Iowa roots in Notre Dame success: Faison family story shows value of hard work, faith

A Florida family's journey to Notre Dame stardom offers a powerful lesson for Iowa families about perseverance, authentic leadership, and the rewards of betting on yourself. Quincy Faison, father of Notre Dame wide receiver Jordan Faison and freshman Dylan Faison, shared the inside story of how both sons became dual-sport athletes for the Fighting Irish.

How did the Faison family's path to Notre Dame begin?

The Faison family prioritized lacrosse over football early on, a decision rooted in concerns about Jordan's size for Division I football. Quincy Faison explained that the family focused on lacrosse as the vehicle for college, spending summers traveling for lacrosse rather than the 7-on-7 football circuits. This unconventional approach paid off when Jordan, who played quarterback at Pine Crest High School, received little football recruiting attention outside of an offer from Iowa and other Big Ten interest.

During an official lacrosse visit to Notre Dame, the family met with head coach Marcus Freeman, who told Jordan he could contribute on the football side as a walk-on. Quincy admitted he was skeptical at first, thinking it was a favor for the lacrosse program.

What role did Marcus Freeman's authenticity play?

Quincy Faison spoke at length about Freeman's genuine approach. He recalled a moment at a team event when Freeman spotted him and his wife across the indoor facility, walked over, and asked them to speak with another dual-sport athlete. That small gesture convinced Quincy that Freeman remembered them and meant what he said.

“What he tells you is true,” Quincy said. “He is one of the most authentic coaches that are out there. People know when you’re blowing smoke up a kid’s butt, and he’s not that way.”

Freeman's culture at Notre Dame does not separate walk-ons into different locker rooms or give them different jerseys. As Quincy paraphrased the message: “As soon as you are done recruiting and you commit, all of the niceties go out the window. All the 5-stars, 4-stars, 3-stars, whatever, that goes out the window. You were just an athlete that has to go prove yourself again.”

How did Jordan Faison go from walk-on to leading receiver?

Jordan earned a scholarship and became a key contributor much earlier than expected. Now heading into his senior year in 2026, he is the Fighting Irish's leading receiver. Quincy noted that the physical toll of competing in both football and lacrosse left Jordan with almost no rest for two full years, from the Sun Bowl in December straight to lacrosse's national championship run and then back into summer workouts. Leaving lacrosse behind was difficult, but it promises to be a great decision for his football career.

What about Dylan Faison's path?

Dylan Faison was the No. 1 lacrosse recruit in the country coming out of Saint Andrews School in the 2026 recruiting class. Notre Dame had always been his dream school. When Notre Dame extended a football offer, Dylan committed the next day. Having Jordan already on campus has helped ease Dylan's transition, as the brothers live together and go over the playbook after practice every day.

What does this mean for Iowa families?

For Iowa families, the Faison story underscores the value of hard work, faith in the process, and the importance of authentic leadership. It shows that a walk-on opportunity can lead to stardom, and that a coach's character matters as much as his playbook. As Quincy Faison savors the final chapter of Jordan's college career, he acknowledged the bittersweet reality: “When you're a freshman, you don't think about those things. Now it's like, wow, this is no more game 1, right? No more game 2, no more game 3. And then before you know it, we're in the playoffs, and it's over.”

With Jordan entering his senior year and NFL scouts taking notice, and Dylan on campus for four more years, the Faison family's Notre Dame story is far from finished. Quincy made one thing clear: he's not ready to rush a single moment of it.