Notre Dame football is on a hot streak that would have been unthinkable just a few years ago. Not only is the program reeling in one big commitment after another, but it's also making moves so it doesn't have to worry about keeping the commitments it's already made. Count Zayden Gamble among that latter group. On Sunday morning, the 4-star safety announced he shut down his recruitment. In other words, he's not looking to go anywhere but South Bend.
Bruce Straughan spoke with Gamble shortly after the announcement, and the defensive back made it clear he wanted to be part of the Fighting Irish program.
“For me, Notre Dame just felt like home. The relationships I’ve built with the coaches, the program's culture, and the standards they hold themselves to on and off the field all stood out to me. I believe it’s the best place to develop as a player, student, and person, and after talking it over with my family, I knew it was where I wanted to be.”
Gamble had been a top target for the Fighting Irish for over a year, but it was only recently that the Irish staff locked him down, and he eventually committed in April. The 6-0, 185-pound safety visited South Bend the weekend of March 21, which was his first campus visit. Notre Dame made an incredibly strong impression on Gamble, and over the last month, secondary coach Aaron Henry and the Irish staff closed the deal.
Zayden Gamble shuts down recruitment as Notre Dame football keeps DB momentum rolling
The Fighting Irish also made a statement by securing Gamble’s pledge, as Notre Dame hasn’t had much success in South Florida, and this is the second safety commitment of the spring, as Chaminade-Madonna Prep star John Gay III also joined the Irish.
Now that Gamble has decided he's definitely not thinking about other schools, the Golden Domers can really start celebrating scoring a very good defensive back out of the Sunshine State. Gamble recorded 65 tackles, 3 tackles for loss, and three interceptions in 2025 and will arrive as a high four-star prospect per the national rankings.
Notre Dame beat out Florida, Miami, and Ohio State for Gamble’s commitment, which is a statement in itself. Gamble will return to South Bend on June 19 for his official visit. That he's closed down recruitment and isn't talking to other teams, even though he still hasn't taken an official visit, is another big checkmark in Marcus Freeman and Co.'s favor.
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