2025 RB Nolan James Jr. commits to Notre Dame, flips from Boston College

The Notre Dame football program has flipped one of the best running backs from the Northeast into its 2025 recruiting class. Rising recruit Nolan James Jr. out of Wayne (N.J.) DePaul Catholic verbally committed to the Fighting Irish on Monday. James had been pledged to Boston College since Dec. 2.

According to the On3 Industry Ranking, James, a three-star, is the No. 988 overall player, No. 76 running back nationally and No. 28 prospect in New Jersey in the class. The No. 2 running back in the Garden State also held offers from Duke, Minnesota, Syracuse and Virginia.

The Fighting Irish coaching staff privately offered James earlier this football season and hosted him on an official visit the weekend of the Florida State game.

“I think the fact that it is the best of both worlds,” James told On3 vice president of recruiting and transfer portal Steve Wiltfong. “That being academically and athletically. …

“I would say the overall message and goal from everyone in the building (stood out). Which is everyone involved with the program pushing the players to greatness on and off the field. Along with embracing the fact that it is going to be difficult and hard.”

James is a teammate at DePaul Catholic with Notre Dame three-star wide receiver commit Elijah Burress, who gave Blue & Gold a ringing endorsement of the newest addition to the program’s commit list during a Nov. 2 interview.

“He’s the best player I’ve ever played with,” said Burress, who is teammates with Ohio State commits De’Zie Jones and DeShawn Stewart, the Nos. 287 and 300 players in the 2025 class, respectively. “I don’t say that lightly. He’s the best player I’ve played with, hands down.”

Burress visited campus with Jones last Saturday. Before the flip became formal, he had a hunch that his teammate would be a perfect match for the Fighting Irish.

“What makes him Notre Dame-worthy is the man he is,” he said. “He’s such a good man. His characteristics make him such a good person. He embodies everything about being a Notre Dame human being. I think it’s perfect for him.”

James deeply admired Boston College, sticking with the Eagles despite a coaching change from Jeff Hafley to Bill O’Brien. However, the combination of competing for a national championship annually while getting a world-class education at Notre Dame ultimately became unbeatable.

“Everything speaks for itself,” James said on Nov. 2. “From the football program to the academics, everything is self-explanatory. The opportunities it brings are excellent. …

“Notre Dame and Boston College are very similar from an academic standpoint. That’s really one of the main reasons I’m entertaining this opportunity and taking it seriously because of academics.”

Newest Notre Dame commit Nolan James Jr.’s commitment profile proves he’s due for a rankings bump

Though the On3 Industry Ranking considers him a three-star prospect, the 5-foot-11, 185-pounder has proved this football season he is much better than his profile suggests.

Despite having Jones and Burress, the Nos. 39 and 77 wide receivers in the 2025 class, respectively, and a four-star quarterback in Derek Zammit, who ranks as the No. 286 overall player and No. 18 passer in 2026, the DePaul Catholic offense has leaned on their star running back to lead them to an 8-1 record.

In those nine games, he has carried the ball 181 times for 1,419 yards (7.8 yards per carry) and scored 14 touchdowns. He has also been useful in the passing game, catching 22 passes for 265 yards and 2 touchdowns.

Last season, James was similarly effective, racking up 1,415 yards and 8 touchdowns on 218 carries (6.5 yards per carry) and hauling in 19 throws for 154 yards and another score.

“He’s an every down back,” DePaul Catholic coach Nick Campanile told Blue & Gold. “To me, that’s the best compliment. You never have to take him off the field. … Nolan can do everything. He is an unbelievable blocker. He’s a great pass receiver out of the backfield. He’s run for almost 1,500 yards this year against a really, really tough schedule. So, we know he can run the ball well, too.”

The 2023 campaign was James’ first at DePaul Catholic. He spent the first two years of his high school career at Ramsey (N.J.) Don Bosco Prep. As a sophomore, he had 91 rushes for 625 yards (6.9 yards per carry) and 8 touchdowns and a career-high 43 receptions for 530 yards and 5 more scores.

James immediately emerged on the scene as a freshman, getting 30 hand-offs for 157 yards and 3 touchdowns with 7 receptions for 96 yards and a score.

James’ younger brother, Jayden James, is one of the nation’s top wrestlers in the 2026 class. Jayden, who attends Morristown (N.J.) Delbarton, competes in the 150-pound weight class and is verbally committed to Virginia Tech.