Notre Dame Recruiting: April 13th Visitor List Is Loaded

Notre Dame has been super busy hosting recruits constantly over the last several weeks, and that continues this weekend. They are going to be hosting several big time 2025 and 2026 recruits on Saturday to check out spring practice. 

Here are the recruits who are expected on campus this weekend. This has a chance to be a very important visit period for both classes when all is said and done. 

COMMITS ON CAMPUS 

It’s always important to get Notre Dame commits to come to campus for big visitor weekends. This Saturday is no exception. The Irish are expecting a really nice turnout, which includes 2025 Winter Garden (Fla.) West Orange safety commit Ivan Taylor making his return. 

Taylor was a hot topic of conversation when former safeties coach Chris O’Leary announced that he was leaving the program to take a job with the Los Angeles Chargers. The Florida star had been very open about his relationship with Coach O’Leary, and it was unsure how his leaving would affect him. 

After the dust settled of early disappointment, Taylor reaffirmed his commitment to the Irish. While there has been no wavering, it is still great to see him back in South Bend. This visit should quiet any doubts, if there are any, to how solidified Taylor is with Notre Dame. 

Here is the list of all Notre Dame commits who will be on campus. 

CB Karson Hobbs (2024) - Cincinnati (Ohio) Archbishop Moeller 

WR Elijah Burress (2025) - Wayne (N.J.) DePaul Catholic 

DE Christopher Burgess (2025) - Chicago (Ill.) Simeon
LB/DE Dominik Hulak (2025) - Elmhurst (Ill.) Immaculate Conception 

S Ivan Taylor (2025) - Winter Garden (Fla.) West Orange
S Ethan Long (2025) - Greenwich (Conn.) Brunswick School 

TOP 2025 VISITORS 

Notre Dame is already nearing the end of 2025 recruiting, already holding 19 commitments in the class. With some few spots left, the visits over the next couple of months are really going to solidify another strong class under Marcus Freeman. 

There are several talented 2025 recruits who are expected to be on campus this weekend. One of them is Roswell (Ga.) Fellowship Christian School offensive tackle Josh Petty, who the staff has been recruiting for some time now. There have been some conflicting reports about Petty’s travels so it’s unclear if he will ultimately make the trip. 

Here are the 2025 targets who have been confirmed to be making the visit. 

DE Javeon Campbell - Frankfort (Ky.) Western Hills 

Notre Dame offered Campbell back in January. At the time, he was an underrated riser who was coming off of only his first season of playing high school football. The 6-5, 265-pound defender now holds offers from Georgia, Alabama, Ohio State, Miami, LSU, Auburn, LSU and Kentucky among many others. A lot more clarity around the Irish’s intentions and chances with Campbell will be gained this weekend. 

LB Madden Faraimo - San Juan Capistrano (Calif.) J Serra Catholic 

There hasn’t been a ton of chatter about Faraimo until recently. On the Notre Dame side, there is a belief that they stand a good chance with Faraimo in the end. They were a part of a final group of schools that included Ohio State, Oregon and USC. This visit, along with the remaining visits to his finalists, will determine where Faraimo ends up. There are some parallels to the Kynstonn Viliamu-Asa recruitment last cycle but Notre Dame will have to really impress down the stretch. 

CB Trystan Haynes - Oklahoma City (Okla.) Carl Albert 

Notre Dame is in the mix to put together a tremendous 2025 cornerback class. They already hold a commitment from Cree Thomas, and are also in a good position with Indiana standout Mark Zackery and Florida star Dallas Golden. The Irish staff are also staying in close contact with a couple other cornerbacks, including Haynes who is one of the best two-way athletes in the 2025 class. This will be his first visit to South Bend. 

TOP 2026 VISITORS 

This weekend is going to be a big one for 2026 recruiting. It is very early on in the progress but Notre Dame is in position with several big time players in the class, a couple of which will be on campus this weekend. 

Here are the 2026 targets who are expected to be in South Bend on Saturday. 

OT George Haseotes - Naples (Fla.) Community School 

Haseotes was offered by Notre Dame during the Pot of Gold event, one of only eight offensive lineman who the Irish extended offers to. The 6-3, 280-pound standout has been hearing from some big time programs so far. Some of his top offers include the Irish, Georgia, Miami, Texas A&M, Auburn and Wisconsin among many others. 

DE Rodney Dunham - Charlotte (N.C.) Myers Park 

There may not be a more impressive 2026 defensive end than Dunham, who is also one of the top baseball players in North Carolina. Long, lean and explosive, Dunham’s upside is immense. He has said a lot of great things about Notre Dame early on, and is ready for his first taste of South Bend. 

DE JJ Finch - Indianapolis (Ind.) Warren Central 

Finch is the teammate of 2025 defensive end target Damien Shanklin. This will be Finch’s second visit to Notre Dame, the first coming on Monday. Things seem to be in a very good place early on and momentum should continue this weekend. 

CB Brandon Lockhart - Los Angeles (Calif.) Loyola 

Lockhart committed to USC back in October. Despite that, the elite cover man is still keeping his options open. Notre Dame is on the short list of the schools that have piqued his interest. His first visit to South Bend could be huge for their odds long term. 

WR Payton Cook - Akron (Ohio) Archbishop Hoban 

Cook does not currently hold an offer from Notre Dame but has been very complimentary of the program so far. It will be interesting if an offer is extended if he has a great visit this weekend. Cook is certainly a player to watch, already holding offers from Michigan, Miami, Tennessee, Kentucky, Louisville, Wisconsin, Pittsburgh, Indiana and Purdue among others. 

DL Dilan Battle - Arlington (Texas) Mansfield Timberview 

Battle is another player who does not currently hold an offer from Notre Dame, but that could change soon. The 6-3, 300-pound defensive lineman has been earning the attention of several big time programs early on. He brings a skill set that the Irish defense needs more of. 

LB Antwoine Higgins (2027) - Cincinnati (Ohio) Anderson 

The lone 2027 recruit who will be in South Bend, Higgins is a big time player who is already demanding the attention of several notable programs. He already holds 14 offers, including Oregon, Tennessee, Wisconsin, West Virginia, Kentucky, Arkansas, Boston College, Georgia Tech, Purdue and Illinois among others. 

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