Even before Marcus Freeman had a chance to secure a program-defining win on Saturday night, he and the rest of the Notre Dame staff managed to score two commitments that could define the 2028 recruiting class.
In roughly 15 minutes, top-30 defensive prospect Asa Burch and top-30 offensive prospect Zaiden Jernigan both committed during their visits to the Fighting Irish. Both prospects are in South Bend for the Miami game, but they didn't have to wait until tonight to decide where they want to play college ball.
Burch was the first of the pair to commit to Notre Dame, choosing the Irish over Penn State and Michigan among many others. Jernigan then followed shortly after, picking Freeman's squad over Indiana, Florida and other top programs.
Burch is a 5-star edge rusher in the 2028 recruiting class. The 6-foot-3½, 220-pound edge rusher plays for Warren G. Harding High School in Warren, Ohio. He's ranked as the No. 92 player in the 2028 class, the No. 13 player at his position, and the No. 4 player in the state of Ohio, according to the latest Rivals Industry Rankings.
Asa Burch and Zaiden Jernigan headline massive Notre Dame football 2028 recruiting weekend
Burch already has more than 20 scholarship offers. In addition to Notre Dame, he has offers from Indiana, Iowa State, Kentucky, Michigan, Michigan State, Missouri, Ohio State, Oregon, Penn State, Pittsburgh, and Tennessee, among many others.
As a sophomore at Warren G. Harding in 2025, Burch recorded four sacks, two interceptions and one fumble recovery in nine games. One of his biggest performances came against St. Vincent-St. Mary, when he recorded two sacks and an interception that he returned for a touchdown.
This past season, Burch recorded 71 total tackles, including 42 solo tackles, with 5 sacks, 2 interceptions, and 2 forced fumbles. He averaged 7.1 tackles per game and also recorded three quarterback hurries. Burch had 10 tackles and a sack against Jackson, 11 tackles against Ursuline, seven tackles and two sacks against Toledo Scott, and eight tackles with a forced fumble against Cardinal Mooney. He also intercepted a pass against Massillon on October 16. Offensively, Burch caught two passes for 13 yards, according to MaxPreps.
Meanwhile, Jernigan is a 4-star running back in the 2028 recruiting class. The 5-foot-10½, 195-pound running back plays for Louisville High School in Louisville, Mississippi. Jernigan is ranked as the No. 76 player in the 2028 class, the No. 2 player at his position and the No. 4 player in the state of Mississippi, according to the latest Rivals Industry Rankings.
As a sophomore at Louisville in 2025, Jernigan rushed 232 times for 1,520 yards and 20 touchdowns in 13 games, averaging 6.6 yards per carry and 116.9 rushing yards per game. He also caught 17 passes for 185 yards and four touchdowns, giving him 1,705 yards from scrimmage and 24 offensive touchdowns. Jernigan had six 100-yard rushing games and recorded a season-long run of 84 yards.
This season, Jernigan has rushed 145 times for 1,386 yards and 22 touchdowns, averaging 9.6 yards per carry and 138.6 rushing yards per game. He has also caught three passes for 29 yards. Jernigan has rushed for at least 100 yards in eight of those 10 games and produced a season-long run of 64 yards.
With many blue-chip prospects in town to watch Notre Dame take on Miami, Asa Burch and Zaiden Jernigan might not be anywhere near the only commits the Fighting Irish score this weekend.
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