Notre Dame football delivered a commanding 52-3 victory over Florida State on Saturday. Among the spectators was 2025 defensive end Jalen Wiggins from Tallahassee’s James Rickards High School. Currently committed to the Florida Gators, this was Wiggins’ first time visiting Notre Dame, and it left a strong impression. Sources close to the Irish program indicate the coaching staff made significant progress with Wiggins during the visit.
The 6-foot-5, 255-pound standout, who has shown interest in academic-focused schools like Stanford alongside Notre Dame, has kept his recruitment open since his January commitment to Florida. Following his visit, there’s growing belief that a switch from the Gators to the Irish could be possible as signing day approaches.
A consensus four-star recruit, Wiggins is ranked as high as No. 68 nationally by On3 and No. 95 by ESPN, with ESPN also placing him as the No. 9 player in talent-rich Florida. During his senior year, he’s made 86 tackles, 18 tackles for loss, and 14 sacks. Landing a player of Wiggins’ caliber from a highly competitive list of programs would be a significant win for Notre Dame as they work to bolster their pass rush talent.
