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Notre Dame Football Recruiting

Notre Dame Shows Top 2025 Safety JaDon Blair Another Great Time

June 13, 2024
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Notre Dame didn’t have much room to move up with JaDon Blair‍ during this week’s official visit because the Irish were already so high on the 2025 North Carolina safety’s list.

Still, Marcus Freeman and his staff managed to show Blair exactly why they think he’d be a great fit in South Bend.

“It was great,” Blair told Irish Sports Daily afterward. “I loved everything about it, loved talking to the coaches. It's Notre Dame. 

“I got to meet with coaches and just learn a little bit more about where I’m going to fit into the system and just learning how Coach (Mike) Mickens teaches the defense…Getting to be with Coach Freeman and Coach Mickens and also, Chad Bowden of course.”

Blair is especially impressed with the way Mickens is able to simplify the complex scheme he asks his secondary to play.

“They disguise their coverages a lot and there are a lot of different things that they do, but he breaks it down to where you could pick up on it fast and it helps you play even faster,” Blair said.

Freeman’s message was more about making sure Blair knew how valued he was.

“Coach Freeman was just letting us know how much he wants me to commit and wants me to be there,” Blair said. “He was just like, I'm a Notre Dame guy. He would love to coach me and would love for me to be a part of the program.

“It is amazing, really. It's great. He's told me that plenty of times before and I definitely believe it coming from him, just him wanting to be on me and get me there and be a part of my journey, it means a lot to me.”

Even though Blair took a midweek official, which didn’t allow him to spend additional time with other members of the 2025 recruiting class, he’s confident he’d fit in well with the players Notre Dame has and is bringing in.

“I've got to talk to them and just know who they are,” he said. “They are some guys I could definitely get along with, like-minded people who all have the same goal and all work hard and be great in what they do.”

The 6-foot-4, 190-pounder learned plenty about the academics during his previous visit.

“It's a great education that's really unmatched,” he said. “That Four for 40 that they always talk about. You might play football into your 30s, your late-20s, but you have a whole life ahead of you. From the people that I've heard from and talked to, they just say how it sets you up for life and all the opportunities that you would be blessed to have. 

The Mount Tabor High School star was a little more diplomatic when it came to leaders than he was recently, when he said the Irish were setting the bar in his recruitment. 

“They'll definitely be one of the top schools,” said Blair, who added it remains tight between Notre Dame and a couple of other schools, which he declined to name.

He’s already taken official visits to Virginia Tech, Louisville and South Carolina. He heads to Michigan for an official visit this weekend followed by immediate officials to Florida State and Penn State, the middle of next week and next weekend, respectively.

He is set to announce his college decision on July 5th 

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