The ink is dry, and Notre Dame has officially closed the book on its 2026 recruiting class - and what a class it is. Marcus Freeman and his staff didn’t just maintain momentum after a strong early signing period in December; they added to it. With three more signees during the final window, the Irish wrapped up a 30-player haul that checks every box across offense, defense, and even special teams.
This group isn’t just deep - it’s balanced, versatile, and loaded with upside. And perhaps most impressively?
Not a single decommitment. In today’s recruiting landscape, that’s almost unheard of.
It speaks volumes about the staff’s ability to not only identify talent early but also build relationships that last.
Let’s break down the class that’s already being hailed as one of the best in recent Notre Dame history.
Quarterback Room Gets a Double Dose of Talent
Notre Dame is bringing in two signal-callers with very different profiles but similar upside. Noah Grubbs out of Lake Mary, Florida, stands 6-foot-4 and brings a prototypical frame with a live arm. He’s the kind of quarterback who can stretch the field vertically and operate confidently from the pocket.
Then there’s Teddy Jarrard from North Cobb in Georgia - slightly smaller at 6-3, 190 pounds, but a polished passer with excellent footwork and poise. Freeman and his staff clearly wanted competition and depth at the most important position on the field, and they got it.
Backfield Bolstered with Power and Burst
Javian Osborne (Forney, TX) and Jonaz Walton (Carrollton, GA) headline the running back additions. Osborne is a compact, 5-9, 200-pound runner with a low center of gravity and strong contact balance. Walton, at 5-10, 208, brings a physical downhill style that should translate well in short-yardage and red zone situations.
Together, they give Notre Dame a one-two punch that can wear down defenses and keep the offense on schedule.
Wide Receiver Group Brings Speed, Size, and Versatility
This is where the class really shines. The Irish are bringing in five wideouts, and each brings something different to the table:
- Dylan Faison (Boca Raton, FL) has the size (6-1, 180) and route-running savvy to contribute early.
- Kaydon Finley (Aledo, TX) is a physical presence at 6-0, 212, and could be a matchup nightmare in the slot or outside.
- Devin Fitzgerald (Phoenix, AZ) checks in at 6-2, 199 and has the athletic profile to stretch the field.
- Bubba Frazier (Savannah, GA) and Brayden Robinson (Red Oak, TX) both bring elite quickness and open-field ability, even if they’re on the smaller side.
This group gives Notre Dame a mix of possession receivers, deep threats, and playmakers who can turn short throws into chunk gains.
Tight End Tradition Continues
Few programs develop tight ends like Notre Dame, and the 2026 class keeps that pipeline flowing. Preston Fryzel (Toledo, OH) and Ian Premer (Great Bend, KS) bring different skill sets - Fryzel is more of a move tight end with receiving upside, while Premer is a 6-6, 235-pound traditional in-line option with a big catch radius.
Offensive Line: Built for the Trenches
Six linemen join the fold, and it’s a group that screams size and strength. The headliners include:
- Sullivan Garvin (6-5, 314, Allegan, MI)
- Grayson McKeough (6-8, 300, LaSalle College, PA)
- Tyler Merrill (6-5, 330, Cumberland Valley, PA)
Add in Ben Nichols, Gregory Patrick, and Charlie Thom, and you’ve got a group that could form the foundation of Notre Dame’s line for years to come. There’s length, athleticism, and plenty of raw power.
Defensive Front: Edge Speed and Interior Strength
On the edge, Rodney Dunham (Charlotte, NC) and Ebenezer Ewetade (Garner, NC) bring twitch and length. Both are 6-4 and project as pass-rushing specialists with room to fill out.
Inside, Elijah Golden (Sarasota, FL) and Tiki Hola (Bastrop, TX) add beef to the middle. Golden has the frame (6-4, 270) to be disruptive, while Hola (6-3, 305) is a true space-eater who can anchor against the run.
Linebackers and Secondary: Athleticism Across the Board
Linebackers Jakobe Clapper (Cincinnati, OH) and Thomas Davis Jr. (Matthews, NC) bring sideline-to-sideline range and physicality. Both are in that 6-2, 220-pound range and fit the mold of modern hybrid backers who can cover and blitz.
In the secondary, Notre Dame added size and versatility:
- Safeties Joey O'Brien (6-4, 190, LaSalle College, PA) and Nick Reddish (5-10, 185, Charlotte, NC) offer different looks - O'Brien’s length is intriguing, while Reddish brings a compact, physical style.
- Cornerbacks Khary Adams (6-1, 185, Baltimore, MD), Ayden Pouncey (6-3, 179, Winter Park, FL), and Chaston Smith (6-0, 169, Chattanooga, TN) give the Irish a trio of long, athletic cover men who can press, run, and tackle.
Special Teams: Global Reach and Local Talent
Notre Dame didn’t overlook special teams. Micah Drescher (Hinsdale, IL) comes in as the kicker, while punter Jasper Scaife hails from West Perth, Australia - continuing the trend of Aussie punters making a mark in college football. At 6-5, 215, Scaife has the frame and leg strength to flip the field consistently.
Geographic Footprint: Coast to Coast and Beyond
This class has national - and international - reach:
- Four commits each from Florida, North Carolina, and Texas
- Three each from Georgia, Michigan, and Pennsylvania
- Two from Ohio
- One each from Arizona, Connecticut, Illinois, Kansas, Maryland, and Tennessee
- And one from Australia
That kind of geographic diversity speaks to Notre Dame’s national brand and recruiting strategy. Freeman and his staff cast a wide net - and reeled in talent from every corner.
Recruiting Rankings: Elite Across the Board
This isn’t just a strong class by Notre Dame standards - it’s one of the best in the country. According to multiple recruiting services:
- On3 and Rivals: No. 1
- On3/Rivals Industry: No. 2
- ESPN: No. 4
- 247Sports: No. 6
- 247Sports Composite: No. 5
It’s the highest-ranked Irish class since 2008, and it’s not hard to see why. There’s elite talent at every level, and the positional balance is exactly what you want to see from a program looking to build sustained success.
Final Tally
- 30 total signees
- 17 on offense
- 11 on defense
- 2 on special teams
- No decommitments
That last point can’t be overstated. In an era of constant movement and last-minute flips, Notre Dame held firm. Every player who committed stayed committed - a testament to the culture Freeman is building in South Bend.
This class sets the tone for the future. If development matches the recruiting hype, Notre Dame just took a major step toward national title contention.