BREAKING | 2025 RB Nolan James Makes Flip To Notre Dame

When he received an offer from Notre Dame, Nolan James‍ realized it was an opportunity he needed to look into further.

After taking an official to Notre Dame this past weekend, the 2025 New Jersey running back realized it was too good of an opportunity to pass up.

“I loved it,” James told Irish Sports Daily prior to announcing his decision. “I loved everything about it. I have no complaints.

After announcing his decommitment from Boston College, the 5-foot-11, 200-pounder announced his commitment to Notre Dame.

“The most obvious thing is the fact that they present the best of both worlds,” James said. “You can get one of the best educations in the world along with the opportunity to play for a national championship every year.”

James gives the Irish 24 current verbal commitments in the Class of 2025 and joins Justin Thurman to give them a pair of running backs.

“Their message to me and the rest of the players is that they're trying to be the best in the country at everything they do; off the field, on the field,” he continued. “They're embracing that they're not shying away from that. Coach (Marcus) Freeman said this to me multiple times and everybody else on the staff, he said, 'Choose hard.' I thought that really hit home for me.

“The last thing I would say is Coach (Deland) McCullough; who he is as a person, his pedigree as a running backs coach and the fact that he said to me that they're trying to build the best running back room in the country and wants me to be next up in that room.”

James also joins his DePaul Catholic teammate, wide receiver Elijah Burress‍, who is also committed to Notre Dame.

“Elijah is one of my best friends,” said James. “He told me before I even went out there. He's like, 'You're going to like everybody. They're all like us.' Me and Elijah are very similar. I was hanging out with Jerome (Bettis Jr.), he was cool. 

“Even guys on the team now. I was with JD (Price) and Jeremiyah (Love). They're super laid back. They're super cool. I liked all of them.

The Irish were attracted to James because of his versatility, something DePaul Catholic head coach Nick Campanile talked about as his greatest asset.

“He can do everything,” Campanile told Irish Sports Daily. “He catches the ball incredibly well, as good as any running back I've ever had. He's unbelievable between the tackles, but he's also fast enough to get out on the perimeter, so he can carry the ball between the tackles, but also he can get around the corner and get on the edge as well. 

“Then, he's a great pass protector. He's one of the best blockers I've ever had as a running back too. So, he never has to come off the field because no matter the situation, he's got the skillset to handle it.”

James was looking for a great combination of athletics and academics, which was why he chose Boston College in the first place. But with Notre Dame, he found a school that could offer that same combination, just on a bigger platform.

He went out of his way to be respectful during the late pursuit from the Irish and kept the Eagles informed every step of the way. And, he always promised he wouldn’t turn the decision into any sort of dramatic event.

That’s a promise he made good on.

“It was really hard,” James said. “My relationship with Coach (Savon Huggins), I value that no matter what, even if I'm not going to Boston College. I appreciate everything that staff has done for me and believing in me. 

“That made it really, really difficult. But at the end of the day, talking to my family, I just had to do what's best for me. But my relationships there made it really hard.”

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