Notre Dame newest commit, 2025 edge rusher Christopher Burgess
Notre Dame football scored a huge recruiting win on Saturday afternoon, as 2025 Illinois defense end Christopher Burgess committed to the Irish.
The 6-foot, 4-inch and 240-pound edge rusher is considered one of the best prospects in the country, ranking as the No. 18 defensive lineman and 147th overall recruit according to the 247Sports Composite Rankings.
The Irish beat out some of the other top schools in the country, who also wanted Burgess as part of their 2025 recruiting class. Notre Dame should be extremely happy with their most recent addition, and so should you. Here is my breakdown of the skill set Burgess will bring to South Bend.
High level motor
Scouts view
Burgess is relentless with his pursuit of the ball, he just doesn’t stop. He plays through the whistle, so teaching that won’t be an issue. Burgess is the kind of player coaches love, they’ll never have to tell him to give more effort because he leaves it on the field every snap.
Positional versatility
Scouts view
You love to see players who aren’t just lining up in the same spot, which is exactly what Burgess does. He can line up on the interior and use his quickness to defeat centers and guards. Or Burgess can put his hand in the dirt on the outside and again, sue his speed to get past slower tackles. Most likely he will land on the outside, but it’s great to know if he adds much more weight, he could slid down the line.
Athleticism
Scouts view
It’s hard to find elite athletes that are Burgess’s size, but the Irish got one. His speed is impressive for a 240-pounder, along with his jumping ability. Burgess is quick enough to recognize it’s a pass play, and even though he’s not getting to the quarterback, his vertical jump can help him bat down passes. This is an aspect of Burgess’s game that sets him apart from others.
Great tackler
Scouts view
Sound tackling is a must from every defender and Burgess does that. Once he gets his hands on the ball carrier, they go down. It’s an underrated aspect of many recruits, but one where Burgess excels at.
Outlook
Scouts view
At this point, you have to expect that Burgess will take a redshirt season, and it’s due to one fact. He plays in the Chicago Public League, which is solid football, but not nearly what he will face week in and week out during a Notre Dame season. There are clearly exceptions to the rule, but it will help him in the long run. Burgess still has a very high ceiling, so expect an impact in year two and beyond.
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