“Notre Dame’s Dominance: Top-Ranked 2025 Recruiting Cycle Fueled by Defensive Line Talent and Star Quarterback”
Notre Dame has kicked off the 2025 recruiting cycle with impressive momentum, currently holding the No. 1 ranking by 967Sports, Rivals and 247Sports. The foundation of this top-ranked class is a five-man defensive line group and standout quarterback Deuce Knight. Head coach Marcus Freeman’s emphasis on line-driven play on both sides of the ball is evident in the back-to-back strong defensive line classes, positioning Notre Dame for a potentially outstanding 2025 cycle.
The Irish secured their highest-ranked defensive line commitment to date with the addition of Christopher Burgess Jr. from Chicago (Ill.) Simeon during the All-American Bowl. Burgess, an immensely talented player with substantial untapped potential, significantly bolsters the defensive class, signaling its potential to reach elite status. Rivals ranks Burgess as the No. 61 player nationally.
The defensive line class also includes Davion Dixon from Florida, CJ May from Alabama, Joseph Reiff from Illinois, and Dominik Hulak, a hybrid defender also from Illinois. All five are rated as four-star players by at least one service, with May and Reiff earning Top 250 player rankings by at least one service. Despite Dixon’s underrated status, his strong junior season with impressive stats highlights his impact on the field.
However, Notre Dame’s efforts in recruiting defensive linemen are far from over. A key prospect in the quest for a truly formidable defensive line class is Damien Shanklin from Indianapolis (Ind.) Warren Central. Shanklin, a pure Vyper player, ranks as the nation’s No. 136 overall player according to On3, but his potential places him as a Top 100 talent. With a combination of size, power, and athleticism, Shanklin has the attributes to develop into a dynamic edge rusher and a robust run defender.
Adding Shanklin to the class alongside Burgess, May, and Hulak would contribute significant talent, versatility, and playmaking potential. This defensive line group would align well with the power class of 2023 and the long, athletic class of 2024, establishing a consistent focus on line play. The potential addition of Shanklin positions Notre Dame as a formidable force in defensive line recruiting, affirming Coach Washington’s success on the trail and marking a remarkable back-to-back-to-back recruiting haul for line play, a crucial element for a program striving for excellence.
