Notre Dame football could kill two birds with one stone with its latest recruiting move, which could help a fun trend continue
There is a new 2028 recruiting target to know for Notre Dame football. They come with a familiar background that could continue a new trend.
It was another big recruiting weekend for Notre Dame football and head coach Marcus Freeman. On top of the priority 2027 recruits on campus in South Bend, there were also some important 2028 recruiting targets that made the trip as well.
One of the most interesting visitors was 2028 Fort Lauderdale (Fla.) St. Thomas Aquinas safety Andre Jones. The talented defender made the trip with his brother, 2027 wide receiver Julius Jones Jr., a top target for the Irish. As it turns out, the younger Jones wasn’t there just to take in the sights with his brother and family.
When Jones made his way to campus, he was an early recruit of interest for the Irish. He left with an offer from Notre Dame. The Irish are now added to an incredibly impressive early offer list for Jones, a player who could end up being one of the top defensive backs in the 2028 class.
When it comes to Jones, it’s easy to see the appeal as a player. He’s an extremely smooth defensive back who has experience at both safety and nickel. If he continues to develop physically, he has a chance to become a high-caliber recruit.
Offering the younger brother of Julius Jones Jr. also can’t hurt their chances. Both of them are Notre Dame legacies, and we have seen the attraction to that demographic of players by Freeman and Co. over the years. It wouldn’t be shocking to see Notre Dame eventually land both of the Jones brothers.
Andre Jones’s recruiting background
Jones has not been rated by any of the major recruiting platforms yet. When he does, he should be ranked very high, at least judging by his offer list.
Some of Jones’s top offers thus far include the Fighting Irish, Oregon, Texas A&M, Penn State, Florida State, Kentucky, Pitt, Boston College, Georgia Tech, Minnesota, Purdue, Oregon State, and Cal, among others. You can expect many more teams to join that group over the next couple of months.
As a sophomore, Jones put together a strong season for St. Thomas Aquinas. In 13 games, the 6-0, 170-pound defensive back managed to collect 37 total tackles, an interception, and four pass breakups.
As a part of one of the top defenses in the country last season, Jones played all over the place, including at safety, in the slot, in the box, and even some at outside cornerback. His versatility is a huge selling point to any program.