Jordan Faison hauls in a pass against Indiana in the first round of the College Football Playoff, December 20, 2024. (Photo: Chad Ryan/Fighting Irish Preview)
After giving up lacrosse and devoting his entire offseason to football, the former walk-on enters the season stronger, faster—and as one of Notre Dame’s four captains.
Jordan Faison gave football his full attention. Football appears ready to give him his biggest role yet.
For the first time since arriving at Notre Dame, Faison spent the offseason focused exclusively on football. There was no lacrosse season to navigate and no immediate transition from one demanding sport into another. Instead, he had time to recover physically, develop his body and prepare for an entire football season.
Notre Dame offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock believes the difference is evident.
“I think he’s put himself in a position both physically and mentally to raise the level that he already brought to the team, which was a pretty high level to begin with,” Denbrock said. “Now, I think he’s clearly defined himself as wide receiver number one for us.”
It is the latest step in one of Notre Dame’s most unlikely success stories.
Faison did not arrive in South Bend as a highly recruited football prospect expected to become the Irish’s leading receiver. He came to Notre Dame on a lacrosse scholarship in 2023 and was given an opportunity to join the football program as a walk-on.
Listed at just 5-foot-10 and 182 pounds as a freshman, Faison nevertheless began turning heads almost immediately. His speed, quickness and route-running ability stood out during fall camp, and he developed a connection with graduate-transfer quarterback Sam Hartman.
Faison had arrived to play lacrosse. Before long, he was forcing the football staff to find a place for him.
His first opportunity finally came in Notre Dame’s seventh game of the 2023 season at Louisville. Faison’s first collegiate reception was a 12-yard catch from Hartman that converted a third down. His second was a 36-yard touchdown.
One week later, Faison made his first career start against USC. By the end of the season, he had appeared in seven games with two starts, catching 19 passes for 322 yards and four touchdowns. Despite playing only half the season, he finished second on the team in touchdown receptions.
Faison saved his biggest performance for the Sun Bowl. With Hartman opting out and Steve Angeli making his first start, Faison caught five passes for 115 yards and a touchdown in Notre Dame’s 40-point victory over Oregon State. He was named the game’s Most Valuable Player.
What began as an experiment had quickly become something much more. Faison had gone from lacrosse recruit and football walk-on to scholarship receiver and bowl-game MVP in a matter of months.
He continued playing both sports during his next two years at Notre Dame. But after three football seasons and two lacrosse seasons, Faison decided to devote his senior year entirely to football.
The decision changed the rhythm of his offseason.
“The biggest difference was physically, having all the time off and being able to go out there with a healed body,” Faison said. “I was definitely able to get more out of it.”
That did not mean Faison spent the additional time resting. He used it to build himself into a more complete football player. Now listed at 5-foot-11 and 185 pounds, he believes the results were evident during fall camp.
“I got a little bigger, got a little stronger, a little faster,” Faison said. “Then I was able to show it during camp.”
Denbrock stopped short of predicting specific numbers or placing additional expectations on Faison, but his designation of Faison as Notre Dame’s No. 1 receiver spoke loudly enough.
Faison’s role will not be limited to catching passes. He is also expected to contribute as a punt returner, giving him another opportunity to put the football in his hands and change a game.
“We care a lot about special teams—making plays and changing field position,” Faison said. “Whenever the ball is in my hands and I’m able to make a play for the squad, I’m just trying to do it.”
The physical improvement is only part of Faison’s growth. His teammates also selected him as one of Notre Dame’s four captains, placing the former walk-on alongside CJ Carr, Drayk Bowen and Adon Shuler.
Faison admitted the honor surprised him. Becoming a captain was not something he had made a personal goal, in part because he did not believe he needed a title to establish his place within the team.
“I was going to keep being the same guy I was for the team, whether I was voted captain or not,” Faison said. “The guys ended up voting me captain, and it’s just a great honor.”
Faison now leads a receiver room Notre Dame believes is considerably deeper than it has been in recent seasons. Both Faison and Denbrock indicated the Irish are likely to use approximately six receivers, although Denbrock emphasized that playing time will depend upon consistency, attention to detail and the trust each player earns.
Faison believes that depth could make the offense difficult to contain. In previous seasons, Notre Dame could turn to an established star when a play broke down or the offense needed someone to make something happen. Faison sees more possible answers on this team.
“I think every single one of our guys has a get-out-of-jail-free card,” Faison said. “That’s what’s going to lead us to being great this year.”
Notre Dame will need Faison to be one of those answers—and perhaps the first one Carr looks toward. Their second season together has allowed the quarterback and receiver to develop the kind of timing that comes only through repeated work in spring practice, summer workouts and fall camp.
Faison arrived at Notre Dame as an undersized lacrosse recruit hoping for an opportunity to play football. He enters his senior season as a full-time football player, a team captain and, according to his offensive coordinator, Notre Dame’s No. 1 receiver.
It has been an unconventional rise, but nothing about it was given to him.
“He’s done nothing since he walked into the program but earn everything he’s gotten,” Denbrock said. “For people to be able to see it, and for it to be an everyday thing—that’s pretty powerful stuff.”