Notre Dame Is High On The List For Elite Defender Marco Jones

Star 2025 California linebacker Marco Jones updates recruitment and relationship with Notre Dame

Since Marcus Freeman was hired by Notre Dame, getting longer and more dynamic on defense has been a priority. There may not be a target on the 2025 board than Danville (Calif.) San Ramon Valley star linebacker Marco Jones, who has been a player who is very high on the Irish.

"Everything has been really good,” Jones said about his relationship with Notre Dame. "I love the staff. They’re all incredible even outside of football. I just love talking to them. I can have a conversation with them about anything. I think it’s super important because football is very important to me and them, but it doesn’t last forever unfortunately.

"Recruiting has been going super well with them,” he continued. "They reach out a good amount to stay in touch. They’re Indiana and I’m in California so it’s always good to hear from my Notre Dame coaches.”

Despite that distance from home, Jones had early admiration for the Notre Dame program. It seemed like a special, yet somewhat mythical place. Then he made his first visit, showing him just how real South Bend is.

"You know that they’re a prestigious football school, right?” Jones asked rhetorically. "You have all the movies about them, all the shows and all the documentaries. I’d never been to Indiana before I was at Notre Dame. I’d never even really been close in the surrounding states.

"Everything I heard about Notre Dame was true,” Jones added. "It was only good things in the movies and the shows and sometimes that’s hard to believe. Sometimes you’re like wow, that can’t be realistic but me, my moms my grandma, we went out there and it was all very true.”

Jones looks like the ideal modern day defensive player. He has the game of a multidimensional linebacker, and the body to possibly develop into a defensive end long term. That versatility is a big sell to the team, and Notre Dame is selling the fit hard.

"When I was there, they kind of were just telling me that they want me to be a key player on the defense,” he said. "I knew more they’re getting a big linebacker coming in the 2024 class so they keep telling me that if it all worked out and I ended up going to Notre Dame, they would want to build the class around us to run the defense around us two. It would be great, him in the middle and me coming off the edge or outside, moving around the middle, kind of like a hybrid linebacker type position.”

Obviously the big linebacker Jones is talking about is 2024 signee Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa, who is also from the state of California. The 6-4, 230-pound linebacker would be an ideal fit into where this defense is going. The possibilities are endless.

The offseason has already been very busy for Jones, who is busy working hard at his game and playing baseball. While school visits are still being sorted out, you can bet that one of the trip will be back to South Bend.

"I haven’t had anything planned out yet but we’re trying to figure some stuff out with my family,” explained Jones. "There is nothing set in stone yet, but hopefully we can get out to a few schools, definitely back to Notre Dame. That would be great.

"It can definitely get hectic,” Jones added about the recruiting chaos. "For me, what works is just to cut out all of the extra outside noise. I’m a homebody and I stay home a lot. I also keep a pretty small circle so that development helps me out the most.”

The good thing is that Jones isn’t left to navigate everything by himself. He has a tremendous support system to assist him through it all. Jones knows who he can trust.

"A lot of days now, especially with all the NIL and new stuff arising, there’s a lot of people that are coming out of the woodwork and want to be your best friend," Jones said. “They don’t have your best interest in mind. I owe a lot to my parents and people around me. No kid really knows what to do but they keep it all balanced. It would be hard without the people around me. Those are the people I give my effort to.”

His father, Anwawn Jones, played linebacker at the University of Colorado. Is his experience a big help? Without question, the same with his mother, who was also a college athlete.

"One hundred percent,” Jones stated. "My dad played college football and my mom rowed crew in college as well so they’ve both been there and played college sports. They have been through a process similar to this so they definitely help collectively. It’s a huge help absolutely.”

Notre Dame is clearly high on Jones' list. The California star went more in depth on what other schools are in play as well.

"A lot of the West Coast schools are doing a good job,” Jones said. "I feel like it’s a lot easier. They can come to the school whenever their coaches travel. It’s closer. I think definitely the West Coast teams, obviously Notre Dame and Maryland are doing a great job. I really just appreciate all the schools that have given me the opportunity to play football.”

As of now, Jones doesn’t have a clear timeline for when he would like to make a commitment. He does have, however, very specific criteria that he’s looking for. Those values seem to align heavily with what the Irish can bring.

"The big thing for me is obviously the bond with the coaching staff,” Jones explained. "I’m a big relationship guy so it’s hard for me to play for someone who maybe is a great coach but I don’t like them as a person. Also the development as a player is big. Obviously my goals and dreams are to play in the NFL so I want to go somewhere where I have a great great relationship with the coaches, get a good relationship and get developed.” 

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Notre Dame 2024 Scholarship Offers

2024 Commit Rankings - Offense
2024 Commit Rankings - Defense

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

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