Notre Dame Faces Recruiting Setbacks, Eyes Strong Finish for Future Classes
For months, Notre Dame football appeared to be the frontrunner for elite 2025 linebacker Madden Faraimo from San Juan Capistrano (Calif.) JSerra Catholic. The Irish seemed to have gained a lead over schools like USC and Texas, with many believing Faraimo might commit during the offseason.
However, that optimism has faded in recent days, as USC now seems to be the favorite. Prominent recruiting analysts have predicted Faraimo will stay closer to home and join the Trojans. Unless there’s an unexpected turn, it appears Notre Dame has missed out on the highly regarded linebacker.
Additionally, the Irish have been working to flip 2025 defensive lineman Jalen Wiggins, who has been committed to the Florida Gators for several months. Despite building some momentum a few weeks ago, Florida’s late-season push has seemingly solidified Wiggins’ commitment. It now looks unlikely that he will flip to Notre Dame.
These recent misses, combined with the decision to move on from wide receiver Derek Meadows, have raised questions about the Irish staff’s ability to close out this recruiting cycle effectively. While the 2025 class remains solid overall, these developments highlight areas for improvement in the program’s recruiting efforts.
Looking ahead, Notre Dame’s staff faces increased pressure to deliver an outstanding 2026 recruiting class and secure impactful players from the transfer portal this offseason. Fortunately, the 2026 class is off to a strong start, with four early commitments already in place.
The setbacks serve as a reminder of the competitive nature of college football recruiting. Notre Dame’s ability to learn from these challenges will be crucial as the program works to secure top talent and maintain its standing among the nation’s elite programs.
