Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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BLUEGOLDONLINE.COM MARCH 2025 51 2025 FOOTBALL RECRUITING ISSUE There is no shortage of Notre Dame alums who love their alma mater, but for Bettis, it's next level. Not only does he get back to South Bend many times throughout the year, but he re-enrolled at the university a few years ago. As a 50-year-old man, he returned to school 28 years after declaring early for the NFL Draft and earned his degree. "When I graduated, I didn't just earn a degree," Bettis said. "I earned my kids' respect and showed them the power of perseverance." He graduated from Notre Dame in 2022, Jada got there in the fall of 2023, and now he has Jerome Jr. at his alma mater for the 2025 spring semester. "I am so amazingly proud because I know what the university gives you," he explained. "I know what it's all about — having gone there, having gone back, having been a part of the community. I know what the benefits are. It's extra special for me because I know my chil- dren will receive those benefits from go- ing to this university and learning what they'll learn. "It's a blessing to have both of my kids there. I couldn't be any prouder and any happier to see both of them there." Just about anyone who followed Bet- tis' recruitment expected that he would pick Notre Dame after he received the offer. And in an interview at the time of his commitment, he told BGI that he "always knew in the back of my mind it was going to be home" for him. But still, he wanted to give all schools a look and took visits to other programs. He wasn't exactly the Notre Dame "lock" that everyone assumed he was. "He wanted to look at every place and make his own decision," the elder Bettis said. "He was a little upset that everyone assumed he was going to Notre Dame. "I was happy with his decision, but I stayed out of pushing him to Notre Dame. I wanted him to see everything so he could have a good understanding of what college was all about. I also wanted him to get to know other college coaches so he could build some relationships." JEROME JR., THE ATHLETE Bettis took a big step in his game from his junior to senior season. He nearly doubled his receiving yardage (369 to 630) with his average yards per recep- tion jumping from 12.3 yards to 17.5. Bettis caught 7 touchdowns in 2024, compared to 4 in 2023. Notre Dame recruited Bettis as a wide receiver, but he's a pretty darn good safety as well. Despite his team playing in two less games in 2024 compared to the year prior, he improved from 23 to 38 solo tackles and forced 2 fumbles. "He made a conscious decision to be more of a physical player," Bettis Sr. said. "The light turned on, and he be- came more of a physical presence at the safety position." At his size, Bettis could truly play ei- ther position in college. "I wouldn't take safety off the table," his father continued. "If I'm a coach looking at him and assessing him, he has really good ball skill and, catch radius and is leaning into his physicality with really good size. Safety is a position I'd look at him for as well." "Jerome was the ultimate team player for us," Davis added. "He not only was one of our top receivers, but he was also one of our top defensive players, filling the role at safety. Jerome brought a level of intel- ligence, leadership and athleticism which led to the success of our team." With Bettis enrolling at Notre Dame in January, the topic of his best position has plenty of time to develop. "He's just getting there," Bettis Sr. said. "It'll depend on the depth and what they have. Xavier Watts, their All- American safety, was a wide receiver who converted to safety. I wouldn't put it out of the realm of possibility. "If a couple guys go down and you need another safety, then you look at who has experience playing safety. But I do believe he has his heart set on wide receiver." ✦ JEROME BETTIS JR. WIDE RECEIVER 6-2 ∙ 201 WOODWARD ACADEMY ATLANTA RANKINGS STARS NAT. POS. STATE Industry ✪ ✪ ✪ — 135 104 ✪ ✪ ✪ — 173 118 ✪ ✪ ✪ — 112 90 ✪ ✪ ✪ — 113 82 ✪ ✪ ✪ — — 90 STATISTICS • Hauled in 36 receptions for 630 yards and 7 touchdowns during his 12-game senior season. Also recorded 47 tackles (38 solo), 1 stop for loss, 1 pass broken up, 2 interceptions and 2 forced fumbles as a safety in 2024. • Posted 30 receptions for 369 yards and 4 touchdowns in 15 contests as a junior in 2023. NOTABLE • First-team defense pick for the Georgia All- Class 5A, Region 4 team by the Georgia High School Football Daily in 2024. • Is the son of Notre Dame legend Jerome Bettis Sr., who ran for 1,912 yards with 33 touchdowns on 337 rushing attempts during his collegiate career from 1990-92. His father also rushed for 13,663 yards over 11 NFL seasons, earning All-Pro honors three times and winning a Super Bowl. • His older sister, Jada, is a student at Notre Dame. • Also a member of his high school track team. RECRUITMENT • Enrolled at Notre Dame in January. • Committed to the Fighting Irish on March 17, 2024. • Recruited by wide receivers coach Mike Brown. • Visited Notre Dame probably more times than he can count, but as a recruit BGI reports 11 trips to campus. • Also held offers from Arkansas, Georgia Tech, Cal, Duke, Missouri and Texas A&M. 2025 PROJECTION • Expected to redshirt. THEY SAID IT Prep Football Report recruiting analyst Tom Lemming: "He uses his size to his advantage in the red zone, does a good job of creating separation after the catch and wins most contested ball situa- tions. Blessed with long arms and big hands, he has a wide catch radius. "Bettis has what the colleges are looking for, and he is the prototype for the modern receiver. He has the size, the speed combination and super strong hands, which allows him to produce at all three levels." On3 director of scouting and rankings Charles Power: "He's one who is a late bloomer physi- cally. I was surprised to see how big he was at the Atlanta Under Armour camp. He measured in at 6-2 and has plus length with a 6-7 wingspan. In seeing him work out in that setting, I came away impressed with his ball skills, technique and frame. He catches the ball with proper hand placement. "There's certainly areas for him to continue to improve on. He registers as an average-to-solid athlete. For a receiver on that scale as an athlete, he needs to improve on his route running and abil- ity to separate with change of direction. His routes right now are fairly undeveloped. Once he polishes up there and gets quicker in and out of his breaks, that will help him significantly."