We are working our way through Notre Dame’s 2025 recruiting class composed of 24 signees from all over the United States. Today we’re taking a look at the players who set the edge and get after the quarterback.

Defensive End Christopher Burgess

Bio:

Burgess hails from traditional Chicago basketball powerhouse Simeon High School and picked up his first scholarship offers in the summer of 2022 before blowing up more in the spring of 2023. Notre Dame led off that spring offer bonanza and Burgess would take his time committing just after New Year in 2024. He held offers from Alabama, Colorado, Washington, Texas A&M, USC, Miami, Auburn, Florida, Ohio State, Michigan, LSU, Florida State, Georgia, and several more.

Ranking:

70th overall, 8th DL, 4th in Illinois with a 0.9654 Composite score.

Size:

This will be one of the more intriguing player size’s to watch from this 2025 class. Burgess was listed as tall as 6’4″ in the recruiting world and on his #2THEEIRI5H landing page from Notre Dame they list him at 6’3″ in height. To me, he doesn’t look very tall.

Burgess’ weight will be one to watch. He was listed at 265 in some places although 245 was the most common weight listed for him. On Notre Dame’s recruiting page he is listed at the 245 weight. I know the hair and beard help make him look bulkier but from recent videos of him this year I cannot believe he’s anywhere near under 250 pounds.

Hype Factor: 8/10

Burgess was steadily moving up the recruiting rankings during this cycle and cemented himself as a top 100 player following an impressive performance in the Navy All-American Game last month where he was praised as one of the best defenders to participate. Fifty years ago, this type of player from the Chicago Public League is a certified 5-star prospect.

Outlook: To Vyper

On our latest depth chart from 18 Stripes I had Burgess listed as a weak-side defensive end of Vyper in the lineup. We’ll see if things change with the usage of players under new defensive coordinator Chris Ash. In terms of pass rushing ability, Burgess is by far the best prospect for Notre Dame this cycle and if he’s truly 245 pounds there’s a possibility he’s a Vyper for the program. However, I don’t think he’ll stay there for long if at all. He’s far more likely to play as a jumbo end or even move inside to tackle.

Defensive End Dominik Hulak

Bio:

Hulak comes from Elmhurst, Illinois and attends Immaculate Conception aka IC Catholic Prep just 1 mile away from incoming classmate Joseph Reiff’s York High School. Hulak was offered during the spring 2023 period and committed to Notre Dame on November 10, 2023 a full 13 months before signing with the Irish.

Ranking:

497th overall, 39th Edge, 12th in Illinois with a 0.8886 Composite score.

Size:

Hulak definitely has an athlete body-type and used his frame to play all over the field in high school. He was listed at 6’3″ or 6’4″ on most recruiting sites and has been given the latter height by Notre Dame.

Notre Dame also lists him at 240 pounds which is a little heavier than I anticipated. There was some talk that Hulak would need at least a full year in the strength program to add size but if he’s 240 pounds already that’s a great sign.

Hype Factor: 4/10

Hulak was the 4th of 6 recruits to commit to Notre Dame during 2023 and it’s common to see 3-stars like this get lost in the shuffle as the months progress towards the signing period. There are definitely some athletic traits that make him an intriguing prospect and worth of a little more hype than his rankings.

Outlook: No Rush

Hulak played a variety of positions and roles in high school. Defensively, he stood up a lot in more of a linebacker role while also playing a more traditional pass rushing role on the edge. Especially with the other defensive line prospects in this class, I would think Notre Dame has to develop Hulak at Vyper and continue to work on his skills at this position. However, there will be no rush to get him on the field and there should be plenty of patience with a redshirt almost a guarantee.