WATCH: The moment JaDon Blair announced his commitment to Notre Dame
Winston-Salem (N.C.) Mount Tabor class of 2025 safety JaDon Blair had known for about a month privately that he would be committing to Notre Dame, and he informed the staff of that about a week ago. And on July 5, he made his news publicly.
Blair, who ranks as the No. 157 overall player and No. 15 safety in America according to the On3 Industry Ranking, made an appearance on the On3 Recruits YouTube channel to declare his intentions to play for Marcus Freeman and the Fighting Irish in 2025.
Watch the moment that Zackery announced his decision publicly in the video player above.
And after Blair told the country his big news, Blue & Gold’s Mike Singer joined the stream to discuss the impact of the four-star cornerback’s commitment to the Irish.
Blair also spoke with On3’s Steve Wiltfong before the commitment ceremony to give the lowdown on his decision.
“Really just that life after football aspect love shown through the process,” Blair said. “There wasn’t a dull moment, at least every day hearing from one of them. Chad (Bowden), Coach Al Golden, Coach (Mike) Mickens, Coach Freeman. I was hearing from someone every day and that was huge in me loving Notre Dame.”
“I love the way Coach MIckens coaches and teaches the defensive plays and how they run stuff. I was in meetings and the way he coaches is so easy and so easy to pick up on. I’ve been a lot of places but Coach Mickens coaches the easiest and I feel I can get on the field fastest with the way he coaches and the terminology.
“Coach Golden is a mastermind the way he coaches the defense. How to strip the ball, how to tackle, what angles to take. He knows os many different things you can do inside football and I really trust what he’s doing as well.”
Blair had a strong 2023 season as a junior, posting 56 tackles (3 for loss), 4 interceptions, 1 fumble recovery and 3 forced fumbles. He played some wide receiver, too, and hauled in 10 passes for 255 yards with 6 touchdowns.
Top 10
- 1Live
Vols react to Arkansas loss
No. 4 Tennessee falls to Razorbacks
- 2
Diego Pavia
Meet the electric Vanderbilt QB that knocked off No. 1 Alabama
- 3Live
Tide Fans Meltdown
No. 1 Alabama falls to Vanderbilt
- 4Trending
Goalposts hit Broadway
Vanderbilt fans carry goal posts through Nashville
- 5
Kirby Smart calls out fans
Georgia head coach unhappy with home crowd
He was named the 2023 Central Piedmont 4A Defensive Player of the Year and made it on the Winston-Salem Journal’s All-Area team. Blair was a third-team all-state performer according to the 2023 HighSchoolOT North Carolina All-State Football Team.
“I’m going to be the most hard-working person,” Blair said. “I’m a competitor at heart. I’m going to compete in every single thing I do. And I’m not talking about just football — in the classroom, or we could be bowling or playing laser tag. I just love to compete.
“Notre Dame is getting a true competitor at heart who is going to give it everything he’s got and will live up to and exceed expectations because that’s what I’ve been doing my whole life.”
On3’s own rankings for Blair are higher than the industry ranking. He’s the No. 85 overall player and No. 8 safety nationally, plus the No. 4 prospect from North Carolina, according to On3.
During his junior basketball season, Blair averaged 12.5 points, 8.2 rebounds and 1.0 steals per game, helping lead Mount Tabor to Central Piedmont 4A regular season and tournament championships. He was also selected to the All-Area hoops team.
His father, Ja’Warren Blair, played college football at East Carolina and professionally with the Bengals, Browns and the Amsterdam Admirals and the Rhein Fire in NFL Europe.
