Dynamic 2025 Pass Rusher London Merritt Planning Notre Dame Visit This Fall

Star Georgia defender London Merritt updates recruitment and early relationship with Notre Dame

The state of Georgia has been an area that Notre Dame has tapped into well in the 2024 recruiting class, securing commitments from offensive lineman Anthonie Knapp and defensive end Cole Mullins. In the 2025 class, there is once again some very impressive talents on the board from the Peach State, including Atlanta (Ga.) Woodward Academy pass rusher London Merritt.

The Georgia standout is one of the premier talents in the country in 2025, not just in the state of Georgia. As you would expect, the list of suitors is long and impressive. It is, however, still very early in the process.

"Recruiting has been an incredible overall experience,” Merritt told Irish Breakdown. "I’m at the point now where I am starting to narrow my schools down even more. My goal now is to just visit schools and continue to build relationships. I’m supposed to be at Alabama next week.

"They are one of my top schools right now,” he continued. "The schools who have been showing me the most interest so far are Ohio State, Clemson, Alabama and Florida. I’m still talking to a bunch of schools, including Notre Dame, and am excited to get to know all these coaches better.”

Currently in a dead period, communication with coaching staffs is obviously very limited. Come September, that is going to change very quickly. Notre Dame is one of the programs he is looking forward to getting to know a lot more.

"I look forward to building a relationship with Notre Dame this season and I am planning to visit this fall,” he said. "Their program brings a big reputation and I’ve heard good things about the campus. I definitely want to see it.

"I haven’t had many talks with them since I’m a 2025 recruit so communication is limited,” Merritt added. "So far, they seem like a great coaching staff. I am looking forward to establishing that relationship during my junior year. We will be able to talk more and I look forward to that.”

Getting Merritt to South Bend for the first time would be a monumental step in this recruitment. If he does make the trip, Notre Dame has a chance to firmly get into the race for the talented defender.

From a recruiting perspective, Merritt is a well thought of national recruit. He is considered a consensus four-star recruit by every major recruiting platform. Merrit ranks highest on the ESPN ranking, currently pegged as the No. 39 overall player and No. 5 defensive end in the 2025 recruiting class.

There is a long list of suitors for Merritt’s services. The 6-3, 230-pound defender currently holds a fully of impressive offers, including the Irish, Alabama, Ohio State, Clemson, Michigan, Oklahoma, USC, Texas, Florida, LSU, Florida State, Penn State, Nebraska, Tennessee, Auburn, North Carolina, Arkansas, Ole Miss, Maryland, Mississippi State, Kentucky, Pittsburgh, Boston College, Missouri, Kansas, Cincinnati, Vanderbilt, Colorado, West Virginia and Georgia Tech among others.

As a sophomore, Merritt became a weapon for an extremely talented Woodward Academy squad. Merritt finished with 33 total tackles, eight tackles for loss and nine sacks. He also added six quarterback hurries, two pass breakups and two forced fumbles. 

Be sure to check out the Irish Breakdown message board, the Champions Lounge

Irish Breakdown Content

2023 Scholarship Chart
2023 Football Schedule

Notre Dame 2024 Scholarship Offers

2024 Commit Rankings - Offense
2024 Commit Rankings - Defense

2023 Recruiting Class Grades - Offense
2023 Recruiting Class Grades - Defense

———————

Become a premium Irish Breakdown member, which grants you access to all of our premium content and our premium message board! Click on the link below for more.

BECOME A MEMBER

Be sure to stay locked into Irish Breakdown all the time!

Join the Irish Breakdown community!
Subscribe to the Irish Breakdown YouTube channel
Subscribe to the Irish Breakdown podcast on iTunes
Follow me on Twitter: @RiseNDraft
Like and follow Irish Breakdown on Facebook

Sign up for the FREE Irish Breakdown daily newsletter