What does that mean to you? How does that help you guys? With the Grotto, Touchdown Jesus, does that stuff resonate with you guys?
JORDAN FAISON: Absolutely. We're always playing for the man above, Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. That's a big part of our coach and our team and our journey. We wouldn't be anywhere without Him in where we are today, so that's a big part of our team.
Q. I was talking to Ohio State and they said how hard you guys play. That's something that's stressed.
JORDAN FAISON: A hundred percent. It's a big part of our identity and our team. Coach Free always tells us one play, one life. Whatever happens the last play, next play you've got to go to the fullest of your capability and win the next one. That will get us to where we are.
Q. (No microphone)?
JORDAN FAISON: It's been a great journey. Going to a National Championship, it's definitely a dream come true. Since you're a little kid, you dream of this moment, and being able to do it with your brothers and your family out here, you couldn't ask for anything more. So it's been a blessing, 100 percent.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports