Jordan Faison’s Two-Sport Brilliance at Notre Dame Reflects Both Glory and Sacrifice in Football and Lacrosse Excellence
Jordan Faison doesn’t have time to slow down. The Notre Dame sophomore balances more in a week than most athletes do in a month—splitting practices, film sessions, games, and conditioning for not one, but two Division I sports. Faison’s rare status as a two-sport athlete, excelling in both football and lacrosse for the Fighting Irish, is a testament to his extraordinary athleticism and mental toughness. But behind the accolades and the highlight reels lies a grueling reality few fully appreciate: his commitment to greatness comes at a steep personal and physical cost.
At most schools, being a Division I athlete in any sport is a full-time job. The weight room sessions, strategy meetings, team functions, and constant travel require an almost monastic dedication. Now imagine that workload doubled. For Faison, the rhythm of his day is dictated by two head coaches, two sets of teammates, and two teams chasing national aspirations. His mornings might begin with a 6 a.m. lift with the football team, followed by classes, then a mid-afternoon lacrosse practice, before returning to the football facilities for film study or rehab. Weekends are game days—sometimes back-to-back—and recovery time is a luxury he often can’t afford.
Faison arrived at Notre Dame in 2023 as a highly touted lacrosse recruit out of Pine Crest School in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, where he was one of the top midfielders in the country. But he wasn’t content with just dominating the lacrosse field. He also had a passion for football and the skills to back it up, despite being under-recruited in that sport. Notre Dame initially brought him in on a lacrosse scholarship, but it didn’t take long for Marcus Freeman and the football staff to take notice.
Once he was allowed to join the football team in the fall of 2023, Faison quickly proved he belonged on the gridiron. His breakout moment came against Pittsburgh when he burned the defense on a 60-yard touchdown reception. He showed elite separation speed, precise route running, and the ability to change a game in an instant. It was no fluke. By season’s end, he was one of Notre Dame’s most dynamic offensive weapons, all while maintaining his role as a key midfielder on the lacrosse team.
Notre Dame’s storied athletic tradition has included multisport stars before—think of Jeff Samardzija, who starred in both football and baseball before going on to a Major League career. But even among that rare company, Faison’s workload is unprecedented. Lacrosse and football seasons overlap in the spring. While football is in the thick of spring ball, preparing for the Blue-Gold Game and developing positional depth, the lacrosse team is often fighting for seeding in the NCAA Tournament. Faison has had to pick his moments carefully, sometimes playing in a lacrosse game on Saturday and showing up to football scrimmages the next day. It’s a logistical puzzle the coaching staff across both programs has worked carefully to support—but it’s not without stress.
That stress extends beyond scheduling. There’s the constant risk of injury, made greater by the lack of downtime. There’s also the fatigue—mental and physical—that can sap performance or leave a player feeling spread thin. Faison has opened up in interviews about the exhaustion, admitting that while he loves both sports, the demands can be overwhelming. Yet he keeps showing up. Not out of obligation, but out of deep-seated passion for both games and a burning desire to compete.
Despite the challenges, the results speak volumes. On the football field, Faison has emerged as a key target in Notre Dame’s passing game. His speed forces defensive backs to play off coverage, opening lanes for other receivers and giving quarterbacks a reliable deep threat. He’s also contributed on special teams, returning punts and kickoffs with explosive agility. Lacrosse head coach Kevin Corrigan has praised Faison’s versatility and toughness, calling him “an impact player who elevates everyone around him.” The lacrosse team, which entered the 2025 season as one of the top-ranked programs in the nation, counts on Faison’s energy and athleticism in pivotal midfield matchups.
But the toll of this dual excellence is undeniable. Friends and teammates often joke that Faison lives at the Guglielmino Athletics Complex, but it’s not far from the truth. He has little free time. His social life, academic schedule, and rest cycles are all shaped around a rigorous sports calendar. There’s limited room for error—one slip in time management, one tweak of a hamstring, and the balance can unravel. And yet, Faison remains unwavering.
Support from the university has been critical. Academic advisors tailor his schedule with precision. Athletic trainers monitor his health closely. Both Freeman and Corrigan have made it clear they support his dual-sport pursuit, provided he communicates openly about his limits. Still, the expectations from both programs don’t lessen because he wears two jerseys. If anything, they increase. Teammates look to him as a standard bearer. Fans expect him to perform at a high level in both sports. That pressure, while motivating, is heavy.
Faison has made no secret of his long-term ambitions. He dreams of playing professional football, but also acknowledges how much he loves the culture and pace of lacrosse. Few athletes can say they have a chance to go pro in two sports. But for now, his focus remains on helping Notre Dame chase championships—whether that’s catching touchdown passes in the fall or scoring clutch goals in the spring. His ability to compartmentalize and deliver in both arenas is extraordinary.
What makes Faison’s story even more compelling is his humility. He doesn’t talk like a star. He talks like a teammate. When asked about his football highlights, he deflects praise to the offensive line or his quarterback. On the lacrosse field, he credits his defensive teammates for making his job easier. He knows his journey is unique, but he doesn’t treat himself like an exception.
There’s also a deeper layer to his choice to do both. Faison represents the dying breed of the multi-sport athlete in an age of hyper-specialization. More and more, elite high school prospects are told to focus on one sport to maximize their chances of success. Faison is living proof that you can do more—if you’re willing to work harder than everyone else. His path isn’t for everyone. It might not even be sustainable for him over four years. But right now, in this moment, he’s pulling it off with excellence.
For the Notre Dame community, Faison is not just an athlete. He’s an emblem of what Fighting Irish grit looks like. His every sprint across the lacrosse field, his every route run on Saturdays, reminds fans of what’s possible when you chase your dreams without compromise. But he’d be the first to tell you—it’s not easy. And it’s not without a cost.
Jordan Faison’s two-sport excellence is a thrill to witness. It’s also a reminder that greatness, especially when pursued on multiple fronts, demands sacrifice. The price he pays is steep—sore limbs, short nights, missed downtime—but the payoff is even greater. He’s not just playing two sports. He’s redefining what’s possible at one of the most iconic athletic institutions in America.
