Notre Dame trending for 2025 CB Cree Thomas

Marcus Freeman and Notre Dame are trending for another 2025 prospect, according to the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine (RPM).

The Fighting Irish have had Phoenix Brophy Prep three-star cornerback Cree Thomas in South Bend on three occasions, two of which were in October for game visits. All signs continue to point to Notre Dame as the 6-foot-1, 170-pounder’s eventual landing spot.

Back in April, Blue and Gold’s recruiting insider Mike Singer logged an RPM pick in favor of Notre Dame for the commitment of Thomas. That came following his first visit. Since then, the defensive back has continued to rave about what Freeman, CBs coach Mike Mickens and Co. are building.

“I have always heard about game-days in South Bend, but seeing it on TV doesn’t do it justice,” Thomas told On3 after his first of two October visits. “The atmosphere was amazing to see in person. On my first visit there when I saw the campus and met the coaches, it set the bar high. This visit on game-day was awesome.”

Thomas is the No. 373 overall prospect and No. 43 corner 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. 2 player in Arizona.

“It has been amazing being in contact with Notre Dame via calls and texts. They were one of the first schools to reach out and I feel like a priority for them,” Thomas said. “The coaches had me hanging out with the commitments over the weekend, so they aren’t just telling me I am a priority, but they are showing me when I am on campus too.”

Irish building elite 2025 recruiting class

Notre Dame is putting the finishing touches on a 2024 recruiting class — which currently ranks No. 10 in the On3 Industry Team Recruiting Ranking — but it’s also made some early progress on its 2025 pledge list.

Seven junior prospects have already committed, highlighted by Lucedale (Miss.) George County four-star quarterback Deuce Knight, the No. 46 overall prospect and No. 4 signal-caller in the cycle. He’s one of four top-300 recruits pledged, alongside Green Bay Notre Dame De La Baie Academy four-star tight end James Flanigan, Highland Home (Ala.) four-star EDGE C.J. May and Tampa Jesuit four-star running back Justin Thurman.

The 2025 class already ranks No. 6 in the nation. Thomas would be the first defensive back to join the fold and the fifth highest-ranked commitment overall.