Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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BLUEGOLDONLINE.COM SEPT. 13, 2025 45 RECRUITING NOTES • Another prized prospect from the Keystone State will be in South Bend Oct. 18. Five-star running back Kemon Spell, the No. 8 overall junior in the country out of McKeesport (Pa.) High, is visiting for the Southern Cal game. It will be his first trip to South Bend. Spell has been verbally committed to Penn State for more than a year. However, the top prospect in the Key- stone State pledged to the Nittany Lions before his sophomore season — when current Notre Dame running backs coach Ja'Juan Seider was the program's running backs coach. In February, Fighting Irish coach Marcus Freeman poached Seider from James Franklin's staff for the same position in South Bend. After the switch, Spell quickly resumed contact with Seider, which led to a scholarship offer from Notre Dame March 17 during Pot of Gold Day. Seider played a key role in Spell's de- cision to commit to Penn State early. Despite Seider changing schools, their relationship has remained strong, with Notre Dame's running backs coach going the extra mile to visit McKeesport in the spring. Spell also told Blue & Gold Illustrated that other Irish coaches are involved in his recruitment, led by Freeman himself. He came away impressed by his conversations with Notre Dame's head coach and even cracked a smile when discussing him. Those connections have broadened his interest in Notre Dame beyond his bond with Seider. Still, Seider remains the anchor. McKeesport (Pa.) High head coach Matt Miller described him as a "high energy" coach who is "enjoyable to talk to," adding that he wanted to sign up to play for Notre Dame after talking to him. Penn State still has a strong foothold in the state, but Freeman and his staff have made an impression on both players and coaches. Also, Spell's favorite running back is Jeremiyah Love. He's eager to meet the Notre Dame star during his Oct. 18 visit. That trip is shaping up to be the key moment in determining whether the Irish can flip the No. 1 running back in the 2027 class. • Another notable recruit will be headed to campus this fall. Green Bay (Wis.) Notre Dame de la Baie Academy's Richie Flanigan, Rivals' No. 10 interior offensive lineman and No. 222 overall player in America in 2027, has a few visits scheduled, he informed Blue & Gold Illustrated's Mike Singer. The No. 3 prospect in the Badger State will be at Notre Dame Stadium Sept. 13 for the Texas A&M game and Oct. 18 when Southern Cal comes to town. Flanigan is the son of former Fighting Irish defensive lineman Jim Flanigan. The elder Flanigan was a key player for the football program from 1990-93, developing into a third-round NFL Draft pick. Jim's other son, James Flanigan, is currently a true freshman tight end for the Irish. Richie is listed as an offensive line recruit because Rivals evaluators see his highest upside on that side of the ball. The main schools recruiting him, however, do see him as a defensive line recruit. That includes Notre Dame. — Kyle Kelly and Mike Singer FOOTBALL RECRUITING ROUNDUP NOTRE DAME FOOTBALL GAMES on VHS or DVD for sale, from 1928 to present. Contact Peter Rahas at 7700 Golden Filly St., Las Vegas, NV 89131 or call 1-702-498-2351 M A R K E T P L A C E PERSONALS PRAYER TO THE BLESSED MOTHER - Oh, most beautiful flower of Mount Carmel, fruitful vine, splendor of Heaven. Blessed Mother of the Son of God; Immaculate Virgin, assist me in this necessity. Oh, Star of the Sea, help me and show me you are my Mother. Oh, Holy Mary, Mother of God, Queen of Heaven and Earth, I humbly beseech you from the bottom of my heart to succour me in my necessity. There are none that can withstand your power. Oh, Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee. (3 times). Holy Mary, I place this prayer in your hands. (3 times). Sweet Mother I place this cause in your hands. (3 times). Thank you for your mercy to me and mine. Amen. This prayer must be said for 3 days and after 3 days your request will be granted and the prayer must be published. Thank you. S.D. POWERFUL PRAYER - to the Holy Spirit. You who solve all problems, who lights all roads so that I can obtain my goals. You who give me the Divine gift to forgive and to forget all evil against me and that in all instances of my life, you are with me. I want in this short prayer to thank You for all things and to confirm that I never want to be separated from You, even and in spite of all material il - lusions. I wish to be with You in eternal glory. Thank You for your mercy toward me and mine. The person must say this prayer for three consecutive days. After three days the favor requested will be granted even though it may appear difficult. This prayer must be published im- mediately after the favor is granted without mentioning the favor. S.D. PRAYER TO THE BLESSED MOTHER - Oh, most beautiful flower of Mount Carmel, fruitful vine, splendor of Heaven. Blessed Mother of the Son of God; Immaculate Virgin, assist me in this necessity. Oh, Star of the Sea, help me and show me you are my Mother. Oh, Holy Mary, Mother of God, Queen of Heaven and Earth, I humbly beseech you from the bottom of my heart to succour me in my necessity. There are none that can withstand your power. Oh, Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee. (3 times). Holy Mary, I place this prayer in your hands. (3 times). Sweet Mother I place this cause in your hands. (3 times). Thank you for your mercy to me and mine. Amen. This prayer must be said for 3 days and after 3 days your request will be granted and the prayer must be published. Thank you. D.T.H. Diamond Lake Rental Waterfront home with spectacular views. Available for ND football weekends, JPW, graduation and summer. Sleeps 8. 3 bed, 3 1/2 bath. Kayaks, paddleboards, ping pong, fire pit and cornhole. 30 min from campus. Contact (919) 619-3042 2026 RIVALS INDUSTRY TEAM RECRUITING RANKINGS As of Aug. 29 1. Southern Cal 32 2. Georgia 31 3. Oregon 17 4. Notre Dame 27 5. Texas 21 6. Texas A&M 27 7. Alabama 21 8. Ohio State 21 9. Tennessee 24 10. Michigan 23 Rk. School Commits Rk. School Commits Five-star class of 2027 running back Kemon Spell is committed to Penn State, but the McKeesport (Pa.) High product will unof- ficially visit Notre Dame for the Southern Cal game Oct. 18. PHOTO BY KYLE KELLY