Notre Dame football freshman WR earns top grades in season review

It’s safe to say there were a couple of surprises when it came to the just finished Notre Dame football season. Some were good surprises and some were bad. Some goals were met and some were not.

Right on top of the list of good things that happened would have to be the emergence of freshman wide receiver Jordan Faison. Right on top fo the list of good things that happened to him would have to be earning a scholarship, since he started the year as a walk-on. 

There indeed was a time when Faison thought that his path to Golden Domer greatness was through Lacrosse. And while it still could be, he showed enough on the football field that it’s not foolish to think he’s got a career there as well.

Pro Football Focus certainly agrees. The analytics website recently released it’s list of the top graded freshmen on Power 5 teams and Faison finished second on that list with an 85.5 overall grade. Only Missouri’s Marquis Johnson was better with a 90.2 grade. No other Power 5 freshman receiver even touched 84 or 85 with Florida’s Eugene Wilson being Faison’s closest competitor with a grade of 81.1 overall.

Notre Dame football freshman WR earns top grades in season review

Fighting Irish fans certainly saw what they had with Faison as the year went on. It appears the coaching staff did too. He got more playing time the furter into 2023 we went and rewarded that playing time with more and more big plays.

Through the end of October, Faison only had 5 catches on the season. Thanks to a 36 yard romp as one of the only bright spots against Louisville, he did have a touchdown.

In three November games, Faison had 9 catches for 137 yards. He added a touchdown in each of the season’s final two regular season games. 

The Sun Bowl was the freshman receiver’s big finale. He won the game’s MVP thanks to 5 catches for 115 yards and another touchdown. He also ran off the field leaving Notre Dame football fans quite excited to see what he can do in 2024.