It’s a great day for Notre Dame when they land not one, but two commitments who are Irish legacies. Julius Jones Jr. joined Notre Dame’s 2027 class and his brother Andre Jones became the second commitment of the 2028 class.
Andre plays on the opposite side of the ball than his brother, but he’s a versatile defender just like his St. Thomas Aquinas teammate Zayden Gamble.
Height: 6’0”
Weight: 170
Projected Position: Safety
ISD Grade: 89 (3-star)
National Average Grade: 88.3 (3-star)
What he does best:
Jones is physical. He’s a strong tackler who wants to hit through people.
He’s a smart player in coverage who shows good route recognition.
He’s a fluid athlete who has the skill set to play man coverage. That’s always something that is extremely valuable in Notre Dame’s defensive scheme.
He’s comfortable playing deep, in the slot, or near the line of scrimmage. He plays the run well and has the versatility to potentially play as a nickel as well.
What he needs to improve:
He had five passes defended as a sophomore, including one interception. That’s a number you’d want to see increase and it should. He previously had six interceptions while playing junior varsity so I don’t foresee it being an issue.
What’s his ceiling?
Even without the name and his pedigree, Jones is a very good prospect. He’s going to be a blue-chip even if his ranking doesn’t reflect that now.
More importantly, he’s a good athlete and even better football player. He’s a reliable tackler who would be happy to put his facemask through the chest of a receiver or ball carrier.
I think he’s a really intriguing addition because he could also play some nickel and his mentality reminds me a lot of former Notre Dame DB Jamoris Slaughter. Jones has the potential to develop into a quality starter for the Irish.
Who he could be:
Former Notre Dame safety Jamoris Slaughter
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