Notre Dame Football Makes a Tremendous Move with a Texas Speedster, and the Fighting Irish Now Have a Game-Changer
South Bend, IN – The Notre Dame Fighting Irish just added another weapon to their arsenal, and this one comes with serious speed. Notre Dame has landed a commitment from one of Texas’s fastest high school prospects, and it’s already shaking up the trajectory of the 2025 recruiting class. With this move, the Irish not only added elite athleticism to their roster — they’ve secured a potential game-changer.
The newest addition, wide receiver and return specialist Jayden Thomas, hails from the speed-saturated football fields of Houston, Texas. Clocking a verified 4.33 in the 40-yard dash, Thomas has the kind of breakaway speed that keeps defensive coordinators up at night. His commitment gives Notre Dame a true burner on the outside — something the Irish have lacked in recent years.
“He’s the kind of guy who can take a slant 80 yards or flip the field on a punt return,” one scout said. “Once he gets the ball in space, he’s a nightmare.”
At 6-foot-0 and 180 pounds, Thomas is more than just a track star in pads. He’s a polished route runner with elite body control, sure hands, and a knack for creating separation. In his junior year at North Shore High School, he racked up over 1,200 receiving yards and 14 touchdowns, while adding three special teams scores. He’s explosive, but he’s also consistent — and that’s a combination Notre Dame’s offense sorely needs.
Landing Thomas is a major win for head coach Marcus Freeman and wide receivers coach Chansi Stuckey, both of whom have prioritized adding speed and versatility to the offense. With Thomas now in the fold, Notre Dame has a true vertical threat who can stretch the field and open up the playbook.
“This is the kind of player that changes how defenses play us,” said offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock. “You can’t teach speed like his. It forces people to adjust.”
The commitment also signals Notre Dame’s increasing success in recruiting down south, especially in talent-rich states like Texas. Beating out SEC and Big 12 programs for Thomas’s signature proves that Notre Dame’s national recruiting footprint is alive and well.
With Jayden Thomas in blue and gold, the Irish offense just got a whole lot more dangerous. And come Saturdays this fall, the echoes might not just be waking — they’ll be flying.
