2025 four-star EDGE C.J. May explains surprise Notre Dame football commitment

The Notre Dame football program picked up a surprise verbal commitment from 2025 four-star EDGE C.J. May on Saturday night. The 6-foot-4, 225-pounder from Highland Home (Ala.) High pledged to the Irish over Auburn, Tennessee and others.

After announcing his commitment, May, the On3 Industry Ranking’s No. 232 overall player and No. 19 EDGE in 2025, spoke in depth with Blue & Gold about shutting down his recruitment in favor of the Fighting Irish. Here’s what he said about committing to Notre Dame.

Q: What went into this decision? How did it come together? Do you feel like it was an emotional decision? And if so, why? Or why not? I guess, just give me some background on deciding to pick Notre Dame.

A: “So basically, I just decided to pick Notre Dame. I’ve been thinking like this since I made my first visit a few months ago. Since then, it’s been a thought process through my head because the love and the feel of Notre Dame are completely different. 

“You can’t compare it to any other visits I’ve been on because it’s different. I know this is what is best for me and my future. Education-wise, on and off the field. That would be the best spot for me to better myself as a player and a person.”

Q: You previously said that Deuce Knight played a big role in deciding to commit to Notre Dame. But you also said that in the back of your mind, you were starting to think about Notre Dame this way. Before Deuce committed, were you seriously considering committing to Notre Dame?

A: “Yeah, they were actually in my top two schools. I was picking Auburn, or I was picking Notre Dame. And my thing is, me and Deuce have been planning to play together since we’ve been friends. Deuce has been my best friend for months, like, almost a year now. 

“The initial place we were gonna play was at Tennessee together. Me or him, neither was feeling it. We came to an agreement that Notre Dame is really what’s gonna make us the best, best of our abilities. So, Deuce likes to wait. 

“The way Notre Dame runs its offense, the scheme fits the NFL better than almost any other program in college football. That sticks out to Deuce. (Defensive line) Coach (Al) Washington, I fit well into that scheme on that side of the ball. So, it was just a win-win for both of us.

“Deuce played a big role. At first, I was one of the first people he told before he committed on Monday. He was like, ‘We’re gonna do it.’ I kind of thought he was joking around because he’s a pretty goofy person. But when I saw that happen, he said, ‘It’s for real. It’s time.’

“We’ve been talking about it all week. Saturday, I kind of made a last-minute decision. I wasn’t sure if I wanted to do it yet or go home and hold a ceremony with my family and friends and celebrate all together. 

“But yesterday just felt like the right time to tell (head) Coach (Marcus) Freeman in person, just tell him that like, ‘I’m coming.’ So I feel like yesterday was best for me to do it.”

Q: When did you actually commit? What was Coach Freeman, and what was his reaction?

A: “Well, it was funny because it was right after the walk. We went to the room or whatever. Coach (Freeman) came in and said, ‘What’s up?’ I pulled Coach to the side and said, ‘Coach, I’m committing to you today.’ And Coach Freeman’s eyes got super big. And he was like, ‘Man, stop lying to me.’ When I told him, I was being serious. It was just like he was really happy with my choice.”

Q: Did you give Notre Dame any indication you were committing before that? How did it come together? 

A: “Me and Deuce met at the football house earlier that day. We were just talking about it. So, after we left the house, I called (director of recruiting) Chad (Bowden), and I was like, ‘Is everything clear for me to commit today?’ Before you commit, they have to check transcripts and everything, which I mean, I’m not worried about my grades (3.8 GPA). Still, I just wanted that final okay before I go out here and make this public decision without letting anybody know. It’s me just coming out of nowhere saying it. 

“I told Chad before we even went and did everything because I didn’t want to give it away. But at the same time, I was gonna do it eventually. And if people got the hang of it, they just got it. 

“Me and Deuce hung out all day yesterday. Because when I get up on campus, he and I will likely be roommates. So, we’re just best friends that stuck together through this.”

Q: You have visited lots of schools in the South. So, how did Notre Dame start becoming one of your top choices? 

A: “Coach Freeman checks up on me daily. Asks me how I’m feeling and how the family’s doing. He just generally checks on me as if I’m his best friend, brother or his son of some sort. And that’s what made the relationship between me and Coach very special. 

“(Assistant defensive line) Coach (Nick) Sebas(tian), he does a great job of it too. Coach Washington does a great job of it. (Defensive coordinator) Coach (Al) Golden does a great job of it. It’s like the whole staff checks on me daily. Keeps that strong connection with me. 

“That’s what made me feel like that’s the best spot for me because they actually show that they care about me.”

Q: What was Auburn’s reaction when they found out? Will it be hard to at least hear the Auburn coaching staff out in the future? 

A: “Well, right now, the Auburn coaches, the defensive line coach texted me last night. He was just kind of shocked, in a way. I was just being honest with him on why I picked Notre Dame over Auburn. I don’t plan on flipping at all because right now, I’m 100% committed to Notre Dame, and I plan on staying that way in the future. 

“Coach Freeman took a chance on me early in my recruitment. Auburn was late to the race, but they also had the coaching staff and stuff coming in. But I feel like Notre Dame would be the best spot for me in general – football and outside of football. Auburn can offer you a degree, but they can’t give you the degree that Notre Dame can give you.”

Q: What’s the best part about calling yourself a Notre Dame football commit?

A: “You kind of let the media get to your head. It places a lot of stress on you as a recruit and a player. Because it feels like day in and day out, I’m worried about where do I go, where I go? But now that I’ve done my recruitment, I’m committed and relieved a lot of pressure. 

“Now I’m focused on just playing football. I know where I’m going when I graduate (high school). I’m not worried about making a choice or worrying about pleasing people because I made a choice. That’s why I’m happy.”

Q: How much did you use your family as a sounding board before committing to Notre Dame?

A: “My parents support my decision 100% because they want what’s best for me. And they feel — as my two parents and brother coming together — that Notre Dame was the best spot for me, just because of the education and stuff I can get out of it. 

“As I’ve said before, football isn’t forever. And they know I’ll be set for life when I graduate with a Notre Dame degree. When I’m an alumnus, I’ll always have connections with that staff and alumni connections overall the world?”

Q: What position will you play on the defensive line for Notre Dame? 

“Well, as of right now, me and Coach Washington are trying to figure it out. See how my body fills out between now and then. My body is gonna grow. 

“But depending on how much weight it puts on if I come in 235-245 (pounds) —which I’m weighing 230 right now — I’ll be a vyper. But if I come in at 245 plus, I’ll end up being a hand in the dirt defensive end. I’m gonna gain the weight and get my body right to have my hand in the dirt and help the team as best as possible.”

Q: How do you envision being a class recruiter alongside Knight? 

A: “Now that me and him are teammates, obviously we got to both work together, try to get our class better. From now on, it’s just here and up. So we’re gonna work together, try to get more recruits in and get everybody on board. 

“If we can get four- and five-star recruits up to campus, talk to them about what we can actually get after football, we could change a lot of minds. I feel like, at this point, it’s my job to recruit for defense and let Deuce do the offense. We can split it up, do both, and vice versa — it doesn’t matter. But we’ve got to work as a team. Get our team and our class better.” 

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