Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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BLUEGOLDONLINE.COM MARCH 2025 45 2025 FOOTBALL RECRUITING ISSUE dispersion of top recruits in large part due to NIL." Prep Football Report recruiting analyst Tom Lemming: "I think it's a good group, and it probably could've been better. The class faded near the end, but getting [linebacker] Madden Faraimo was a really big catch on sign- ing day. They hadn't done a whole lot in the previous couple months before- hand with top guys. They weren't able to take advantage of their big run after the Northern Illinois game. "But that might happen this upcom- ing year. They got great publicity from making the national championship game, and it wasn't a blowout either. They could've won it at the end. Every- thing is pointing north. "With the 2025 class, Notre Dame did really well with linebackers and defen- sive backs. They also did well on the offensive line, and at tight end, James Flanigan has All-American skills. They could've done better with running backs, wide receivers and quarterback. They'll take care of that next year. And at defensive back — with Mike Mickens, they're always going to do great. "Overall, it's a good, solid class, but it's not the top-five class everyone hoped for. Marcus Freeman is one of the best head coach recruiters in the coun- try, if not the best. He's already up there with Kirby Smart. The kids love him." On3 vice president of recruiting and transfer portal Steve Wiltfong: "Notre Dame went out and signed one of the very best offensive line and de- fensive back classes in the country. They got difference makers in all three levels on defense, and if you look where Notre Dame's team strengths are, this recruiting class will keep them rolling. "It's really good across the board on defense, really good offensive line and a potential difference maker at tight end." BGI: Which Notre Dame signee(s) could you see having the biggest instant impact? Power: "On defense, [linebacker] Madden Faraimo is one who I view as a potential instant impact. [Defensive end] Christopher Burgess Jr. is going to come in ready to play physically as well as [safety] Brandon Logan. "On the offensive side of the ball, my two choices would be [offensive tackle] Will Black and [tight end] James Flani- gan. Black will have a shot to compete. Obviously, Notre Dame is loaded on the offensive line, so expecting him to start would be a lot, but he'll have the chance to compete. And Flanigan's blocking ability gives him a shot to get on the field early. "And then [running back] Nolan James provides a skill set at running back that Notre Dame can use. That's a position where it's easier to get on the field as a freshman." L e m m i n g : " I t co u l d b e Da l l a s Golden, the defensive back from Flor- ida. And possibly the wide receiver Eli- jah Burress, who came on strong as a senior. He took off as a senior. He found himself this past season. It's usually a skill position player who contributes right away. "I could see any one of the defensive backs playing this fall. Golden has great athletic ability and could play corner or safety." Wiltfong: "In an ideal world, it would be awesome if [safety] JaDon Blair came in and played at a high level. Notre Dame is losing some elite play- ers in the secondary but has some good ones coming back. Blair is one who has the traits to walk in and be physically ready to go. [Cornerback] Mark Zackery IV is another who is interesting but has to fill out." BGI: Which prospect do you think could outplay their ranking? Power: "There are several three-star players who pushed for four-star sta- tus. Ko'o Kia is a very active, instinctive, physical linebacker who could outplay his ranking. And of the four-star group Elijah Burress, the son of former NFL wide receiver Plaxico Burress, was not rated highly but possesses the tools to be a potential standout pass catcher. PHOTO BY KYLE KELLY