Why 2 Jones brothers couldn't say no to Notre Dame

Notre Dame secured a standout moment in the 2027 recruiting cycle by landing two commitments from the same family within minutes, both revealed live on national television. Julius Jones Jr., a top-50 wide receiver prospect, pledged to the Irish as the second-ranked player in the class, behind four-star offensive tackle Oluwasemilore Olubobola, who committed on May 12. Jones arrives after producing 58 receptions for 876 yards and 14 touchdowns over 15 games as a junior at St. Thomas Aquinas High School, then taking an official visit to Miami from June 5 to 7 before choosing Notre Dame, his father’s alma mater. His brother, Andre Jones, also committed after Notre Dame offered him during an April visit. A 5-foot-11, 175-pound defensive back, Andre recorded 37 tackles, one interception, and four pass breakups as a sophomore in 2025, and earned interest from programs including Florida State, Penn State, Georgia Tech, Texas A&M, and UCLA.