Top analyst hints Notre Dame may have inside lane on legacy recruit

Notre Dame might be in good position to land another legacy recruit.

Former Irish running back Julius Jones had not only an illustrious career in South Bend, but also ran for over 5,000-yards in the NFL. If things fall in favor of the Irish, his son may be able to extend the legacy in the family. His son Julius Jones Jr. comes with plenty of intrigue not just because of the name on the back of the jersey, but also because of the skills he brings as a wide receiver.

Jones has quickly become a national recruit. The 2027 St. Thomas Aquinas standout is a four-star receiver and a ranked in the 247Sports composite as the No. 72 prospect in his class as well as the No. 12 when it comes to wide receivers. Notre Dame has plenty of challengers also interested in recruiting Jones, including Florida, Michigan, Oregon and others, but according to a recent interview with On3's Steve Wiltfong, the vibes in South Bend seem favorable that the son may want to follow in the steps of his father.

The legacy angle matters, but it is not the only reason (subscription required) Notre Dame is in a strong position. Jones has said the Irish appeal to him beyond family ties, and Notre Dame’s staff has continued to push hard, including through longstanding connections with his father, who starred for the Irish from 1999-2003 before becoming a second-round NFL draft pick. The elder Jones finished his Notre Dame career with 3,018 rushing yards and 27 touchdowns, giving the younger Jones a built-in connection to the program’s history.

For Notre Dame, Julius Jones Jr symbolizes the rare combination of pedigree, production and upside that makes him almost a must-get for head coach and the Irish staff.