Notre Dame Reloads: Irish Ink Top-Five Recruiting Class for 2026
Notre Dame just sent a clear message to the rest of college football: the Irish are building for the future-and they’re not messing around.
With a top-five recruiting class for the 2026 cycle now officially locked in, Notre Dame has stacked talent across every position group. Twenty-eight signees were already in the fold after the early signing period back in December, and most of them are already on campus, getting a head start on their college careers. But the Irish weren’t quite done.
On the traditional National Signing Day, Notre Dame added two more names to the class: quarterback Teddy Jarrard out of Kennesaw, Georgia, and kicker Micah Drescher from Hinsdale, Illinois. That rounds out a 30-man group that blends elite upside with positional balance and depth.
Let’s break it down.
The Headliners: Five-Star Firepower
Notre Dame’s 2026 class is headlined by five players with five-star status, and each brings a different kind of juice to the table.
- Rodney Dunham, a defensive end from Charlotte, is the kind of edge presence that can change a game-and a season. Explosive off the snap with a motor that doesn’t quit, Dunham looks like a future anchor for the Irish front seven.
- Ian Premer, a tight end from Kansas, fits right into the Notre Dame tradition at the position. He’s big, athletic, and already polished as both a pass-catcher and blocker. Don’t be surprised if he sees the field early.
- Joey O’Brien, a safety from Pennsylvania, and Khary Adams, a cornerback from Maryland, give the Irish two elite-level playmakers in the secondary. O’Brien brings range and physicality, while Adams is sticky in man coverage and has the kind of instincts that can flip momentum in an instant.
- Rounding out the five-star group is Ian Premer-a name you’ll want to remember. Notre Dame has long been known for producing high-level tight ends, and Premer might just be next in line.
Quarterback Room Gets a Boost
The Irish added two quarterbacks in this class, including the late-signee Teddy Jarrard, a four-star from North Cobb High School in Georgia. He’s got the tools-arm strength, size, and poise-to develop into a real option down the line.
Joining him is Noah Grubbs, a four-star from Lake Mary, Florida. Grubbs is more polished at this stage, with a smooth release and a strong understanding of the game. Together, they give Notre Dame depth and competition in the QB room, which is exactly what you want in a modern college football program.
Speed, Size, and Skill at the Skill Positions
Notre Dame loaded up at wide receiver, landing three four-star talents:
- Devin Fitzgerald (Phoenix, AZ) is a smooth route-runner with reliable hands.
- Kaydon Finley (Aledo, TX) brings size and contested-catch ability.
- Brayden Robinson (Red Oak, TX) has the kind of speed that can stretch a defense vertically.
Throw in three-star Dylan Faison from Boca Raton, and the Irish have a versatile group of pass-catchers who can fill different roles in the offense.
At running back, Notre Dame grabbed two four-stars: Jonaz Walton out of Georgia and Javian Osborne from Texas. Both are physical runners with burst and vision, and each could carve out a role early depending on how the depth chart shakes out.
Beefing Up the Trenches
Championship teams are built in the trenches, and Notre Dame clearly took that to heart with this class.
On the offensive line, the Irish signed five four-star linemen:
- Ben Nichols (Michigan),
- Grayson McKeough (Pennsylvania),
- Gregory Patrick (Michigan),
- Charlie Thom (Connecticut),
- and Tyler Merrill (Pennsylvania).
All five bring size, length, and a mean streak that fits Notre Dame’s physical identity up front.
They’re joined by three-star interior lineman Sullivan Garvin (Michigan), giving the Irish plenty of developmental depth.
Defensively, the front seven got a major injection of talent. In addition to Dunham, Notre Dame signed:
- Ebenezer Ewetade, a four-star defensive end from North Carolina,
- Elijah Golden, a four-star defensive lineman from Florida,
- Tiki Hola, a four-star defensive tackle from Texas,
- and Thomas Davis Jr., a four-star linebacker from North Carolina.
Add in three-star linebacker Jakobe Clapper (Ohio), and the Irish have a group that can fly to the ball and bring some serious physicality.
Secondary Stacked with Versatility
Beyond the five-star duo of O’Brien and Adams, Notre Dame added three more defensive backs:
- Ayden Pouncey, a four-star safety from Florida,
- Chaston Smith, a four-star corner from Tennessee,
- and Nick Reddish, a three-star safety from North Carolina.
This group brings a mix of ball skills, tackling ability, and coverage versatility-traits that will be key as Notre Dame looks to match up with the high-powered offenses they’ll see down the road.
Special Teams Matter, Too
Notre Dame didn’t overlook the third phase of the game. Alongside kicker Micah Drescher, the Irish also signed punter Jasper Scaife-a three-star from Warwick, Australia. Australian punters have become a trend in college football for a reason, and Scaife could be the next in line to flip field position with a single boot.
Final Thoughts
This 2026 class checks all the boxes: star power at the top, depth across the board, and a clear vision for the future. Notre Dame didn’t just sign a group of talented players-they built a foundation.
And if even half of these prospects hit their ceiling, the Irish could be looking at a roster that’s ready to compete at the highest level for years to come.