
Notre Dame added a major commitment on Tuesday, as four-star wide receiver Braylon James committed to the Fighting Irish on CBS Sports HQ. James, a product of Del Valle High School in Texas, committed to Notre Dame over Stanford and TCU.
James joining the Notre Dame program is significant because it gives first-year coach Marcus Freeman the current No. 1 recruiting class in the country for the 2023 cycle, per the 247Sports Composite. The Irish landing James’ commitment pushes them past Ohio State, Arkansas and Texas Tech for the No. 1 class with nine commitments.
“I don’t even know where to start with them. As soon as coach Freeman took over, it’s like that whole recruiting process started to change. I feel like in terms of being a top priority, they’re doing the best at making me feel that way,” James told 247Sports. “They’ve expressed that they want me and hiring Chansi Stuckey, someone I previously built a relationship with at Baylor, just made this relationship way more stronger. I talk to them weekly. I feel like in terms of being a complete school, they have it all. And on top of that, they play ball on all levels — Big 12, Big Ten, Pac-12, SEC. You name it, they play it. I feel like I can be the best me there.”
Listed at 6-foot-2 and 175 pounds, James is one of the top recruits from the talent-rich state of Texas. He ranks No. 72 in the industry standard 247Sports Composite, including the No. 12 wide receiver in the class. James is a two-time all-district selection, and also competed in basketball, 300-meter hurdles and high jump.
“Big-framed outside receiver with clear physical tools and athleticism,” 247Sports Midlands Region Recruiting Analyst Gabe Brooks wrote of James. “Assembled one of the best verified testing…
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