Despite recent struggles on the offensive recruiting trail, Notre Dame has recruited exceedingly well on the other side of the football. One position group stands out in this class, and it’s the defensive backs. Today I will be breaking down all the defensive back commits in the 2025 class, and what to expect from these extremely talented athletes once they arrive in South Bend.
Photo via Mark Zackery, Instagram (@markzackeryiv)
Ethan Long: Safety
(Greenwich, CT)
Long is a sleeper for a lot of people, but that won't last. Scouts have said that Long has a strong IQ for the game and praise his mentals. Long is a straight up ball hawking athlete and can play just about anywhere on the field with his build and size. The 6’2", 185 pound safety also has a basketball background, adding to his athletic prowess. Don't let the publication rankings fool you, Ethan Long has all the physical tools to be an elite playmaker in the secondary, and with a coach who's pedigree is that of Mike Mickens, it shouldn't be too difficult to get the best out of the Greenwich product.
Cree Thomas: Cornerback
(Phoenix, AZ)
Thomas is definitely one of the more underrated players in this class as a whole, but I absolutely love watching his tape throughout his high school career. Similar to Long, Thomas can jump a route just as fast as the average human can blink. In his junior year alone, he tallied five interceptions for Brophy College Prep, and looks to build on that success in his senior campaign. For a corner, he is very long and rangy, but that also allows him to be a very secure tackler, something that the defense has lacked as of late. When we interviewed Thomas after his commitment, he emphasized his confidence in his versatility, stating:
"I'm just going to do anything I need to do to help the team. Anywhere they want to put me, I'm willing to play multiple positions. I played safety in high school as well so I am versatile and I'll be ready to do whatever they need me to do."
JaDon Blair: Safety
(Winston Salem, NC)
The newest addition to this loaded 2025 class is none other than JaDon Blair. This pickup was huge for Freeman and Co., as the Irish were in a tight battle with Penn State, Michigan, and others for Blair's services. Blair has a very lengthy build and is very versatile in the field. He stands 6’4", 190 pounds, and is a freak of nature in coverage. The more I hear it, the more I see it, but Blair is eerily similar to former Safety, and current NFL Pro Bowler, Kyle Hamilton. This was a big part of the pitch to Blair from the staff, as they were able to draw a lot of the same similarities. The kid can hit you hard, run you down in a race, or be a nightmare for QB’s. Blair’s size will help tremendously, both defending the run and the pass. Ideally, he’s to be avoided in zone, but would like to see some more experience in man-to-man as his development progresses prior to his arrival in South Bend. Blair looks to become another unicorn-type player in the Irish secondary that teams will need to plan around.
4-Star Dallas Golden: Cornerback
(Tampa, FL)
Golden is another lengthy prospect that sits at 6’0", 185 pounds. Golden is listed as a safety, but projects extremely well at corner for the Irish - and there are even some murmers that he has the ball skills to be an excellent receiving threat. Golden actually rushed for more than 3,200 yards and scored 37 touchdowns the course of his last two seasons in high school at Berkeley Prep. His sharp cutting ability along with his elusiveness brings so much value and talent to this class. As much as I would love to see a two way player, the more he focuses on a singular side of the ball, the more dominant he will become. He attacks the ball aggressively through the air with his size and cover skills, which is one of his biggest assets as a defensive back. Another skilled talent with all the tools to be a household name in the Irish secondary.
4-Star Mark Zackery: Cornerback
(Indianapolis, IN)
Zackery is another big time blue-chip prospect for Notre Dame. He fits in so many different schemes and there’s so many ways for DC Al Golden to use him. He’s a lockdown corner, and there's no question about it after watching the film, as he is great in zone and holds it down in man to man. The Indy playmaker is very advanced for his age according to multiple scouting reports. Not only is he great in coverage, but a very solid open field tackler. Like Long, Zackery is also a standout basketball player, which is a plus for coordination and ball skills - part of the reason he also played wide receiver and posted impressive statistics. Zackery chose the Irish over big name schools like Michigan, Ohio State, and even Georgia. Freeman beat out some of the toughest recruiters in the land, and it was not easy.
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