Why Bergen Catholic four-star CB target Jordan Thomas remains invested in Notre Dame football

Before Oradell (N.J.) Bergen Catholic cornerback Jordan Thomas became a nationally recognized recruit, he unofficially visited Notre Dame in June 2022. More than two years and 28 power conference offers later, his allegiance to the Fighting Irish remains as strong now as it did then.

“Honestly, my father and I just wanted to go see the competition out there,” Thomas, a four-star prospect, told Blue & Gold . “We’re not used to getting out of state to somewhere like Indiana. So, we wanted to see Notre Dame for itself and how beautiful the campus is and the coaches.

“Notre Dame is amazing.”

Irish defensive backs coach Mike Mickens finally ended up offering the 6-foot, 175-pound Thomas on March 17 during the program’s St. Patrick’s Day-themed Pot of Gold Day recruiting event. He was among about 85 2026 class prospects to report a new Notre Dame offer that day.

Since then, the On3 Industry Ranking’s No. 231 overall player and No. 17 “athlete” in the class has been working to get his way back to campus. He eyes next Thursday’s “grill & chill” as a potential return visit. Thomas has not finalized those plans but would love it if they were.

“I’m definitely eager to get back,” Thomas said. “Because the last time I was there, it truly wasn’t like a real visit. This time around, the next time I go, hopefully by the end of July, I hope to see the culture, speak to the coaches and build deeper relationships.”

Jordan Thomas talks about conversations with Notre Dame cornerbacks coach Mike Mickens

Since college coaches could begin contacting 2026 recruits directly starting on June 15, Mickens has been in touch. He has taken a holistic approach when pitching the Irish to the On3 Industry Ranking’s No. 17 player in New Jersey.

“He says Notre Dame is the best of both worlds,” he said. “You get the best football and academics. The relationships you could build at Notre Dame are just out of this world. So, he tells me about how people from all over the world come to Notre Dame for their own opportunities.

“It’s a place where everybody’s well-rounded and has the same mindset to achieve their goals.”

In addition to the Irish, Thomas confirmed Alabama , Michigan , Notre Dame , Ohio State , Oklahoma and Penn State are pursuing him the hardest. Those are the same schools that ros e to the top of former Notre Dame wide receiver target and Bergen Catholic senior Quincy Porter’s recruitment.

Still, Thomas said it’s more about his relationships with those coaching staffs rather than those programs coincidentally succeeding in his teammate’s recruitment. Porter verbally committed to Ohio State on July 14.

Though Thomas is not nearing a college decision, Notre Dame is doing its part to position itself as a finalist once his recruitment is decided. After all, Thomas had a strong interest in the Irish from the start.

“Notre Dame has been doing a great job recruiting me,” he said. “We’re continuing to build this relationship. We’ll see how it goes along with this process.”

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