Four-star safety JaDon Blair announced his commitment to Notre Dame late last week. At 6’-4”, 190 pounds, Blair is the 22nd commitment in Notre Dame’s 2025 recruiting class. The announcement moved Notre Dame up one spot in the 247Sports Composite rankings to third, passing Georgia while trailing Ohio State at No. 1 and Alabama at No. 2.
From Winston-Salem, NC, Blair is the sixth commitment from five different states at defensive back for the Irish. He joins Ivan Taylor (Florida), Dallas Golden (Florida), Mark Zackery IV (Indiana), Cree Thomas (Arizona), and Ethan Long (Connecticut). Blair chose Notre Dame out of a final five schools that reportedly included Florida State, Michigan, Penn State, and South Carolina.
Bright Future for JaDon Blair
A two-way player for Mount Tabor last year, Blair is credited with 56 tackles, three for a loss. He snagged four interceptions, had a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery, according to MaxPreps. In his sophomore season the year before, Blair had 48 tackles, two for a loss.
Andrew Ivins, director of scouting for 247Sports, broke down Blair’s strengths and weaknesses. “Enormous safety prospect that can deliver crunching blows or wrap-and-lift as a tackler,” Ivins wrote on 247Sports.com. “[Blair] Owns one of the more unique frames in the 2025 cycle. Has operated primarily out of a two-deep posting at the prep level, but his future might be as a box safety or nickel linebacker given the growth potential. His eyes and instincts allow him to charge forward and prevent yards after catch. 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. 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. Build likely to draw the attention of NFL scouts one day.”
Notre Dame’s NFL Bloodlines
Blair will fit right in at Notre Dame. Like other members of his class, Blair has family ties to the NFL. His father, Ja’Warren Blair, played professionally for the Cincinnati Bengals and the Cleveland Browns. Ja’Warren starred at East Carolina from 1998-2002, playing on the defensive line. He also played with the Amsterdam Admirals and Rhein Fire of NFL Europe.
Irish Legacy commit Jerome Bettis Jr. is the son of NFL Hall of Famer and Notre Dame great Jerome Bettis. Hailing from Atlanta, Georgia, Bettis announced his commitment on “Pot of Gold” Day on St. Patrick’s Day earlier this year. Bettis played both ways for Woodway Academy last year. He finished the season with 30 catches for 369 yards and four touchdowns.
Another recruit with NFL ties is wide receiver Elijah Burress who is the son of former Pittsburgh Steelers and New York Giants wide receiver Plaxico Burress. Out of DePaul Catholic High School in Wayne, N.J., Burress announced his commitment in February. He caught 25 passes for 434 yards and five touchdowns in 10 games as a junior last season.
Safety Ivan Taylor is the son of longtime Steelers cornerback and former Super Bowl champion Ike Taylor. From Winter Garden, FL, Taylor had 45 tackles a season ago, six for loss for West Orange. He grabbed one interception, had one pass breakup, and four forced fumbles. Another legacy recruit in the Irish’s 2025 class is tight end James Flanigan. He is the son of former Notre Dame star and Chicago Bears player Jim Flanigan. In five games last year, Flanigan had nine receptions for 233 yards and four touchdowns for Notre Dame Academy in Green Bay, WI.
Elite Recruiting Class
The commitment of JaDon Blair solidifies an elite recruiting class for Notre Dame and showcases Marcus Freeman’s ability to attract top-tier talent to the program. With defensive standouts like Xavier Watts and Benjamin Morrison holding down the Irish’s defensive backfield for now, support is on the way. Blair’s blend of athleticism and football IQ enhances what is already a strong and impressive group of Notre Dame recruits. Freeman and his staff are setting a strong foundation, signaling future defensive dominance for the Fighting Irish.
