Julius Jones Jr. and Brother Andre Commit to Notre Dame

Notre Dame is continuing to strengthen it’s recruiting roots in Florida. The Fighting Irish have landed a commitment from big-time wide receiver Julius Jones Jr., with the Fort Lauderdale, Fla./St. Thomas Aquinas standout choosing Notre Dame over Miami and Oregon — and giving the Irish an explosive, big-play talent at a position the program has been targeting hard in this cycle.

A Two-Year Pursuit That Finally Paid Off

Jones has been a top target for the Notre Dame coaching staff for almost two years, ever since he began dominating for the Raiders. The connection to the program existed from early in the process, but it was a spring visit to South Bend that truly shifted the trajectory of this recruitment. That trip gave Jones the chance to see firsthand that Notre Dame's offense was trending in a direction perfectly suited to his dynamic skill set. Coming out of that visit, Notre Dame became the team to beat — and that never changed.

An Explosive Playmaker With Elite Tools

At 5-10 and 175 pounds, Jones doesn't have prototypical size, but what he lacks in length he more than makes up for with elite athleticism, big-play ability and tremendous hands. He has shown that combination for two full seasons at St. Thomas Aquinas, establishing himself as one of the most explosive offensive weapons in the state of Florida.

Jones is the kind of player who can change a game in an instant. He has the suddenness to be a dangerous threat after the catch and the pure speed to separate from defenders at every level of the field. That speed isn't theoretical — Jones ran a blistering 10.52 in the 100-meter dash this spring, and that timed speed translates directly to his tape. His acceleration in space is outstanding, and when his vision and quickness combine with the ball in his hands, he becomes a legitimate home-run threat from anywhere on the field. Despite his smaller frame, Jones also possesses big-time pass-catching skills, with tremendous concentration and strong hands that allow him to win contested catches that bigger receivers often struggle with.

Big-Game Production When It Mattered Most

The numbers from Jones's junior season speak for themselves. He hauled in 58 passes for 876 yards — a 15.1 yards-per-catch average — and 14 touchdowns, while leading St. Thomas Aquinas to a state championship.

What stands out most is how Jones performed on the biggest stages against the toughest competition. He opened the 2025 season with six catches for 72 yards against national powerhouse Mater Dei (Calif.). He caught two touchdowns in the semifinal win over Riverdale. And in the state championship game against Lakeland, he delivered seven catches for 126 yards — exactly the kind of performance you want from your top receiver when the season is on the line.

What He Brings to Mike Denbrock's Evolving Passing Attack

Notre Dame's passing offense under Mike Denbrock has been built around versatility, explosiveness and the ability to threaten defenses at every level of the field — and Julius Jones Jr. fits that vision precisely. His blend of legitimate track speed, sudden acceleration after the catch and the toughness to do the dirty work as a blocker gives Denbrock a receiver who can line up across multiple formations and create issues from any alignment.

A receiver who averages over 15 yards per catch while also embracing blocking assignments is exactly the kind of complete offensive weapon that elevates a passing game beyond what raw talent alone can provide. As Notre Dame continues to add explosive, versatile pieces to its receiver room, Jones gives Denbrock another big-play threat who can stretch the field vertically while also contributing after the catch in the short and intermediate passing game — precisely the multidimensional skill set that makes a modern Power Four passing attack difficult to defend.

The Recruiting Profile Matches the Production

Jones grades out as a Top 50 caliber prospect with a 4.5-star rating on the Irish Breakdown board, and carries an easy 5.0-star upside grade. Nationally, he's ranked the No. 50 overall player in the country by ESPN and No. 84 overall by Rivals/On3.

The offer list reflects just how coveted Jones was on the recruiting trail. Beyond Notre Dame, Miami and Oregon, he also held offers from Ohio State, LSU, Florida, Texas A&M, Oklahoma, Florida State, Tennessee, Indiana, Penn State, Auburn, Missouri, UCLA, NC State, Pittsburgh, Kentucky, West Virginia, Syracuse and Colorado, among others — a list that reads like a who's who of college football's most prominent programs.

Building a Loaded 2027 Class

Jones becomes the second wide receiver to commit to Notre Dame in the 2027 class, joining Highlands Ranch, Colo./Valor Christian standout Jackson Coleman. He's also the fourth player from Florida to choose the Irish, joining safety and St. Thomas Aquinas teammate Zayden Gamble — giving Notre Dame a pair of committed teammates from one of the most successful high school programs in the country.

Jones is the 19th commitment in Notre Dame's 2027 class, joining quarterback Champ Monds, running backs Lathan Whisenton and Isaiah Rogers, wide receiver Jackson Coleman, tight end Titus Hawk, offensive linemen Olu Olubobola, James Halter, Richie Flanigan and Jackson Hill, defensive linemen Abraham Sesay, Jackson Vaughn, Aidan O'Neil and David Folorunsho, cornerbacks Xavier Hasan and Ace Alston, safety Zayden Gamble, nickel John Gay III and long snapper Sean Kraft.

With Jones now in the fold, Notre Dame's passing game has another dynamic, explosive piece to build around for the future — and the Irish coaching staff's two-year investment in this relationship has paid off with one of the most electric playmakers in the 2027 class.