2028 RB Zaiden Jernigan Stays In Constant Contact With Notre Dame

After two visits to South Bend, Zaiden Jernigan‍ has a good idea of what Notre Dame can offer.

The relationships the 2028 Mississippi running back has built with the Irish coaching staff in the interim are becoming just as important as what he's experienced on campus.

Jernigan remains in regular contact with recruiting assistant Justice Bathas, Director of Recruiting Carter Auman and running backs coach Ja'Juan Seider as the Irish prioritize one of their top running back targets next cycle.

"We talk almost every day," Jernigan told Irish Sports Daily.

The message from the Notre Dame staff has been consistent.

"They're just telling me I'm a priority for them and whenever I'm ready to commit, I can do it," Jernigan said.

That level of confidence has resonated with the Louisville High School standout.

"It feels great," Jernigan said. "Notre Dame is a very great school academically and with football, of course. So it feels great. Being a kid from Mississippi, other schools really don't like recruiting out-of-state kids, so I love it."

The daily communication has also allowed the 6-foot, 195-pounder to develop strong relationships with the people inside the program.

"They're real genuine people," Jernigan said. "They're always honest with me and they always support me. They said anytime I need help with anything, I can just reach out to them."

Those conversations have reinforced what Jernigan felt during his previous trips to South Bend, including visits for last season's USC game and this summer's Grill & Chill and Irish Invasion.

"The atmosphere there, it feels great," he said. "It feels like a family. It feels like everyone has a strong bond with each other."

Jernigan has an extensive offer sheet that includes schools like Ole Miss, Mississippi State, Ohio State, Alabama, Auburn, Indiana, USC, Oklahoma, Florida, LSU, Michigan, Washington, Texas A&M, Tennessee and UCLA in addition to Notre Dame.

He recently visited Auburn and is planning to return to Ole Miss while also hoping to make trips to Indiana, Oklahoma and Florida this fall.

Notre Dame will get another opportunity to host Jernigan this fall, although the Mississippi standout says he isn't returning with many unanswered questions. 

"I'm going back to Notre Dame for the Miami game," Jernigan said. "I've really seen everything I really needed to see," he said. "So I just want to see them try to pull off the win."

Although Notre Dame has made it clear a spot is waiting for him, Jernigan isn't in a rush to make a decision.

"If I commit this year, probably later in the season around November, December. But I'm probably going to commit sometime in the spring next year."

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