Notre Dame just scored a big win by securing a contract from Tampa (Fla.) Barkley, a four-star defensive back prospect in the 2025 prep class. dallas golden.
On Sunday afternoon, Golden announced his commitment to the Fighting Irish, which includes Alabama, Clemson, Georgia, Florida State, Miami, Ohio State and the University of Southern California. He received well over 30 scholarship offers.
“It was a gut feeling,” Golden told Blue & Gold before announcing his decision to commit to Notre Dame. “I prayed and talked to my family about it. It feels like the right decision.
“They give me a family feel. It's very natural when I'm talking to the coaches. I've built a strong relationship with the coaches. [Mike] Mickens,coach [Marcus] freeman,coach [Al] golden and coach chad [Bowden]. That was important throughout my process. ”
Notre Dame made an offer to Golden in August 2022, making the pursuit nearly two years in the making. He has visited campus three times, checking out the 2023 Blue-Gold Game, returning to campus last October to watch the Irish defeat rival USC, and attending the staff's Junior Day recruiting event in January 2024. I visited campus again for this purpose.
Golden is Notre Dame's fourth defensive back commit and 20th Overall commitments for the 2025 cycle. He is his third highest ranked commit in his ND class.
The 6-0, 182-pound pitcher ranks as the No. 104 overall recruit in the nation, the No. 12 safety and the No. 15 prospect out of the state of Florida, according to On3 industry rankings.
Golden details his commitment to Notre Dame
He could have spent more time on the recruiting process. Official visit season is upon us, and he was scheduled to travel to Clemson in early June. This school was very interesting throughout the process.
Golden visited Georgia, Florida State, Miami, Texas A&M and UCF in the spring, but hasn't been to South Bend since January.
He had a “gut feeling” choosing Notre Dame without visiting campus for several months. His last trip to ND left an unforgettable impression.
“I went on that visit in January and it was different,” Golden said.
He informed Irish staff of his decision to commit on Wednesday night. He talked about it with Freeman, Mickens, and Bowden, and the staff was pleasantly surprised by the big news.
“They're really excited,” Golden added. “They are ready to work with me.”
Regardless of position, Golden has long been the Irish staff's top target for the 2025 cycle, and the rising senior recruit felt he was a top priority. That was important to him and to another 2025 prospect he connected with.
“It definitely had a big impact, definitely,” Golden said. “and again- [Irish quarterback commit] deuce night They hired me a lot and helped me through the process. We talked and built a relationship over time.he is very motivated [about me committing]”
Golden is currently listed as a safety by On3 and could play that position, be used as an offensive skill weapon, or play as a cornerback at the next level. Notre Dame uses him as a cornerback, and Golden has strong connections with the future position coach.
“He's a really great guy,” Golden said of Mickens. “I have a family friend at Notre Dame right now. troy and Tre leader — and they tell us great things about Coach Mickens. It's a great atmosphere when you're around him. ”
When asked about what his recruiting process will be going forward in terms of the possibility of other schools continuing to pursue him, Golden was very quick to respond.
“No, I'm 100 percent in favor of Notre Dame,” he replied. “My family and I have no interest in decommissioning.”
Golden signed with Notre Dame in December and is expected to enroll next summer.
dallas golden files
Golden's junior season was sensational in every aspect of the game. As an offensive weapon, he rushed 205 times for 1,467 yards and 19 touchdowns and had 32 receptions for 394 yards and five scores. He also threw a touchdown in 2023.
Defensively, Golden had nine tackles, five interceptions, four pass breakups and one field goal block. He also handled return duties, averaging 25.1 yards per kick return and 3.7 yards per punt return. He had a long kickoff return of 64 yards and a long punt return of 33 yards.
Golden helped lead Berkeley Prep to the Florida 2M state championship game, defeating Miami-Noland 28-20. He had 183 rushing yards and a touchdown on 23 carries in the game, as well as two receptions for 38 yards and a score.
SB Live named him the 2023 Florida Class of Player of the Year. Golden was named Big County Prep Player of the Year in the Tampa area.
MaxPreps listed Golden as a versatile defender on the 2023 MaxPreps High School Football Junior All-America First Team Defenders.
Golden, a sophomore in 2022, ran for 1,403 yards with 18 touchdowns on 191 carries, and also had 10 receptions for 145 yards and one score. Defensively, he recorded 14 tackles and two pass breakups. Golden also scored a punt return touchdown.
