"I feel like if you go to Notre Dame, you're set up for life”: 2026 class CB RJ Sermons has positive remarks for Marcus Freeman's team

By Maliha

Modified Jul 10, 2024 16:04 GMT

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Four-star cornerback RJ Sermons has already received offers from big programs like Notre Dame, Alabama, Michigan, USC, Oregon, Penn State, Texas A&M, Ole Miss and Michigan State. Nebraska, SMU and Florida have also joined the race to secure his commitment for the 2026 recruiting class.

Sermons, from Rancho Cucamonga, California, has begun the process of evaluating his college options, having already made a visit to Notre Dame this offseason.

“Honestly, just the life after football,” Sermons told Irish Sports Daily. “I feel like if you go to Notre Dame, you're set up for life.”

Notre Dame's comprehensive approach to student-athlete development has certainly captured RJ Sermons' interest. Fighting Irish defensive backs coach Mike Mickens extended an offer to the 6-foot, 180-pound CB on Pot of Gold Day, a special St. Patrick’s Day-themed recruiting event where 85 other high school sophomores received new offers.

"I was just on the phone with Coach Mickens, just chopping it up with him," Sermons said. "I definitely want to get back down there. Coach Mickens and my dad, we're all going to get on a call soon and really find a date that would work to get back up there, probably for a game."

Coach Marcus Freeman's coaching staff is toiling hard to get Sermons back to campus this season for a game, and he himself is seemingly interested in that.

“I just want to see how they play as a team because I mean I feel like I've kind of got a good feel for everything else. I just want to get up there and see how they can play ball as a unit,” Sermons said.

RJ Sermons is the No. 15 overall player, the No. 2 cornerback in the 2026 recruiting class and the No. 3 player in California, according to On3. 247Sports lists him as the No. 57 overall player, the No. 7 cornerback in the class and the No. 5 player in the state.

As a sophomore, Sermons recorded 46 tackles, one interception and five pass breakups while also having a forced fumble and a fumble recovery.

Which programs are on the priority list of RJ Sermons?

RJ Sermons is still in the early stages of his recruitment process, but he has already identified a few programs that have caught his interest.

“My top schools right now that I'm really interested in looking into are USC, Oregon, Texas, Notre Dame, and then probably Florida," Sermons told Irish Sports Daily.

The Trojans are leading the race for RJ Sermons’ commitment, boasting a 55.5% chance, according to the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine. His affinity for the Trojans was also strengthened with his fourth visit to the campus on June 17.

“I like the culture and really just the environment in LA and also the coaching staff. I like the new defensive coaching staff, everybody that came in; Coach (Doug) Belk, Coach (D’Anton) Lynn. Taylor Mays is also on the staff, he's super cool,” Sermons said.

Sermons' connection to USC runs deeper than just his interest in the program, as his father, Rodney Sermons, played running back for the Trojans from 1994-1997. But familial tie will not be the only deciding factor for his commitment.

"To be honest, I feel like it factors in just the fact that I've been around it my whole life, but I wouldn't say that it has me set to go there just because he went there," Sermons said.

The recruitment effort for RJ Sermons at USC is being facilitated by secondary coach Doug Belk. Let's see if the school can seal the deal.