Slices of Tuna: Notre Dame continues to add to its legacy collection
Taking a look at recent Irish legacies. Plus, Brian Kelly is back (sort of). And the season will be here before you know it.
Stay cool this week, fellow Midwesterners!
1. Notre Dame is where NFL players send their sons to school
Notre Dame added to its NFL lineage last week, landing commitments from 2027 four-star receiver Julius Jones Jr. and brother Andre Jones, himself a three-star 2028 safety.
They are, of course, the sons of Irish running back great Julius Jones.
They are not unique among legacy players with the Irish, who have managed to become a hotbed for not just the sons of NFL stars who graduated from the school, but sons of NFL stars who didn’t, too.
Let’s take a look by class at the profiles of those who have played — and those who are expected to play — during the Marcus Freeman era.
We’ll break them down by Notre Dame (6) and non-Notre Dame NFL sons (13). Of note: We counted Notre Dame football, non-NFL players (Scott Raridon), but we didn’t count other college, non-NFL players (sorry, Jay Blair (Jadon)).
Also: Not for nothing, but there are sons of four Pro Football Hall of Famers in this group. Not bad.
NOTRE DAME LEGACY PLAYERS
2028
Andre Jones
Position: Safety
High School: St. Thomas Aquinas (Fla.)
Profile: 3-star (247/Rivals)
Father: Julius (Notre Dame ’04, NFL 2004-10)
2027
Julius Jones Jr.
Position: Wide receiver
High School: St. Thomas Aquinas (Fla.)
Profile: 4-star (247/Rivals)
Father: Julius (Notre Dame ’04, NFL 2004-10)
2025
James Flanigan
Position: Tight end
High School: Notre Dame Academy (Wis.)
Profile: 4-star (247/Rivals)
Father: Jim (Notre Dame ’94, NFL 1994-2003)
