Notre Dame Building Strong Relationship With 2028 RB Zaiden Jernigan
2028 Louisville (Miss.) running back Zaiden Jernigan made his first trip to Notre Dame last October for the Irish's victory over USC.
On Friday, he returned to South Bend for Irish Invasion, continuing to strengthen a relationship that appears to be growing quickly.
The 6-foot, 195-pound running back didn't participate in the camp portion of the event, but he paid close attention to how Notre Dame running backs coach Ja'Juan Seider worked with his group.
“It was good,” Jernigan said. “I loved how Coach Seider coached the guys and pushed everyone. He focused on everyone. There wasn’t just one person he was looking after. He coached everyone with the same intensity the whole camp.
“He wanted everyone to be better. I was talking with him and he said that’s his standard and he holds everyone to the same standard. I loved it.”
Mississippi to South Bend isn’t the easiest trip, but it’s clear Notre Dame has Jernigan’s interest.
“Notre Dame has a lot of great history,” explained Jernigan. “If I come here, there’s people who know what they’re doing. You can have success in life and on the football field.”
During that October visit, the four-star prospect had a front-row seat to how electric the Notre Dame running game can be as Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price made statements against USC.
And yes, Jernigan is well aware Love and Price went in the first round.
“When I think about Notre Dame, I think about the run-first offense, education and all their players have become successful,” said Jernigan.
The four-star prospect has also spent time considering what it would mean to leave the South for college.
“Sure,” Jernigan explained. “I know it would be cold, but I plan on going to the league. In the league, in the playoffs, it’s going to be cold. If I get used to it in college, I’m going to be ready for the NFL.”
Notre Dame's Grill and Chill event gave Jernigan a deeper look at life within the program. While the event is designed to be fun for recruits, it also provides an opportunity to build relationships and experience Notre Dame's culture firsthand.
“I had a lot of great connections,” stated Jernigan. “I met up with people who I didn’t really know before and I really connected with them. In the (grilling) competition, even though we didn’t win, it was still a good time.”
More importantly, the event helped him envision himself fitting in at Notre Dame.
“Some places, I felt out of place and I wasn’t comfortable being myself, but I was comfortable in doing what I do,” Jernigan said.
That comfort level begins with the relationship he has built with Seider, who has made it clear Jernigan is a priority.
“As a person, I’m like on the team and he treats me like I’m one of his own. I just continue to build my relationship with him every time we talk. I can tell he’s a good person and a very good coach.”
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