Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1543321
BLUEGOLDONLINE.COM MARCH 2026 79 2026 FOOTBALL RECRUITING ISSUE BY MIKE SINGER I t's not too often that Notre Dame goes into the heart of SEC country and beats out Alabama, Auburn, Florida, Georgia and Tennessee for a coveted running back prospect. And what's even a crazier concept is that he's not among the first few recruits most Irish fans and pundits alike would mention. Is that wrong? Maybe. But it speaks more to how elite Notre Dame's 2026 class is. Most of the discourse will be about the three defensive back recruits who rank in the top 40 of Rivals' national rankings. Or the five-star tight end. Or the five-star pass rusher. Or the five- star offensive tackle. But the Irish signing the No. 6 run- ning back nationally per Rivals from a small town between Athens and Tusca- loosa, Ga., is remarkable but not shock- ing given the way Marcus Freeman has Notre Dame recruiting. Pairing Walton with Forney (Texas) High's Javian Osborne, the No. 9 ball carrier in the land, not only gives the Irish two impressive recruiting wins, but arguably the best running back duo in the 2026 class. Walton signed with the Irish with no drama. He did visit Alabama in the fall, but he did so as a guest of his younger brother, class of 2028 running back Jacez Walton, rather than as a recruit for the Crimson Tide. "The committed life is treating me great, and I'm locked in with Notre Dame," Walton told Blue & Gold Illustrated dur- ing his recruitment. "There has been no doubt in my mind about my decision, and I'm not communicating with any schools." Walton took an April official visit to Stanford, a trip that went well, but it — in part — led him to pick the Irish. "When I came back, I still knew Notre Dame was on top," Walton said. "My of- ficial visit to Stanford helped me make the final decision. I liked it there, but I felt different at Notre Dame." ✦ Despite The Odds, Georgia Native Jonaz Walton Signs With Notre Dame JONAZ WALTON RUNNING BACK 5-9 · 200 CENTRAL H.S. CARROLLTON, GA. RANKINGS STARS NAT. POS. STATE Industry ✪✪✪✪ 129 9 14 ✪✪✪✪ 121 6 19 ✪✪✪✪ 167 11 15 ✪✪✪✪ 155 14 20 STATISTICS • Had a wildly productive high school career, rushing for more than 1,000 yards in four seasons of high school football. Had 695 carries for 5,965 yards and 70 touchdowns, plus 1,440 yards and 11 scores on 99 receptions. Also had 4 career kickoff return touchdowns. • Recorded 128 carries for 1,251 yards with 14 touchdowns, plus 33 receptions for 387 yards and 4 scores, in his 13-game senior season. Also played defensive end in pass-rushing situations and posted 4 tackles for loss, 3 sacks and 1 forced fumble. • Ran for 1,387 yards with 14 touchdowns on just 188 carries, while adding 39 receptions for 646 yards and 4 scores as a junior. NOTABLE • Named the Region 3-AAA Offensive Player of the Year in 2025. • Selected to the 2025 Atlanta Journal Constitu- tion Super Eleven. • Earned Touchdown Club of Atlanta All-State honors as an athlete in 2025. • Received Georgia Public Broadcasting all-state accolades in 2025. • Was Atlanta Journal Constitution first-team all-state in 2024. • Earned a spot on the MaxPreps Sophomore All-America Team in2023. • Was the Region 7-AAA Offensive Player of the Year in 2023. • Tabbed as a MaxPreps Freshman All-America Team selection in 2022. • Was the Georgia 4A state runner-up in the 100-meter dash with a time of 10.66in 2025. • His younger brother, Jacez Walton, is a top run- ning back in the 2028 class and holds offers from Auburn, Georgia Tech, Florida and others. RECRUITMENT • Committed to the Fighting Irish on May 14, 2025. • Enrolled at Notre Dame in January. • Picked the Irish over Alabama, Florida, Georgia and Stanford. • Recruited by running backs coach Ja'Juan Seider. • Visited Notre Dame four times, including his of- ficial on June 13, 2025. 2026 PROJECTION • Walton could become a surprise contributor as a true freshman, but a redshirt seems more likely. THEY SAID IT General manager Mike Martin: "It's rare that you find his combination of size and speed. He is a tough, powerful young man. When you see him up close and in person, you're taken aback by how big he is. He is a muscular, strong kid, who can just flat-out run. "I think that's a God-given ability and talent. He does a lot of things in the running game and the pass game as a returner. He just offers incredible value to our program." National recruiting analyst Tom Lemming: "He makes good decisions, is as quick as light and has to be watched at all times, particularly when he is out in the slot. He has the power to run through defend- ers, and upon contact, he continues to drive his legs, showing the determination, strength and balance you look for in a go-to back." Central head coach Umbrah Brown: "Jonaz exem- plifies everything it means to be a student-athlete. You wouldn't know that he has 30-plus offers if you saw him walking the hallways. It's a true testament to his character." The Irish beat out Alabama, Auburn, Florida, Georgia and Tennessee for Walton, who is rated as the No. 6 running back in the country by Rivals. PHOTO BY KYLE KELLY