Before guys made the NFL and before they became consistent starters or better in college, someone found them in high school. With that in mind, we're starting a series called Recruiting Tales, where we chat with the main college recruiter of a Detroit Lions player.

Previous recruiting tales: TE Joseph Fauria, LB Ashlee Palmer, QB Kellen Moore

Theo Riddick was an intriguing prospect coming out of Immaculata High School in New Jersey because he could be both a running back or a receiver. It's why he garnered the “athlete” connotation in ESPN's rankings for 2009, where he was labeled the No. 48 athlete in the country that year and the No. 65 player in the East before committing to Notre Dame.

Now, he's in the NFL. We caught up with former Irish offensive line coach John Latina, now the assistant head coach, run game coordinator and offensive line coach at Duke, about Riddick's recruitment.

How did you find Theo? Do you remember the first time you saw him?

John Latina: Well, he had a good rating through various recruiting services but when I watched him on tape, I saw a very dynamic athlete. A guy that would be exciting with the ball in his hands and that's when we started the recruiting process. But he's just a very dynamic athlete.

When you saw him live, what did you think?

Latina: I never saw him play live. I watched him on many high school tapes and in the first home visit, you saw a very mature guy that had a vision of what he wanted to become as a football player and as well as a person and a student. We met all the criteria that we were looking for at Notre Dame and it was just a great fit for that university.

Every recruitment is a bit different. What stood out to you about that recruitment?

Latina: I don't know if there was anything unusual, story-wise. When you meet young people today, you really get a quick feeling about their maturity level. Obviously his mom did a great job of bringing him up. He was just a mature kid that really knew what he was looking for. He was very confident and very humble. Very mature kid.

When did you realize you had a good shot at getting him?

Latina: I thought relatively early, once we started the recruiting process, I think he was really excited about the opportunity of Notre Dame. That shows his maturity, was a guy that talked academics and playing at a big-time university like Notre Dame. The pieces of the puzzle seemed to fit with what he was looking for.

What was it like when he committed and called you?

Latina: I do remember the call. Obviously everybody was excited that he was committed because he was a perfect fit. He was excited and when you have those conversations when they call you, you really sense the genuine excitement that he had about being a part of that family.

He was used in multiple roles in college and the NFL. What did you guys envision him as?

Latina: Precisely that. We felt he could be a return guy in punts and kick returns. Felt he could play slot receiver, running back, motion out of the backfield to a slot receiver. He's extremely versatile and it's one of the many reasons we fell in love with him.

Did you see a NFL guy or a guy who would just be a good college player?

Latina: Well, you never know that but the more you're around him you understood his work ethic and his toughness and the tough mentality that he had. He certainly had the ability but there are a lot of guys who have that ability that don't make it to that level. But he had the work ethic and the vision and the drive so there was no doubt he would have a chance to do that.