Notre Dame lands commitment from four-star RB Javian Osborne: "It's a different level of college"

It’s Notre Dame for Forney (Texas) High On300 running back Javian Osborne, who announced his plans to play for the Irish early Saturday evening.

Osborne committed to Marcus Freeman and his program over his other finalists in Michigan. The likes of Miami and Texas were two other programs the blue-chipper strongly considered.

The 5-foot-9, 200-pound Osborne ranks as the On3 Industry’s No. 8 running back and No. 106 prospect overall. He becomes commit No. 13 for Notre Dame, adding to a class that previously ranked No. 4 in the land.

“Coach Freeman is a great guy, one of a kind,” Osborne said. “Not many coaches like him out there.”

New running backs coach Ja’Juan Seider was also pivotal in Osborne choosing to play for the Irish. Being on campus a couple times this calendar year, soaking in the environment, strolling by Touchdown Jesus and the Golden Dome all gave Osborne the feeling of belonging.

“The people there,” Osborne said. “I feel like the people around campus and what Notre Dame has in the locker room, they have great people that have great mindsets. When you walk around campus you see that everybody has their head on straight. It’s a different level of college.

“You have kids working towards something in life. Not just settling. They’re doing something major that will impact our world. I feel like it’s a lot of great things Notre Dame has that I love from an academic standpoint.”

Notre Dame’s offense was another factor for Osborne

The football program checked all the boxes for Osborne as well.

“Coach Freeman he’s a leader amongst men,” Osborne said. “He’s a player first before anything. He knows how to relate to the guys and he wants the best out of his team. You can tell the players want to play for him and everything he says is genuine.

“Notre Dame they’re a run-first team. They run the ball and for a running back that is the best decision for me. You have guys like Jeremiyah Love that’s going to most likely be a first round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. 

“Notre Dame has what I need on and off the field as well. It lines up for success.”