Notre Dame has added a lot of freaky athletic players to their secondary in the last couple of recruiting classes. Their newest commit might not fit into the same category, but he’s very much an elite prospect.
Zayden Gamble plays at one of the top high school football programs in the country and he is a baller. I’m a huge fan of his game and believe he is a tremendous addition to their 2027 recruiting class.
Height: 5’11”
Weight: 190
Projected Position: Safety
ISD Grade: 92 (4-star)
National Average Grade: 90.7 (4-star)
What he does best:
Gamble is simply a playmaker. He has seven interceptions over the last two seasons and he had 12 total havoc plays and a blocked kick as a junior. He knows how to find the football.
He’s a very good player in run support. He plays downhill without being reckless.
He shows the ability to succeed in man coverage. His footwork, short area quickness, and recognition really stand out.
Despite not jumping off the screen with his size, he absolutely plays with a physical edge that fits perfectly with the culture at Notre Dame.
What he needs to improve:
He’s an advanced prospect in many respects and there’s plenty of examples of him playing deep, in the slot, and closer to the line of scrimmage. His physical development is going to be what to watch for.
What’s his ceiling?
It’s evident that Gamble is an intelligent football player. His play on the field speaks for itself. He also plays with a fire and edge that I love to see.
There are others with flashier physical traits, but he already shows superior skills that should translate very well to college football. I think he could compete to play early in his career and his stature and overall game reminds me a lot of former Notre Dame defensive back Julian Love. He ended up developing into an All-American corner for the Irish, but could have been an outstanding nickel or safety.
He now plays safety in the NFL and I believe that’s where he would have ended up at Notre Dame if he was joining the roster today. I see Gamble playing safety or nickel for the Irish and think he can develop into a great player.
Who he could be:
Former ND DB Julian Love
Men's Under Armour #42 White Notre Dame Fighting Irish Alternate Leprechaun Replica Hockey Jersey
