Miami loses local 4-star WR Julius Jones Jr. to Notre Dame's legacy pull

Miami had a chance to keep another elite St. Thomas Aquinas playmaker close to home as the Hurricanes made the final three for four-star wide receiver Julius Jones Jr., but Notre Dame's family connection proved too strong to overcome.

Jones committed to Notre Dame on Monday over Miami and Oregon, ending one of the more closely watched South Florida recruitments in the 2027 class. The Fort Lauderdale standout made his announcement during an appearance on "The Pat McAfee Show," where his younger brother, 2028 four-star safety Andre Jones, also committed to the Irish.

Miami loses local 4-star WR Julius Jones Jr. to Notre Dame

Miami was never going to have an easy commitment with Jones. His father, Julius Jones Sr., was a Notre Dame star from 1999 through 2003 before a seven-year NFL career with the Dallas Cowboys, Seattle Seahawks and New Orleans Saints.

The elder Jones rushed for 3,018 yards in South Bend, led Notre Dame in rushing three times and remains sixth in program history. His 1,268-yard season in 2003 was one of the best individual rushing seasons in recent Irish history.

Jones Jr. enters his senior season at St. Thomas Aquinas as one of the country's most productive WRs. He caught 58 passes for 876 yards and 14 touchdowns as a junior while helping the Raiders win another state championship.

ESPN ranks Jones No. 50 overall in the 2027 class and No. 9 among wide receivers. The 247Sports Composite ranks him No. 75 nationally and No. 12 at the position.

The Hurricanes may have gotten a local star plucked from their backyard, but Miami has already landed standout Miami Northwestern receiver Nick Lennear. So while Jones would have given the class another premier South Florida wideout, the Canes still have a good foundation at WR in the 2027 class.

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