It’s not very often that Notre Dame goes into the state of Mississippi to land a blue-chip talent, so it’s a big deal when it happens. That’s all to say that adding RB Zaiden Jernigan is a significant addition to Notre Dame’s 2028 class in more ways than one.
Aside from that, Jernigan could be from Mars and it would be an exciting pickup for the Irish. An explosive athlete with verified elite testing (4.41 40, 9-5-6 broad jump during the spring of his freshman year), the Irish have added a back with big play potential.
Height: 6’0”
Weight: 195
Projected Position: Running back
ISD Grade: 92 (4-star)
National Average Grade: 91.6 (4-star)
What he does best:
Jernigan has elite burst. He can put his foot into the ground and explode up the field in a hurry.
He displays good contact balance. He shows the strength to break arm tackles and can find his way out of tight spaces.
He’s a threat in the screen game and his ability as a receiver is a big asset. He has good ball skills.
What he needs to improve:
I think there are times he can try to hit the hole too quickly before things develop in front of him. I’d like to see him be a bit more patient as a runner in that respect.
He’s more of a one-cut slasher than a great stop-start back. I think he can drop his hips more and develop that part of his game.
What’s his ceiling?
He’s rushed for over 4,000 yards already in his high school career and that production is no fluke. There just aren’t many athletes who have the acceleration that Jernigan has and he’s a blazer when he reaches top speed.
He absolutely has the ability to be a home run hitter at the next level. His running style reminds me a lot of former Louisville RB Jawhar Jordan (1st team All-ACC in 2023) who had the same kind of burst and could break open a game whenever he got a crease.
Who he could be:
Former Louisville RB Jawhar Jordan
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