Notre Dame 2025 Commit Profile: Defensive End Christopher Burgess Jr.

Analysis of Notre Dame defensive end commit Christopher Burgess Jr.

Notre Dame defensive end commit Christopher Burgess Jr. / Christopher Burgess Jr.

Notre Dame needs to continue upgrading its defensive line recruiting, and landing a commitment from Christopher Burgess Jr. Adding the Illinois standout gave the Irish the kind of power edge player it wants and needs in its defense. Let's take a look at the recruiting profile for Burgess.

CHRISTOPHER BURGESS JR. PROFILE

Hometown/High School: Chicago, Ill./Simeon

Height/Weight: 6-4, 240

IB Grade: 4.0 (Top 150 caliber prospect)
Upside Grade: 4.5

Recruited By: Al Washington

Offers: Notre Dame, Alabama, Ohio State, Michigan, Georgia, LSU, USC, Washington, Oregon, Tennessee, Florida, Miami (Fla.), Ole Miss, Texas A&M, Auburn, Wisconsin, Iowa, Nebraska, Louisville, Michigan State, Missouri, Kansas, Illinois, Purdue, Georgia Tech, Cincinnati, Maryland, Colorado, Boston College, Minnesota, Indiana, Arizona State

Player Comp: Khalid Kareem, Notre Dame

RECRUITING RANKINGS

Rivals: 4-star - No. 39 overall - No. 2 strongside end
On3: 4-star - No. 156 overall - No. 17 edge
ESPN: 4-star - No. 189 overall - No. 17 defensive end
247Sports: 4-star - No. 214 overall - No. 23 defensive line
On3 Consensus: 4-star - No. 102 overall - No. 13 edge
247Sports Composite: 4-star - No. 116 overall - No. 12 defensive line

NOTRE DAME FIT

Burgess projects as a defensive end in the Notre Dame defense, which is the field/power end position. That position requires length, power and athleticism in order to handle all the duties at a high level. Landing Burgess gives Notre Dame a player that has all the God-given tools to become a standout at the position. With his big frame there is also an opportunity for him to grow into a role that allows him to move inside at times, but Burgess has everything this defense needs to be a power edge player early on. 

FILM ANALYSIS

The first thing that stands out about Burgess is his impressive frame. He's listed at 6-4 and 240 pounds, but he has room to add a lot of really good weight. Burgess has outstanding natural power, but even there he has plenty of room to get stronger from both a weight room and functional standpoint. The Simeon star also has tremendous length, which makes him extremely hard to block when his technique is right. His combination of length and power allows him to be quite effective as an edge setter already.

Athletically there is a lot to like about Burgess. He shows good short-area quickness, and when he keeps his pads low I like the burst he shows off the edge. As a junior he played inside a lot more, which kept him from flashing his edge speed as much as we saw as a sophomore, but even this season you could see it. He shows good closing speed in the backfield, both on up-the-middle snaps and when working off the edge.

Right now the issue with Burgess is that his game is still quite raw. That is part of what keeps him from being ranked even higher, but also something that can boost excitement about his potential. Right now Burgess gets by on natural talent, but as he continues to get coached up - something he'll get at Notre Dame - his game could explode. Burgess is still relatively new to football, so it's understandable that his game is so raw. The Simeon standout needs to learn to play with better pad level, use his hands more effectively and work through contact better. Expanding his pass rush moves is also a must, as is continuing to improve his technique when taking on run blocks on the edge. All the tools are there and everything he needs to improve upon is correctable and coachable.

It's not that different from what we saw from 2024 signee Bryce Young, who was also more about tools than technique as a sophomore and junior, but as he became a more sound player Young quickly emerged as one of the best ends in the country, and Burgess could be on a very similar path.

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