'26 GA RB Jonaz Walton (Notre Dame Verbal)

[slaughterhouseX]

I think they will give them all a shot to play because they don't have to try and save a year of eligibility. I'm guessing that's partially one of the reasons our recruiting has been better, the promise of early playing time. If they don't get to play it increases the chances of a transfer

If you're referring to the new 5 for 5 rule implemented by the NCAA, then no its had very little if any impact thus far.

5 for 5 was approved on June 23 of this year. We've maybe had 5-6 kids total in the 27 & 28 classes commit since then.

 

[notredamermotherpray4us]

If you're referring to the new 5 for 5 rule implemented by the NCAA, then no its had very little if any impact thus far.

5 for 5 was approved on June 23 of this year. We've maybe had 5-6 kids total in the 27 & 28 classes commit since then.

I wasn't referring to that. Just saying they probably promised early playing time. Im sure the staff knew that the new 5 for 5 rule was gonna be put in place well before June 23rd though

 

[Veritate Duce Progredi]

I think they will give them all a shot to play because they don't have to try and save a year of eligibility. I'm guessing that's partially one of the reasons our recruiting has been better, the promise of early playing time. If they don't get to play it increases the chances of a transfer

Early PT is always dangled by coaching staffs with the understanding that you must be good enough to force their hand. That isn't why recruiting is better.

It's better because ND as an institution has fully backed the football program. Freeman has assembled an incredible staff who has a history of developing elite talent and they appear to be excellent recruiters. Add those things together and you get the 2026 and 2027 classes. But we saw improvement in 2025 as well.

 

[Irish#1]

I wasn't referring to that. Just saying they probably promised early playing time. Im sure the staff knew that the new 5 for 5 rule was gonna be put in place well before June 23rd though

Promising early playing time doesn’t fit the culture MF has built.

I doubt they promised early playing time. Now if they said “early playing time is available if you prove yourself “, that’s different.

 

[Old Man Mike]

I know nothing about our astoundingly successful recruiting, but it seems "logical" that it must include at least four elements:
1. Good "Pay";
2. Really impressive Head Coach (as a likable Man's Man);
3. Recruiting staff STRONGLY required to imitate him;
4. WOW facilities and school reputation.

Recruiting, I would think for most young men and their families, would be a multi-tiered experience.
We seem, now, to be checking all the boxes. (Stuff like lying to recruits, about anything, wouldn't fit.)

 

[NDFAN2008]

Promising early playing time doesn’t fit the culture MF has built.

I doubt they promised early playing time. Now if they said “early playing time is available if you prove yourself “, that’s different.

The difference is if you are good enough and earned reps you’ll play early under Freeman. Kelly on the other hand would play a walk on over a Freshman who deserved snaps

 

[RudyVerse]

Not as fluid with his feet as the other backs according to Greg F today.

 

[pumpdog20]

To be honest I would have predicted Osbourne to be the better of the two when they committed.

 

[Dale]

He’s a one cut back, always been the case since we were recruiting him. Power and long speed. Osbourne has the agility.

 

[Irishokie]

To be honest I would have predicted Osbourne to be the better of the two when they committed.

I believe II’s podcast said he had an injury that’s kept him behind. Maybe from high school or since enrolling.

 

[Rocketman84]

To be honest I would have predicted Osbourne to be the better of the two when they committed.

Two totally different backs...Osborne is the agile back with elite jump cutting ability and excellent feet. Walton is more of the rugged throwback runner that moves the chains, excellent vision and top end speed but one cut and headed north.

 

[Jimmy3Putt]

Thunder and Lighting, except our thunder has a third gear this time.

 

[NDPhilly]

Per John Brice / II - Jonaz broke Landow’s proprietary explosiveness score, setting a record for a ND player. “He’s the most explosive guy on the team”

 

[Veritate Duce Progredi]

Per John Brice / II - Jonaz broke Landow’s proprietary explosiveness score, setting a record for a ND player. “He’s the most explosive guy on the team”

Just remember what we stole out of Georgia in this class: Jonaz Walton and Bubba Frazier, two incredibly explosive players.

 

[MeanGreenBeans]

Just remember what we stole out of Georgia in this class: Jonaz Walton and Bubba Frazier, two incredibly explosive players.

Both had offers from Georgia too.

 

[Dale]

Per John Brice / II - Jonaz broke Landow’s proprietary explosiveness score, setting a record for a ND player. “He’s the most explosive guy on the team”

If Walton can catch up with the vision part that James Jr I think excels at, we’re gonna have conversation, quickly.

 

[AlaskanIrish]

Per John Brice / II - Jonaz broke Landow’s proprietary explosiveness score, setting a record for a ND player. “He’s the most explosive guy on the team”

I had thought that Seider was just trying to motivate Kedren Young with all of the Walton hype (similar builds and roles). That still could be true, but definitely not the whole picture. Looks like we may have something special with Jonaz.

 

[greyhammer90]

Per John Brice / II - Jonaz broke Landow’s proprietary explosiveness score, setting a record for a ND player. “He’s the most explosive guy on the team”

I've forgotten the details but in the most recent II pod O'Malley said he was told about some testing numbers Walton put up. He said that he was told that those numbers previously seen in history were performed by 4 others:

1) Bo Jackson
2) Adrian Peterson
3) Saquon Barkley,
4)Somebody O'Malley forgot but he said was some RB in the caliber of the first 3.

So we're monitoring.

 

[NDPhilly]

In retrospect, his 100m time at his stocky size was absurd.

 

[TheProspector]

Both had offers from Georgia too.

Don’t forget Thomas Davis too. Not Georgia but had a Georgia offer and his dad is a Georgia legacy.

 

[mrwayne]

Just remember what we stole out of Georgia in this class: Jonaz Walton and Bubba Frazier, two incredibly explosive players.

And not the 'Taylor Farms lettuce' type of explosive.

 

[402puck]

Per John Brice / II - Jonaz broke Landow’s proprietary explosiveness score, setting a record for a ND player. “He’s the most explosive guy on the team”

If that's the case is there really any legit reason he shouldn't be back to receive the first kickoff return?

 

[BigErnMcCracken]

If that's the case is there really any legit reason he shouldn't be back to receive the first kickoff return?

Matt Jefferey, for the win.

 

[Jimmy3Putt]

If that's the case is there really any legit reason he shouldn't be back to receive the first kickoff return?

Put him at KR and Bubba at PR.

 

[TNUtoNotreDame]

And not the 'Taylor Farms lettuce' type of explosive.

AKA, my diet method...

 

[Ndaccountant]

I've forgotten the details but in the most recent II pod O'Malley said he was told about some testing numbers Walton put up. He said that he was told that those numbers previously seen in history were performed by 4 others:

1) Bo Jackson
2) Adrian Peterson
3) Saquon Barkley,
4)Somebody O'Malley forgot but he said was some RB in the caliber of the first 3.

So we're monitoring.

 

[irishnd31]

If that's the case is there really any legit reason he shouldn't be back to receive the first kickoff return?

he fumbled at practice...

 

[Rocketman84]

If Walton can catch up with the vision part that James Jr I think excels at, we’re gonna have conversation, quickly.

Oddly enough his vision is considered one of the two strongest parts of his game.

 

[Rocketman84]

Matt Jefferey, for the win.

He Kelly were still coach that's the type of player he would stick back there😂

 

[NDhoosier]

He fumbled... bench him for the season