The first major recruiting test is coming up quickly for new Notre Dame running backs coach Ja’Juan Seider this spring
Former Notre Dame running backs coach Deland McCullough left some big shoes to fill when he left for the Las Vegas Raiders this offseason. Luckily for the Irish program, Ja'Juan Seider comes with quite the reputation for what he was able to accomplish with the Penn State Nittany Lions. It could be a seamless transition, […]
Former Notre Dame running backs coach Deland McCullough left some big shoes to fill when he left for the Las Vegas Raiders this offseason. Luckily for the Irish program, Ja'Juan Seider comes with quite the reputation for what he was able to accomplish with the Penn State Nittany Lions. It could be a seamless transition, hopefully.
Coach McCullough was a great coach while in South Bend, but he was also a great recruiter. Coach Seider will have one of his first tests in the 2026 class with their top target in Carrollton (Ga.) Central star Jonaz Walton. It was announced recently that Walton will be returning to South Bend for an official visit from June 13-15. He will also be taking official visits to Stanford (April 24-26), Alabama (May 30-June 1), Florida (June 6-8), and Tennessee (June 20-22).
When McCullough left, Notre Dame was viewed as arguably the leader for Walton. Maintaining that momentum and closing will be tough, but a huge opportunity for Seider.
Walton is very well-liked by every major recruiting platform that is out there. He is currently ranked as a four-star player by every platform, including the No. 118 overall player, and No. 10 running back in the 2026 recruiting class according to the 247Sports Composite ranking. That ranking also has Walton pegged as the No. 18 player in the state of Georgia, an area that the Irish staff has been trying to make more of a priority recently.
The offer list matches the high rankings for Walton as well. The Georgia standout is not short of impressive options, currently holding offers from the Fighting Irish, Georgia, Ohio State, Oregon, Texas, Alabama, Michigan, Tennessee, USC, Florida, Auburn, Nebraska, South Carolina, and Florida State among many, many others.
As a junior, Walton put together another tremendous season. In 12 games played, he rushed for 1,387 yards and 14 touchdowns. The 5-9, 205-pound athlete also managed to haul in 39 receptions for 646 yards and four more scores through the air, while also averaging North of 38 yards per kick return as well as a special teams weapon.
Notre Dame football is in a strange spot in terms of 2026 tight end recruiting, but the outcome will be decided over the next several weeks
Where is Notre Dame 2026 tight end recruiting at?
