2025 DE Darren Ikinnagbon Recaps Notre Dame Visit

Notre Dame has been a school of interest for Darren Ikinnagbon‍ since the Irish offered him a scholarship back in December.

In February, the 2025 New Jersey defensive end announced a Top 8 that included the Irish.

And last week, he made his way to South Bend for an unofficial visit.

“It was good,” the Hillside High School star told Irish Sports Daily. “I had dinner with the coaches. I got to see the campus. I went around the facility, watched them practice. I watched them film on how they're going to develop me.”

Ikinnagbon also had meetings with defensive line coach Al Washington, defensive coordinator Al Golden and head coach Marcus Freeman.

“They were just telling me how they’re going to develop me and what I could get out of Notre Dame,” he said. “I'm going to be playing d-end and that I'd be rushing the passer.”

Ikinnagbon liked what he heard.

“I feel good about it,” he said. “They were telling me I'd be an immediate impact player.”

The 6-foot-6, 250-pounder also felt good about his interactions with the Notre Dame coaches.

“They were just really easy to talk to,” he said. 

And, he was impressed with their style during the spring practice he took in. 

“They were just getting after it,” he said.

Ikinnagbon also felt comfortable on campus.

“Campus was nice,” he said. “It was nice and prestigious. They have nice monuments around campus.”

Ikinnagbon plans on keeping in touch with the Irish staff.

He’s currently visiting Ohio State before taking his last visit of this swing to Georgia.

After this swing, he’ll start taking officials. They may not be locked in yet, but he seems pretty sure of where he’ll go.

“I already know where I'm going to take officials,” he said. “Probably Georgia, Ohio State, Notre Dame and Rutgers.”

He said he’ll “probably” announce his decision in June, but didn’t rule out doing so earlier.

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