Notre Dame secured quite possibly one of the biggest victories of the still young Marcus Freeman era on Saturday when the Irish beat 15th-ranked Louisville. Over the summer the Irish won one of their biggest recruiting victories of the Freeman era when Winston Salem (N.C.) Mount Tabor star safety JaDon Blair committed to the Irish.
On Saturday, Blair was was in the house to watch the Irish earn that big victory over the Cardinals. It was yet another chance for Notre Dame to impress the standout safety, and another chance for him to bond with his future teammates.
"The weekend was great,” Blair told Irish Breakdown. "It was good to just get a chance to get back up there to South Bend and getting a chance to talk with some of the guys like Dallas ( Golden ), Chris Burgess Jr . and other recruits. The game was kind of like a rollercoaster. Especially with Louisville getting that early fumble off the kickoff, and then we end up going down and scoring. Overall, it was a great weekend.”
Before making the trip to South Bend, Blair expressed the impact of a growing relationship that has helped his game grow during his senior season with defensive backs coach Mike Mickens . When former safeties coach Chris O’Leary departed for the NFL, Mickens was thrown in the fire of a hotly contested recruiting war for the services of the 6-4, 190-pound versatile defender. His honesty and ability to convey a concise plan for Blair was impactful, and it also gave him a singular focus and player to watch during the game.
"I think the secondary played well with what they had,” Blair said. "Especially, battling some injuries with Benjamin Morrison and Christian Gray . It shows the depth. They were coming down, playing fast and knocked down some balls that could’ve changed the outcome of the game completely.
"Me and my dad are football junkies,” Blair continued. "The main guy I was watching was Xavier Watts , but I was also looking at Adon ( Shuler ). With Xavier Watts leaving for the draft, I think that’s where Coach Mickens might play me.”
This was a huge recruiting weekend for the Fighting Irish staff, as they hosted some of the top recruits in classes ranging from 2025 through 2028. The 2025 recruiting class visitor list included other longtime commits and a pivotal piece that could finish off an already impressive defensive haul.
Blair enjoyed bonding with his fellow commits and made sure that he didn’t waste the opportunity to show San Juan Capistrano (Calif.) J Serra Catholic linebacker Madden Faraimo feel the family atmosphere that’s been created.
"The guys at Notre Dame all fit in with each other," Blair noted. “It was my first time talking to Dallas (Golden), and it was like a normal conversation. Notre Dame brings in people that about bringing attention to Notre Dame. Just talking to him and getting to know him a little about him, I definitely see why this class is such a superior class in my opinion. All the DBs are like-minded in what they want to do and how they want to get better.”
Faraimo was one of the main recruits that Blair spent a majority of time with over the weekend.
"He’s one of the main guys I talked to and hung out with while I was there," Blair said of his interactions with the talented linebacker. "I really want him to be a part of this big thing that we’re creating. I spoke to his parents as well, and it’s like a family relationship. He fits in perfectly.
"He’s the last piece that we need,” Blair continued. "If we can lock him in and solidify the deal, this would be the best class in my opinion. I’m a 6-5 safety along with the others on the back end, and we have three athletic corners. Adding him into that middle linebacker piece would just fit.”
The family atmosphere and like mindedness that Blair speaks of has created a belief of future championships as Blair plays out his senior season. That belief also has him excited about his classroom excellence entering into the high academic standards at Notre Dame.
"We’re all hungry,” Blair conveyed. "We always tell people how we’re going to bring a national championship to South Bend. We’re going to bring a championship to South Bend, and we really believe that. We’re not playing, we’re for real. Because of the pieces we’re adding and we’re going to be developed.”
The standout safety plans to be a participant in bowl preparations once he finishes taking care of a few things on his end.
"I have to fill out my application for Notre Dame and I’ll be okay.” Blair expressed. "Time management is going to be the key for me. I’ve got all As in my classes right now. I’ll be there for bowl prep. I have a deal with my teachers and principal to have my work done two weeks prior, so I’ll be good.”
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