Will Elite Linebacker Recruit Madden Faraimo Commit To USC Trojans Over Notre Dame?

The USC Trojans are still in the conversation for the four-star linebacker Madden Faraimo. The Notre Dame Fighting Irish are also in the running for one of the top linebackers in the class of 2025.

JSerra Catholic four-star linebacker recruit Madden Faraimo / @madden.faraimo / Instagram / @madden.faraimo / Instagram

With the 2024 season coming to an end, the recruiting conversation is heating up. The USC Trojans have been making a final push for the top class of 2025 recruits. One of the many recruits to watch ahead of the early signing period is linebacker Madden Faraimo.

Faraimo is a four-star linebacker from JSerra Catholic (CA.) and among the top 100 players in the class of 2025. Per On3, Faraimo is the No. 77 overall player in the nation, the No. 4 linebacker from the class of 2025, and the No. 6 player from California. 

Faraimo was expected to make his decision by now, but a couple of schools are pushing for the four-star recruit. The top four teams making a final push for him are the USC Trojans, Notre Dame Fighting Irish, Washington Huskies, and Texas Longhorns. USC and Notre Dame have been discussed the most with Faraimo throughout the season.

JSerra Catholic four-star linebacker recruit Madden Faraimo / @madden.faraimo / Instagram / @madden.faraimo / Instagram

It is trending that Faraimo is leaning towards signing with Notre Dame, but there is still time for the Trojans to convince him. The recruiting process with Faraimo started rocky, but USC remains in the final discussions. Faraimo spoke in May to On3 about the difficult side of the recruiting process with the Trojans.

“I think it’s just the new staff, and they told me that they had a lot of guys offered from the old staff that game in,” Faraimo told On3. “So they had to do a bunch of evaluating and maybe skipped over me….or maybe they just looked at other dudes.”

Since then, USC has stepped up with recruiting Faraimo. Between USC coach Lincoln Riley, defensive coordinator D’Anton Lynn, and Linebackers coach Matt Enzt, the Trojans are an appealing team to play for. Faraimo spoke about USC being a hard team to let go of as he narrows down his choices.

“They worked hard, they got busy, stayed in contact, and they showed me they cared,” Faraimo told On3. “For me, USC is a school that’s hard for me to let go of. So, I always kept them in the loop. It’s a blessing for them to still recruit me, and it’s a business to understand where they were coming from in their recruiting process. But they’re showing me that they really want me over there.”

Oct 5, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; USC Trojans head coach Lincoln Riley looks on during the first half against the Minnesota Golden Gophers at Huntington Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images / Matt Krohn-Imagn Images

Keeping the communication going with Faraimo could prove beneficial for the Trojans. Considering he is a top prospect who has yet to announce his decision, there is a chance USC could bring in the four-star linebacker.

For the class of 2025, On3 ranks USC at No. 14 in the nation and No. 4 in the Big Ten. The Trojans have already recruited three linebackers from the 2025 class, all four-star players. They are Matai Tagoa’i, Ty Jackson, and Jadon Perlotte. Adding Faraimo would only bolster the defense.

In addition to being the top schools for Faraimo, the USC Trojans will face the Notre Dame Fighting Irish on Nov. 30, the final game of the season. The matchup could end up being a factor in the recruiting process. Faraimo's decision is likely to come soon with early national signing day approaching. 

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