With Teddy Jarrard reclassifying to the 2026 class, Notre Dame’s quarterback recruiting board for 2027 is officially wide open-and the Irish are already putting in the groundwork to find their next signal caller. One name gaining traction? Kamden Lopati, a four-star quarterback out of Salt Lake City West who’s currently committed to Illinois.
Lopati isn’t a new name in South Bend. Notre Dame had him on their radar even when they had Noah Grubbs committed for 2026. Now that Jarrard has shifted timelines, the Irish are circling back, and Lopati is once again a name worth watching.
Notre Dame quarterbacks coach Gino Guidugli made the trip out to Utah recently to see Lopati in person, a clear sign that the Irish are serious about evaluating their options. According to reports, an official offer could be on the horizon-and that would be a significant move in what’s shaping up to be a competitive recruitment.
Lopati is currently ranked as the No. 12 quarterback in the 2027 class and the No. 3 overall player in Utah. He’s already drawing interest from other Power 4 programs like the Utah Utes, and Illinois will have to fight to keep him in the fold.
Bret Bielema’s staff has made their stance clear-they’re all-in on Lopati, and they’ll do what it takes to hold onto him. When he committed last August, he was already being talked about as a “budding superstar,” and that kind of talent doesn’t stay under the radar for long.
What makes Lopati such an intriguing fit for Notre Dame is how his skill set aligns with the Irish’s evolving quarterback philosophy. Under Marcus Freeman, Notre Dame is putting a premium on development and NFL readiness at the position.
Lopati has already taken two unofficial visits to campus, which tells you there’s mutual interest. He’s seen the facilities, met the staff, and gotten a feel for what Notre Dame can offer-not just as a football program, but as a launching pad for quarterbacks with pro aspirations.
Of course, this isn’t a one-target situation. Notre Dame is doing its due diligence across the 2027 quarterback landscape.
But with Lopati, there’s a mix of familiarity, upside, and timing that makes this a recruitment to keep a close eye on. The Irish have some time to work with, but as is often the case in quarterback recruiting, things can move quickly once offers start flying and visits get scheduled.
Stay tuned-this one could heat up in a hurry.