2025 4-star EDGE C.J. May decommits from Notre Dame

Highland Home (Ala.) four-star EDGE C.J. May has decommitted from the Notre Dame Fighting Irish.

“This has been on my mind for a few weeks,” May told On3. “I started having second thoughts because of how far from home it is. I have the most respect for Coach Marcus Freeman and the staff at Notre Dame, but the more I thought about the fit, I just didn’t think Notre Dame was the best for me.

“I am from Alabama. I am in the country and I have to find the best place for me. When I make my decision, it has to be a place I can be happy at and live at for the next 3-4 years, so that is what I am looking for now.”

May initially pledged to the Irish on September 23, choosing Notre Dame over Auburn, Clemson, and Tennessee. Auburn is still a strong contender. He was back on the Plains for a visit in January. Ole Miss is another one recruiting him hard.

Louisville, Miami, Michigan, Mississippi State, Syracuse and Texas A&M are showing interest as well. He is in no rush to make another decision.

“I am going to take visits and take my time. My recruitment is opened back up and whoever shows interest in me, I will show interest in me. I am slowing things down and making sure I find the best fit for me.”

The 6-foot-4, 225-pound May is the nation’s No. 224 overall prospect and No. 18 edge rusher in the 2025 cycle according to the On3 Industry Ranking — a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He is also the No. 14 recruit in Alabama.

May currently has an On3 NIL Valuation of $105K. The On3 NIL Valuation is the industry’s leading index that sets high school and college athletes’ projected annual value (PAV). The NIL valuation does not act as a tracker of the value of NIL deals an athlete has completed to date. It rather signifies an athlete’s value at a certain moment in time.

Notre Dame still leads country in total 2025 commitments

Marcus Freeman’s staff may be off to the hottest start in the country for the 2025 recruiting class. Thirteen pledges are more than any other program in the cycle. Lucedale (Miss.) George County four-star quarterback Deuce Knight is the No. 5 QB in the class and headlines the Irish’s class.

Additional blue-chip commits include Winter Garden (Fla.) West Orange four-star safety Ivan Taylor, Chicago Simeon four-star EDGE Christopher Burgess, Green Bay (Wis.) Notre Dame De La Baie Academy four-star tight end James Flanigan, Tampa Jesuit four-star running back Justin Thurman, Wallingford (Conn.) Choate Rosemary Hall four-star offensive tackle Will Black and Phoenix Brophy College Preparatory four-star cornerback Cree Thomas.