Tag: Notre Dame recruiting

Former Notre Dame football commits flips again, lands in the SEC

Not surprising given his flip history

It has been quite the wild recruiting ride for safety [autotag]Ivan Taylor[/autotag], who at one point was committed to Notre Dame.

Following the summer, the 6-foot, 170-pounder decided that South Bend wasn’t the place for him, and proceeded to flip to the Michigan Wolverines. The Big Ten team held Taylor’s commitment for just four months, as he once again flipped, this time to the Alabama Crimson Tide.

The son of former NFL cornerback Ike Taylor has obviously had multiple changes of heart, and at this point, its hard to discount the possibility that he might end up flipping once more.

As the nation’s No. 59 overall prospect according to the 247Sports Composite Rankings, it was clear that many teams were fighting for Taylor’s commitment. With the early signing period coming up next month, we will see if he actually sticks with his third commitment.

West Orange High School Warriors’ Ivan Taylor watches from the sidelines at the Florida High School 7v7 Association state championship in The Villages on Friday, June 24, 2022. [PAUL RYAN / CORRESPONDENT]

Florida High School 7v7 Association State Championship

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Marcus Freeman updates Notre Dame DT Howard Cross III status for Army

Hopefully he’s a go this weekend

While Notre Dame football has a 9-1 record with just two games left in the regular season, it has battled injuries all fall, which makes its record much more impressive.

The Irish will face the Army Black Knights on Saturday evening in what coach [autotag]Marcus Freeman[/autotag] called the “toughest challenge to date.” Unfortunately, it looks like Notre Dame might not have star defensive tackle [autotag]Howard Cross III[/autotag] for the contest.

Freeman listed the senior as questionable after he sat out this past weekend’s win over Virginia. The good news is [autotag]Donovan Hinish[/autotag] has filled in and played very well.

This is the kind of game where if Cross can get on the field, he needs to be out there. Even if he is limited to a certain amount of snaps, he’s a game-changer that will help Notre Dame. Hopefully, Cross heals during the week and we see him against Army.

Notre Dame star DT Howard Cross III’s status for Virginia has been updated
Howard Cross III #56 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish celebrates his sack with Rylie Mills #99 against the Texas A&M Aggies at Kyle Field on Aug. 31, 2024 in College Station, Texas. Jack Gorman/Getty Images

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Notre Dame football loses 2025 commit, flips to Kansas Jayhawks

A not so happy Monday for the Irish

It wasn’t the news many wanted to hear on Monday morning. Now former Notre Dame football commit [autotag]Justin Thurman[/autotag] flipped to the Kansas Jayhawks.

The Florida running back had been committed to the Irish since early August of last year, but he decided South Bend wasn’t the place for him. As the nation’s No. 477 overall prospect on the 247Sports composite, this is clearly a loss for Notre Dame.

This could be a consequence of the Irish adding another back to the class. Nolan James committed a week ago after being in the Boston College’s 2025 recruiting class.

Thurman seemed firm with his pledge to Notre Dame, but now they must continue looking for another running back in the class. It has been fairly common for the Irish to take two in each cycle, so expect another flip in the near future.

Recruit Justin Thurman Saturday, April 20, 2024, at the annual Notre Dame Blue-Gold spring football game at Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend.

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Notre Dame 2025 football commit has a big Wednesday full of awards

What a day for the future Irish star

It was quite the Wednesday for Notre Dame football 2025 commit [autotag]Christopher Burgess Jr.[/autotag]

Early in the day the 6-foot, 4-inch and 240-pound edge rusher found out that he was named as a first-team All-State player by the Illinois High School Football Coaches Association. According to MaxPreps, Burgess had 96 tackles, 5 sacks, 8 tackles for loss, 8 hurries and a forced fumble on the year.

It was quite the senior season for the future Irish pass rusher, but that wasn’t the only recognition that he’d receive on the day. The Navy All-American Bowl also honored him by presenting him his jersey for the all-star game.

Burgess is one of the top recruits in Notre Dame’s 2025 class, as he’s ranked as the nation’s No. 118 overall prospect by the 247Sports Composite Rankings.

Unfortunately for him, his high school career is over, after him Simeon team lost in the first round of the state playoffs. Burgess will have one more opportunity to play in the All-American Bowl before he heads off to start his career in South Bend.

Notre Dame doesn't move up in the AP Poll, nor does it move down.
Oct 19, 2024; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish head coach Marcus Freeman celebrates after a victory over the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images

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Notre Dame stay hot on recruiting trail, add 2026 LB, son of former NFL star

The Irish are once again on fire on the recruiting trail

It has become clear over the last few recruiting cycles that Notre Dame has targeted football family bloodlines.

The Irish have had multiple former, current and soon-to-be players whose fathers played in the NFL, and on Tuesday night added another one in 2026 linebacker [autotag]Thomas Davis Jr.[/autotag]

The son of Thomas Davis, the former NFL linebacker for the Carolina Panthers, Los Angeles Chargers and Washington Football Team is one of the best prospects in the country, ranking as the No. 146 overall player according to the 247Sports Composite Rankings.

Davis is the first defensive player for the Irish in the class, as he joins quarterback Noah Grubbs and wide receiver Dylan Faison in what looks to be another impressive collection of talent assembled by head coach Marcus Freeman.

Davis Jr. has an impressive offer list as well, as Clemson, Auburn, LSU, Michigan, Ohio State and a host of others were vying for his commitment as well.

Notre Dame releases a hype video with EPMD’s ‘You Gots to Chill’
Notre Dame football Head Coach Marcus Freeman arrives at the Marriott hotel ahead of the Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl on Dec. 24, 2023.

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Notre Dame makes the top group for 2026 4-star offensive lineman

The Irish are still in the hunt for one of the Midwests best offensive lineman

With the early signing period rapidly approaching, many teams like Notre Dame football are already looking to the 2026 class options.

One of those for the Irish is Michigan offensive lineman [autotag]Ben Nichols[/autotag], who trimmed his list down to nine schools recently. The 6-foot, 5-inch and 315-pounders remaining teams are a who’s who of college football which includes Alabama, Ohio State, Tennessee, Penn State, the Irish, and others.

It will be a highly competitive recruiting battle between his final nine, as the nation’s No. 234 overall recruit according to the 247Sports Composite Rankings has a difficult decision ahead of him.

Nichols hasn’t taken many visits this fall, but one of them was to South Bend, even though he was on hand for the loss to Northern Illinois. Hopefully the play of the Notre Dame offensive line has gotten his attention, as they were named as a Joe Moore Award semifinalist on Tuesday morning.

Notre Dame offensive line coach Joe Rudolph, second from right, talks to offensive lineman Aamil Wagner (59) during a Notre Dame football practice at Irish Athletic Center on Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024, in South Bend.

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The flip is complete, Notre Dame adds a running back to its 2025 class

The Irish complete the flip

As we found out on Monday morning, it seemed like Notre Dame football had a great chance to flip Boston College 2025 running back commit [autotag]Nolan James[/autotag].

Well, it didn’t take long for that to happen, as the 5-foot, 11-inch and 200-pound back changed his commitment to the Irish on Monday evening. He’s the second running back in the class, joining Justin Thurman.

While being ranked as the nation’s No. 986 overall prospect according to the 247Sports Composite Rankings, James shouldn’t be viewed as a fallback option. He is a quality prospect, one that holds a lower ranking due to the question of his position.

It no doubt that the visit this past weekend pushed James over the edge to verbal to Notre Dame, it was a raucous environment with Florida State in town for a prime time game.

You have to believe that this isn’t the end for flips in the class, as the Irish have other prospects they are working on to join the 2025 class.

Oct 4, 2024; Ramsey, New Jersey, United States; DePaul football at Don Bosco. DP #1 Nolan James Jr. avoids a tackle.

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Notre Dame football trending to flip 2025 Boston College commit

The Irish hosted the running back this past weekend, and it looks like it went well

Notre Dame football hosted multiple prospects over this past weekend, and by most reports, it was a smashing success for the Irish.

One of the visitors was New Jersey running back [autotag]Nolan James[/autotag], who committed to Boston College in December of last year. The 5-foot, 11-inch and 200-pound prospect is currently ranked as an athlete by the 247Sports Composite Rankings, as the No. 985 overall prospect.

The ranking shouldn’t matter much, as the Irish have shown the ability to find lower ranked prospects and make them into very good collegiate players. That could very well be the case with James, as 247Sports Tom Loy believes that he will eventually flip to the Irish.

Currently, Notre Dame has Justin Thurman in the 2025 class as the position, but typically bringing in two running backs in each cycle is a good idea. James would be a great addition to the Irish class.

Oct 4, 2024; Ramsey, New Jersey, United States; DePaul football at Don Bosco. DP #1 Nolan James Jr. avoids a tackle.

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Notre Dame is projected to land 2026 4-star Illinois edge rusher

The Irish won plenty this weekend

Not only was Notre Dame football successful on the field this weekend, they were a big hit with recruits.

As the biggest remaining home game left on the schedule, it made plenty of sense to bring in multiple prospects to see South Bend and witness what it’s like for a primetime game in Notre Dame Stadium.

The atmosphere and visit was enough for On3’s Steve Wiltfong to project 2026 Illinois defensive lineman [autotag]McHale Blade[/autotag] to eventually commit to the Irish. The 6-foot, 4-inch and 230-pound edge is ranked as the nation’s No. 124 overall prospect and 13th at his position according to the 247Sports Composite Rankings.

Notre Dame has long been recruiting Blade, as they offered him a scholarship in March of this year. They also have done a great job in the state of Illinois, as there are three committed to the Irish in 2025 from the state.

At the moment, Notre Dame has two commitments in the 2026 cycle, quarterback Noah Grubbs and wide receiver Dylan Faison.

Nov 9, 2024; South Bend, Indiana, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish head coach Marcus Freeman stands with his players for the Notre Dame Alma Mater after defeating the Florida State Seminoles at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-Imagn Images

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2025 Notre Dame running back commit takes in Touchdown Jesus at night

Everyone appreciates this sight.

With Notre Dame about to play its first home game in almost a month, a bunch of recruits and commits are on campus for the weekend. Among them is 2025 three-star running back commit [autotag]Justin Thurman[/autotag], who made his decision at the start of August 2023.

Thurman, who hails from Tampa, Florida, is taking in the sights of what will be his home starting next year. One good thing about him is he understands that no matter who you are, visiting Touchdown Jesus is an absolute must when one sets foot on the Notre Dame campus. It’s one of those things that looks beautiful no matter what time of day or year it is.

Thurman took in this breathtaking sight Friday and posted about it on social media. He also used it as a battle cry for the Irish to defeat Florida State on Saturday. It’s perfectly fine that he did so because it hard not to use Touchdown Jesus for inspiration.

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