Notre Dame has long prided itself on developing elite talent in the trenches, especially on the defensive side of the ball. The Fighting Irish are a program built on physicality, toughness, and tradition—traits that have allowed them to compete at a high level despite not being part of a Power Four conference. For the 2025 recruiting cycle, one of the top priorities for Marcus Freeman and his staff has been securing a dominant presence on the defensive line. One name, in particular, has consistently stood out as both a tantalizing possibility and a gut-wrenching risk: five-star defensive lineman Trey McFadden.
McFadden, a 6-foot-5, 310-pound wrecking ball out of Buford, Georgia, has been at the center of Notre Dame’s recruiting focus for nearly a year. Ranked among the top ten overall prospects in the country and the No. 2 defensive lineman nationally by virtually every major recruiting service, McFadden is the kind of player who can change the identity of a defense the moment he steps on campus. A rare blend of power, speed, and football IQ, he’s drawn comparisons to former Georgia star Jalen Carter with his explosive first step, block-shedding ability, and knack for disrupting plays before they even begin.
Notre Dame fans have watched with growing optimism over the past several months as McFadden continued to engage with the program. He took an unofficial visit to South Bend last fall for the USC game, where he was reportedly blown away by the atmosphere and tradition. He’s maintained consistent communication with defensive line coach Al Washington and head coach Marcus Freeman, both of whom have made McFadden a top priority in what’s shaping up to be a crucial recruiting class. By all accounts, Notre Dame has done everything right—rolling out the red carpet, emphasizing academics, and pitching immediate playing time on a defense in transition.
But optimism has quickly turned to unease.
On Monday morning, McFadden announced that he will make his college decision public on June 22. The timing, while not altogether surprising, doesn’t exactly bode well for the Fighting Irish. According to multiple recruiting insiders, including 247Sports’ Steve Wiltfong and On3’s Chad Simmons, Notre Dame is no longer considered the leader in McFadden’s recruitment. In fact, some believe the Irish may now be running third behind Georgia and Alabama.
The announcement date itself has raised eyebrows. June 22 lines up closely with official visit schedules for several SEC programs, and sources close to the situation have confirmed that McFadden will be in Athens the weekend prior for what many believe will be a final push from Kirby Smart and the defending national champions. While Notre Dame is still hoping to host McFadden for one last visit before his decision, no such trip has been locked in—and that uncertainty is telling.
If Notre Dame fails to secure McFadden’s commitment, it won’t be for lack of effort. Al Washington has been one of the most aggressive recruiters in the country when it comes to defensive linemen, and he’s put in countless hours building relationships not only with McFadden, but with his family and high school coaches. Freeman, too, has personally led the charge, understanding full well the importance of landing an elite-level player who can anchor a defense for years to come. But recruiting, especially at this level, is often more about perception than persistence. And right now, the perception is that the Irish are losing ground.
One major factor working against Notre Dame is geography. As a Georgia native, McFadden has deep-rooted connections in SEC country. While the Irish can point to academic prestige, tradition, and a national brand, it’s hard to compete with the allure of staying close to home and playing in the nation’s most competitive conference. Georgia’s recent run of dominance on the defensive side of the ball—sending players like Travon Walker, Jordan Davis, and Devonte Wyatt to the NFL—adds even more fuel to the fire. Alabama’s track record is just as strong, and Nick Saban’s replacement, Kalen DeBoer, has kept the Crimson Tide in elite recruiting form.
Another challenge for Notre Dame is NIL. Though the program has made strides in the Name, Image, and Likeness era, it still lags behind some of the financial resources and NIL infrastructure of schools like Georgia and Alabama. While there is no concrete evidence that McFadden’s decision will be NIL-driven, the reality is that top-tier recruits are increasingly weighing those opportunities in their decisions. Notre Dame’s approach has emphasized long-term value over short-term dollars, which appeals to many prospects—but not all.
In McFadden’s case, it may simply be a matter of comfort and fit. By all accounts, he has a tight-knit family and a strong support system in Georgia. Staying close to home and playing in front of family members each Saturday is something that matters to him. And despite his affinity for Notre Dame’s culture and coaching staff, the pull of home may ultimately be too strong to overcome.
For Notre Dame, the potential loss of McFadden is more than just missing out on a blue-chip prospect—it’s symbolic of a broader challenge the program faces in the modern recruiting landscape. Competing against the SEC for elite Southern talent has always been difficult, but in today’s NIL-influenced, social-media-driven environment, the margin for error is thinner than ever. Marcus Freeman has built an identity around player development, academic excellence, and long-term success—but when players are deciding between a playoff contender 30 minutes from home and a historically elite program located in the Midwest, even the best pitch can fall short.
This is not to say that Notre Dame’s 2025 class is in jeopardy. The Irish have already secured commitments from several high-caliber prospects, including four-star defensive end Owen Wafle and top-100 linebacker Kylen Young. The class currently ranks in the top ten nationally and remains a source of optimism for the coaching staff. But missing on McFadden would sting—both symbolically and strategically. It would underscore just how difficult it is for Notre Dame to land elite defensive line talent from SEC territory, even when all the other boxes are checked.
There’s still time for things to change. McFadden has not publicly eliminated any schools, and Notre Dame continues to work behind the scenes to keep the door open. A last-minute visit to South Bend, a compelling final pitch from Freeman, or a shift in priorities could all tilt the balance. Recruiting is fluid, and nothing is final until the ink is dry on signing day.
But as of now, the writing appears to be on the wall. The June 22 commitment date feels like a formality for a decision that’s already been made—or at least strongly leaning in one direction. And unfortunately for Notre Dame, that direction doesn’t appear to be pointing toward South Bend.
If McFadden ultimately commits elsewhere, the Irish will regroup. That’s what strong programs do. Freeman and his staff have proven they can identify and develop talent, and they’ll continue to recruit with urgency and purpose. But McFadden is one of those rare prospects whose impact could be program-altering. Letting him slip away would be a blow, no matter how it’s spun.
