2028 DE Jeremiah Figaro Excited For Another Look At Notre Dame
Jeremiah Figaro doesn't have to look far for evidence that Notre Dame could develop a Massachusetts defensive lineman into the kind of player he wants to become.
He sees it every time he watches Boubacar Traore.
The 2028 Massachusetts defensive end will get an even closer look this weekend when he visits South Bend for Notre Dame's game against Rice.
“I can't wait,” Figaro told Irish Sports Daily.
The 6-foot-5, 205-pounder has a few specific things he'll be watching, particularly how defensive line coach Charlie Partridge coaches and rotates his players.
“Honestly, to see the tradition and see how the d-line is moving,” Figaro said of what he’s looking forward to most. “I just want to see how we're going to rotate the d-line, just what we're going to do there, because that's what I'm really there for, to see that.
“I really can't wait to see how Coach Partridge is going to coach them up. So that's definitely what I'm most excited to see.”
Figaro got a preview Sunday night, watching Notre Dame's 41-13 victory over Wisconsin from home in Brookline, Mass.
“Great game,” he said. “Wisconsin's a good team. I was not expecting that from them.”
The Dexter Southfield standout has continued building his relationship with Notre Dame since earning an offer following his performance at Irish Invasion in June.
“Honestly, we're texting every day,” Figaro said.
For Figaro, that consistency sends a clear message about how seriously the Irish are recruiting him.
“It means a lot to me, honestly,” he said. “It shows a lot. It shows they really want me, they want to see me up there. So yeah, I'm excited about it.”
Most of that communication has been with Partridge.
“That’s my dog,” Figaro said.
Partridge arrived at Notre Dame after spending the 2024 season as defensive line coach with the Indianapolis Colts, an NFL background that carries considerable weight with Figaro.
“He's just a great guy,” Figaro said. “He's just always on top of everything. He's always reaching out. He's coming from the NFL, so he's obviously a great coach.
“The NFL part definitely sticks out most to me because you're going from the NFL and you're coming down to college. What more can you ask for as a kid trying to make it to the NFL?”
But Partridge can also point to somebody already inside his position room as evidence of what Figaro believes Notre Dame could do for him. Traore also came to Notre Dame from Massachusetts and has developed into a key piece of the Irish defensive line.
“Look who he has on his d-line,” Figaro said. “People like Boubacar Traore, look what he's doing. He's been doing great since last year.
“Boubacar’s from Mass too. So another Mass guy showing out at Notre Dame, that means a lot. That shows a lot. That shows that I can get developed there too.”
Figaro's recruitment has changed dramatically over the past year. Once a 2027 wide receiver prospect, he moved to defensive end during last season before transferring from Malden Catholic to Dexter Southfield and reclassifying to 2028.
Despite his relative lack of experience at the position, Figaro owns offers from Notre Dame, Nebraska, Tennessee, North Carolina, UCLA, Texas Tech, Maryland, Illinois, Rutgers, Syracuse, Vanderbilt, Virginia Tech, Wake Forest and Wisconsin, among others.
His Notre Dame visit will be the latest stop in a busy fall.
“So far I've been to Florida State and Tennessee,” Figaro said. “Obviously I'm going to Notre Dame this weekend. I got Ole Miss next weekend, and then I'll be going to Virginia Tech, Rutgers, and then UCLA.”
Figaro isn't putting a deadline on when those visits need to lead to a decision.
“Honestly, I'm kind of just going with the flow right now. I don't really know what I want to do right now.”
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