Notre Dame football recruiting under head coach Marcus Freeman has reached new heights, and a significant part of that success traces back to the program’s willingness to bet on genetics.

The Fighting Irish have prioritized players with Notre Dame lineage and the sons of former NFL stars, a strategy that has already yielded major results on the field and on the recruiting trail. Two 2028 prospects fit that mold perfectly, and both should be players Freeman and his staff push for between now and National Signing Day.

The trend that has defined Freeman’s recruiting approach

Ever since Freeman took over the program, Notre Dame has recruited at a different level. The staff has expanded its attention to key recruiting areas that were overlooked in the past while refusing to back down from major recruiting battles for players who genuinely fit the program.

The genetics angle has been a massive part of that. Starting defensive end Bryce Young, the son of NFL Hall of Fame defensive lineman Bryant Young, is a prime example. Devin Fitzgerald, the son of legendary wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald, is another. Jerome Bettis Jr. and Kaydon Finley, whose father Jermichael Finley played tight end in the NFL after starring at Texas, add to the list.

James Flanigan and James Halter, a member of the 2027 recruiting class, round out a growing group of legacy and NFL-lineage recruits who have found their way to South Bend.

The 2028 class does not feature a heavy volume of former NFL sons or Notre Dame legacies on the board right now, but two players stand out as perfect fits for the trend.

RB Xander Edwards – Jacksonville (Fla.) Bolles School

The first name is one that has already generated buzz. Running back Xander Edwards out of the Bolles School in Jacksonville, Florida, has tremendous upside at 6-2 and 215 pounds. He brings explosiveness and power, and he ran for well over 2,000 yards as a sophomore last season.

Edwards is the son of former Notre Dame fullback Marc Edwards, who starred during the Lou Holtz era before going on to play in the NFL for a long time, winning a Super Bowl championship with the New England Patriots.

Notre Dame did not prioritize Edwards early in the process, but the staff extended an offer a few weeks ago. From the sounds of it, the Irish are starting to trend in a great direction with the talented runner. If they continue to push, I think they could have a good chance to land Edwards in the end. They will have to fight off other programs like Miami, but the Notre Dame connection through his father gives the Irish staff a built-in advantage.

Edwards is one of the more productive overall running backs in the 2028 recruiting class, and getting him into this group would be a significant addition.

WR Jaylen Addai – Pearland (Texas) Shadow Creek

The other player to keep a close eye on is wide receiver Jaylen Adai out of Shadow Creek in Pearland, Texas. Adai is the son of former LSU and Indianapolis Colts running back Joseph Adai, who was a first-round selection in the NFL Draft.

Jalen is already considered a top-50 overall player in the 2028 class and has the potential to earn five-star status before the cycle ends. At 6-0 and 185 pounds, the wide receiver brings an impressive combination of explosiveness and smoothness that profiles him as an all-around three-level threat at the next level. His after-the-catch ability adds another dimension to his game.

With his father being an LSU alumnus, this will not be an easy pull for the Fighting Irish. However, Notre Dame has made a nice early impact with Adai. If they continue to push the right buttons, I think they could have a chance in the end.

The bigger picture for Notre Dame’s wide receiver recruiting

Notre Dame has consistently trended upward in wide receiver recruiting in recent years. Landing Julius Jones Jr. in the 2027 class, a Notre Dame legacy, was part of that momentum. Adding a talent like Adai to the 2028 group would continue the trend of famous football father-son connections while helping to build further an improving wide receiver room.

Freeman and his staff have proven that prioritizing genetics and program lineage is more than a feel-good storyline. It has been a legitimate recruiting strategy that continues to bring high-end talent to South Bend. The 2028 class has a chance to be the next chapter in that approach if the Irish can close on Edwards and Adai.