Is Notre Dame football in play for top unsigned recruits ahead of National Signing Day?

Posted by author January 29, 2025 Football

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SOUTH BEND — Notre Dame football coach Marcus Freeman and his assistants were sighted in Texas on recruiting visits this week, but there were no indications those were about anything other than the 2026 recruiting cycle.

With National Signing Day coming up on Feb. 5, just two Class of 2025 prospects ranked in the Top 150 nationally remain uncommitted: offensive tackle Ty Haywood of Denton (Texas) Ryan High School and edge rusher Zahir Mathis from Philadelphia’s Imhotep Institute.

Does Notre Dame have a shot at Ty Haywood or Zahir Mathis?

Haywood, a five-star prospect at 6-foot-5 and 285 pounds, decommited from Alabama on Jan. 13 and is projected to sign with Michigan, according to On3.com recruiting analyst Steve Wiltfong. Haywood is rated No. 38 nationally in the latest 247 Sports Composite rankings.

Mathis, at 6-6 and 230 pounds, recently visited Florida State and has additional visits lined up with Virginia Tech and Maryland, according to Wiltfong. Mathis is the No. 88 prospect in 2025, per 247 Sports Composite.

There is no scuttlebutt connecting Notre Dame to either prospect, especially after the Irish reeled in four-star offensive tackle Will Black (6-7, 295) and four-star defensive end Christopher Burgess Jr. (6-3, 265) at the early signing date on Dec. 4.

Black is rated 25th nationally by 247 Sports Composite, while Burgess is rated 92nd.

Mike Berardino covers Notre Dame football for the South Bend Tribune and NDInsider.com. Follow him on social media @MikeBerardino.