The Gold Standard: Expert insight on three key Notre Dame targets

Notre Dame has 22 commitments in the 2025 class and only a few spots left to finish out the cycle strong. There are several names to know on the board for the remaining spots, and for this week’s Gold Standard, Blue & Gold solicited insight from On3 fan site experts on the recruitment of a few of those recruits for their take on where things stand from their school’s point of view.

This article won’t cover every Notre Dame target left on the 2025 board, but there is insight on three of them below, and in case you missed it, check out part one of the Gold Standard from Monday by clicking here. That articled covered major Irish targets Madden Faraimo, Jahmir Joseph and Talyn Taylor.

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Winston-Salem (N.C.) Mount Tabor S JaDon Blair

On3 Industry Ranking: No. 153 NATL, No. 15 S and No. 5 player from North Carolina
Contenders: Louisville, Michigan, Notre Dame, Penn State, Virginia Tech

Blue White Illustrated’s Ryan Snyder (Penn State): “Blair’s recruitment is an interesting one because I get the impression that multiple schools believe they’re in a good position to potentially land his commitment. I’ve always received positive feedback from Penn State sources about the staff’s chances, and it feels as if Notre Dame and Michigan also feel that way. I’ve always believed that he fits those three programs the best, but when it comes to which school is truly the favorite at this point, I think it’s tough to read as of late May. His upcoming official visits should sort it all out.”

The Wolverine’s Zach Libby (Michigan): “Michigan appears to be in solid positioning for JaDon Blair leading up to his official visit slate and planned July 5 commitment date. This offseason, the Wolverines have made outstanding efforts in prioritizing Blair and establishing close relationships between the coaches and the junior secondary star. Contact between Blair and new defensive backs coach Lamar Morgan is constant. New defensive coordinator Don “Wink” Martindale and head coach Sherrone Moore are also involved. The March trip to Ann Arbor also provided the family with a strong understanding of the environment around campus, and the operation inside Schembechler Hall. As a prospect whose frame, range, ball skills, and leadership fit the scheme, Blair would certainly be a touted addition for the Wolverines.”

Blue & Gold’s Mike Singer (Notre Dame): “Finally. It feels like we’ve been waiting for these June official visits for Blair forever. This recruitment has the vibe of a battle between Michigan, Notre Dame and Penn State, but the likes of Florida, South Carolina, Louisville and Virginia Tech are still in the picture. My sources have felt that it’s the Irish and Nittany Lions at the top of Blair’s recruitment, but as always, official visits will be crucial here.”

Las Vegas Bishop Gorman WR Derek Meadows

On3 Industry Ranking: No. 35 NATL, No. 6 WR and No. 1 player from Nevada
Contenders: Alabama, Georgia, LSU, Michigan, Notre Dame

Bama Online’s Andrew Bone (Alabama): “Meadows had a relationship with a few members of the Alabama staff from their time at Washington including Co-OC/WRs coach JaMarcus Shephard. He raved the first visit to Tuscaloosa earlier this spring, and noted that ‘everything’ caught his attention. Alabama will host on the final weekend before dead. The Crimson Tide has prioritized Meadows. Definitely a feel that they have a great shot. It will come down to the OVs. Bama Online believes it may come down to Alabama and Notre Dame.”

The Wolverine’s Zach Libby (Michigan): “Michigan is in a spot for Derek Meadows that requires some more monitoring to determine the confidence of him ultimately landing in Ann Arbor. His official visit on May 31 is first on the docket before heavy hitters like Notre Dame, LSU, and Alabama get their respective chance to relay pitches, so hitting it out of the park next weekend is important for the Wolverines. A significant factor is continuing to show Meadows that his outside threat ability could lead to early playing time if development goes according to plan. Michigan is searching for a bigger-bodied playmaker this cycle, and Meadows is exactly that.”

Blue & Gold’s Mike Singer (Notre Dame): “I hate to sound like a broken record, but when prospects have several official visits lined up in June, those trips often times determine the outcome of a recruitment. And that seems to be the vibe with Meadows, who has long been a Notre Dame target. I’ve considered him an Irish lean for coming up on a year now, but he never pulled the trigger on a commitment and has a busy June official visit schedule. I still give ND the slight edge for Meadows, but anything can happen this summer.”

Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy LB Nathaniel Owusu-Boateng

On3 Industry Ranking: No. 40 NATL, No. 4 LB and No. 9 player from Florida
Contenders: USC, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Michigan

The Wolverine’s Zach Libby (Michigan): “The priorities on the linebacker board in the 2025 recruiting class include Nathan Owusu-Boateng, who made his first-ever appearance in Michigan in late April, which led to him scheduling an official visit for Victor’s Weekend. Owusu-Boateng mentioned that he experienced what he needed to see on the unofficial, so the return is expected to be the ‘cherry on top.’ New Michigan linebackers coach Brian Jean-Mary had a preexisting relationship with Owusu-Boateng during his tenure at Tennessee, and their contact didn’t end when the former changed scenarios. Owusu-Boateng also described himself as a Swiss Army knife, which fits the style of U-M’s linebackers in the current scheme. Getting the final official visit before the summer dead period is important, but heralding more momentum will have to be done that wekeend.”

Lettermen Row’s Matt Parker (Ohio State): “Owusu-Boateng made a splashy unofficial visit to Ohio State in May and that opened his eyes to the program. Linebackers coach James Laurinaitis has quickly made sure Owusu-Boateng, a Virginia native, know how much of a priority he has been this entire time. While it’s been a flashy few weeks for Owusu-Boateng and Ohio State, there’s a real chance his commitment goes to the Buckeyes, depending on how official visits shake out.”

Blue & Gold’s Mike Singer (Notre Dame): “It feels as if Owusu-Boateng’s recruitment could end up in any direction. At first, he had officials lined up with South Carolina, Stanford and Georgia but changed his OV schedule to USC May 31, Notre Dame June 7, Ohio State June 14 and Michigan June 21. With this recruitment, there’s no telling what will happen considering he’s not looking to make a decision until later this year. My gut tells me that the younger brother of former Irish star Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah will end up elsewhere, but we’ll see.”

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