Film Don't Lie | JaDon Blair
For a long time it seemed like Notre Dame was in the driver’s seat with JaDon Blair’s recruitment. Fans have been waiting for the staff to bring him home and secure his commitment.
They delivered today when Blair pledged to the Irish are taking all of his official visits.
A multi-sport athlete (basketball) who also plays receiver on offense, Blair is the blue-chip cherry on top of Notre Dame’s already loaded 2025 defensive back class.
Height: 6’4”
Weight: 195
Projected Position: Safety
ISD Grade: 92 (4-star)
National Average Grade: 91.0 (4-star)
What he does best:
Blair is a long strider that eats up ground. He shows good recognition versus the perimeter screen game and does a great job running the alley as a downhill defender.
He brings a physical presence to the field. He wants to lay the wood whenever he gets a chance and will punish receivers.
He’s very comfortable mixing it up as an additional defender in the box.
His length helps him as a pass defender, but he also has plus ball skills and track the ball well.
What he needs to improve:
He’s not the twitchiest in a short area, so recognition in coverage is going to be important for him.
I love how aggressive he is playing the run and while he doesn’t shy away from defeating blocks, he’s going to have to learn to use his length better to defeat them in college.
What’s his ceiling?
Any safety with a frame like his is going to get compared to Kyle Hamilton, but I think that’s an unfair comparison for anyone. Hamilton was simply at a different level when it came to instincts, fluidity as an athlete, and ability to do just about everything at a high level.
I don’t think Blair can play as a single high safety or man up on slot receivers the same way Hamilton could. He is closer to Hamilton in the other areas of his game, though.
The player Blair reminds me of is former Florida State safety Hamsah Nasrildeen. He was a big body with a similar frame and was highly productive for the Seminoles (192 tackles as a sophomore and junior). He had double digit havoc plays in 2019 and was drafted by the New York Jets despite missing almost all of the 2020 season with an injury.
Blair has the potential to be that productive at Notre Dame. He is a very good football player with the potential to become a multi-year starter for the Irish.
Who he could be:
Former FSU safety Hamsah Nasrildeen
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