Jake Fruhmorgen has been waiting for this one.

The freshman right tackle from Tampa, Fla. told reporters earlier this week Saturday night’s showdown with Notre Dame is a “big game” for him.

“It’s one of those games you circle on your calendar when I came to Clemson, so it’s going to be a big one for me,” Fruhmorgen said.

Playing against the Irish means more because of the connection he felt he was younger.

“My grandpa, when I was a kid, he loved Notre Dame. My step-grandma went to Notre Dame and then I’m Catholic, so it’s a lot of that, too,” Fruhmorgen said. “It was a big school for me when I was a kid.”

A four-star recruit out of Plant High School, Fruhmorgen had plenty high-profile offers, but Notre Dame didn’t come through as soon as he wanted it to.

“They didn’t recruit me too hard when I was younger, kind of got a lot of my offers. I kind of got mad about that,” Fruhmorgen said. “I was a little bitter about that, but they offered me later on, but I wasn’t interested anymore, really.”

Clemson, obviously, piqued his interest, so there’s no ill-will towards Brian Kelly’s program.

“I think that I was immature,” Fruhmorgen said.

Besides, he’s too busy waiting for another crack at the starting right tackle job.

Fruhmorgen had that first opportunity two week ago, but was forced to exit the Louisville game with an injury, just a few plays after he was brought on for a banged up Joe Gore.

“I was telling myself, man I’m going to miss my chance,” Fruhmorgen said. “I was going to go in the game, probably play the rest of the game, show that I can do this. But things happen for a reason. I’m not mad about it, but I wish it didn’t happen like that.”

Gore eventually returned and finished the night after Maverick Morris logged some time. Both Gore and Fruhmorgen are expected to be available against Notre Dame.