The Notre Dame football team is gearing up for a massive recruiting weekend as Miami comes to town. The Fighting Irish got things kicked off with a surprise commitment on Wednesday from James Criniti, an under-the-radar recruit.
The 2027 Saint Joseph (Indiana) safety flipped his commitment from Central Michigan to Notre Dame, allowing the local prospect to stay home and walk on at Marcus Freeman’s program. The newest member of the Irish recruiting class has visited South Bend frequently for games and camps over the last few years. Now, he'll get the opportunity to play for his dream school.
“After much thought and prayer, I have decided to decommit from Central Michigan University,” Criniti said in a social media statement. “I am incredibly grateful to Coach Drinkall, Coach Fleming, and the entire Central Michigan staff for believing in me and giving me the opportunity to continue my football career.”
Criniti is a 3-star safety in the 2027 recruiting class. The 6-foot-1, 210-pound defensive back committed to Central Michigan on June 17, 2026, after taking an official visit to Mount Pleasant earlier that month.
After much thought and prayer, I have decided to decommit from Central Michigan University. I am incredibly grateful to Coach Drinkall, Coach Fleming and the entire Central Michigan staff for believing in me and giving me the opportunity to continue my football career.
— James Criniti (@jamescriniti11) November 4, 2026
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Notre Dame football lands local 2027 safety James Criniti ahead of Miami recruiting weekend
As a junior at Saint Joseph in 2025, Criniti recorded 108 tackles and eight interceptions while helping the Huskies win an Indiana Class 4A regional championship. His eight interceptions tied him for sixth in Indiana and led the Northern Indiana Conference. Offensively, MaxPreps credits him with 44 receptions for 610 yards and seven touchdowns, along with 21 carries for 134 yards and three rushing touchdowns. He also accumulated 268 punt-return yards and 25 kickoff-return yards.
This season, Criniti has caught 13 passes for 317 yards and three touchdowns, averaging 24.4 yards per reception. He has also rushed 5 times for 34 yards and one touchdown and accumulated 66 punt-return yards.
Defensively, Criniti has intercepted 3 passes for 37 return yards through 10 games, tying him for the Northern Indiana Conference lead. One of his strongest performances came against South Bend Riley on October 2, when he recorded 12 tackles, 4 tackles for loss, and a forced fumble in a 28-6 victory.
In the FBS, Criniti had offers from Army and Central Michigan. But after initially choosing Central Michigan in the neighboring Wolverine State, he realized he could play even closer to home at Notre Dame, just like he had always dreamed. It's one heck of a feel-good story to kick off the biggest week of the year for the Fighting Irish.
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