Not many spots are left in Notre Dame’s 2025 recruiting class, but the Fighting Irish are trending for another top-100 prospect, according to the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine (RPM).
Marcus Freeman and Co. continue to make San Diego J Serra Catholic four-star linebacker Madden Faraimo a priority. The 6-foot-3, 225-pounder returned to South Bend for an official visit over the weekend.
On Sunday, Irish recruiting insider Mike Singer logged a pick in the On3 RPM in favor of ND. On3 VP of Recruiting Steve Wiltfong followed suit on Monday morning as the independent program continues to battle Washington, Ohio State and Texas for Faraimo’s commitment.
“The respect that Notre Dame gains has them on my list,” Faraimo told On3’s Chad Simmons last month. “Great people go there and when they leave, they have a lot of respect given to them. It is a great school academically too and it would prepare me for life after football.”
Defensive coordinator Al Golden and LBs coach Max Bullough are leading the Irish’s charge for Faraimo. Not only is the on-field opportunity exciting for the blue-chipper, but the chance to succeed in life after football continues to pique his interest as well.
“My life would be set for the 40 years after my time at Notre Dame,” Faraimo told Blue and Gold in April. “The things I could do with a Notre Dame degree and with the network I can build from the people I can meet was probably my biggest takeaway.”
Faraimo is the No. 78 overall prospect and No. 8 LB in the 2025 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He’s also the No. 5 player in California.
Irish continue to charge for top-five recruiting class
With June underway, Notre Dame continues to battle for a spot in the top five of the On3 Industry Team Recruiting Rankings. The Irish currently check in at No. 6, though the addition of Faraimo would likely provide a bump upward.
The current 21-man class consists of 13 blue-chip prospects, including No. 7 quarterback Lucedale (Miss.) George County four-star Deuce Knight. Knight committed to the Irish in September.
“I hope they know they’re getting an elite competitor,” Knights told On3 when asked what Irish fans should expect of him. “Anything that I can do to win games, that’s what I’m going to do. They’re getting a guy who will come in and help everyone get better because I’m an elite competitor.
“If I’m going to compete hard, that’s going to make everyone around me compete hard. And I’m a great teammate. I’m going to support everyone around the program in any way I can.”
Wallingford (Conn.) Choate Rosemary Hall Will Black offensive tackle is the No. 5 overall prospect in the 2025 On300. Winter Garden (Fla.) West Orange four-star safety Ivan Taylor, Indianapolis Ben Davis four-star cornerback Mark Zackery and Chicago Simeon four-star EDGE Christopher Burgess are all top-100 prospects.
Tampa Berkeley Prep four-star safety Dallas Golden is the No. 11 safety in the cycle, while Green Bay (Wis.) Notre Dame De La Baie tight end James Flanigan is the No. 8 TE in the nation. Other top commits include Waukesha (Wis.) Catholic Memorial offensive tackle Owen Strebig, Delran (N.J.) St. Joseph’s Prep four-star linebacker Anthony Sacca and Elmhurst (Ill.) York Community four-star defensive lineman Joseph Reiff.
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