Notre Dame’s spring practice season is now in the rearview mirror, but the recruiting cycle is dead ahead. The Irish are trying to capitalize on last cycle’s success and have a strong product to sell recruits.
As the recruiting calendar has changed over the years, so too has the intensity of the cycle. Normally May can be a fairly dead month, but with official visits on the horizon, there are plenty of decisions made — including commitments.
So let’s take just a quick look at where the Irish are with
some of its top prospects.
WR Julius Jones Jr. — 4-Star
Jones was just given a prediction to commit to the Oregon Ducks just a few weeks ago, but after a visit to Notre Dame for the Blue-Gold Game, the predictions have changed to Jones ultimately committing to the Irish on June 27. Jones still has 4 official visits on the books with the Oregon Ducks, Miami Hurricanes, Florida Gators, and Notre Dame.
TE Jaxon Dollar — 4-Star
Jaxon Dollar is the top tight end on Notre Dame’s recruiting board, and there are multiple predictions for the Irish to get his commitment on Thursday this week when he announces. That’s the good news. The bad news is that he’s actually a pretty hard read, and has unofficially visited the Georgia Bulldogs a few times over the spring. Unfortunately, I think the predictions are probably wrong as of today, and he ends up being a Bulldog this week.
QB Wonderful “Champ” Monds — 4-Star
Champ Monds was the top quarterback in the 2028 recruiting class, but recently reclassified to the 2027 class. While he is considered as a 4-Star prospect, there’s a better than good chance he’s closer to a 5-Star by the end of the cycle as he gets his last year of HS football under his belt and is reevaluated. Predictions for an Irish commitment came in quickly after a spring visit, but there is no commitment date scheduled — or any official visits. From what I’m told, I also predict an Irish commitment here, but with the reclassification, I think we need to be a little patient here.
DE Jackson Vaughn — 4-Star
Jackson Vaughn recently reclassified to the 2027 class, and his overall recruiting rankings will still take a bit of time to fully adjust — like Champ Monds. Vaughn has a top 9 list as of right now with the Irish, Alabama, Miami, Tennessee, South Carolina, Texas, Texas A&M, Auburn, and Cal. His recent trip to South Bend must have went well as he is now currently predicted to commit to Notre Dame. No commitment date is set in stone right now for Vaughn.
Just a few years ago, I thought the one type of recruit Notre Dame wouldn’t be able to sign is a player that reclassified — solely because of the academic guidelines Notre Dame has for incoming freshmen. I was obviously wrong (hello Teddy Jarrard), and it’s becoming a big part of what this class could be for 2027.
As always, nothing is a done deal until pen hits paper, but Marcus Freeman has done a good job of keeping the recruits that he wants to stay committed, committed and signed.
It’s far too early to tell if this class will be as highly ranked as the 2026 haul, but it won’t be for a lack of work by this Irish staff. There’s still a long ways to go until Signing Day in December, but things are moving along nicely.
