4 ⭐️ RB Jonaz Walton (Carrollton, GA) has committed to Notre Dame over Alabama, Stanford & Florida ☘️
The 5-foot-11, 205-pound back made his announcement via social media with a heartfelt video, featuring his family, teammates, and community—a symbolic nod to the strong personal values and academic excellence that made Notre Dame stand out in this high-stakes recruitment battle. For Irish fans, Walton’s pledge marks yet another major milestone for head coach Marcus Freeman and his growing reputation as one of the most aggressive recruiters in the nation.
A Big Win for Marcus Freeman and Notre Dame
For Marcus Freeman and his staff, the commitment of Jonaz Walton is more than just a typical four-star addition. It’s a statement.
Walton is a top-10 running back nationally and is ranked within the top 150 overall prospects in the 2025 recruiting class. With offers from Alabama, Stanford, and Florida—all programs known for their running back development—landing Walton signals that Notre Dame has the cachet, both academically and athletically, to pull elite talent out of SEC country.
Freeman’s presence on the recruiting trail has reinvigorated Notre Dame’s image. Since taking over the program, he has consistently built strong relationships with recruits and their families—particularly in talent-rich areas like Georgia. Freeman and running backs coach Deland McCullough, whose NFL pedigree and development track record speak volumes, were instrumental in flipping the script in Notre Dame’s favor late in the process.
Why Notre Dame? A Fit Beyond Football
Speaking to media shortly after his announcement, Walton emphasized his decision had as much to do with Notre Dame’s holistic offerings as it did with football.
“Notre Dame is more than just football,” Walton said. “It’s a 40-year decision, not just a four-year one. The combination of elite academics, faith-based values, and the chance to compete at the highest level—it just felt like home.”
That “40-year decision” has become a recurring phrase for Notre Dame recruits under Freeman’s regime. The Fighting Irish have leaned into the uniqueness of the Notre Dame experience: a blend of tradition, academics, alumni networking, and football excellence. For Walton, the family-oriented atmosphere, spiritual culture, and mentorship opportunities were deciding factors.
Notre Dame’s strong academic reputation, particularly in business and leadership development, also appealed to Walton, who comes from a family that has prioritized education alongside athletics. Stanford offered a similar pitch, but Notre Dame’s blend of competitive football and moral alignment tipped the scales.
Scouting Report: What Jonaz Walton Brings to South Bend
Walton’s film jumps off the screen. A downhill, physical runner with top-end speed and elite vision, he’s a complete back with the potential to contribute immediately as a freshman.
Strengths:
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Vision & Patience: Walton excels at reading blocks and finding creases between the tackles. His patience at the line of scrimmage reminds scouts of current NFL star Josh Jacobs.
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Physicality: At 205 pounds, Walton isn’t afraid of contact. He runs with a low pad level, finishes his runs with authority, and has an innate feel for when to lower the shoulder versus when to make a defender miss.
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Acceleration: Once he finds an opening, Walton hits another gear. His breakaway speed makes him dangerous on zone runs and outside tosses.
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Pass Protection & Hands: A modern back must protect the QB and catch passes—Walton does both at a high level. His film shows comfort catching out of the backfield and a willingness to pick up blitzes.
Areas for Growth:
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Top-End Elusiveness: While Walton can make defenders miss in space, he’s more of a one-cut-and-go runner than a shifty juker.
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Consistency in Pad Level: Occasionally, he’ll run upright, exposing himself to big hits, but this is coachable and already improving.
McCullough will be thrilled with Walton’s raw tools, and it’s not out of the question that the Georgia product could be a three-year starter if he develops quickly.
Impact on Notre Dame’s 2025 Recruiting Class
Walton’s commitment elevates Notre Dame’s already strong 2025 class into top-five territory nationally.
He becomes the Irish’s first blue-chip running back in the class, joining a balanced haul that already includes four-star quarterback Deuce Knight, five-star safety Ivan Taylor, and offensive linemen Owen Strebig and Will Black.
Walton also gives Notre Dame a crucial recruiting foothold in Georgia, one of the most competitive territories for college football talent. By beating out Alabama and Florida—two SEC giants with deep ties in the region—Notre Dame has sent a message that it won’t
