Jayden Limar, West region’s top running back, commits to Notre Dame Fighting Irish

Lake Stevens High School (Washington) star Jayden Limar is the No. 1 running back in the West region and one of the most coveted playmakers on the West Coast.

On Thursday afternoon, the 5-foot-11, 190-pound playmaker put an end to his recruitment, committing to Notre Dame over fellow finalists Arizona, Michigan and Oregon.

“I’ll be going to Notre Dame,” he said. “Honestly, coach (Marcus) Freeman and coach (Deland) McCullough and everybody they got up there, they’re building something really special. They’re really building a family atmosphere and that’s the first thing that I’ve always wanted in a program. So they got me.”

The coaching carousel created a difficult situation in Limar’s recruitment, as most of the top schools on his list either completely changed coaching staff or lost a key offensive coordinator.

At times, that led to recruiting resets with some of his top choices.

Through it all, however, Notre Dame stayed consistent.

In fact, Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman took it upon himself to make sure Limar knew they still desperately wanted him after Brian Kelly departed for LSU.

“The big difference with Notre Dame was the minute coach Freeman got that job… I think he called me within a week,” Limar said. “I felt like I talked to him like three times a week. That was before they had a running back coach. So, I had been talking to Freeman a whole lot. When a head coach is talking to you that much it shows you they are different. The head coach isn’t usually the main one recruiting you. That put them in the lead.”

Rated the nation's No. 11 running back, the Washington product said he knows other schools will continue to contact him.

But he's thankful to be done with the process - and completely satisfied with his destination.

“It’s definitely a big relief," he said. "The process isn’t over yet, because schools are still going to come at me. But I’m going to take a long hiatus and I’m going to be off media for awhile and just live. I’m set in my decision and I’m very confident in it.”

Limar will graduate in December and enroll at Notre Dame in January.

“That’s what I plan to do,” he said. “Enroll in January and play spring ball.”

Limar's commitment gives Notre Dame back-to-back classes with a bluechip Washington commitment, as he joins Union High School wide receiver and All-American Bowl selection Tobias Merriweather in South Bend. 

Here's what 247Sports national recruiting director Brandon Huffman had to say about Limar as a prospect:

"Limar had the highest Sparq rating at the Portland Stack Showcase in fall of 2020. He is well built with good wiggle and shiftiness, with a frame that should add some more weight. He does a good job anticipating his linemen clearing the way, being decisive in his hole selection, putting his foot in the ground and getting up field. Limar sees the field extremely well, runs with good balance and can get yards after contact. He does a good job of churning out some tough yards. Can continue to get stronger, with his speed already there." 

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