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Posted 2024-07-06T12:22:49-0400 – Updated 2024-07-06T12:22:49-0400

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.

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

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!