In recent seasons very few programs have been able to churn out the kind of talent and production at the safety position than what we've seen from Notre Dame, and it's getting better and better. Harrison Smith , Kyle Hamilton and Alohi Gilman are all shining in the NFL, and current star Xavier Watts was named the top defensive player in the country a season ago.
Notre Dame landed a summer commitment from Winston-Salem (N.C.) Mount Tabor star safety JaDon Blair , who is one of the best defenders in the country. Blair earned a Top 50 national grade from Irish Breakdown, and the Notre Dame staff made him a very important prospect for the Irish in this class. Blair has supreme confidence in his ability to excel on and off the field, and he was a valuable ambassador for the coaching staff as they were busy securing a 31-24 victory over the 15th ranked Louisville Cardinals.
Even as he spoke to other recruits, he never took his eyes off the Notre Dame defense and how effective the safeties were in disrupting Jeff Brohm’s offense.
"I was watching Xavier Watts,” Blair told Irish Breakdown. "I see the way Coach ( Mike ) Mickens drops him, blitzes him off the edge, and lets him cover as well. That’s the way he’s been telling me that he wants to use me. He wants to use me in multiple ways.
"Playing top down is my game,” Blair continued. "Just being able to roam free with my size and capability to cover ground, I feel like I would be great at that.”
Blair has been growing his game, and he credits that to hard work and a burgeoning relationship with Mickens. Though the relationship began later than other coaches recruiting the young defender, Mickens’ developmental resume and knowledge of the game quickly rubbed off on the Carolina prep star and gives confidence that his playmaking abilities are transferable to the college level.
"What I’m doing in high school, is similar to what I’m going to do in college,” Blair noted. "I’m dropping deep more, coming down to cover slots and tight ends and blitz. They’ve put in blitzes for my senior year. I’m doing everything so I can mess up the quarterback and offense, because they don’t know where I’m coming from. That’s why I’m really enjoying my senior year.”
Blair and his family appreciated the honesty of Coach (Mike) Mickens and the staff from day one. Being able to see the critique of his future coach so applicable to his game lays the foundation of trust for great things to come individually and team-wise.
"Seeing his development makes me what to go even harder,” Blair said. "Now I see that you’re telling the truth. If I do what I’m supposed to do on and off the field, I’ll have the opportunity. They put freshmen in the fire with the first team and test them out. If I do my job and study, I’ll be up for it.
"He’s already helped me,” Blair continued. "With Coach Mickens helping me, critiquing me and developing me throughout, I just know that I’ll be unstoppable.”
The 6-4, 200-pound star safety is not satisfied with anything less than winning. He boldly talks about bringing championships to South Bend along with his fellow commits, and is always looking to find a way to get better.
"Me and my dad are football junkies,” Blair detailed. "I’m going to do what I need to get better every day and win. You talk to any of us and we’re going to say the same thing. We’re going to bring a championship to South Bend.”
Blair plans to enroll early at Notre Dame, so his chance to develop under Mickens and fit into the defense will get an early start.
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Irish Breakdown Content
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Notre Dame 2025 Scholarship Offers
2025 Commit Rankings - Offense
2025 Commit Rankings - Defense
2024 Recruiting Class Grades - Offense
2024 Recruiting Class Grades - Defense
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