Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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52 MARCH 2026 BLUE & GOLD ILLUSTRATED 2026 FOOTBALL RECRUITING ISSUE BY KYLE KELLY A rguably no one knows Dylan Faison the student-athlete better than Pat- rick Russell. Since Faison's junior year, Russell has had a uniquely advantageous perspec- tive of the Notre Dame football and la- crosse recruit at Boca Raton (Fla.) Saint Andrew's School. For a year and a half, Russell coached Faison as an assistant in both sports and served as his senior year English teacher. Through those experiences, Russell has gained insight into how Faison will manage the challenge of balancing all three aspects at Notre Dame and excel- ling at each. From Russell's perspective, Faison is well-equipped intangibly. "I think there's a genuine hunger and desire to get better and to compete at a higher level," Russell told Blue & Gold Illustrated. "He's the kind of guy who thrives off that competitive energy. He wants that challenge in front of him." Notre Dame believes he is prepared athletically as well. Though Faison is the lowest-ranked skill player in the 2026 football class according to Rivals — ranking as the No. 116 player in Florida and No. 162 wide receiver nationally — the Irish be- lieved in him early, dating back to his sophomore year. W h e n No t re Da m e o f fe re d h i m March 17, 2024, during the program's St. Patrick's Day-themed Pot of Gold Day recruiting event, and accepted his commitment the following day — there was belief he could eventually surpass his older brother, Jordan Faison. Dylan Faison went on to catch 112 passes for 1,658 yards and 20 touch- downs over the next 23 games across his final two high school seasons. Saint Andrew's reached the second round of the playoffs both years. "He was someone to be noticed," Russell said. "He was a playmaker. In terms of accomplishing things on the field, there was a tangible presence. The success we had correlated with the work he was doing." Faison's exceptional traits as a la- crosse player often translated to foot- ball, though not always seamlessly. According to Russell, his quick-twitch ability enhanced his burst and change of direction, particularly on short routes, but at times limited his ability to sim- ply outrun defenders with straight-line speed. "It's so obvious he plays lacrosse," Russell said. "Sometimes, when he could just flat-out run past somebody, he would quick twitch and jab and jab and jab the way you would on a lacrosse field. "Sometimes we would almost jok- ingly yell at Dylan, 'Bro, stop playing with that guy and just run past him. Just go. You're going to outrun that guy.'" Russell will not be there to push Fai- son in the next chapter of his career, but he has seen enough to know he is prepared for it. "He's the kind of guy who thrives when the stakes get higher and the chal- lenge gets greater," Russell said. "He's going to lock in and focus even more to grow, to overcome challenges and to be successful. That's something I saw in all three avenues: football, lacrosse and the classroom." ✦ Dylan Faison Has The Tools To Be Great Faison has the talent to be a difference maker in both football and lacrosse at Notre Dame. PHOTO BY MICHAEL MILLER DYLAN FAISON WIDE RECEIVER 6-2 · 180 SAINT ANDREWS SCHOOL WESTON, FLA. RANKINGS STARS NAT. POS. STATE Industry ✪✪✪ 932 131 100 ✪✪✪ — 162 116 ✪✪✪ — 87 81 ✪✪✪ — 191 165 STATISTICS • Hauled in 130 receptions for 2,138 yards with 27 receiving scores during his prep career. Added 3 rushing touchdowns, 2 interceptions returned for scores and 6 special teams return touchdowns. • Caught 53 passes for 849 yards and 10 touch- downs as a senior. Recorded 36 tackles (1.5 for loss), 1 interception and 3 passes broken up. Also scored on a kickoff return. NOTABLE • Named to the Sun Sentinel Super 11 in 2025. • Was first-team all-county in 2024. • Tabbed as the Sun Sentinel and Palm Beach Lacrosse Player of the Year in 2024. • Was a three-time High School USA Lacrosse All-American. • Will also play lacrosse for Notre Dame and ranks as the No. 1 overall player in the 2026 class per Inside Lacrosse and National Lacrosse Federation. • His older brother Jordan is a senior wide re- ceiver for Notre Dame. RECRUITMENT • Committed to Notre Dame on March 18, 2024, one day after he received the offer from the Irish. • Enrolled at Notre Dame in January. • His only offer was from Notre Dame at the time of his commitment, but Miami offered during the summer prior to his senior year. • Was recruited by wide receivers coach Mike Brown. • Visited Notre Dame at least eight times, includ- ing his official on June 13, 2025. 2026 PROJECTION • Faison is likely to redshirt as a true freshman. THEY SAID IT Blue & Gold Illustrated beat writer Tyler James: "Faison finds the football. He's excellent at tracking deep passes and running under them as a potent threat to the wide side of the field. "He might not be the fastest receiver in Notre Dame's recruiting class, but he might be the best deep threat. If he's a slightly longer version of his older brother, there's a lot to like about his poten- tial as a college receiver. "He's able to track his deeper throws with great accuracy and can judge whether he needs to ac- celerate or slow down to put himself in the best position. He also shows a good understanding of when he needs to let the ball come to him and when he needs to attack it."