Notre Dame football’s Jordan Faison returns as the Fighting Irish’s leading receiver heading into his senior season in 2026, and younger brother Dylan Faison has already arrived on campus as a true freshman.

Their father, Quincy Faison, joined A to Z Sports to share the family’s recruiting journey, his perspective on head coach Marcus Freeman’s authenticity, and what it means to watch both sons compete in South Bend. The Faison family has taken a fascinating journey to South Bend, Indiana.

From the state of Florida, the lacrosse field, and underrated recruiting profiles to important pieces for one of the biggest traditions and brands in all of sports.

Navigating two recruiting processes for one kid

The Faison family’s path to Notre Dame started with lacrosse. Quincy explained that the family made an early decision to prioritize lacrosse as Jordan’s vehicle to reach a top university because of concerns about his size for Division I football.

“Our focus primarily since he was, I want to say, 8th grade, has been lacrosse is your vehicle for school,” Faison explained. That meant summers spent traveling for lacrosse instead of participating in the 7-on-7 circuits that have become essential for quarterback and wide receiver recruiting exposure.

Jordan played quarterback at Pine Crest High School but received little football recruiting attention, outside of an offer from Iowa and other Big Ten interest. His football path opened through an unconventional door. During an official lacrosse visit to Notre Dame, the family met with Freeman, who told Jordan he could contribute on the football side as a walk-on. Quincy admitted he was skeptical at first.

“As a dad, I’m sitting back and like, man, this guy is all BS, right?” Quincy said. “My thought was, okay, this is a favor for the lacrosse program.”

That skepticism faded quickly once Jordan arrived on campus and started making plays in practice, moving from the threes to the twos and catching the attention of upperclassmen in the locker room.

From walk-on to leading receiver

Quincy pointed to the culture Freeman has built as a reason Jordan thrived so quickly. Notre Dame does not separate walk-ons into different locker rooms or give them different jerseys.

“As soon as you are done recruiting and you commit, all of the niceties go out the window,” Faison said, paraphrasing the message Freeman and the coaching staff deliver. “All the 5-stars, 4-stars, 3-stars, whatever, that goes out the window. You were just an athlete that has to go prove yourself again.”

Jordan earned a scholarship and became a key contributor a lot earlier than anyone could have predicted.

Now heading into his senior year, he has the benefit of focusing solely on football for the first time. Faison said the physical toll of competing in both football and lacrosse left Jordan’s body with almost no rest for two full years, from the Sun Bowl in December straight to lacrosse’s national championship run and then right back into summer workouts.

Beyond the physical recovery, Quincy emphasized the value of a full spring with the football team for building the brotherhood that wins championships. Jordan also benefits from a second year in the same playbook with the same offensive coordinator and a second spring with his quarterback. Leaving Notre Dame lacrosse behind was difficult, but it promises to be a great decision.

Dylan’s path was different

Dylan Faison was the No. 1 lacrosse recruit in the country coming out of Saint Andrews School in the 2026 recruiting class, but his recruitment played out differently from his older brother’s. Notre Dame had always been Dylan’s dream school. Quincy shared that when Jordan was 9, his top school was Duke, while Dylan’s was Notre Dame.

The football side of Dylan’s recruitment traces back to a conversation Quincy had with a Notre Dame staffer at the Sun Bowl. Quincy introduced Dylan and encouraged the staff to go after him. The staff asked for his tape, and the process began.

When Notre Dame extended a football offer, Dylan committed the next day. Faison said having Jordan already on campus has helped ease Dylan’s transition. The brothers live together, giving Dylan the chance to go over the playbook and talk football after practice every day.

Freeman’s authenticity changed everything

Quincy spoke at length about Freeman’s genuine approach to coaching and recruiting. He recalled the moment his skepticism broke. At a team event on campus, Freeman spotted Faison and his wife across the indoor facility, walked over, and asked them to speak with another dual-sport athlete. That small gesture told Quincy the head coach actually remembered them and meant what he said.

“What he tells you is true,” Quincy said. “He is one of the most authentic coaches that are out there. People know when you’re blowing smoke up a kid’s butt, and he’s not that way.”

Faison credited Freeman’s growth as a recruiter to experience and genuine care for players, pointing to Notre Dame’s 2027 recruiting class as evidence.

Savoring the final chapter

With Jordan entering his senior year and NFL scouts already taking notice, Quincy acknowledged the bittersweet reality of the season ahead. Having Dylan on campus for four more years softens the blow, but each game still carries weight.

“When you’re a freshman, you don’t think about those things,” Quincy said. “Now it’s like, wow, this is no more game 1, right? No more game 2, no more game 3. And then before you know it, we’re in the playoffs, and it’s over.”

The Faison family’s Notre Dame story is far from finished, but Quincy made one thing clear: he’s not ready to rush a single moment of it. He will be holding onto every pass that quarterback CJ Carr throws his direction, and every game on the way to a hopeful national title run.