Marcus Freeman's Notre Dame lands commitment from Four-star safety JaDon Blair to the class of 2025

By Maliha

Modified Jul 06, 2024 13:04 GMT

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Four-star safety JaDon Blair, from Mount Tabor High School in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, has committed to Notre Dame's 2025 recruiting class. He announced his commitment on Friday, choosing Marcus Freeman's program over the Michigan Wolverines, LSU Tigers, Penn State Nittany Lions and Florida State Seminoles, among others.

Blair visited Notre Dame several times, including his official visit last month. He also visited South Carolina, Louisville, Michigan, Florida State, Penn State and Virginia Tech, alongside the Irish.

JaDon Blair initially developed a good bond with former Notre Dame safety coach, Chris O’Leary. When O’Leary left the program, the prospect found a great alignment with the new Irish defensive back coach, Mike Mickens, as well.

“From the beginning of the recruiting process when they offered me, I’ve heard from them consistently,” Blair told Blue & Gold. “It’s been every day, whether it’s from Coach (Marcus) Freeman, Coach Mickens, Coach (Al) Golden or Chad Bowden.

Not only were the Notre Dame players and staff recruiting Blair, but he was even pursued by former Fighting Irish safety and current Baltimore Ravens player, Kyle Hamilton.

“They’ve showed how much of a priority I am to them, even when they had other safety commits, and even though they got commitments from (defensive backs) Mark Zackery and Dallas Golden, they still wanted me. They view me as a missing piece to their program.”

Blair has decided to pursue his major in business, while possibly doing his second major in broadcasting at Notre Dame.

JaDon Blair is the No. 161 prospect in the 2025 class, the No. 13 safety and the No. 5 prospect in North Carolina, according to 247 Sports. On3 ranks him as the No. 85 national prospect in the class, the No. 8 safety and the No. 4 overall prospect in the state.

Blair's junior season in 2023 saw him record 56 tackles, 41 solo tackles and four interceptions, along with one fumble recovery, while also contributing on offense with 10 receptions for 255 receiving yards and six receiving touchdowns.

Notre Dame's recruitment update post-JaDon Blair's commitment

JaDon Blair's pledge marks the No. 22 commitment in Notre Dame’s 2025 recruiting class, propelling the program up one spot in the 247Sports Composite rankings to third place. Their defensive back group now features six commitments from five different states.

The 2025 class is shaping up to be one of Notre Dame's best in recent memory. Alongside Blair, the class includes several four-star talents, such as:

• Quarterback Deuce Knight
• Safety Ivan Taylor
• Edge rusher Christopher Burgess Jr.
• Cornerbacks Mark Zackery IV and Dallas Golden
• Tight end James Flanigan
• Offensive tackles Will Black and Owen Strebig
• Running back Justin Thurman

They also have several three-star players, including:

• Linebacker Ko'o Kia
• Safety Anthony Sacca
• Cornerback Cree Thomas
• Offensive tackle Matty Augustine
• Defensive linemen Joseph Reiff and Gordy Sulfstead
• Edge rusher Dominik Hulak
• Wide receivers Elijah Burress and Jerome Bettis Jr.
• Running back Daniel Anderson
• Defensive lineman Davion Dixon

Notre Dame's potential next targets include wide receivers Derek Meadows, Tanook Hines, and Dylan Robinson, as well as linebackers Madden Faraimo and Nathaniel Owusu-Boateng.