Notre Dame Class of 2028 Recruiting Big Board: Defense
- Bruce Straughan
- Aug 2
- 9 min read
Notre Dame looks to strike lightning once again with the 2028 class after landing two back-to-back best classes we've seen in a generation.
We have not seen anything like this since the Weis days, when he pulled high-caliber talent such as Jimmy Clausen, Golden Tate, Michael Floyd, Harrison Smith, Kyle Rudolph, and Manti Te'o.
As impressive as it is, Marcus Freeman and staff were able to top that in back-to-back classes; in fact, some say the 2026 and 2027 classes are the two best in program history. Below are the 2028 Big Board Defensive Talents that Notre Dame has their eyes on:
Edge
Asher Ghioto
(5-star) 6-5, 250lbs out of The Bolles School in Jacksonville, Florida. He is ranked by 247 Sports Composite as 3rd overall nationally and 1st overall at the defensive line position. He holds 63 D1 offers.
Cassell Cruickshank
(5-star) 6-6, 230lbs out of E.E. Smith High School in Fayetteville, North Carolina. He is ranked by 247 Sports Composite as the 8th overall nationally and 2nd overall at the Edge position. He holds 40 D1 offers.
Antonio Thomas Jr.
(5-star) 6-3, 240lbs out of Carrollwood Day High School in Tampa, Florida. He is ranked by 247 Sports Composite as the 14th overall nationally and 3rd overall at the Edge position. He holds 47 D1 offers.
Jalanie George
(4-star) 6-5, 250lbs out of Desert Edge High School in Goodyear, Arizona. He is ranked by 247 Sports as 21st overall nationally and 5th overall at the defensive line position. He holds 35 D1 offers.
Landen Wade
(5-star) 6-5, 250lbs out of Basha High School in Chandler, Arizona. He is ranked by 247 Sports Composite as the 22nd overall nationally and 6th overall at the Edge position. He holds 21 D1 offers.
Kameron McGee
(5-star) 6-4, 245lbs out of Brother Rice High School in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. He is ranked by 247 Sports Composite as the 25th overall nationally and 7th overall at the Edge position. He holds 44 D1 offers.
Jayden Bell
(4-star) 6-4, 210lbs out of Brother Rice High School in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. He is ranked by 247 Sports Composite as the 33rd overall nationally and 8th overall at the Edge position. He holds 39 D1 offers.
Cam Toomey
(4-star) 6-4, 245lbs out of Saratoga Springs High School in Saratoga, New York. He is ranked by 247 Sports Composite as the 47th overall nationally and 9th overall at the Edge position. He holds 26 D1 offers.
Major Stokes
(4-star) 6-6, 240lbs out of Orem High School in Orem, Utah. He is ranked by 247 Sports Composite as the 54th overall nationally and 11th overall at the Edge position. He holds 32 D1 offers.
Keoni Snipes
(4-star) 6-5, 250lbs out of Saraland High School in Saraland, Alabama. He is ranked by 247 Sports Composite as the 94th overall nationally and 12th overall at the defensive line position. He holds 35 D1 offers.
Merrick Ham
(4-star) 6-5, 235lbs out of Marietta High School in Marietta, Georgia. He is ranked by 247 Sports Composite as the 123rd overall nationally and 15th overall at the Edge position. He holds 26 D1 offers.
Asa Burch
(4-star) 6-5, 235lbs out of Harding High School in Warren, Ohio. He is ranked by 247 Sports Composite as the 130th overall nationally and 16th overall at the Edge position. He holds 23 D1 offers.
Jeremiah Figaro
(4-star) 6-5, 210lbs out of Dexter Southfield High School in Brookline, Massachusetts. He is ranked by 247 Sports Composite as the 233rd overall nationally and 21st overall at the Edge position. He holds 32 D1 offers.
Merrick Ham
(4-star) 6-5, 235lbs out of Marietta High School in Marietta, Georgia. He is ranked by 247 Sports Composite as the 123rd overall nationally and 15th overall at the Edge position. He holds 26 D1 offers.
Defensive Line
Kellan Hall
(5-star) 6-4, 265lbs out of Christian Academy of Louisville in Louisville, Kentucky. He is ranked by 247 Sports Composite as 2nd overall nationally and 1st overall at the defensive line position. He holds 27 D1 offers.
Tyzon Swann
(5-star) 6-4, 250lbs out of Henry E. Lackey High School in Indian Head, Maryland. He is ranked by 247 Sports Composite as the 10th overall nationally and 2nd overall at the defensive line position. He holds 49 D1 offers.
Prince Che
(5-star) 6-3, 305lbs out of Thomas County Central High School in Thomasville, Georgia. He is ranked by 247 Sports Composite as the 18th overall nationally and 3rd overall at the defensive line position. He holds 38 D1 offers.
RJ Wyms
(4-star) 6-1, 255lbs out of College Park High School in The Woodlands, Texas. He is ranked by 247 Sports Composite as the 57th overall nationally and 6th overall at the defensive line position. He holds 32 D1 offers.
Simon Nuamah
(4-star) 6-3, 260lbs out of Tabor Academy in Marion, Massachusetts. He is ranked by 247 Sports Composite as the 62nd overall nationally and 7th overall at the defensive line position. He holds 22 D1 offers.
Christian Webb-Scott
(4-star) 6-6, 260lbs out of Westside High School in Anderson, South Carolina. He is ranked by 247 Sports Composite as 79th overall nationally and 8th overall at the defensive line position. He holds 41 D1 offers.
Ayden Woodruff
(4-star) 6-5, 280lbs out of Ravenwood High School in Brentwood, Tennessee. He is ranked by 247 Sports Composite as the 124th overall nationally and 15th overall at the defensive line position. He holds 33 D1 offers.
Caleb Tucker
(4-star) 6-3, 355lbs out of Mount Carmel in Chicago, Illinois. He is ranked by 247 Sports Composite as the 147th overall nationally and 18th overall at the defensive line position. He holds 24 D1 offers.
Dawson Jacobs
(4-star) 6-3, 240lbs out of Blessed Trinity Catholic in Roswell, Georgia. He is ranked by 247 Sports Composite as 179th overall nationally and 21st overall at the defensive line position. He holds 41 D1 offers.
Zylen Little
(4-star) 6-2, 300lbs out of Carrollwood Day High School in Tampa, Florida. He is ranked by 247 Sports as 186th overall nationally and 22nd overall at the defensive line position. He holds 31 D1 offers.
Jamir Lee
(4-star) 6-2, 275lbs out of Carrollton High School in Carrollton, Georgia. He is ranked by 247 Sports as 237th overall nationally and 26th overall at the defensive line position. He holds 31 D1 offers.
Arthur Jones
(4-star) 6-3, 250lbs out of Christian Brothers Academy in Syracuse, New York. He is ranked by 247 Sports Composite as the 285th overall nationally and 31st overall at the defensive line position. He holds 23 D1 offers.
Linebacker
Tahj Gray
(5-star) 6-4, 230lbs out of St. Joseph Regional High School in Montvale, New Jersey. He is ranked by 247 Sports Composite as the 24th overall nationally and 1st overall at the linebacker position. He holds 32 D1 offers.
Jameer Miles
(4-star) 6-3, 200lbs out of Carmel Catholic High School in Mundelein, Illinois. He is ranked by 247 Sports Composite as the 52nd overall nationally and 3rd overall at the linebacker position. He holds 15 D1 offers.
Andre Alexander Jr.
(4-star) 6-1, 220lbs out of IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida. He is ranked by 247 Sports Composite as the 77th overall nationally and 4th overall at the linebacker position. He holds 33 D1 offers.
Gabriel Player
(4-star) 6-3, 190lbs out of Eau Gallie High School in Melbourne, Florida. He is ranked by 247 Sports Composite as the 93rd overall nationally and 6th overall at the linebacker position. He holds 47 D1 offers.
Ryan Peterson
(4-star) 6-1, 220lbs out of Hough High School in Cornelius, North Carolina. He is ranked by 247 Sports Composite as the 125th overall nationally and 7th overall at the linebacker position. He holds 31 D1 offers.
Brayden Bonik
(4-star) 6-1, 195lbs out of Fort Bend Ridge Point High School in Missouri City, Texas. He is ranked by 247 Sports Composite as the 158th overall nationally and 10th overall at the linebacker position. He holds 45 D1 offers.
Allen Kennett V
(4-star) 6-1, 220lbs out of Servite High School in Anaheim, California. He is ranked by 247 Sports Composite as the 206th overall nationally and 15th overall at the linebacker position. He holds 20 D1 offers.
Skylar Alston
(4-star) 6-2, 210lbs out of Cardinal Gibbons High School in Raleigh, North Carolina. He is ranked by 247 Sports Composite as the 215th overall nationally and 17th overall at the linebacker position. He holds 38 D1 offers.
Cornerback
Nasir Richardson
(5-star) 6-1, 165lbs out of Malcolm X Shabazz High School in Newark, New Jersey. He is ranked by 247 Sports Composite as the 11th overall nationally and 1st overall at the cornerback position. He holds 26 D1 offers.
Keaton Fields
(5-star) 6-3, 185lbs out of Hamilton High School in Chandler, Arizona. He is ranked by 247 Sports as 15th overall nationally and 2nd overall at the position. He holds 30 D1 offers.
Tyler Boyd
(5-star) 6-0, 190lbs out of Carrollton High School in Carrollton, Georgia. He is ranked by 247 Sports Composite as the 34th overall nationally and 4th overall at the cornerback position. He holds 43 D1 offers.
Jai'lil Goley
(4-star) 6-1, 175lbs out of Gainesville High School in Gainesville, Georgia. He is ranked by 247 Sports Composite as the 38th overall nationally and 5th overall at the cornerback position. He holds 37 D1 offers.
Logan Thompson
(4-star) 6-0, 175lbs out of Althoff High School in Belleville, Illinois. He is ranked by 247 Sports Composite as the 43rd overall nationally and 6th overall at the cornerback position. He holds 20 D1 offers.
Grayden Reid
(4-star) 6-3, 185lbs out of Atherton High School in Louisville, Kentucky. He is ranked by 247 Sports Composite as the 58th overall nationally and 7th overall at the cornerback position. He holds 37 D1 offers.
Langston Pridgeon
(4-star) 6-2, 175lbs out of DeMatha Catholic High School in Hyattsville, Maryland. He is ranked by 247 Sports Composite as the 89th overall nationally and 8th overall at the cornerback position. He holds 35 D1 offers.
Adrian Woodward
(4-star) 6-0, 170lbs out of St Peter's Prep in Jersey City, New Jersey. He is ranked by 247 Sports Composite as the 104th overall nationally and 9th overall at the cornerback position. He holds 37 D1 offers.
Izayah Vickers
(4-star) 6-0, 170lbs out of Florida State University School in Tallahassee, Florida. He is ranked by 247 Sports Composite as the 107th overall nationally and 10th overall at the cornerback position. He holds 21 D1 offers.
Deonte Fleming Jr.
(4-star) 6-3, 190lbs out of McDowell High School in Erie, Pennsylvania. He is ranked by 247 Sports Composite as the 114th overall nationally and 11th overall at the cornerback position. He holds 14 D1 offers.
Phoenix Evans
(4-star) 5-10, 160lbs out of IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida. He is ranked by 247 Sports Composite as the 188th overall nationally and 13th overall at the cornerback position. He holds 46 D1 offers.
Amir Woodward
(4-star) 6-0, 165lbs out of St Peter's Prep in Jersey City, New Jersey. He is ranked by 247 Sports Composite as the 126th overall nationally and 14th overall at the cornerback position. He holds 37 D1 offers.
Nekhi Lambeth
(4-star) 6-0, 175lbs out of Desert Edge High School in Goodyear, Arizona. He is ranked by 247 Sports as 166th overall nationally and 17th overall at the cornerback position. He holds 20 D1 offers.
Safeties
Casey Barner
(5-star) 6-0, 190lbs out of McEachern High School in Powder Springs, Georgia. He is ranked by 247 Sports Composite as the 5th overall nationally and 1st overall at the safety position. He holds 54 D1 offers.
James Foster III
(5-star) 6-1, 195lbs out of Lancaster High School in Lancaster, Texas. He is ranked by 247 Sports Composite as the 20th overall nationally and 2nd overall at the safety position. He holds 43 D1 offers.
Giovanni Tuggle
(4-star) 6-0, 175lbs out of Winder-Barrow High School in Winder, Georgia. He is ranked by 247 Sports Composite as the 56th overall nationally and 4th overall at the safety position. He holds 22 D1 offers.
Jaylyn Easterling-Flores
(4-star) 6-2, 180lbs out of Desert Edge High School in Goodyear, Arizona. He is ranked by 247 Sports Composite as the 59th overall nationally and 5th overall at the safety position. He holds 35 D1 offers.
CJ Craig-James
(4-star) 6-3, 185lbs out of Parker High School in Birmingham, Alabama. He is ranked by 247 Sports Composite as the 73rd overall nationally and 7th overall at the safety position. He holds 45 D1 offers.
Jalen Flowers
(4-star) 6-2, 185lbs out of Palos Verdes High School in Palos Verdes Peninsula, California. He is ranked by 247 Sports Composite as the 84th overall nationally and 8th overall at the safety position. He holds 36 D1 offers.
Athletes
Kamieon Compton-Nero
(5-star) 6-3, 185lbs out of Rejoice Christian High School in Owasso, Oklahoma. He is ranked by 247 Sports as 48th overall nationally and 1st overall at the ATH position. He holds 36 D1 offers.
Grant Bowen
(5-star) 6-4, 220lbs out of Immaculate Conception High School in Elmhurst, Illinois. He is ranked by 247 Sports as 51st overall nationally and 2nd overall at the ATH position. He holds 33 D1 offers.
Dion Edwards
(4-star) 6-0, 160lbs out of Tyner Academy in Chattanooga, Tennessee. He is ranked by 247 Sports as 98th overall nationally and 5th overall at the ATH position. He holds 18 D1 offers.
Camden Noe
(4-star) 6-4, 215lbs out of Portage Central High School in Portage, Michigan. He is ranked by 247 Sports as 120th overall nationally and 6th overall at the ATH position. He holds 13 D1 offers.
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