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4-Star North Carolina Safety JaDon Blair commits to Notre Dame

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4-Star North Carolina Safety JaDon Blair commits to Notre Dame


On Friday, 4-Star safety JaDon Blair gave his public commitment to Notre Dame Football ind its 2025 recruiting class.

The 6’4” 200 pounder from Mount Tabor High School in Winston-Salem North Carolina, chose the Irish over a long list of suitors that included the Michigan Wolverines, Penn State Nittany Lions, Florida State Seminoles, LSU Tigers, and more.

Even though Marcus Freeman was vacationing in Alaska with his family — he was absolutely dialed in to the announcement ceremony and Blair’s hat game.

Scouting report from 247:

Enormous safety prospect that can deliver crunching blows or wrap-and-lift as a tackler. Owns one of the more unique frames in the 2025 cycle having measured just over 6-foot-4, 195 pounds summer before senior season. Has operated primarily out of a two-deep posting at the prep level, but future might be as a box safety or nickel linebacker given the growth potential. Eyes and instincts allow him to charge forward and prevent YAC. Sinks into zone coverage with ease and does a commendable job of feeling out routes, but doesn’t have a ton of experience in man coverage. However, has the size and athleticism to match large tight ends and shrink windows. Must improve at getting off blocks and anticipating cuts on the perimeter, but projects as a potential impact defender at the Power Four level with his rare traits. Could be deployed in a variety of different ways and fit into a multitude of different schemes while earning his fair share of special teams work. Build likely to draw the attention of NFL scouts one day.

Scouting report from Irish Sports Daily:

Any safety with a frame like his is going to get compared to Kyle Hamilton, but I think that’s an unfair comparison for anyone. Hamilton was simply at a different level when it came to instincts, fluidity as an athlete, and ability to do just about everything at a high level.

I don’t think Blair can play as a single high safety or man up on slot receivers the same way Hamilton could. He is closer to Hamilton in the other areas of his game, though.

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The player Blair reminds me of is former Florida State safety Hamsah Nasrildeen. He was a big body with a similar frame and was highly productive for the Seminoles (192 tackles as a sophomore and junior). He had double digit havoc plays in 2019 and was drafted by the New York Jets despite missing almost all of the 2020 season with an injury.

JaDon Blair is the 22nd commitment for Notre Dame’s 2025 recruiting class. The class is now represented by 14 states and is currently ranked #3 in the country according to the 247 Composite Team Rankings.

2025 Notre Dame Football Commits (22)

POSITION PLAYER STATE HT WT RIVALS ESPN 247 SPORTS 247 COMPOSITE On3 On3 Consensus COMMIT DATE
POSITION PLAYER STATE HT WT RIVALS ESPN 247 SPORTS 247 COMPOSITE On3 On3 Consensus COMMIT DATE
DL Davion Dixon FL 6’2″ 290 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️ 04/21/23
RB Justin Thurman FL 6’0″ 180 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 08/01/23
QB Deuce Knight MS 6’5″ 195 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 09/18/23
RB Daniel Anderson AR 5’11” 195 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️ 09/23/23
DL Joseph Reiff IL 6’5″ 230 ⭐️⭐️⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️ 09/24/23
TE James Flanigan WI 6’5″ 220 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 10/21/23
LB Dominik Hulak IL 6’3″ 225 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️ 11/10/23
CB Cree Thomas AZ 6’1″ 170 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 11/21/23
S Ivan Taylor FL 6’0″ 175 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 12/01/23
OL Will Black CT 6’7″ 295 ⭐️⭐️⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 12/10/23
EDGE Christopher Burgess IL 6’4″ 240 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 01/06/24
S Ethan Long CT 6’2″ 185 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️ 01/08/24
LB Ko’o Kia HI 6’2″ 210 ⭐️⭐️⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️ 01/15/24
OL Owen Strebig WI 6’8″ 295 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 02/08/24
WR Elijah Burress NJ 6’1″ 170 ⭐️⭐️⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️ 02/10/24
OL Matty Augustine CT 6’7″ 290 ⭐️⭐️⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️ 02/20/24
WR Jerome Bettis Jr. GA 6’3″ 185 ⭐️⭐️⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️ 03/17/24
LB Anthony Sacca PA 6’4″ 230 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 03/30/24
CB Dallas Golden FL 6’0″ 175 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 04/28/24
DL Gordy Sulfsted OH 6’5″ 235 ⭐️⭐️⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️ 05/19/24
CB Mark Zachery IN 6’0″ 160 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 05/25/24
S JaDon Blair NC 6’4″ 200 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 07/05/24

The Irish now have three safety commitments — just as they have done during the last two recruiting cycles.

2025 Notre Dame Football Scholarship Chart

Position / Year Freshmen Sophomore Junior Senior 5th/6th Year
Position / Year Freshmen Sophomore Junior Senior 5th/6th Year
Quarterback Deuce Knight C.J. Carr Kenny Minchey Steve Angeli
Running Back Daniel Anderson, Justin Thurman Aneyas Williams, Kedren Young Jerimiyah Love Jadarian Price, Gi’Bran Payne
Tight End James Flanigan Jack Larsen Cooper Flanagan Eli Raridon Mitchell Evans, Kevin Bauman, Davis Sherwood
Wide Receiver Elijah Burress, Jerome Bettis Jr. Cam Williams, Micah Gilbert, Logan Saldate Jaden Greathouse, Kaleb Smith, Jordan Faison Deion Colzie
Center Ashton Craig
Guard Sam Pendleton, Joe Otting, Chris Terek Billy Schrauth Rocco Spindler, Pat Coogan
Tackle Will Black, Owen Strebig, Matty Augustine Peter Jones, Anthonie Knapp, Styles Prescod, Guerby Lambert Sullivan Absher, Charles Jagusah Ty Chan, Aamil Wagner
Defensive Tackle Joseph Reiff, Davion Dixon Sean Sevillano Brenan Vernon, Devan Houstan Tyson Ford, Donovan Hinish Gabe Rubio, Jason Onye
Defensive End Christopher Burgess, Gordy Sulfsted Cole Mullins, Bryce Young, Loghan Thomas Boubacar Traore, Armel Mukam Joshua Burnham, Aiden Gobaira, Junior Tuihalamaka Kahanu Kia
Linebacker Dominik Hulak, Ko’o Kia, Anthony Sacca Teddy Rezac, Bodie Kahoun, Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa Drayk Bowen, Preston Zinter, Jaiden Ausberry Jaylen Sneed
Safety Ivan Taylor, Ethan Long, JaDon Blair Kennedy Urlacher, Taebron Bennie-Powell, Brauntae Johnson Adon Shuler, Ben Minich, Luke Talich
Cornerback Cree Thomas, Dallas Golden, Mark Zachery Karson Hobbs, Leonard Moore Christian Gray Jayden Mickey, Benjamin Morrison Chance Tucker
Specialists Bryce McFerson (P)
Totals 22/85 (22) 35/85 (23) 57/85 (22) 74/85 (17) 84/85 (10)

This is a huge commitment for Notre Dame for its future — and its present. The Irish are loading up in the secondary which is only getting more and more important, and it’s also continuing a trend of beating other big Midwestern schools head-to-head for blue-chip talent out of the region.

WELCOME TO ND JaDON!





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UNC’s Austin Blaske Mindset for Upcoming NC State Matchup

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UNC’s Austin Blaske Mindset for Upcoming NC State Matchup


The North Carolina Tar Heels’ season will officially conclude after this weekend, regardless of the result on Saturday against North Carolina State.

However, the Impact of this game against North Carolina State means much more since it is an in-state rivalry matchup.

While speaking with the media during his press conference availability center Austin Blaske previewed the matchup while revealing what he has learned from his head coach during the season.

Nov 22, 2025; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels quarterback Gio Lopez (7) celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the first half against Duke Blue Devils at Kenan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: William Howard-Imagn Images / William Howard-Imagn Images

Nov 22, 2025; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels quarterback Gio Lopez (7) is hit after a pass by Duke Blue Devils defensive back Caleb Weaver (3) during the first half at Kenan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: William Howard-Imagn Images / William Howard-Imagn Images

The Tar Heels’ season has been a roller coaster, which is one of the main reasons the team failed to qualify for a bowl game. Blaske understands that it has not been the season that many fans hoped for, but it served as a learning experience for the program.

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Nov 22, 2025; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Bill Belichick watches play during the first half against the Duke Blue Devils at Kenan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: William Howard-Imagn Images / William Howard-Imagn Images

Although Blaske’s final season does not conclude with a bowl game appearance, the six-year senior did have an opportunity to learn from Bill Belichick. The veteran center spoke on that experience and how it helped him develop as a player.

The Tar Heels’ 2025 season is inching closer to the end, but 2026 could spell much more success with another recruiting class arriving, paired with the experience gained from the current regime.

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North Carolina vs. NC State football betting line, odds, spread | Week 14 2025

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North Carolina vs. NC State football betting line, odds, spread | Week 14 2025


A pair of ACC teams meet when the NC State Wolfpack (6-5) face off against the North Carolina Tar Heels (4-7) on Saturday, November 29, 2025 at Wayne Day Family Field at Carter-Finley Stadium. The Wolfpack are favored by 7 points. The over/under for the contest is 47.5 points.

Against the Duke Blue Devils in their most recent contest, the Tar Heels lost 32-25.

The Heels’ Gio Lopez went 21-for-27 for 204 yards against Duke, with one TD and no INTs.

Last time around, the Wolfpack defeated the Florida State Seminoles, with 21-11 being the final score.

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In the article below, we’ll give you all the details you need to watch this matchup on ACC Network.

Check out: US LBM Coaches Poll powered by USA Today sports

North Carolina vs NC State line, odds, spread, over/under

College football odds courtesy of BetMGM Sportsbook. Odds updated Thursday at 10:15 p.m. ET. For a full list of sports betting odds, access USA TODAY Sports Betting Scores Odds Hub.

  • Spread favorite: NC State (-7)
  • Moneyline: NC State (-275), North Carolina (+220)
  • Total: 47.5 points

North Carolina vs NC State game info

  • Game day: Saturday, November 29, 2025
  • Game time: 7:30 p.m. ET
  • Location: Raleigh, North Carolina
  • Stadium: Wayne Day Family Field at Carter-Finley Stadium
  • Live stream: Watch on Fubo! (Regional restrictions may apply)

Watch NC State vs. North Carolina on Fubo! (Regional restrictions may apply)

North Carolina betting info

  • North Carolina has won two games against the spread in conference action this season.
  • The Tar Heels have covered the spread five times over 11 games with a set spread.
  • North Carolina has been an underdog by 7 points or more three times this season in ACC action, and covered the spread in one of those games.
  • In games they have played as 7-point underdogs or more, the Tar Heels have an ATS record of 2-2-1.
  • North Carolina and its opponents have combined to hit the over three out of five times this year in ACC play.
  • This year, four Tar Heels games have gone over the point total.

2025 North Carolina leaders

  • Lopez: 1,629 PASS YDS / 162.9 YPG / 64.9% / 9 TD / 5 INT / 78 CAR / 141 RUSH YDS / 3 TD
  • Demon June: 82 CAR / 461 YDS / 46.1 YPG / 2 TD / 17 REC / 159 YDS / 19.9 YPG / 1 TD
  • Davion Gause: 60 CAR / 253 YDS / 28.1 YPG / 3 TD / 14 REC / 123 YDS / 15.4 YPG / 2 TD
  • Jordan Shipp: 52 REC / 581 YDS / 52.8 YPG / 5 TD
  • Kobe Paysour: 30 REC / 388 YDS / 38.8 YPG / 1 TD



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Judges approve North Carolina’s use of GOP-friendly district map – UPI.com

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Judges approve North Carolina’s use of GOP-friendly district map – UPI.com


Nov. 26 (UPI) — A three-judge panel on Wednesday permitted North Carolina to adopt a redrawn congressional map that is expected to favor the Republican Party.

The U.S. District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina unanimously ruled against the plaintiffs’ request for an injunction against legislation approved in October by the state’s General Assembly that critics say threaten one federal congressional district, specifically Congressional District 1, which represented by Democrat Don Davis.

In their 57-page ruling on Wednesday, the three Republican-appointed judges said the plaintiffs failed to prove that the state’s General Assembly enacted the legislation, Senate Bill 249, with the intent to “minimize or cancel out the voting potential” of Black North Carolinians as they had claimed.

The ruling comes in protracted litigation that began in 2023, when the Republican-led state sought to redraw some of the districts for electing representatives to the state Senate and federal Congress.

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The plaintiffs, who include the North Carolina State Conference of the NAACP, sued that December. In October, amid litigation on the maps, the state’s General Assembly passed legislation to swap counties between Congressional District 1 and Congressional District 3.

The plaintiffs again sued the state, alleging the legislation was unconstitutional and asking the court to enjoin S.B. 249.

Earlier this month, the same three-judge panel issued a ruling approving the changes to the map put forward in 2023.

A hearing on S.B. 249 was held Nov. 19, during which the plaintiffs argued that the speed with which the General Assembly passed the 2025 plan was evidence of discriminatory intent.

But the panel of judges disagreed, stating “they have offered no reason to believe that the speed of the 2025 process indicates an intent to discriminate on the basis of race. Nor do they explain what weight we are supposed to assign to what they call ‘the near uniform outcry among North Carolina voters against the map and the process.’”

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The ruling comes amid something of a gerrymandering race in the United States that began in earnest when Texas this summer — under pressure of President Donald Trump — sought a mid-decade redraw of its maps to make them more favorable to the Republican Party.

California is in the process of redrawing its maps in retaliation and other states under control of both parties have followed with similar plans.



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