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Notre Dame’s Dylan Faison just did something absolutely insane. On Monday, May 25, 2026, Marcus Freeman’s newest freshman dual-sport athlete scored a mind-blowing goal for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish against the No. 1 Princeton in the NCAA Men’s Lacrosse National Championship game.

With 6:54 remaining in the third period, the freshman broke through the dry spell. He tucked the ball perfectly into the top left corner of the net, showing everyone exactly why he is considered an elite athlete.

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What makes this play even wilder is that Faison technically should still be in high school. He was originally a top recruit for the class of 2026, but he decided to skip ahead, graduate early, and join Notre Dame’s lacrosse team just in time for their spring season. Experts already rated him as the number-one lacrosse recruit in the entire country. On top of that, he was also a 3-star football recruit in the books of ESPN. As a high school junior, he hauled in 59 passes for 809 yards and 9 touchdowns for Andrew’s School in Boca Raton, Florida.

If the Faison name sounds familiar to Notre Dame fans, that is because talent runs in the family. Dylan’s older brother, Jordan Faison, did the exact same thing a couple of years ago. Jordan started out playing football for Coach Freeman and then hopped onto the lacrosse field to help the Fighting Irish win a national championship back in 2024. Now, Dylan is following in those giant footsteps.

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However, unfortunately, Dylan’s wonder-goal wasn’t quite enough to save the day for Notre Dame. They were playing against the top-ranked Princeton Tigers at Scott Stadium. The game quickly got away from them. Even though the Irish jumped out to a great 3-0 start in the first quarter, things fell apart fast.

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Faison’s big goal in the third quarter had Chris Paul’s ‘hits a huge three to cut the lead to 42’ energy. The team tried their best to rally behind the freshman’s energy, but Princeton’s defense was just too tough to crack. Every time Notre Dame tried to make a comeback, the Tigers had an answer ready. In the end, Princeton took the crown with a final score of 16-9, stopping Notre Dame from winning three straight national titles.

Even though the loss hurts, the future looks incredibly bright for Faison. He got to experience playing under the brightest lights in college lacrosse before most kids his age even start college. Now, with the lacrosse season done, Marcus Freeman will have his full attention. Then again, giving him the benefit of the doubt, this lacrosse highlight is most probably just the very beginning of a spectacular college career.

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Where does Dylan find himself heading into the upcoming season?

Dylan Faison is entering a super crowded and deeply talented wide receiver room at Notre Dame. Unlike his older brother Jordan, who broke through when the roster was a bit thin, Dylan faces fierce competition.

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The Fighting Irish completely reloaded their offense with elite transfers like former five-star recruits Mylan Graham and Quincy Porter, alongside returning stars like Jaden Greathouse. It is easily one of the most competitive positions on the team.

Because Dylan spent his entire spring season playing lacrosse, Faison ought to compete against the established young talent like Micah Gilbert, Cam Williams, and Elijah Burress, alongside three other four-star freshmen wideouts.

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Physically, Dylan is an explosive athlete who is a perfect fit for the slot receiver position. However, at around 175 pounds, he needs to spend the summer in the weight room building up his strength. Coaches at Notre Dame believes he’s that technically advanced as a route-runner coming out of high school than his older brother was.

Realistically, fans should expect a developmental year for Dylan. The coaches love his long-term upside, but with so many veterans ahead of him, he will probably redshirt or play a very minor role this autumn. He is incredibly talented, but this year is all about learning the ropes so he can become a valuable weapon for the Irish down the road.

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Ameek Abdullah Jamal

2,328 Articles

Ameek Abdullah Jamal is a College Football writer at EssentiallySports. An athlete-turned-writer, he brings on-field perspective to his coverage, highlighting the energy, rivalries, and culture that define campus football. His reporting emphasizes quick-turn updates and nuanced storytelling, connecting directly with engaged fans. Ameek believes the vibrant atmosphere at college football games fosters community and is central to the sport’s growth in America. He also serves as a reporter with the ES CFB Pro Writer Program, connecting directly with fan creators. Alongside his editorial work, Ameek has led business-focused projects, including a FIFA initiative that combined strategic planning with data-driven insights, demonstrating his ability to bridge sports and analysis. Among his notable works is an exclusive interview with Alabama running back Daniel Hill, who discussed the impact of Coach Nick Saban's retirement on his career aspirations. Ameek's coverage also explores the evolving landscape of college football, including the NCAA's challenges to the NIL ecosystem and their implications for the sport's future.

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