2025 DE CJ May Talks "Shocking" Notre Dame Offer

It’s early in the recruiting process for CJ May‍, but the 2025 Alabama defensive end already has some major scholarship offers.

On Friday, May announced that he’d added Notre Dame to a list that already included Tennessee, Penn State and Troy.

“It kind of took the breath away from me because it was was pretty crazy to me,” May says. “That's very far away. It was a very shocking moment for me. I didn't think that'd be my opportunity right now. But, all I can do is thank God for the opportunity given me, set me up.”

The Highland Home High School standout learned of the offer via a FaceTime call with Irish defensive line coach Al Washington.

“He was just explaining the legacy and stuff behind Notre Dame itself,” May says.

“Coach Washington is an extremely cool dude. I love Coach Washington. It's like we have a little connection already. He’s just a very honest person who carries himself very well. Coach Washington is a pretty young coach. Younger players like younger coaches and it feels like me and him have a strong connection already off of just having one FaceTime talk.”

The 6-foot-4, 215-pounder hopes to make it to South Bend sometime this spring.

“I'm going to try after school gets out in May or June to get up to campus,” he says. “I just don't know a set date yet.

“I just want to see what the school has offer for me. What's the feeling like around there and everything else like that.”

May is planning to hit Alabama and South Alabama and hopes to hit Clemson and South Carolina in the coming months as well.

“My biggest factor is making sure you have a great relationship with that coach. You obviously have players who want to play for the school, you have players who want to play for the coach, but at the end of the day, it's always what's best for you and your family and what your situation is.”

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