Jerome Bettis received his nickname “the Bus” during his time at Notre Dame, and in 2025, the minibus will officially arrive in South Bend. Three-star WR Jerome Bettis Jr. verbally committed to the Fighting Irish on March 17 (aka St. Patrick’s Day), spurning offers from Texas A&M, Missouri, and Ole Miss, among plenty of others.
Notre Dame Lands Commitment From Jerome Bettis Jr.
☘️☘️ pic.twitter.com/JcZVgKctla
— Jerome Bettis Jr (@jeromebettisjr) March 17, 2024
Despite sharing the same name, the two couldn’t be more different as football players. Bettis was a 5’11” and 252-pound back, but JBJ is a 6’2″ and 190-pound receiver/safety. Still, comparisons will come, but Bettis Jr. will have no issues forging his own path while following his father’s footsteps.
Bettis told ESPN that Notre Dame “made sure super early on that it was known they recruited me for me and not my father,” which was important for the 2025 recruit. Of course, Bettis Sr. was involved in the process and has guided his son both off and on the field. It’s safe to say being raised by a 13-year NFL veteran with a Super Bowl ring and Hall of Fame jacket comes with its advantages.
Regardless, Bettis Jr. has flashed for Woodward Academy in Atlanta, Georgia, catching 30 passes for 369 yards and four touchdowns last season while recording 34 tackles and two interceptions on defense.
He joins fellow 2025 three-star recruit Elijah Burress (former Pittsburgh Steelers receiver Plaxico Burress’ son) and Shaun Terry as future Golden Domers. Additionally, Bettis Jr.’s verbal commitment was Notre Dame’s 18th in the class, the biggest by pure volume in the nation.
Last cycle, the Irish landed Cam Williams, Micah Gilbert, and Logan Saldate at the position, beginning the rebuild of a room ravaged by transfers and an overall lack of talent. They are also still in pursuit of Bishop Gorman’s Derek Meadows, a four-star 6’5″, 200-pound pass catcher.
Bettis fits Notre Dame’s mold as a physical yet fluid athlete who can produce in all phases of the game. He also spoke on head coach Marcus Freeman’s impact on his decision, saying, “I’m sure everybody’s heard this a lot, but he’s such a great coach, and he’s so personable.
“For him to be the leader of Notre Dame football, it makes it so much more enticing almost for me to want to go there and want to play under him. Just because of how great of a person he is. Then, obviously, he’s an outstanding coach.”
KEEP READING: 2024 Notre Dame Football Roster
Bettis Jr. still has his senior year of high school to finish, and with the recent influx in WR talent, it might take some time until we see him on the field in South Bend. Yet, his commitment brings a wave of excitement to the Notre Dame fanbase and pride to his father.
“I viewed the pros and cons and took it to my father and asked him what he thought about it and his thoughts on me making the decision,” Bettis said. “First, he wanted to make sure I was completely certain, and after that, he was super happy. Just the initial reaction from him and the joy I could see on his face, that was something super special for me to witness.”
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