2025 RB James Simon Talks Notre Dame Visit, What's Next

When James Simon‍ sat down with Deland McCollough last Saturday in South Bend, the 2025 Louisiana running back was ready with some questions for the Notre Dame running backs coach. 

He needn’t have bothered. 

“It was great,” Simon said of what ended up being about a 90-minute meeting. “It was definitely something no other coach has had for me before. 

“He really checked all my boxes and answered every single question without me even having to ask it.”

McCullough hit on why he’s still coming after the 6-foot, 198-pound Simon with two other backs already committed and how he envisions using him.

“He just told me the importance of me and the importance if I was to be on his roster,” Simon said. 

“I would be a three-down back. I would be the guy who could run routes out the backfield and also be a guy who could get the ball from the backfield.”

The Calvary Baptist Academy star arrived in South Bend on Friday, giving him a chance to check out the Irish’s walkthrough practice the day before the USC game.

“I got to say what's up to all the coaches,” Simon recalled. “Then they kind of just walked me through the facility, gave me a small tour of that.”

Simon has offers from schools like Notre Dame, Alabama, Georgia, LSU, Florida, Miami, Texas, Texas A&M, Oregon and USC among several others. 

He woke up early on Saturday before the meeting with McCullough. 

“After that, I did a campus tour, went and checked out every single side of campus and everything they have to offer,” he said. “I loved it. It was very historic. It was beautiful. Everything about it. It was very cool. Something that you just don't get to see often.”

“After that, I went to the indoor practice field. They had a little tailgate set up with a bunch of food and all kinds of good stuff and then the game.”

He was impressed with the atmosphere inside Notre Dame Stadium for the game.

“It was great,” he said. “Everything about it from start to the finish. They were standing up the whole time. The energy was up. It was very electric.”

And he was impressed with the Irish’s performance, especially the running backs.

“One running back (JD Price) had a kick return,” he said. “One (Gi’Bran Payne) caught a pass for touchdown and Audric (Estime) had two running touchdowns. 

“All the running backs got to eat. All of them did their thing.”

Simon plans to visit Texas and LSU next month, but also plans to remain in contact with McCullough and return to South Bend.

“I definitely want to keep talking to Coach Deland,” he said. “I definitely want to get back up there in the spring or some point, maybe an OV at some point. 

“I'm definitely going to have some talks with my family about things as we come near December and going into next year. I'll have everything planned out by the time the spring rolls around.”

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