Notre Dame football has expanded its receiver board in the 2025 recruiting class since last December's addition of wide receivers coach Mike Brown. Nine new offers have been sent out in the 2025 class, including a scholarship offer to Raiden Vines-Bright, who reported the offer just eight days after Brown's hire was made official.
Vines-Bright, a three-star per Rivals, transferred to Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy in January, home of other Irish 2025 targets like LB Nathaniel Owusu-Boateng, WR Donovan Olugbode and LB Gavin Nix. Vines-Bright spent his first three seasons at Tempe (Ariz.) Corona del Sol. As a junior, Vines-Bright finished with 53 receptions, 1,200 yards and 12 touchdowns.
The 6-foot, 185-pound Vines-Bright, who is not yet ranked nationally or at his position, played under Corona del Sol's head coach Jake Barro for his sophomore and junior seasons.
Inside ND Sports connected with Barro to discuss Vines-Bright, what he brings to a football program, how he fits potentially with Notre Dame and more.
Q (INDS): In your time coaching Raiden, what attributes jumped off the page during games or practices? What strengths did he best utilize within your offensive scheme?
A (Barro): "He gets to top speed faster than really any receiver I've coached, meaning he gets to full speed at the top of his route. And that's what helps him create separation on the football field. He does that better than anyone I've coached and a lot of that comes from just being able to accelerate off the line of scrimmage [and] get to zero to 60 so fast. He's a guy that can do that just tremendously well. His explosiveness [and] his ability to change direction and get to top speed again really quickly is I think what separates him from every other wide receiver. You know, the ball's snapped, everybody's moving, and he's at full speed and his break faster than anybody else. That's tough for defensive backs to pick up and key and it really helps him just kind of create open space on the field."
Q (INDS): How does Raiden's identity match with Notre Dame? He hasn't visited campus yet, but what similarities do the two sides have that make you believe the Irish have a serious chance in Raiden's recruitment?
A (Barro): "I'm super familiar with your guys' program. I grew up an Irish fan in the Midwest. He fits the culture extremely well. That selfless team-first guy, something Notre Dame has always been known for, he fits that really well. I know he's got a ton of interest in Notre Dame as well. I fully expect them to be among the final teams that he chooses to take visits. I think they already are. But he's a kid that I think would just bring a different dimension to the offense [with] some explosiveness and some athleticism that would fit really well. I think he would fit well in that kind of culture. A place with a lot of tradition that just traditionally has had a lot of success in football and sent student-athletes all over. I think that he would be a good fit from a cultural standpoint, even more than a football standpoint."
Q (INDS): In terms of his personal development, what did you challenge Raiden to improve at before his transfer to IMG Academy?
A (Barro): "I think the biggest thing for me, because he's a great athlete, he separates himself at the high school level. He's gonna go play major Power Five college football wherever it may be. And to me, my big challenge to him is just to kind of take the next step from being great to being elite. Try to be the best at what you do. Don't just be among the best. Some of those things that I think he can improve to get there as kind of his overall drive and toughness, being a little more physical [and] really trying to dominate his opponents physically rather than just using his speed and finesse. He's one of the most athletic, finesse [and] explosive players I've ever coached. If he can add the physical aspect to that he's gonna take himself to being an elite player at this level and the next."
Vines-Bright holds 20 total offers including Arizona, Alabama, Florida, Louisville, Michigan, Texas A&M, USC, and Washington,
Link to full story:
InsideNDSports - A coach's perspective: Q&A on Notre Dame 2025 WR target Raiden Vines-Bright
Jake Barro gives Inside ND Sports a glimpse of what coaching Notre Dame 2025 WR target Raiden Vines-Bright is like.
notredame.rivals.com
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