Syracuse, N.Y. — Four-star defensive edge and former Notre Dame commit CJ May verbally committed to Louisville on Saturday after listing Syracuse as one of four finalists in his college recruitment.
May revealed his decision at his high school during a live stream on 247Sports’ YouTube channel by sliding on a red Louisville hat.
May said relationships with the coaching staff and the Cardinals’ projected depth chart factored into his decision. He said he told the coaching staff on his official visit that he will commit.
“I’ve known it’s been Louisville for a month or month and a half,” May said.
His other finalists included Washington and Auburn, but Louisville appeared to be the favorites to land May in the weeks leading up to Saturday’s announcement. 247Sports’ national recruiting analyst, Tom Loy, logged a prediction on June 24 for May to pick the Cardinals. Loy moderated the live stream.
May cited relationships with Syracuse head coach Fran Brown and assistants Nick Williams and Elijah Robinson for why the Orange was considered.
May said Auburn was considered because its proximity to home and his fanhood growing up.
May, who goes to high school in Highland Home, Alabama, is ranked as the No. 306 prospect in the country by the 247Sports composite rankings. The website lists him at 6-foot-4 and 225 pounds.
If May had committed to Syracuse, he would have become the highest-ranked player committed to the Orange’s 2025 recruiting class. Christian Brothers Academy’s Darien Williams, ranked No. 470 nationally, is the top-ranked player in SU’s class.
May initially committed to Notre Dame but decommitted from the Fighting Irish in February. He took an official visit to Syracuse last month.
Syracuse’s recruiting class for 2025 is ranked No. 32 in the country in the 247Sports composite rankings. That places the Orange eighth in the ACC. Its average recruit rating is 15th in the 17-team league, ahead of Boston College and California.
Syracuse has 28 verbal commitments, the second most in the country. Only Rutgers (29) has more. More than half of the Orange’s class was recruited out of the Northeast.
On Friday, former Syracuse commit Marcus Upton said he intends to sign with Boston College.
Verbal commitments are not binding until after a player has signed a National Letter of Intent.
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