When you know, you know.
2027 Bergen Catholic (N.J.) defensive end Jackson Vaughn had an inkling Notre Dame was the spot for him, but when the moment came to tell Marcus Freeman, the four-star prospect wasted no time.
In fact, Vaughn made the call before sunrise.
“I called him at like 6:00am,” Vaughn told ISD. “I was on the way to school. We talked for a while and I told him I was coming home. He was just screaming and stuff. They were all just happy. I kind of gave some clues.”
Beyond Freeman, Vaughn said the chance to play for defensive line coach Charlie Partridge played a major role in his decision.
Partridge’s track record at both the college and NFL levels stood out immediately to the elite edge rusher.
“Having a guy who has taken a lot of guys to where I want to be means a lot,” explained Vaughn. “He really knows what he’s talking about and he can help me grow as a player. It’s a blessing. Coach Partridge was a big part of this decision.”
For Vaughn, Notre Dame checked every box both on and off the field. After reclassifying from the 2028 class earlier this spring, he felt the environment in South Bend mirrored the culture that helped him thrive at Bergen Catholic.
“The people in the building,” Vaughn said of why Notre Dame was a perfect fit. “I saw how the coaches react to the players and how the players react to the coaches. It’s just a family out there.”
While the commitment became official today, Vaughn admitted his April trip to South Bend may have sealed the deal.
One of the biggest moments came during a late-night walk around campus with fellow classmate standout Marcus Fakatou. There wasn’t much of a plan, but it was just two friends taking in the atmosphere around Notre Dame at 2:00am.
“During that whole second visit, I had a good feeling about Notre Dame,” Vaughn stated. “Notre Dame was No. 1 for me. I had a good idea that it was the spot for me.”
Now committed, Vaughn plans to turn his focus toward helping Freeman and the Irish build an elite recruiting class. It starts with Fakatou.
“Marcus,” Vaughn said of who he will be recruiting. “Just seeing him on different visits, we’ve been able to talk a lot. We have a lot of things in common and that just built our friendship.”
With his recruitment officially behind him, Vaughn is ready to enjoy his senior season without the constant pressure of the process hanging over him.
“It’s definitely some stress off the shoulders,” said Vaughn. “I’m happy with my decision and I’m in a good place mentally. It’s awesome.”
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