Notre Dame added a big signing Tuesday when four-star wide receiver Braylon James signed for the Fighting Irish on CBS Sports HQ. James, a product of Del Valle High School in Texas, became involved with Notre Dame through Stanford and TCU.
James joining the Notre Dame program is significant as it gives first-year coach Marcus Freeman the current No. 1 recruiting grade in the country for the 2023 cycle, according to the 247Sports Composite. Irish landing James’ commitment pushes them past Ohio State, Arkansas and Texas Tech for the No. 1 class with nine commitments.
“I don’t even know where to start with them. Once Coach Freeman took over, the entire recruiting process began to change. I feel like they’re doing their best in terms of being their top priority. I feel that way,” James told 247Sports. “They’ve expressed they want me and the attitude of Chansi Stuckey, someone I had a relationship with before at Baylor just made that relationship that much stronger. I talk to them weekly. I feel like a complete school, they have everything. And on top of that, they play ball at all levels – Big 12 , Big Ten, Pac-12, SEC. You name it, they play it. I feel like I can be the best there.
At 6ft 2 and 175lbs, James is one of the top recruits from the talented state of Texas. It ranks #72 on the industry-standard 247Sports Composite, including the #12 wide receiver in class. A two-time All District pick, James also competed in basketball, 300-meter hurdles and high jump.
“Large-framed outsider with clear physique and athleticism,” wrote Gabe Brooks, recruiting analyst at 247Sports Midlands Region, of James. “Put together one of the best verified test books in the country in Spring 2022, confirming top speed and initial explosiveness. The top gear may appear on the field a bit more often, but the materials are certainly in place to make that manifest.”
James is another great addition to what has quickly become Notre Dame’s special recruiting class. The Fighting Irish have nine signings, all of which are blue chip recruits. James is the fifth top 100 recruit of the bunch and the first offensive player in the class to have that rating.