The Gold Standard: On3 fan site experts weigh in on Notre Dame’s top 2025 targets
Notre Dame has 22 commitments in the 2025 class and only a few spots left to finish out the cycle strong. There are several names to know on the board for the remaining spots, and for this week’s Gold Standard, Blue & Gold solicited insight from On3 fan site experts on the recruitment of a few of those recruits for their take on where things stand from their school’s point of view.
This article won’t cover every Notre Dame target left on the 2025 board, but there is insight on three of them below, and we’ll have a Gold Standard part two posted Tuesday morning with insight on three additional targets.
San Juan Capistrano (Calif.) J Serra Catholic LB Madden Faraimo
On3 Industry Ranking: No. 76 NATL, No. 7 LB and No. 5 player from CaliforniaContenders: Notre Dame, Ohio State, Texas, USC, Washington
Inside Texas’ Eric Nahlin: “When Steve Sarkisian hired Johnny Nansen from Arizona I predicted Texas would pull a surprise linebacker in the class. For those who don’t know, Texas has a good instate crop buoyed by Riley Pettijohn and Elijah Barnes. Texas has long been the favorite for each and currently holds a commitment from Barnes. With Nansen being new to the market it’s been hard to gain keen insight into his personal big board, but it’s no surprise he’s gained some traction with Madden Faraimo. How much traction remains the question.
“Faraimo effectively has a top five of USC, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Washington, and Texas. My firm belief is if the new USC defensive staff prioritized him like the prior one, he’d be a Trojan. As of now I’m just not sure how hard the Trojans are pushing. It’s hard to see Lincoln Riley letting a talent like Faraimo slipping out of state but that seems like a real possibility. As far as Texas goes, however, I haven’t heard much reason for confidence yet. Texas will need a big official visit. Faraimo will visit Texas for its marquee OV weekend from June 21-23.
“Admittedly I’m not working off great info on this recruitment but my suspicion is Texas has ground to make up on Notre Dame, Ohio State, and USC (if the Trojans go all in). You can’t rule out the Horns, though. Nansen is a heck of a recruiter and Texas is starting to hit on all cylinders.”
Lettermen Row’s Matt Parker (Ohio State): “Faraimo has always had the Buckeyes linked to his recruitment, and for a few moments, things looked like he would be a Buckeye. But there are components to his recruitment that Ohio State simply can’t provide. While many Ohio State coaches and players have a strong sense of faith, the university itself doesn’t have any religious reputation. That isn’t the be-all-end-all here, but it is strong. Ohio State itself has focused in on a couple of other linebackers more as we crawl toward signing day, and at this juncture, I can’t see the Buckeyes winning this one.”
Blue & Gold’s Mike Singer (Notre Dame): “Faraimo is pretty quiet when it comes to him commenting on his recruitment publicly, but from what I’ve gathered in talking to various sources on this recruitment, the feeling is that the Fighting Irish are the team to beat here. This recruitment does give me Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa vibes, and we know how that ended up. Faraimo looks to be a strong fit for Notre Dame, and the Irish staff is doing everything in their power to land him. I think they’ll end up getting it done.”
Montvale (N.J.) St. Joseph Regional S Jahmir Joseph
On3 Industry Ranking: No. 180 NATL, No. 22 CB and No. 4 player from New JerseyContenders: Georgia, Notre Dame, Penn State, South Carolina and Stanford
DawgsHQ’s Jake Reuse (Georgia): “Joseph is a bit enigmatic in the recruiting world, doing little media. The same could be said of Georgia’s defensive back board, as well, though. With new coaches at both safety and cornerback, the Bulldogs look to be somewhat wide open at the spots when it comes to targets, and they’re doing their due diligence on each. Summer camp season will be crucial for Donte Williams and Travaris Robinson. Joseph did make it to Athens for the annual scavenger hunt event, so he continues to be a name we’re monitoring, but we’ll likely have a better pulse on how deep in the Dawgs are on him as the summer progresses. The net feels pretty wide at the moment.”
Blue White Illustrated’s Ryan Snyder (Penn State): “Joseph has always been quieter than most, which makes his recruitment a tough one to read. Our sources have consistently mentioned him as a player Penn State has a very good chance of landing, but we haven’t really heard from Joseph much himself when it comes to which schools are truly standing out. One thing I will note is that Penn State cornerback coach Terry Smith is among the best recruiters on that staff. He’s also been very good at developing NFL talent in recent years. I think that success, plus the fact that Joseph prioritizes a lot of the things Penn State has built its program around should bode well for them. The feedback we’ve received from sources close to the program gives me the impression that the Nittany Lions are in a good position here.”
Blue & Gold’s Mike Singer (Notre Dame): “I echo my two colleagues on Joseph being a tough one to read. For the longest time I didn’t expect Notre Dame to land him because I thought the Irish would land other cornerback targets before Joseph was ready to commit (and he’s yet to visit ND), but sources tell us that the Irish staff is recruiting Joseph as a safety now. He’ll officially visit Notre Dame in June, and if things go well, it wouldn’t be a big surprise if the Irish end up landing him.”
Geneva (Ill.) Community WR Talyn Taylor
On3 Industry Ranking: No. 47 NATL, No. 9 WR and No. 2 player from IllinoisContenders: Georgia, Notre Dame, Ohio State
DawgsHQ’s Jake Reuse (Georgia): “Taylor has options closer to home, but the buzz around Georgia has been consistent since early in the year. The Bulldogs will be looking to restock the cupboards at wideout after this season, and while they’ve had coaching turnover at the spot, James Coley picked up right where Bryan McClendon left off with seeming ease. Georgia gets a chance to set the pace by hosting his first official visit this upcoming weekend. Look for them to press, as Taylor will make his decision soon after his trips conclude. Right now, we really like where the Dawgs sit here.”
Lettermen Row’s Matt Parker (Ohio State): “Taylor is one of the handful of wide receivers with an Ohio State offer, and the Buckeyes are seriously pursuing him. Taylor has an official visit with Ohio State starting June 21. That’s the same weekend as five-star quarterback pledge Tavien St. Clair. Ohio State is arguably behind Georgia and Notre Dame here, but getting the final official visit when Brian Hartline is running the show should give everyone pause.”
Blue & Gold’s Mike Singer (Notre Dame): “While Notre Dame has been in the lead group for Taylor for quite some time, my sources have felt that the Irish were never the top school in his recruitment. That still might be the case, but there’s a sense now that this could trend in Notre Dame’s favor. This is more of a gut feeling; the longer his recruitment goes on, the better the Irish’s chances are to land him. He’ll officially visit Georgia, Notre Dame and Ohio State in June. It should go without saying that how those trips go will play a large factor in where he ends up.”
The post The Gold Standard: On3 fan site experts weigh in on Notre Dame’s top 2025 targets appeared first on On3.
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