2026 RB Jonaz Walton Has Notre Dame High On List After Latest Visit

Notre Dame has impressed Jonaz Walton‍ throughout the recruiting process and the Irish did so again when the top 2026 Georgia running back returned to South Bend for another visit last week. 

“It went really well, honestly,” said the Central High School star, who made his first trip to Notre Dame in January.

“I was able to meet with their academic advisor and their head of admissions. I was also able to watch a practice and sit in a few meetings with the players, the running backs specifically; met with Coach (Marcus) Freeman, Coach (Mike) Denbrock, and then obviously Coach (Ja’Juan) Seider as well.”

The academic meetings certainly stood out to Walton.

“Really just seeing how they handle their players with their academics,” he said. “That was really the main thing; how they help transition high school students to being college students.”

That was also the main point Freeman was delivering.

“His main message was really about what they can do for me outside football and how special a place it was and the environment is and the people who come to Notre Dame,” said Walton. “It wasn't even really football-focused at all. It was really just outside of football.

“I think that it is really important and it is kind of impressive that you don't even have to talk about football even though you were the runner-ups for the national championship last year and that's not even your main focus in talking about it. I really liked that.”

The 5-foot-10, 215-pounder also enjoyed the opportunity to see Seider and the running backs in action.

“I was just able to see how Coach Seider coaches up the running backs, how he helped them learn and review from last practice and everything like that,” he said. “The running backs ran good. The o-line blocked really well. It was quick and efficient, so I liked it.”

Walton is finished with unofficial visits and will now take official visits to each of his finalists; Notre Dame, Alabama, Florida, Tennessee and Stanford. 

The Irish are in a strong position heading into the final stages of the process.

“I would say of those five schools, they're pretty close to the top of the list for sure.”

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