2025 DE Darren Ikinnagbon Planning To Visit Notre Dame "Soon"

Earlier this month, Darren Ikinnagbon‍ announced a Top 8 out of dozens of scholarship offers.

The 2025 New Jersey defensive said the list was based on “the connections I built with the coaches.”

The 6-foot-6, 240-pounder included Notre Dame, Georgia, Oklahoma, Rutgers, Duke, Tennessee, Ohio State and Penn State on his list.

“It just lessens the calls and it just relieves more stress,” Ikinnagbon said of narrowing his list. 

The Irish offered the Hillside High School star back in December and have had his attention ever since.

“They have a good education and they're always in the conversations about winning a national championship,” Ikinnagbon said.

Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman made a stop at Hillside High School during the Contact period while defensive line coach Al Washington, defensive coordinator Al Golden and defensive line assistant Nick Sebastian have been running point on Ikinnagbon’s recruitment.

Washington has certainly made an impression.

“He's a cool person, just down to earth and easy to talk to,” Ikinnagbon said of Washington.

The personal attention from Freeman has been telling.

“It means a lot,” Ikinnagbon said. “It shows that I'm a serious priority for them.”

Ikinnagbon will be visiting South Bend March 19th.

“Just seeing the environment, how everybody is in person and if I have a good connection with them,” he said of his goals for that upcoming visit. 

He’s hoping to hit all of the schools on his list before taking the next steps.

“I'm going to cut my list down after these unofficials,” he said. “I'll cut it down to four and I'll commit in June.”

What Ikinnagbon will be looking for when he chooses one school in the end is no surprise.

“Just the connection I have with the coaches and if I really bond with them and if it's a homelike environment.”

Want the latest scoop on the Fighting Irish? Sign up for our newsletter and become an ISD Premium Subscriber: Sign Up for ISD

Under Armour Gray Notre Dame Fighting Irish Play Like A Champion Today Fleece Hoodie