Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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54 MARCH 2025 BLUE & GOLD ILLUSTRATED 2025 FOOTBALL RECRUITING ISSUE BY MIKE SINGER T here's an NCAA bylaw that allows for early enrollees to practice with their team ahead of postseason games and even suit up for the game(s), though they can't play. Four Irish recruits from the 2025 class were able to take part in Notre Dame's preparation for the Sugar Bowl against Georgia, Orange Bowl versus Penn State and the national championship tilt with Ohio State — quarterback Blake Hebert, linebacker Madden Faraimo, and safe- ties JaDon Blair and Ethan Long. Blue & Gold Illustrated spoke with Blair's father, Ja'Warren, for insight on just how impactful that was for his son. "It was an amazing introduction to college football," the elder Blair said. "You're going into the most pressur- ized situation in college football. And it was new to everybody with the College Football Playoff going to 12 teams. "And you're thrust in it, not just as a spectator either. You're in there to help your new team get better. You're actively participating on scout team. And scout team is important. The bet- ter look the scout team gives, the better that team overall will be." Blair and the other incoming fresh- man were introduced to college football. Getting this extra practice was crucial for them, particularly those with goals to play early. "That was about like a month of prac- tice; that's invaluable to these kids, es- pecially with my son," Blair explained. "With Xavier Watts going to the NFL, that's a big hole. It's going to take some- body with some big shoes to be able to fill that void. "Essentially, you already had a spring ball. To get that experience with the guys, get the speed of the game down, learn the terminology and everything like — that's huge." About half of Notre Dame's recruit- ing classes in recent years enroll early to participate in spring ball, which is a major advantage for the student-ath- letes. But to get a jump on spring ball by practicing with the team for bowl preparation is next level stuff. "That's a few weeks of practice, sit- ting in meetings, understanding the nu- ances of a game week and all the things that go into it," Blair continued. "For JaDon, that experience is going to help him become the ballplayer they need him to be." ✦ Blair, the nation's No. 5 safety and No. 71 overall prospect per On3, enrolled early at Notre Dame and was able to take part in the program's prepa- ration for the Sugar Bowl, Orange Bowl and the national championship game. PHOTO BY CHAD WEAVER Bowl Practice Was 'Invaluable' For Safety JaDon Blair JADON BLAIR SAFETY 6-5 ∙ 195 MOUNT TABOR H.S. WINSTON-SALEM (N.C.) RANKINGS STARS NAT. POS. STATE Industry ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ 114 11 5 ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ 71 5 5 ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ 159 13 6 ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ 227 19 6 ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ 245 19 8 STATISTICS • Posted 66 stops (62 solo), 1 tackles for loss, 3 passes broken up, 1 forced fumble, 2 interceptions in 10 games as a senior. Also contributed 22 recep- tions for 529 yards and 6 touchdowns. • As a junior, compiled 56 tackles (3 for loss), 4 interceptions, 1 fumble recovery and 3 forced fumbles. Added 10 receptions for 255 yards with 6 touchdowns on offense. • Tallied 12.5 points, 8.2 rebounds and 1.0 steals during his junior basketball season in 2023-24. • Helped lead Mount Tabor to the Central Pied- mont 4A regular season and tournament champi- onships. Was also selected to the all-area hoops team. NOTABLE • 2023 and 2024 Central Piedmont Conference Defensive Player of the Year. • High School OT All-State second-team selection on defense as a senior and Defensive Player of the Year as a junior. • Invited to the North Carolina East vs. West All-Star Game, the North Carolina-South Carolina Shrine Bowl and the Army All-America Game. • His father, Ja'Warren, played defensive line at East Carolina and with the Amsterdam Admirals and Rhein Fire in NFL Europe. RECRUITMENT • Enrolled at Notre Dame in January. • Committed to the Fighting Irish on July 5, 2024. • Picked the Irish over finalists Florida State, Michigan, Louisville, Penn State, South Carolina and Virginia Tech. • Irish dropped on his list after ex-safeties coach Chris O'Leary left, but defensive backs coach Mike Mickens quickly built a strong connection with him. • Visited Notre Dame seven times, including his official visit on June 11, 2024. 2025 PROJECTION • There could be a role for him in 2025, whether it be on special teams or potentially at safety if the Irish call his number. THEY SAID IT On3 director of scouting and rankings Charles Power: "He's certainly the biggest safety among national prospects at the position. He has a big frame, and he's going to continue to fill out. He's younger for his class, just turning 17 years old last July. He has really fluid movement skills at that size and can play multiple safety spots in the secondary. "Blair shows strong ability to cover and plays with a physical edge — he's a very willing tackler. He's a guy who we project as a 210-pounder at safety who will maintain his athleticism and move- ment skills. It gives him a lot of versatility on the back end, and he's someone who will go into Notre Dame's developmental program and will only get better and better. And he's already a really good player. There's a lot of upside with JaDon Blair." Prep Football Report recruiting analyst Tom Lemming: "He's a good-sized free safety who has the hitting ability and overall athletic ability the college scouts love to see. Known for his bone- jarring hits, he can play either safety position at the next level. "Blair is the prototypical safety and has the build, length, speed and agility to play in two-deep and man-free coverage. He is very strong at attacking plays in front of him in coverage or run support; once he gets there, he knows what to do. He's played quarterback and wide receiver on offense."