The Notre Dame coaching staff and top targets have used an interesting catch phrase this spring. QB commit Wonderful "Champ" Monds is entirely on board with it and thinks it can help in both this class and the next couple. The catch phrase in question? Florida Dame.
Monds, from Vero Beach, Florida, recently told 247Sports analyst Zach Blostein that he's fully embraced Florida Dame as part of a renewed push into the Sunshine State. That's not a surprise considering the Irish already have three commits from Florida this cycle. They also have several targets still on the board in the area. One of those is in town this weekend.
Legacy target Julius Jones Jr. is visiting Notre Dame before he makes his commitment, and the Fort Lauderdale wide receiver might be the top Irish target left uncommitted. There was also Tampa linebacker Kaden Henderson, who was once believed to be a lock to be the fourth Florida commit, but he pulled a misdirect and committed to Texas A&M on Thursday.
Monds is ranked the 20th-ranked QB in the country and the number two-ranked quarterback in the state of Florida behind Davin Davidson, who committed to the Florida Gators. He earned the starting QB job at Vero Beach High School as a freshman. In his first year as a starter in 2024, he led his team to an 8-4 record, posting 2,234 passing yards and 23 passing touchdowns. He also rushed for 502 yards and 9 touchdowns.
'Irish QB commit Champ Monds embraces 'Florida Dame' movement as Notre Dame continues Sunshine State surgehttps://t.co/RBvpmVv4Qf pic.twitter.com/5b9c3m1YEq
— Zach Blostein (@ZBlostein247) June 16, 2026
Champ Monds helps Notre Dame football push Florida Dame recruiting pitch
In 2025, he suffered an ankle injury in the season opener and did not return to action until the state playoffs. In four total games played, though, he went for 691 yards and 7 touchdowns. He reclassified from the 2028 to the 2027 class and is gearing up for his final high school season in 2026.
In the 2027 class, Monds is joined by 3-star safety John Gay out of Hollywood, Florida, and Zayden Gamble out of Fort Lauderdale. Gamble happens to be in South Bend as well, and he'll no doubt be working hard to get Jones to commit to Notre Dame during their visits.
There is at least one more defensive lineman the Irish would love to add to their Florida Dame collection. Tyler Alexander took his official visit last weekend, and while where he's leaning is mostly a mystery, Marcus Freeman and his staff at least have an outside shot.
This push into the Sunshine State isn't a new development, but the Irish have strengthened the pipeline. In the 2026 class, Notre Dame scored four Florida players (Ayden Pouncey, Elijah Golden, Noah Grubbs, and Dylan Faison) and now stands a very good chance of getting at least four more this cycle if they can lock down Julius Jones Jr.
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