Multiple future Notre Dame Fighting Irish defensive stars join another top target on a list that every player wants to be on
Multiple Notre Dame recruits named All-Americans
While everyone is getting ready for the college football and NFL seasons to begin, high school football is also right around the corner. The 2025 season promises to be another exciting one, buoyed by some of the top recruits from around the country.
In preparation, Rivals put out their preseason high school defensive All-American team, which included two future Notre Dame stars. The two Fighting Irish commits were linebacker Thomas Davis Jr. and defensive back Joey O’Brien. Notre Dame having two players on the list tied with Alabama and Texas A&M as the most represented in that elite group.
Davis Jr. might be known as the son of the former Georgia Bulldog and Carolina Panther of the same name, but the younger Davis is making a name for himself. The Weddington (N.C.) High School product is a part of one of the best defenses in the country. As a junior, the 6-2, 210-pound linebacker managed to collect 62 total tackles, eight tackles for loss, two interceptions, and 10 quarterback hurries.
For O’Brien, he probably could have made an argument to be in this list on offense, or as an all purpose player as well. As a junior in 2024 on defense, the 6-4, 190-pound athlete managed to record 36 total tackles, one interception, and 13 pass breakups. He managed to also earn the PCL Red Division MVP honors.
While O’Brien was tremendous on defense, you could even argue he was better on the offensive side of the football. The five-star talent hauled in 68 receptions for 1,029 yards and 12 touchdowns. O’Brien could legitimately play wide receiver, safety, or cornerback on the college level.
Other players who were selected to the defensive squad include defensive ends Zion Elee (Maryland commit), Ladamion Guyton (Texas Tech), Bryce Perry-Wright (Texas A&M), and Zyron Forstall, defensive linemen Lamar Brown (LSU) and Tomuhini Topui (USC), linebackers Tyler Atkinson (Texas), Xavier Griffin (Alabama), Jordan Campbell (Miami), Cooper Witten, and Kaden Henderson, as well as defensive backs Jett Washington (Oregon), Jireh Edwards (Alabama), Chauncey Kennon (Florida State), Justice Fitzpatrick (Georgia), and Victor Singleton (Texas A&M).
Witten is a top target for the Fighting Irish in the 2027 recruiting class.
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