'25 GA WR Jerome Bettis Jr. (Notre Dame Signee)

[notredomer23]

I thought the same.

If he was being recruited as an ATH would there be this much consternation with his addition?

I actually like his defensive tape more than I do Jadon Blair’s who is a top 150 recruit… now that’s a combo of Blair having elite measurables while also being overrated, but I feel a bit more assured about the Bettis take after seeing the defensive side. Worst case he doesn’t make an impact at receiver but can probably be a special teams coverage ace.

 

[StPaul_Irish]

Sounds Good 👍

 

[Rocketman84]

Maybe Marcus wants to use Kirby's formula of signing a 3* GA WR to win a natty?

Ummm the 30 rec. and 478 yds. weren't game changing😂😂😂 But two 5* TEs and the four 4* WRs helped along with a 3*.

 

[FDNYIrish1]

Same guys complaining would’ve blown an aneurysm if Faison was offered a couple of years ago. If nothing else he can grow into a red zone/special teams depth piece. God bless and welcome Jr.

 

[Irish4life]

Ummm the 30 rec. and 478 yds. weren't game changing😂😂😂 But two 5* TEs and the four 4* WRs helped along with a 3*.

Yeah you're right, having a potential first round pick WR isn't a game changer for an offense at all.

 

[Irish du Nord]

Really like his defensive highlights in this

James Onwualu 2.0?

 

[Lberry]

I like Terry, but I'm a bit underwhelmed with Burress and Bettis Jr. I suppose if 2/3 or all 3 don't hit we can always just recruit over them, so to speak, via grad transfers in the portal during their time at ND.

I think Burress is a really good get.

 

[Rocketman84]

I actually like his defensive tape more than I do Jadon Blair’s who is a top 150 recruit… now that’s a combo of Blair having elite measurables while also being overrated, but I feel a bit more assured about the Bettis take after seeing the defensive side. Worst case he doesn’t make an impact at receiver but can probably be a special teams coverage ace.

I think we already have at least 4 special teams "Aces" in this class! Meh

 

[Rocketman84]

We don’t go from the shitshow that DelVaughn and Chansi left us with to an OSU-caliber WR room overnight. Most programs take a player or two of JBJ’s caliber - for depth, special teams, etc. Not to mention the impact his dad might continue to have on the program.

This isn’t the same as when we had Bon Jovi on the roster - Bettis has NFL pedigree and might legitimately produce.

Unless we’re giving him the spot of someone who is way better, I think some of us need to pump the breaks and accept that we should take whatever volume we can at a position of need.

He was a walk-on and CHAMPIONSHIP programs recruit at a higher level period! He's a good last minute addition type of recruit.

 

[NumbersGuy0520]

He was a walk-on and CHAMPIONSHIP programs recruit at a higher level period! He's a good last minute addition type of recruit.

You guys are kinda proving my point when you pick this apart and defend the addition of Bongiovi.

Nowhere did I say it was a mistake. The whole point of the post was drawing a comp between JBJ (Jesse Bon Jovi) and JBJ (Jerome Bettis Jr) - if people were ok with Bongiovi, they should certainly be okay with Jerome Bettis Jr, who is more established and offers more upside. The only difference is Bettis takes a scholly, but by no means should we draw the line at him (see my orig post - we need all the help we can get at WR).

 

[NDQuebec]

I fully understand the reason he was offered. However, I don't think he will see much playing time at WR at ND.

 

[allenm5333]

I fully understand the reason he was offered. However, I don't think he will see much playing time at WR at ND.

Could he become a move TE?

 

[NDQuebec]

Could he become a move TE?

Don't know, others above have mentioned playing somewhere on the defensive side.

 

[Rockin’Irish]

Don't know, others above have mentioned playing somewhere on the defensive side.

He has also played safety in HS.

 

[IAIrish]

May good luck shine on the young man, and hope he proves doubters, including me, wrong.

We fans have born witness to some crazy ND player success stories, and I'd love for JBJ to add a chapter to that book.

 

[Sea Turtle]

I think he's gonna surprise a lot of people.

 

[BobbyMac]

I think he's gonna surprise a lot of people.

With what... a 4.8 40?

In before the yahoos.

 

[Irish#1]

Excellent!

 

[irish4ever]

I love this pickup. It’s crazy to think we have the son of an absolute legend of a player at Notre Dame. JBJ’s going to do some great things for the Irish.

I agree with you. He'll bring passion for improvement with him, which can overcome not getting a 4th *.

 

[SoIll]

Film Don't Lie | Jerome Bettis Jr.

Notre Dame added another legacy in the 2025 class in Jerome Bettis Jr., a boundary receiver who excels in contested catch opportunities

irishsportsdaily.com

Not exactly an exciting breakdown

 

[PutuporShutup]

Film Don't Lie | Jerome Bettis Jr.

Notre Dame added another legacy in the 2025 class in Jerome Bettis Jr., a boundary receiver who excels in contested catch opportunities

irishsportsdaily.com

Not exactly an exciting breakdown

Just need to play teams with small unathletic corners

Don't get this, i've made that clear.

He's committed so I hope he proves me wrong and turns into the bully WR he'll need to be to play

 

[ColinKSU]

Film Don't Lie | Jerome Bettis Jr.

Notre Dame added another legacy in the 2025 class in Jerome Bettis Jr., a boundary receiver who excels in contested catch opportunities

irishsportsdaily.com

Not exactly an exciting breakdown

I don't have a big issue with doing right by his father by taking Bettis Jr. as a bottom of the WR class flyer, but you can tell that Jamie is being extremely polite in his breakdown. I actually thought Corey Robinson before I even clicked the link, but I think he'd have to reach his ceiling to be Corey Robinson. And that's ... a fine player.

I have more of an issue because I don't know that he's currently the bottom of this WR class, but the portal is an option and there will always be WRs available.

 

[StPaul_Irish]

I don't have a big issue with doing right by his father by taking Bettis Jr. as a bottom of the WR class flyer, but you can tell that Jamie is being extremely polite in his breakdown. I actually thought Corey Robinson before I even clicked the link, but I think he'd have to reach his ceiling to be Corey Robinson. And that's ... a fine player.

I have more of an issue because I don't know that he's currently the bottom of this WR class, but the portal is an option and there will always be WRs available.

THIS... Pre portal, maybe he isn't a take (I am not an evaluator so I don't know) but in the portal era, why not, it's a great legacy, a guy that could surprise and be a legit WR option or maybe as some have said change sides. Worst case, he is a ST guy and we go to the portal. I see very little downside here.

 

[ab2cmiller]

THIS... Pre portal, maybe he isn't a take (I am not an evaluator so I don't know) but in the portal era, why not, it's a great legacy, a guy that could surprise and be a legit WR option or maybe as some have said change sides. Worst case, he is a ST guy and we go to the portal. I see very little downside here.

I agree. Besides the things you've mentioned, I think having Dad on the sideline every home game interacting with recruits and parents could be huge. Bettis has an infectious personality, is a Hall of Famer and has a great story to tell. I can't think of another former ND player that's graduated since Bettis, Sr. played that could be as impactful as him.

The only negative I can see is if Jr. doesn't get any playing time and that Dad and Son end up feeling like they weren't treated fairly. There's a remote possibility that the end result is Dad ends up publicly voicing displeasure instead of being ND's biggest cheerleader.

 

[SWirishfan]

The only negative I can see is if Jr. doesn't get any playing time and that Dad and Son end up feeling like they weren't treated fairly. There's a remote possibility that the end result is Dad ends up publicly voicing displeasure instead of being ND's biggest cheerleader.

Ahh yes, the dreaded "Montana Syndrome"

 

[ab2cmiller]

Ahh yes, the dreaded "Montana Syndrome"

Exactly

 

[Irish#1]

THIS... Pre portal, maybe he isn't a take (I am not an evaluator so I don't know) but in the portal era, why not, it's a great legacy, a guy that could surprise and be a legit WR option or maybe as some have said change sides. Worst case, he is a ST guy and we go to the portal. I see very little downside here.

Well stated. If we were struggling to get decent talent, then I might question it. Not everyone on the roster is a 4 or 5 star and I don't see people clamoring to get rid of those that only see ST or mop up playing time.

Like AB2 said. Mingling with recruits on the sideline could help recruiting.

 

[PutuporShutup]

Well stated. If we were struggling to get decent talent, then I might question it. Not everyone on the roster is a 4 or 5 star and I don't see people clamoring to get rid of those that only see ST or mop up playing time.

Like AB2 said. Mingling with recruits on the sideline could help recruiting.

What player on scholarship (non specialist) that only plays and has a path to STs that ND fans are happy with?

Some mop up players you mention do have high potential but have had good experienced players in front of them.

 

[StPaul_Irish]

I agree. Besides the things you've mentioned, I think having Dad on the sideline every home game interacting with recruits and parents could be huge. Bettis has an infectious personality, is a Hall of Famer and has a great story to tell. I can't think of another former ND player that's graduated since Bettis, Sr. played that could be as impactful as him.

The only negative I can see is if Jr. doesn't get any playing time and that Dad and Son end up feeling like they weren't treated fairly. There's a remote possibility that the end result is Dad ends up publicly voicing displeasure instead of being ND's biggest cheerleader.

100% agree, but I just don't see SR being like that. He played for Lou, and knows a spot is earned. Worth the risk I guess, but you nailed my intent. Having SR. around as a public voice/cheerleader is huge, one any program would love to have.

My gut tells me that there is a little bit of hey, this is SRs kid, but at the same time, I don't see this staff taking a guy that hasn't earned it.

 

[Sea Turtle]

Stoked about this get. He will make plays.