Notre Dame football early enrollees get a chance to acclimate ahead of spring practice
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SOUTH BEND — Thanks to an extended run in the College Football Playoff, four Notre Dame football signees got a head start on their program immersion in recent weeks.
In addition to linebacker Madden Faraimo, quarterback Blake Hebert and safeties JaDon Blair and Ethan Long had a chance to work out alongside their new teammates during preparations for the Sugar and Orange Bowls as well as the CFP championship game.
That should prove invaluable with NCAA National Signing Day coming up on Feb. 5. The first day of classes for spring semester was Jan. 13.
“This has been good for them, just to get in and get a couple practices under their belt, just to see things that way,” defensive pass-game coordinator Mike Mickens said of the two safeties. “This is getting them acclimated right now. Both will be ready to go (for spring practice).
“By coming in early, they get to see what practice structure is like, game plan week is like, but spring ball is really where they make their hay.”
Speaking before the Sugar Bowl in New Orleans, Mickens wasn’t ready to share an early scouting report on his newest defensive backs.
“You can tell they’re mature,” he said. “They’re eager to go and ready to learn. Obviously guys who start early like that, they want to be here, they want to be ready to go. Their (high) schools are able to let them do it, so it’s great.”
Here’s a look at the 13 incoming freshmen for Notre Dame football who have already enrolled:
Who are the 2025 early enrollees for Notre Dame football offense?
QB Blake Hebert (6-3, 215) Boxford, Mass. (Brunswick School)
OL Matty Augustine (6-6, 287) Greenwich, Conn. (Brunswick School)
OL Owen Strebig (6-7, 292) Brookfield, Wisc. (Waukesha Catholic Memorial)
OL Cam Herron (6-2, 276) Indianapolis (Warren Central)
WR Jerome Bettis Jr. (6-2, 200) Atlanta, Ga. (Woodward Academy)
WR Elijah Burress (6-0, 175) Totowa, N.J. (DePaul Catholic)
WR Scrap Richardson (6-2, 170) Greenville, Ga. (Greenville)
RB Nolan James Jr. (5-9, 200) Westwood, N.J. (DePaul Catholic)
Who are the 2025 early enrollees for Notre Dame football defense?
LB Madden Faraimo (6-2, 219) Oceanside, Calif. (JSerra Catholic)
DL Davion Dixon (6-1, 316) Miami, Fla. (Palmetto)
S JaDon Blair (6-4, 190) Winston-Salem, N.C. (Mount Tabor)
S Ethan Long (6-1, 190) Milford, Conn. (Brunswick School)
CB Cree Thomas (6-0, 179) Phoenix, Ariz. (Brophy College Preparatory)
Mike Berardino covers Notre Dame football for the South Bend Tribune and NDInsider.com. Follow him on social media @MikeBerardino.
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