SOUTH BEND — The Notre Dame Fighting Irish have extended a scholarship offer to a rising high school star, the son of a Pittsburgh Steelers legend, sources told ESPN on May 19, 2025. The young wide receiver is ranked as the No. 1 prospect at his position in the 2027 recruiting class.
The prospect, Jerome Bettis III, is the son of Jerome Bettis Jr., a wide receiver at Notre Dame, and grandson of Jerome Bettis, a Steelers Hall of Famer who amassed 10,571 rushing yards and won Super Bowl XL. Bettis III’s lineage has made him a highly sought-after talent, per 247Sports.Bettis III, a sophomore at St. Thomas Aquinas High School in Florida, has already turned heads.
At 6’2” and 190 lbs, he recorded 52 receptions, 820 yards, and 9 touchdowns in his 2024 season, earning the top wide receiver ranking for the 2027 class, per Rivals.
Notre Dame’s offer holds deep significance, as Bettis Jr. is currently a freshman with the Fighting Irish, where he has 15 catches for 210 yards in 2024. Jerome Bettis, known as “The Bus,” played 10 seasons in Pittsburgh (1996-2005), earning 6 Pro Bowl nods and a first-ballot Hall of Fame induction in 2015, per The Athletic.
The Fighting Irish, under head coach Marcus Freeman, are known for developing elite offensive talent, producing stars like Michael Floyd and Golden Tate.
Offering Bettis III early signals their intent to continue their tradition of standout receivers, per Steelers Depot.Jerome Bettis Jr. shared his excitement on social media, posting, “Proud of my son chasing his dreams at Notre Dame! #GoIrish.” The Bettis family’s deep ties to the Steelers and Notre Dame make this offer a storybook moment for fans, per CBS Pittsburgh.Steeler Nation is buzzing, with @Blitz_Burgh posting, “Another Bettis in Pittsburgh one day? Let’s go!” The team, which hasn’t won a playoff game since 2016, could benefit from a third-generation Bettis in the future, per NFL.com.
With Notre Dame facing competition from Alabama and USC, Bettis III’s recruitment will be a storyline to watch. As a top-ranked wide receiver with a storied family name, his journey could lead him to the NFL Draft in 2027, continuing the Bettis legacy.