2025 defensive lineman Jalen Wiggins, a four-star prospect from Florida, has arrived in South Bend for his official visit to Notre Dame, a trip that has been long anticipated. The 6’4″, 280-pound prospect has been committed to the University of Florida since April, but the Irish have made him a priority, and now they will have an opportunity to leave a lasting impression with the Early Signing Period just weeks away.

For Wiggins, the official visit is an important opportunity to experience Notre Dame firsthand and get a deeper understanding of what the school offers. “You can talk about a school as much as you want to, but being able to get that firsthand experience is probably the best opportunity you can get,” he said. “That was one of the reasons I wanted to take this official visit – just to see what they’ve been talking about.”

A key focus of Wiggins’ visit will be determining how well he fits with the team, both on and off the field. He’s particularly interested in the leadership from both coaches and players, as well as the educational opportunities at Notre Dame. “The education system and seeing how well that fits with me,” Wiggins noted, “is one thing I’m looking forward to.” As a player with aspirations to not only excel on the field but also off it, Wiggins values the prestige of a Notre Dame degree and wants to ensure it aligns with his academic goals.

On the football side, Wiggins has already received insight into how Notre Dame sees him. The Irish view him as a potential interior defensive lineman, a position of need for the program. “Right now, they told me they really don’t have anybody who looks like me,” he explained. “Notre Dame doesn’t usually need anybody, but in my case, it’s something they need.” Wiggins, who currently plays on the edge for Florida, is excited to see how the Irish plan to utilize him in their defensive scheme.

The visit comes at a time when Notre Dame has one of the top defenses in the nation, and Wiggins is eager to witness it up close. “I’m ready to see a great game and see them dominate,” he said. The timing also worked out for Wiggins to attend the game against Florida State, a matchup that added an interesting twist given his Florida commitment.

Wiggins is in no rush to make a decision, stating that he plans to take time to process his visit and consider his future options, potentially waiting until National Signing Day to announce his final choice.