Breaking: Former Notre Dame Head Coach Secures Commitment From Highly Touted Tennessee Prospect, Beating Out the Fighting Irish in Recruiting Battle
In a major shakeup on the college football recruiting trail, a former Notre Dame head coach has made headlines by securing the commitment of one of the most sought-after prospects in the state of Tennessee. The player, five-star defensive back Malik Jefferson, widely regarded as one of the top recruits in the 2025 class, has officially announced his commitment to the University of LSU, where Brian Kelly — the former head coach of the Fighting Irish — is now building a powerhouse program.
Jefferson, a 6-foot-2, 190-pound cornerback from Brentwood Academy in Nashville, Tennessee, had long been on the radar of several blue-blood programs, including Alabama, Georgia, Ohio State, and of course, Notre Dame. For months, recruiting insiders had pegged Notre Dame as the frontrunner to land Jefferson, thanks to his strong relationship with Marcus Freeman’s staff and multiple visits to South Bend. However, in a surprising twist, Brian Kelly and his LSU staff swooped in late in the process, leveraging Kelly’s long-standing connections and a compelling vision for Jefferson’s future in Baton Rouge.
According to sources close to the recruitment, LSU’s recent success in developing NFL-caliber defensive backs played a pivotal role in Jefferson’s decision. Kelly and LSU defensive coordinator Blake Baker emphasized their track record of producing elite defensive talent, citing recent first-round draft picks like Derek Stingley Jr. and Kristian Fulton as examples. Additionally, Jefferson reportedly formed a strong bond with LSU’s defensive backs coach, Robert Steeples, during his official visit to Baton Rouge earlier this spring.
In his announcement posted to social media Thursday morning, Jefferson expressed gratitude to all the programs that recruited him but cited LSU’s “family atmosphere,” competitive SEC environment, and strong academic support as key factors in his commitment.
“This journey has been incredible,” Jefferson wrote. “After many conversations, prayers, and discussions with my family, I am excited to announce that I will be committing to Louisiana State University. I believe in what Coach Kelly and his staff are building, and I can’t wait to be a Tiger!”
For Notre Dame, the loss of Jefferson stings on multiple levels. Not only was he a top target and potential cornerstone of the 2025 recruiting class, but losing him to a former head coach adds an extra layer of frustration. Marcus Freeman’s staff had prioritized Jefferson throughout the cycle, and many analysts believed they had done enough to secure his pledge.
However, recruiting battles at the highest level are often unpredictable, and Brian Kelly’s ability to close on a player of Jefferson’s caliber is a testament to his recruiting prowess and the momentum LSU continues to build under his leadership. The Tigers’ 2025 class now jumps to No. 3 nationally in the 247Sports composite rankings, thanks to Jefferson’s addition.
Moving forward, Notre Dame will likely turn its attention to other top defensive back targets, including four-star Jalen Woods from Florida and five-star Kahlil Carter from Texas. While losing Jefferson is a tough blow, there’s still plenty of time left in the cycle for Freeman and his staff to make up ground.
For now, though, it’s Brian Kelly and LSU celebrating a major win on the recruiting trail — at the expense of his former program.