Coach | 2026 NJ CB Jordan Thomas Checks All The Boxes

Vito Campanile has seen his share of big-time players come through the state of New Jersey.

And while the Bergen Catholic head coach is typically reserved when talking about younger players, especially his own, when a kid warrants it, he’ll say so.

2026 cornerback Jordan Thomas‍ clearly warrants it.

“I think he's got a chance to be the best one we've had here on the defensive side of the ball,” Campanile says of the 6-foot-1, 175-pounder. “His work ethic is nothing short of spectacular. He is as humble and as hard-working of a guy as you're going to be around, and he's about as intelligent as they get. 

“I don't think I'm saying anything that's out of line. I think as a 12th-grader, he'll be the best football player in New Jersey. I feel that strongly about Jordan. Just an absolute professional approach to everything he does. Even his religion is so important to him. He's a different kid, he really is.”

Notre Dame clearly feels strong about Thomas as well. The Irish extended an offer to Thomas as part of their Pot of Gold blitz on Sunday, but Thomas has been on their board for a while.

Thomas also has offers from schools like Penn State, Michigan, Michigan State, Florida, Miami, Duke, Virginia Tech and Wisconsin among others.

As Campanile says, Thomas checks the boxes on and off the field.

“His length and physicality are second to none,” the coach says. “As a 10th-grader, to be able to come to balance and tackle like that. I think he had five interceptions and I want to say nine PBUs this year as a 10th-grader. He's a dynamic guy on offense. We just haven't used him a whole lot. 

“I think he's a 4.16 GPA right now. I know he's over a 4.0. I don't know what this winter is, but he is an Honors student and will probably finish here with four college classes next year. He'll be an early graduation guy.”

Campanile is very familiar with Notre Dame, Marcus Freeman and the entire coaching staff and program. He believes Thomas would “100 percent” be a fit at Notre Dame.

“When Coach Free was here in the winter, my point to him was just knowing what he's looking for, I don't know of a guy that checks every box better. He's a national recruit, but he's just an unbelievable person. He really is just a great kid.”

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