Top 100 LB recruit Madden Faraimo discusses Notre Dame official visit with decision looming
Madden Faraimo’s Notre Dame football recruitment has progressed greatly since the 2025 class top 100 linebacker prospect unofficially visited about a year ago.
“I would say it has definitely changed now a little bit,” Faraimo told Blue & Gold on Tuesday night, two days after he wrapped up his third trip to South Bend. “I don’t know if it was (not) exactly my favorite or I wasn’t crazy high on them. But now, they are a top school for sure.”
The Fighting Irish can credit a successful April unofficial visit for their positioning for San Juan Capistrano (Calif.) JSerra Catholic’s Faraimo. After last weekend’s official visit, Notre Dame cemented itself as a commitment finalist for the four-star who ranks as the On3 Industry Ranking’s No. 78 overall player and No. 8 prospect in California in his class.
Before deciding on a school, the 6-foot-3, 225-pound Faraimo has a Texas official visit from June 21-23. He has already officially visited Washington and is contemplating an official visit to USC. Then, on Tuesday night, Lettermen Row’s Matt Parker reported that Faraimo’s Ohio State official visit scheduled for Friday through Sunday would no longer occur. Faraimo confirmed to Blue & Gold that OSU canceled the visit due to overbooking. He will reconsider rescheduling it in the fall.
On Feb. 23, he revealed a top four schools of Notre Dame, Ohio State, Oregon and Southern California. Texas and Washington have reemerged, and he has not reported a visit to Oregon or USC since releasing his top schools. Notre Dame has been the one constant contender for his pledge.
With a preseason pledge likely, Faraimo is fighting how to evaluate Notre Dame’s sustainability against the fluidity among his other options.
“I was hoping these OVs would allow me to check the schools off or be able to cool off on some schools,” Faraimo said. “But I don’t think I’m there yet. I need to get through all of them — weigh the options, weigh the pros and cons and come to a decision.
“But Notre Dame, of course I can’t take them off right now. But I still need to get through these other visits.”
What Madden Faraimo said about his Notre Dame official visit
Faraimo was one of 13 recruits officially visiting Notre Dame last weekend. In addition to him, the Irish hosted top 100 linebacker target Nathaniel Owusu-Boateng, On300 defensive back target Jahmir Joseph and 10 commits.
Faraimo spent the most time with Notre Dame linebacker pledges Anthony Sacca and Ko’o Kia. He especially connected well with Kia because they share similar cultures.
“It was a great experience,” Faraimo said. “It was cool to see the type of kids. I’m sure they all knew each other before the visit, but right from the start, they were all close — laughing and joking with each other. Over the weekend, they invited me into that group and included me.”
The current Notre Dame players made him feel welcomed, too.
Freshman linebacker Kyngtonn Viliamu-Asa was Faraimo’s player-host on the official visit. Faraimo knew of Viliamu-Asa growing up. But last weekend, their casual familiarity grew into a reliable friendship.
Like Faraimo, Viliamu-Asa—a product of Bellflower (Calif.) St. John Bosco—is from Southern California. He signed with Notre Dame over Ohio State and USC, which are also some of Faraimo’s finalists. They also credit their faith for keeping them grounded.
After Faraimo spent extensive time with Viliamu-Asa, he even drew some parallels between their two profiles.
“We’ve always known each other by name but not personally,” Faraimo said. “So, it was really cool just spending time with him. He also really wanted me to ask him questions and, if I have any concerns, run it through him so he could give me his spin.
“A guy like him, he’s not going to lie to me or throw a front out. It was definitely helpful talking to him and developing a relationship with him.”
Where Notre Dame stands in Madden Faraimo’s recruitment
With each visit, the people and places at Notre Dame have become more recognizable for Faraimo, adding an extra layer to his Irish interest.
“I think it’s important on those second and third visits for things to come along,” he said. “Because the first time you’re there, you don’t get the feeling of familiarity — from the faces to the campus. So, it helps that I’ve been there a few times already.
“Then, just diving deeper into the things that Notre Dame has away from football, how that degree can take you so far and the faith aspect of their school, It’s all been developed over the past year.”
As a Catholic university, Notre Dame is the only school among Faraimo’s finalists that offers a faith-based education. Though that will not be a deciding factor in the outcome of his recruitment, it only helps the Irish’s chances of securing the JSerra Catholic senior’s eventual signature.
“I think it’s more of a plus that they have that,” Faraimo said. “At any school, I want to maintain that God and my faith are first above all, away from recruiting, sports and school. I want to lead my life with faith being at the forefront of it.
“So, I don’t think it’s really going to change my decision. Because at any school, my faith is going to remain the same. It’s more of a plus that they have it.”
After Faraimo’s April unofficial visit, Faraimo said, “This trip to Notre Dame didn’t make it any easier in my decision.” While he did not reveal if his choice has become clear after his June official visit, Faraimo has the clarity he needs from the Irish for a possible commitment.
“I would say one of the biggest things for me that was different about this visit was spending time with the players there,” he said. “Kyngstonn, man, I really connected with him over this visit. I enjoyed talking to him and listening to his experiences. Living there was one of my biggest worries about Notre Dame and how I’ll adjust. But I learned about that and where I’ll be living for sure.
“It was great hearing from the players and connecting with the recruits as well. Seeing some of the guys that I would be in that class with. So yeah, it was cool to get that experience during the visit.”
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