2025 CB Cree Thomas Hoping To Return To Notre Dame

Notre Dame has made it clear that Cree Thomas‍ is a priority for the Irish in the Class of 2025.

“On August 1st, Notre Dame was the first school to contact me actually,” the 2025 Arizona cornerback tells ISD.

Thomas says he’s been in touch with several staff members including Dre Brown, Chad Bowden, Mike Mickens, Al Golden and Marcus Freeman.

“Really all the coaches on the staff,” he says. “They've even talked to my parents a little bit. The contact has been great with Notre Dame so far.

“I think they're making it clear that I'm a priority for them in recruiting, which I'm really thankful for just because I know they have a lot of guys that they recruit. I'm thankful that they're reaching out to me as much as they do and they take the time on me.”

Thomas, who landed an offer from Notre Dame during its Pot of Gold March blitz, also has offers from schools like Arizona, Arizona State, Oregon, Wisconsin, Cal and Boston College among others.

He’s appreciative of the Irish including his parents in the recruiting process.

“It means a lot and I really love that they're making me and my family all connected in my recruitment process,” says Thomas.

“The family culture of Notre Dame is really cool to me and something that's definitely going to be a big factor when I make my decision where I want to be.”

The Notre Dame coaches have made tremendous impressions on Thomas already.

“I love all of them,” he says. “They're all great guys. I can definitely see myself playing under them. Coach Bowden, he has so much energy on every phone call. I love it.

“Coach Mickens is super great coach obviously, great man. Coach Freeman one of the coolest coaches I've talked to. So yeah, I love all the coaches on staff.”

Thomas made it to South Bend for a visit in April and could be back soon.

“I want to try and catch a game this year, but I have no set or locked-in dates yet,” he says. “I'm just trying to figure that out in the upcoming weeks.

He’s hoping to see the atmosphere inside Notre Dame Stadium and get an idea of what gameday is like as a player.

“Those are all really interesting things I want to see when I get back up there, the camaraderie of everyone,” he says.

He expects to get to Wisconsin, Oregon, Arizona and Arizona State for games, but doesn’t have anything locked in yet.

“I'm not 100 percent sure yet,” he says. “I'm really open to going to any games. I just haven't really set or locked any dates in yet.”

Thomas isn’t going to rush a commitment, but he certainly doesn’t plan on waiting for the sake of waiting.

“I want to make my decision probably after this junior season,” he says. “But when I know, I know, I just want to be 100 percent sure.

“Something that's going to be important for me is not just the football part of the school, but what the school can give to me. It's also going to be the coaching staff and the school wanting me and liking me as a person and not just as a football player. That also ties into just having a great bond and having a family feel with the players and the coaches.”

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