Coach | Notre Dame Adding Jean-Baptiste Is A "Win-Win"

Notre Dame’s addition of Javontae Jean-Baptiste is a phenomenal fit for both sides, according to Vito Campanile.

The 6-foot-5, 255-pound Jean-Baptiste just announced he would transfer to Notre Dame after spending five seasons at Ohio State.

“I think it’s just a win-win,” says Campanile, who coached Jean-Baptiste at Bergen Catholic High School in New Jersey. “He’s a kid with an unbelievable work ethic.

“For him, it’ll really help him for the next level. For Notre Dame, I think they’re just going to get a winner in every way. He checks every box with what Notre Dame looks for in their players. You know how I feel about their program. I think they do an unbelievable job developing people. I think they have a really good thing in place. It is.”

Campanile expects Jean-Baptiste to have a huge impact on the Irish’s defense in 2023.

“He’s going to be an unbelievable pass rusher,” the coach says. “I think he’s just got a winning pedigree. He’s got a championship mentality, unbelievable character kid. He’s going to bring length and incredible effort.”

Irish defensive line coach Al Washington was on staff at Ohio State for three years while Jean-Baptiste was a Buckeye, which provided some additional familiarity in the process.

“The guys have done a really good job with him,” Campanile says. “Coach Wash has a relationship with him. I think he feels really comfortable with that.”

Campanile believes Jean-Baptiste playing final season of college ball in South Bend with Washington and defensive coordinator Al Washington will only enhance Jean-Baptiste’s draft stock in a year.

“They will develop him for the next level. The fact that Coach Golden has spent so much time in the NFL, that can only help you.”

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