Zaiden Jernigan didn’t need to see anything new on his third trip to South Bend. He just needed to feel what he had felt all along, one more time.
The 2028 Mississippi running back didn’t even need to see the Irish beat #1 Miami on Saturdya night as he announced his commitment before kickoff on Saturday, becoming the fifth member of the Irish's 2028 class.
Jernigan had more than 35 offers from schools like Ole Miss, Alabama, Ohio State, Florida, LSU, Michigan and Texas among many others, but chose the Irish.
What made the decision so obvious? It felt like home.
"They've really just been consistent with me and every time I talk to them, I have a good time talking to them," Jernigan told Irish Sports Daily.
This past weekend was the 6-foot, 195-pounder’s third trip to South Bend, after attending last season's USC game and returning over the summer.
The Louisville High School standout said the staff was excited when he told them the news. His closest relationship is with running backs coach Ja'Juan Seider.
"We talk almost every day," Jernigan said of himself and Seider. "He's always genuine. He's always checking up on me."
His conversations with head coach Marcus Freeman followed the same pattern.
"Every time me and him talk, it’s never about football, " Jernigan said.
On the field, Notre Dame's plan for him is built around what he does best.
"Really just my ability to create explosive plays in the running and passing games," Jernigan said.
Jernigan loved how the Irish finished off the win over #1 Miami on Saturday night and by then, was already working on the class himself.
"I've been talking to a couple of them and a couple people who might end up committing soon," Jernigan said of the other visitors.
For a recruitment that pulled him in many different directions, the ending felt easy.
"It feels great, like a sigh of relief. I don't really got to keep communicating with a lot of people."
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