Early Intel on the biggest Notre Dame recruiting weekend of the 2025 CFB season, and who the Fighting Irish impressed most 

Notre Dame held their biggest recruiting weekend of the year against the Texas A&M Aggies. There are several recruits who left impressed despite the loss.

Ryan Roberts — National College Football Writer
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It was a frustrating weekend for head coach Marcus Freeman and Notre Dame football following their 41 to 40 loss to the Texas A&M Aggies at home. Defensive coordinator Chris Ash has been receiving the bulk of the criticism following the ugly defensive performance, but for the second time in four years as head coach, this Freeman-led team is starting the year with a 0-2 record. 

To make matters worse, this was also the biggest recruiting weekend of the year for the Fighting Irish program. Luckily for all of their efforts, recruits are not nearly as emotional as the bulk of the fanbase tends to be after a loss. Despite the loss, the Notre Dame staff was able to impress upwards of 70 recruits who were on campus. 

It’s early, but there have been some positive vibes around the recruiting operation this weekend. Here is the intel that I have gathered so far. Each player mentioned is a 2027 target. 

Notre Dame recruiting weekend notes 

One thing that Notre Dame fans have been clamoring for over the last several years is getting more impactful size on the interior defensive line. The Irish staff hosted quite a few talented defensive tackles this weekend, and there may not have been one more important than Chicago (Ill.) Brother Rice star Brayden Parks. Not only is Parks a local talent, but he is also incredibly talented at 6-3 and 305 pounds. 

Going into the visit, things were in a great place between Notre Dame and Parks, and that feeling only improved following the visit. At this point, the Irish are viewed as the top contender to land Parks when all is said and done. They will need to win out against an impressive offer list that includes Ohio State, Texas, Oregon, Michigan, LSU, Miami, Auburn, and Nebraska, among many others.

Things are arguably in an even better place with Hattiesburg (Miss.) Oak Grove defensive lineman Deven Robertson, who has been to South Bend several times already. Robertson has continued to mesh incredibly well with defensive line coach Al Washington, and he is really high on everything that Notre Dame can provide. He’s a bit rawer compared to Parks, but the 6-2, 320-pound behemoth would be a nice presence along the interior. 

When you throw in Green Bay (Wisc.) Notre Dame Academy standout Richie Flanigan, who is a legacy for the Irish, that could end up being your three-man class of interior defensive lineman. Like his brother James, I don’t expect Richie to make an impulsive decision. I wouldn’t bet on anyone other than Notre Dame to be the pick in the end, barring something unforeseen. 

Speaking of top local talent, Chicago (Ill.) Mount Carmel wide receiver Quentin Burrell was also back on campus. There are a lot of impressive programs that have been pursuing the 6-3, 175-pound pass catcher, but the Irish continue to surge. From talking to people close to Burrell, he is as easy a fit as you will find as a young man and student. There is no timeline on a commitment, and I would also expect Burrell to be back on campus for another game this fall. Seeing Malachi Fields make some plays in the boundary seems to have been a pretty good selling point for the talented wideout. 

Burrell’s high school teammate Tavares Harrington also joined him. At 6-3 and 175 pounds, Harrington has a long frame that could project to either cornerback or safety on the college level. I was told that things also went well with Harrington, and Notre Dame is a serious player there. The program tapping into some of the top Chicago programs such as Mount Carmel is never a bad thing. 

If you don’t want to feel old, you probably won’t want to read about Fort Lauderdale (Fla.) St. Thomas Aquinas wide Julius Jones Jr. and his visit to campus. This wasn’t his first trip to South Bend, obviously, being a legacy recruit. I’d call Notre Dame the team to beat for Jones right now, but they have to be ready to battle. Jones does, however, seem very open to his father’s Alma mater, which is great for their current standing. 

Jones’ teammate, elite offensive tackle Mark Matthews, also made the trip to Notre Dame for the first time. All the feedback has been positive, but I’m not sure how much the needle was moved overall. If Matthews makes it back for a return visit, then my tune may change. Until then, it was a good job getting him on campus. 

The feeling is probably somewhat similar for five-star Roswell (Ga.) Blessed Trinity Catholic rusher DJ Jacobs. The 6-5, 220-pound defensive end is one of the best overall players in the 2027 recruiting class. One thing that Notre Dame does have working for them is that Jacobs has a personal relationship with 2027 quarterback commit Teddy Jarrard. They actually played football together growing up. I’m not sure that will be enough, but I guarantee Notre Dame won’t stop trying. 

As of today, the Irish have a much better chance with Indianapolis (Ind.) Franklin Central pass rusher Jayce Brewer. He doesn’t seem to be anywhere close to decision mode, but there is a deep admiration for Notre Dame from the Brewer. If the program stays consistent, they will have a strong chance in the end. 

I will echo the same sentiment for Saint Joseph (Ill.) Ogden offensive tackle Cameron Wagner. I haven’t been able to speak directly to the Wagner family yet, but nothing but good vibes in this recruitment. Offensive line coach Joe Rudolph has done a very good job in this recruitment. Stay consistent, and you will have a strong chance as well. 

I haven’t been able to gather much on Indianapolis (Ind.) Lawrence North wide receiver Monshun Sales or Rolesville (N.C.) High School pass catcher AJ Roberts as of yet. Heading into the trip, Notre Dame was playing from behind for Sales, and this trip needed to be a big one. Things were in a better spot with Roberts, especially with the impact the Irish have made in North Carolina recently. 

Speaking of talented athletes from North Carolina, Notre Dame made a big move with elite Raleigh (N.C.) Cardinal Gibbons cornerback Xavier Hasan. The 6-0, 180-pound cover man hasn’t been talked about a ton, but the Irish are putting themselves firmly in the top group. It won’t be an easy win to get him in the blue and gold, but Notre Dame’s chances are seemingly strengthening by the day. Getting Hassan on campus again over the next few months is a top priority. 

Things are also trending positively with Bellflower (Calif.) St. John Bosco cornerback Jailen Hill. He spent some time with Irish linebacker Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa, who also comes from the same high school. There is clear interest from Hill, who also fits the mold that Mike Mickens typically loves at cornerback.

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