Notre Dame Wide Receiver Target Derek Meadows Set For Massive Junior Season
In a lot of ways, recruiting is about projection and betting on talent. More and more, we see programs extending offers and prioritizing players who have massive upside but lack the production to match.
That’s the case for 2025 Las Vegas (Nev.) Bishop Gorman wide receiver Derek Meadows, who Notre Dame has made a priority since performing at the Irish Invasion a couple of months ago. The 6-5, 185-pound pass catcher possesses some freaky measurables, including a massive catch radius and track speed. Despite that talent, Meadows hauled in just six receptions for 97 yards and two touchdowns.
While he was just a role player as a sophomore, Meadows is expected to take on a much bigger role as a junior. He has been working extremely hard this off-season to perfect his craft and prepare for a big year. The grind is very real.
"(The off-season) has been great,” Meadows told Irish Breakdown. "We have really been busting our butts everyday in the hot weather. We have been practicing at like 2:30 and it’s been like 108 out there, really hot. Everyone looks great. I just can’t wait to see what we can do this season.
"I’m very excited,” he continued. "It’s my time now. It’s time to go eat. I just can’t wait. It’s going to be a fun season but I have to go get it now. I can’t wait.”
Meadows plays for Bishop Gorman, who is one of the top programs in the entire country. On top of a state championship, the team finished this past season with a 14-1 overall record. Their only loss was a 24-21 narrow defeat to Mater Dei, who is one of the elite programs in the nation.
Being a part of that program is truly something special. Meadows fully understands how fortunate he is.
"I am really loving it,” Meadows explained. "It’s awesome. It’s really great to be able to go to a very good program, learning from the best and just grind. I can’t even explain it.”
On top of playing great football and winning championships, Bishop Gorman also has a lot of experience in the recruiting world. They have routinely put out a long list of talent, which should be a big help for Meadows who has really been heating up this off-season.
Despite that lack of production, Meadows is already well liked from a ranking perspective. According to the 247Sports ranking, Meadows is currently pegged as the No. 72 overall player and No. 9 wide receiver in the 2025 recruiting class.
So far Meadows is enjoying the process, hearing from a lot of schools with the dead period officially over. Luckily for him, he has full support around him to navigate the chaotic recruiting process.
"It’s been great,” explained Meadows. "My Twitter has been blowing up every single day. I have a lot of coaches texting me on Twitter and having some conversations. It’s been going good so far. I just can’t wait. I have to show out this season, do what I do and the rest will take care of itself.
"(Bishop Gorman) has been so supportive,” he added. "My head coach Brent Browner constantly talks to us and tells us not to worry about that, just keep grinding. He keeps us in the right mindset. I appreciate him and what he does for us. I just love him as a man.”
That support has allowed Meadows to focus on his personal growth ahead of the season, which starts in less than two weeks. There are a few key things that has had Meadows' attention to focus on these last few months.
"For sure route running,” he stated. "Going to attack the ball on jump balls, like fade routes as well, really going to get the ball. I have also been really working on my breakdowns on routes and getting open easier. I’ve really been keying on those things this off-season to get ready to tear up some defensive backs.”
From a raw talent perspective, Meadows has some of the better tools of any wide receiver in the 2025 class. Notre Dame is betting on his development as a junior. If his off-season is any indication, it should be a massive jump for the talented pass catcher.
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