Notre Dame 2025 Recruiting Class

Grades, analysis and rankings for the Notre Dame 2025 recruiting class

Notre Dame quarterback commit Deuce Knight / Deuce Knight

Notre Dame is looking to continue its strong recruiting since the arrival of Marcus Freeman as the program's head coach. The 2023 and 2024 classes were outstanding, and now the Irish will look to land a third straight top-notch class.

Below is my breakdown of each player in the class. As more commits jump on board this list will expand and each player will also receive a grade, a comp and analysis of them as players. As more data and film becomes available grades can also change, so be sure to bookmark this page and return back to evaluate the class.

In the breakdown below, players are listed by position, and within each position they are listed alphabetically by their last name.

NOTRE DAME 2025 COMMITS (20)

Deuce Knight - QB - 6-5, 190 - Lucedale, Miss./George County
Daniel Anderson - RB - 5-11, 190 - Bryant, Ark./Bryant
Justin Thurman - RB - 6-0, 185 - Tampa, Fla./Jesuit
Jerome Bettis Jr. - WR - 6-3, 185 - Atlanta, Ga./Woodward Academy
Elijah Burress - WR - 6-1, 175 - Wayne, N.J./DePaul Catholic
Shaun Terry - WR - 5-10, 170 - Ironton, Ohio/Ironton
James Flanigan - TE - 6-5, 225 - Green Bay, Wis./Notre Dame Academy
Matty Augustine - OL - 6-7, 290 - Greenwich, Conn./Brunswick School
Will Black - OL - 6-7, 295 - Wallingford, Conn./Choate Rosemary Academy
Owen Strebig - OL - 6-8, 295 - Waukesha, Wis./Catholic Memorial

Christopher Burgess Jr. - DE - Chicago, Ill./Simeon
Joseph Reiff - DE - 6-5, 230 - Elmhurst, Ill./York Community
Davion Dixon - DT - 6-2, 305 - Miami, Fla./Palmetto
Dominik Hulak - LB/Edge - 6-3, 225 - Elmhurst, Ill./Immaculate Conception
Josiah Kia - LB - 6-2, 210 - Honolul, Hawaii/Punahou
Anthony Sacca - LB - 6-3, 225 - Philadelphia, Pa./St. Joseph's Prep
Ethan Long - S - 6-2, 185 - Milford, Conn./Brunswick School
Ivan Taylor - S - 5-11, 175 - Winter Garden, Fla./West Orange
Dallas Golden - CB - 6-0, 185 - Tampa, Fla./Berkeley Prep
Cree Thomas - CB - 6-1, 190 - Phoenix, Ariz./Brophy Prep

COMMIT ANALYSIS - OFFENSE

DEUCE KNIGHT, QUARTERBACK

Hometown/High School: Lucedale, Miss./George County
Height/Weight: 6-5, 190

IB Grade: 4.5 (Top 50 caliber prospect)
Upside Grade: 5.0

Analysis: This is a very talented and deep quarterback class, and Knight is clearly one of the best. While others are more advanced now, a strong case could be made that Knight has a ceiling as high as any signal caller in the country. The lefty gunslinger has a strong arm and can make any throw on the field. His deep ball skills are impressive, and he thrives in the RPO game. Knight is willing to take chances as a passer, and he has the arm talent to pull it off. He'll need to continue improving his footwork and going through progressions with the proper timing are areas where he must continue to improve. Knight is a Top 100 quarterback as just as a passer, but when you throw in his dynamic running ability you see why he's ranked so high. Knight can punish teams as a scrambler, and as he fills out his frame and adds strength his ability to dominate on designed runs at the next level will also take off. The Mississippi star is a pure playmaker, and Notre Dame wants and needs a dynamic playmaker at quarterback.

ND Fit: Notre Dame wants a quarterback that can make plays from the pocket, and while Knight is still a work in progress from a technical standpoint, he has all the tools to eventually be an impact player from the pocket, so in that regard he fits the Notre Dame offense quite well. New offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock has thrived with quarterbacks that are playmakers with their legs as well, and Knight has elite tools as a runner, both as a scrambler and with designed runs. His throwing + passing combination is as good as any quarterback in the country.

Comp: Hendon Hooker, Tennessee

DANIEL ANDERSON, RUNNING BACK

Hometown/High School: Bryant, Ark./Bryant
Height/Weight: 5-11, 190

IB Grade: 3.5 (Top 350 caliber prospect)
Upside Grade: 4.0

Analysis: Anderson isn't a flashy player, and that's likely going to tamp down excitement about this pickup. The Arkansas standout lacks big time speed, he's smooth but not explosive and he doesn't have those "pop" plays on film. What Anderson has, however, is a lot of impressive traits that translate well to running back. Anderson is a smooth athlete that makes clean, natural cuts, which allow him to quickly plant and drive into the hole. While he's not a burner, he has enough juice to turn openings into big plays. His contact balance is impressive and he shows the lower body frame and strength to maximize available yards. 

ND Fit: Notre Dame is likely going to move to a more zone oriented offense under Mike Denbrock, and Anderson fits that offense very well. Although I like his fit in a zone offense, the patience and smooth running style that Anderson shows also projects well to the gap schemes that Joe Rudolph likes to implement as well. Anderson doesn't do a lot in the pass game but he does show skills that will translate to the Notre Dame offense.

Comp: Tony Jones Jr., Notre Dame

JUSTIN THURMAN, RUNNING BACK

Hometown/High School: Tampa, Fla./Jesuit
Height/Weight: 6-0, 185

IB Grade: 4.0 (Top 200 caliber prospect)
Upside Grade: 4.5

Analysis: Thurman is one of the most intriguing prospects in the class for Notre Dame. In many ways he's still developing his game, but as a junior he showed some really impressive flashes. He looked more and more comfortable as a back from a technique, decision making and anticipation standpoint. His game still needs a lot of technical work and he needs more experience running the football, but I love a lot of his tools. The first that stands out is his speed. Make no mistake, Thurman is a pure home run hitter. He has the ideal combination of initial burst and acceleration that you want in a home run hitting running back. Thurman is a bit tight hipped, but he can plan and explode as a cutter, and as he becomes more efficient with his footwork you'll see his ability to make people miss get even better.

ND Fit: Thurman has the tools to be an every down back at the next level, even though he still has plenty to prove at the prep level. He got off to a slow start in 2023, but his game took off as he got more experience and comfort in the offense. Thurman has pure running back skill, but he can do more than just carry the football. On top of being a threat out of the backfield, Thurman also has experience in the return game, which is another area where he can use his speed at Notre Dame.

Comp: Bryce Young, Stanford

JEROME BETTIS JR., WIDE RECEIVER

Hometown/High School: Atlanta, Ga./Woodward Academy
Height/Weight: 6-3, 185

IB Grade: 3.0 (Top 400 caliber prospect)
Upside Grade: 4.0

Analysis: Bettis is an interesting take for Notre Dame. Obviously the name sparks a lot of conversation, but take that away, and there are things to like about his game. Bettis has good height and well above average arm length. Better yet, he knows how to use his size to win. His combination of length, strong hands and body control allows Bettis to effectively win contested catches, especially in the red zone. His toughness extends to the run game and on defense, where he was effective for Woodward in 2023. Bettis is a solid all-around athlete, but he'll need to work on improving his initial burst and acceleration out of brakes if he wants to gain more separation down the field. Talking to sources at Woodward and you learn a lot about Bettis' football character. He has a reputation as a hard worker, a great teammate and a player willing to do whatever he's asked to do. Bettis will work to improve his game and do what it takes to help his team win.

ND Fit: Bettis could play a couple of spots in the Notre Dame offense. His size and length make him an ideal outside receiver from body type standpoint. While he lacks top speed and overall athleticism, his long arms, balls skills and strength make him a good fit for the boundary position. If he can add more speed to his game he'll have a chance to be a volume pass catcher for the boundary. Bettis also has the ability to get open against zone, the size and the toughness to play in the slot in certain situations. This is especially true in the run game, on third down and in the red zone. Bettis was impressive on defense as a junior, and I could see a scenario where he could help the Irish on defense if the need arose.

Comp: Daniel Smith, Notre Dame

ELIJAH BURRESS, WIDE RECEIVER

Hometown/High School: Wayne, N.J./DePaul Catholic
Height/Weight: 6-1, 175

IB Grade: 4.0 (Top 250 caliber prospect)
Upside Grade: 4.5

Analysis: When I first heard Notre Dame offered Burress and then saw his offer list I assumed I wasn't going to like his film, but that changed quickly. This is a very talented young man that's just scratching the surface of his potential. There aren't many wide receivers on Notre Dame's board that have the route running prowess and feel for getting open that Burress already possesses. Burress shows an advanced feel for how to vary speeds and use angles/leverage to manipulate defensive backs with his release. On top of that, Burress shows the speed off the line and explosiveness out of breaks to be very good at separation. Burress tracks the ball extremely well, has a very good catch radius, catches the ball well and shows a willingness to make tough grabs in traffic when he knows he's going to take a hit. Burress also shows good after-the-catch skills and the ability to make plays in space. He'll need to get stronger, and once he does he projects as an impressive third-down weapon and a wideout capable of being a volume producer.

ND Fit: Burress is a player that has a lot of talent and potential to do damage before the ball comes, at the catch point and after the catch. That is certainly something that Notre Dame needs more of at wide receiver. From a position fit standpoint, the first spot that I see Burress settling in is as the field outside receiver spot. His unique skillset is something the Irish were largely lacking there in recent seasons, and that's a player that not only has speed and good ball skills, but more importantly he has outstanding route running skills that will allow him to win more one-on-one battles than we've seen in recent seasons.

Comp: Kevin Stepherson, Notre Dame

SHAUN TERRY, WIDE RECEIVER

Hometown/High School: Ironton, Ohio/Ironton
Height/Weight: 5-10, 170

IB Grade: 3.5 (Top 350 caliber prospect)
Upside Grade: 4.0

Analysis: Notre Dame wants more dynamic after the catch players on the roster, and Terry is one of the best on the Irish board at doing just that. He averaged over 19 yards per touch on offense as a junior, with Terry showing himself to be an impact weapon in the screen game, quick game and as a runner. Terry also took five punts back for touchdowns this past season, and his ability as a return man adds to his value in the class. Terry shows impressive quickness  and vision as a runner, and although he lacks ideal top end speed, he shows enough of a burst and second level acceleration to rip off a lot of big runs. He catches the ball well and has a lot of potential as a route runner with more coaching. Despite being on the smaller side, Terry is a tough player with exceptional balance, which allows him to play bigger than he is once he gets the football. He's a bit of a niche player than he is a strong all-around player at this point, but he's very, very good at the niche game he possesses.

ND Fit: Landing Terry gives the Irish a pure slot player in the 2025 class. There are some looks where they can line Terry up outside, and we saw that a bit with Jordan Faison during the 2023 season. But outside of certain matchups, or lining Terry up outside in certain quick game/screen looks, the position where he makes the most sense from a fit standpoint is in the slot. From there Terry can be used as a downfield pass catcher, as a weapon in the screen game and on movement plays (jet sweeps, reverses, etc).

Comp: Theo Riddick, Notre Dame

JAMES FLANIGAN, TIGHT END

Hometown/High School: Green Bay, Wis./Notre Dame Academy
Height/Weight: 6-5, 225

IB Grade: 4.0 (Top 100 caliber prospect)
Upside Grade: 4.5

Analysis: Flanigan has gotten better and better each season, and after grading his junior film he jumped into the Top 100 player range. There's so much to like about his game. The Wisconsin native has an impressive frame, possessing long arms and the ability to get to at least 250 pounds. He has really, really good vertical speed as a route runner and with the ball. Flanigan can be a little stiff at times as a route runner, but he separates well with that speed and he's a legit big play weapon, evidenced by his 20.4 yards per catch average during his career. The pass game work is good enough to get him into the Top 100, but what really makes Flanigan one of the best tight ends in the country is that he's also a punishing blocker. He plans the game with a lot of force, his leg drive is outstanding and he really enjoys punishing people. Imagine what his blocking will look like when he adds 25 pounds and spends a couple of seasons in the strength program. This is a big time tight end prospect.

ND Fit: Flanigan projects to the more traditional tight end (Y) role in the offense. He thrives lining up attached to the line of scrimmage and handling business in the run game. He gets to the second level well and he can also block well on the perimeter. He should thrive in Notre Dame's movement blocks as well on the counter/power schemes. As a pass catcher, Flanigan can stretch the field and is averaging over 20 YPC during his career. Athletically he reminds me a lot of former BC tight end Hunter Long, but Flanigan is a far, far more punishing blocker.

Comp: Hunter Long, Boston College

MATTY AUGUSTINE, OFFENSIVE LINE

Hometown/High School: Greenwich, Conn./Brunswick School
Height/Weight: 6-7, 290

IB Grade: 4.0 (Top 250 caliber prospect)
Upside Grade: 4.5

Analysis: Augustine made a huge jump as a junior, and he went from being a relative unknown when he was offered to one of the highest upside blockers on the board. A former basketball player, Augustine is still very new to the game of football. In 2022, he was a long, skinny, athletic blocker that was all about projection. He was a tough player, but he was thin and very, very raw. There is still a lot of technical growth needed, but Augustine started to fill out his massive frame as a junior, going from around 260 pounds to a listed 290 pounds, but his clean frame is such that he could still easily gain another 20-30 pounds and maintain his athleticism. Augustine has the kind of natural power that allows him to physically dominate opponents in the run game, and he's just scratching the surface of his potential here. His length, athleticism and punch project very well to pass pro as well. With Augustine it's all about development, the tools are there, he just needs work.

ND Fit: Augustine is still raw as a football player and is still making the transition from basketball, but you can see the edge traits. At 6-7 with long arms, he shows all the size Notre Dame wants and needs as a tackle. He also shows the athletic potential to play in space and thrive on the edge. Augustine is a tough player and likes to mix it up, and with his frame he could also move inside to guard if the need is there, so that versatility adds to his profile, but Augustine is being recruited to play tackle.

Comp: Kaleb McGary, Washington

WILL BLACK, OFFENSIVE LINE

Hometown/High School: Wallingford, Conn./Choate Rosemary Hall
Height/Weight: 6-7, 295

IB Grade: 4.0 (Top 250 caliber prospect)
Upside Grade: 4.5

Analysis: Black went through a bit of a body transformation as a junior, going from a tall, relatively skinny sophomore playing in Canada to a borderline 300-pounder as a junior. My concern was that he would lose his athleticism, but that wasn't the case. Black moves well in space, showing the ability to handle speed on the edge and to get around on movement blocks. His lateral quickness in the run game impressed me and he is really good at always moving his feet through the point of contact. I like his pop in the run game, but there is certainly room for him to add more punch and strength. He could develop into a really good run game mover in college, but I'm impressed with his advanced feel in pass protection. He's still a work in progress, but Black has a lot of upside. It's easy to see why Notre Dame, Michigan and Penn State all worked so hard to land him.

ND Fit: It would seem that Joe Rudolph has a similar recruiting strategy as Harry Hiestand in that he likes to recruit a lot of tackles with versatility. That is Black, who is a massive young blocker that has all the tools to play on the edge, but could also move inside to guard if the need arose. Black moves well for his size and he has some punch. Whether or not he's a left tackle or right tackle remains to be seen, but from what he's shown far I believe he could in fact develop into a left tackle.

Comp: Kaleb McGary, Washington

OWEN STREBIG, OFFENSIVE LINE

Hometown/High School: Waukesha, Wis./Catholic Memorial
Height/Weight: 6-8, 295

IB Grade: 4.0 (Top 100 caliber prospect)
Upside Grade: 4.5

Analysis: Strebig is a talented offensive tackle that is just scratching the surface of his potential. The first thing you notice about the Wisconsin star is his massive size. He's list at 6-8 and 295 pounds, but when you see Strebig you'll notice he doesn't have a lot of bad weight. With that frame he should be an easy 320+ pounds and still move well. Strebig shows good natural lower body strength and a good punch, and as he fills out I think he'll be an elite mover in the run game. He's a smooth athlete that shows the necessary quickness on the edge to thrive in the pass game, and his elite length and punch allows him to handle speed edge players. Strebig still needs a lot of work from a footwork standpoint, and he needs to be more consistent with his pad level, but the tools are all there for Strebig to develop into an outstanding all-around edge blocker.

ND Fit: Notre Dame wanted some pure tackles in the 2025 class and Strebig is certainly that. Yes, his body fits the tackle position at 6-8 and 295 pounds, but more importantly his game fits it well. Strebig is very long, he's an easy mover and he looks comfortable in space, all traits you want in an offensive tackle, especially a left tackle. He has the ability to block like a left tackle and run block like a dominant right tackle, and he's just scratching the surface of his potential.

Comp: Mike McGlinchey, Notre Dame

COMMIT ANALYSIS - DEFENSE

CHRISTOPHER BURGESS JR., DEFENSIVE END

Hometown/High School: Chicago, Ill./Simeon
Height/Weight: 6-4, 240

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

Analysis: It's easy to see why so many top programs made Burgess a huge priority in the 2025 class. This is a young prospect that oozes potential and has a lot of God-given tools. The first thing you'll notice is his impressive size and physique. Burgess is every bit of a 6-4 and 240 pounds, and his length is what you want for an edge player. He's a powerful player that lines up on the edge and slid inside quite a bit for Simeon as a junior. The Simeon star already shows impressive edge setting ability, and he has plenty of room to get even better. Burgess flashes the athleticism to not only play on the edge, but to thrive. He gets off the line well and has the kind of closing speed you want in a power rusher. Right now the thing that keeps Burgess from being even more dominant player at the prep level is his game is still quite raw. He's relatively new to football and has dealt with coaching changes. As his technique and feel for the game improves his game will explode.

ND 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.

Comp: Khalid Kareem, Notre Dame

JOSEPH REIFF, DEFENSIVE END

Hometown/High School: Elmhurst, Ill./York Community
Height/Weight: 6-5, 230

IB Grade: 4.0 (Top 250 caliber prospect)
Upside Grade: 4.5

Analysis: Reiff is a very intriguing player, and right now I still don't know what position he'll end up playing at Notre Dame. But when you pop in the film you see there is a lot to like about this vastly ascending young defensive lineman. Reiff is highly disruptive against the run, which fills a big need for Notre Dame. He's light right now, but he has a massive frame that could allow him to eventually grow into an interior player. I wonder if Reiff has the long speed to stay on the edge, but I love his initial get off. When allowed to attack, Reiff explodes off the line and can quickly get into gaps on his way to the ball carrier. Combine this with his impressive length and you see why he makes a ton of plays for York Community. Reiff is just a highly productive player right now with a strong feel for the game from a playmaking and technique standpoint. He'll need to fall in love with the weight room, but I really like the tools.

ND Fit: I tried to find another comp for Reiff, but the comparisons to Rylie Mills just make too much sense. Like Mills, Reiff is a high school defensive end that certainly shows some potential to play the Defensive End position in the Irish defense, which is more of a power player. Like Mills, Reiff also has a great frame that could allow him to eventually grow into a defensive tackle. Ultimately, that could be the position where his game projects the best due to his playing style and athletic skills. I see a young defender that if he can fill out can become a long, disruptive, playmaking interior lineman.

Comp: Rylie Mills, Notre Dame

DAVION DIXON, DEFENSIVE TACKLE

Hometown/High School: Miami, Fla./Palmetto
Height/Weight: 6-2, 305

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

Analysis: Dixon has been in the class longer than anyone else, and it was a big early pickup, both figuratively and literally. Dixon put up monster numbers as a sophomore, but he played against inferior competition. He transferred to Miami Palmetto as a junior, but his playmaking ways continued. When you see him you think space eater, and he can certainly do that, but Dixon has racked up 49 tackles for loss and 17.5 sacks the last two seasons. Dixon has an inconsistent get off and his body needs to continue to be reshaped, those are my two big issues, and both can be improved. But when he comes off hard you why he makes so many plays. Dixon has a very good first step and he can beat blockers off the ball. His low build allows him to play with naturally good pad level, allowing him to hold up at the point of attack and also get a push. Dixon is a very powerful young defender, and he uses his hands effectively to keep blockers off his body, traits that combine to make him an interior playmaker.

ND Fit: Notre Dame wants to add more beef to the interior of the defensive line and Dixon certainly adds that to the depth chart. Already over 300 pounds, Dixon will likely continue add weight (ideally good weight), and he has impressive natural power for such a young athlete. He fits well at the nose tackle position in that while he can eat up space, he's not just a space eater, he can make plays. As he reshapes his body and improves his footwork I could see him also being able to play the three-technique as well.

Comp: Justin Jones, NC State

DOMINIK HULAK, MONEY

Hometown/High School: Elmhurst, Ill./Immaculate Conception
Height/Weight: 6-3, 225

IB Grade: 3.5 (Top 350 caliber prospect)
Upside Grade: 4.0

Analysis: Hulak plays mostly inside linebacker for Immaculate Conception, but you can see the traits the Irish staff likes that allow him to play all over. He is a thickly built athlete that shows impressive power at the point of attack. His length looks good enough to allow him to play along the line if that's where he ends up, and his combination of quickness and closing speed project on the edge as well. Hulak showed much improved range and speed as a junior, and his grade saw a jump as well. His short-area quickness is impressive, and it allows him to show good box range against the run. As a junior he also showed a much-needed improvement from a change of direction standpoint, which made him a much more impactful run defender. He looked comfortable playing on the edge when asked to do that as a junior, and as his feel improves he'll become an even better fit on the edge.

ND Fit: Notre Dame doesn't see Hulak as a pure linebacker, and it doesn't seem to view him as a pure defensive end either, at least not yet. His combination of athleticism, power and experience in coverage and playing in space makes him a bit for the hybrid "Money" position in the Irish defense. That will require him to rush the passer and play the run from the edge, but also to drop into coverage and play in space at times.

Comp: Junior Tuihalamaka, Notre Dame

JOSIAH KIA, LINEBACKER

Hometown/High School: Honolulu, Hawaii/Punahou
Height/Weight: 6-2, 210

IB Grade: 3.5 (Top 350 caliber prospect)
Upside Grade: 4.0

Analysis: Kia took a jump as a junior, and you can see why the Notre Dame staff continued to push so hard for him. The Hawaii native has always been a quality athlete, but he filled out as a junior and is now a legit 210-pound defender. The good news for Kia - and now Notre Dame - is that he didn't lose a step, and actually got quicker as he added weight. Kia is a rangy athlete that shows good change of direction skills, he's nimble on his feet and he shows impressive plant and drive ability. His first step is really impressive and he shows top notch closing speed in space. Although he'll likely never be a huge player, he is tough and a physical player. I love his motor as well. Kia will need to work on using his hands better to get off blocks in traffic, and he'll need to get a lot stronger at the next level.

ND Fit: Notre Dame likes athletic and rangy linebackers, and Kia certainly fits that mold. At 6-2 and 210 pounds with solid length he certainly fits the current profile of a Rover. Kia is also a very good coverage player, which also projects well there. There is also some impressive power at the point of attack, and Kia has a frame that could add some good weight. That gives Kia some potential to eventually move inside and play Will linebacker as well, and his pass rushing skills could make him a weapon in the nickel package.

Comp: James Onwualu, Notre Dame

ANTHONY SACCA, LINEBACKER

Hometown/High School: Philadelphia, Pa./St. Joseph's Prep
Height/Weight: 6-3, 225

IB Grade: 4.0 (Top 100 caliber prospect)
Upside Grade: 4.5

Analysis: Sacca made a smooth transition from safety to linebacker, which shouldn't come as a surprise. He's a fluid athlete with an incredibly high football IQ, traits that project well to both positions. He was a playmaker coming downhill as a safety, and even with added weight as a junior he remained a nimble athlete with impressive sidelie speed. Sacca is a sound tackler that will need to get stronger on the ball and continue enhancing his footwork and block destruction technique, but the tools are there for him to develop into an impact second level defender. Sacca is already a quality run defender, and more growth will make this an even greater strength. His range, athleticism and feel for the game should also allow him to develop into a strong blitzer, which is important at Notre Dame. What truly separates him, however, is that Sacca has elite coverage skills at linebacker. His potential to be a dominant all-around linebacker should excite Irish fans.

ND Fit: Sacca's range and coverage instincts fit quite nicely at the Will spot, but he has the kind of frame and strength potential to be a bigger version of JD Bertrand as a Mike in the Irish defense. There are still some flashes on his junior film of the player that looked like a Rover, but the inside is likely where his future lies. But the fact you can see parts of all three linebacker positions in Sacca's game makes his versatility something the Irish coaches will likely be quite fond of.

Comp: Drue Tranquill, Notre Dame

ETHAN LONG, SAFETY

Hometown/High School: Milford, Conn./Brunswick School
Height/Weight: 6-2, 185

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

Analysis: Long is one of the more underrated players in the defensive class for Notre Dame. If he played in an area more known for producing big time players I believe he would be ranked much higher. There are the intangibles that Long brings to the table, like toughness, smarts and he's a sound technical player. Those traits alone allowed him to be a ballhawking safety early in his career, to the point that opponents now simply do all they can to avoid him. But Long is more than just a heady player, he's also a high quality athlete that is just scratching the surface of his potential. He is more rangy than fast right now, but there's another gear to be tapped into there, and that should come once he gets to college and gets into the Notre Dame strength program. He's a smooth and fluid athlete that changes direction with ease, traits that allow him to thrive as a middle of the field safety, and he drills downhill quite well in the run game.

ND Fit: Long can play either safety position and he has the all-around game to thrive in all areas. The part I like best about his game, however, is his range and ability to play the middle of the field in Notre Dame's man and Cover 1 schemes. Long's name is quite fitting, he's a very long athlete that shows the range to play the post and protect the deep ball, something Notre Dame needs more and more of in the secondary.

Comp: Julius Brents, Kansas State

IVAN TAYLOR, SAFETY

Hometown/High School: Winter Garden, Fla./West Orange
Height/Weight: 5-11, 170

IB Grade: 4.0 (Top 100 caliber prospect)
Upside Grade: 4.5

Analysis: There is so much to like about Taylor's game. He's a true all-around safety that can impact the game in every facet. He's not the biggest safety, checking in at 5-11 and 170 pounds, but he will strike in the run game, and he's powerful for his size. Thomas is also a high football IQ player, which shouldn't come as a surprise. But his ability to quickly diagnose and get to the football allows him to make a lot of plays on the ball, and allows him to be all over routes in both zone and man situations. He's a smooth and fluid athlete that could actually play cornerback in certain systems, and he could even play some slot for Notre Dame. His combination of easy change of direction skills, speed and instincts give him the kind of big time range you want and need on the back end of the defense. Taylor can do everything you want in coverage, from playing centerfield, patrolling the alleys to locking defenders down man to man. As he fills out and gets stronger his explosiveness and power will be enhanced, which is scary for opponents. 

ND Fit: Notre Dame is looking to add more cover players to its secondary, especially at the safety position. Taylor fits that bill perfectly, and he's very much a player that plays the same in similar fashion to current Notre Dame star Xavier Watts. His ability to cover allows him to matchup from the back end, but also should allow to even play down in the slot if the need arises or the matchup fit. Notre Dame wants safeties that can do a little bit of everything, and that certainly describes Taylor.

Comp: Xavier Watts, Notre Dame

DALLAS GOLDEN, CORNERBACK

Hometown/High School: Tampa, Fla./Berkeley Prep
Height/Weight: 6-0, 185

IB Grade: 4.5 (Top 50 caliber prospect)
Upside Grade: 5.0

Analysis: Golden is a special prospect that adds tremendous value to the Notre Dame class. He is versatile enough to play on both sides of the ball at a high level, but he's being recruited to play defense for the Irish. Golden is a special athlete that rushed for over 3,200 yards and 37 touchdowns the last two seasons. While his speed is good, it's his explosiveness and agility that makes him such a dynamic football player. He changes direction with ease, his balance is top notch and Golden's acceleration makes him a dynamic playmaker on both sides of the ball. Golden doesn't just dominate by being a great athlete, he's also a high IQ football player that shows a tremendous feel for the game. His vision and anticipation on offense are top notch, and his route recognition and ability to read the quarterback on defense are top notch. As he focuses on one side of the ball he'll become an even more impactful player. It will allow him to shore up his technique and focus even more on being an impact player in coverage and when the ball is in the air.

ND Fit: Golden could play wherever he wants at Notre Dame, or anywhere else. As a cornerback, Golden also has versatility, showing the size and cover skills to thrive as a boundary player, and the range and playmaking ability to play the field. He is a smooth athlete that is a willing tackler, and he is a quick decision maker in coverage, which also project well to the slot. This versatility will allow him to get on the field as quickly as possible by being able to fit in at whatever position he is needed. In a perfect world, Golden would be able to develop into a lockdown outside corner.

Comp: Cooper DeJean, Iowa

CREE THOMAS, CORNERBACK

Hometown/High School: Phoenix, Ariz./Brophy Prep
Height/Weight: 6-1, 190

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

Analysis: One common theme you'll hear about defensive backs in the Notre Dame 2025 class is their ability to make a lot of plays on the ball, and Thomas is no different. Whether he's playing cornerback or safety, the Phoenix native is constantly making impact plays on the football. His ability to read and jump routes is impressive, and fits well into the field corner position at Notre Dame. The first two things you'll see on film from Thomas, from a traits standpoint, is his size and physicality. He's a tall, long cornerback that is an effective tackler. Not only will Thomas deliver punishment, but he's a very good tackler in space, something Notre Dame needs more of in its secondary. Thomas isn't a burner, but he runs well and his length allows him to cover a lot of ground in a hurry. He's a fluid athlete that can redirect with ease, and he has good recovery speed, but there is plenty of room for him to improve his footwork in coverage. As that happens you'll see him make even more plays on the football. 

ND Fit: Another Notre Dame commit with the versatility this program covets. The Irish staff pushed hard to land Thomas because they see him fitting in at cornerback in this defense, but he can be more than that. Not only does Thomas have the range and physicality to be a really good field cornerback, he could also be someone that moves to safety if the need arises, or he's just too good not to play and cornerback is filled up. I could also see Thomas getting an early chance in the boundary, although he'll need to improve his technical game to be as good there as he is to the field.

Comp: Coby Bryant, Cincinnati

GRADE KEY

5.0 - Top 25 Caliber Prospect
4.5 - Top 75 Caliber Prospect
4.0 - Top 250 Caliber Prospect
3.5 - Top 400 Caliber Prospect
3.0 - Top 600 Caliber Prospect

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