As we hit the midway point of February, Notre Dame is making serious noise on the recruiting trail. The Fighting Irish currently sit at No. 4 in the 247Sports Composite Team Recruiting Rankings for the Class of 2027 - a strong early statement from Marcus Freeman and his staff, who continue to build a foundation rooted in top-tier talent and smart evaluations.
So far, Notre Dame has secured seven commitments, and the class is shaping up to be one of the most balanced and promising in the country.
The first two pledges came from three-star prospects: offensive lineman Sean Kraft, who committed in late June, and defensive lineman Richie Flanigan, who joined the fold in late September. While neither came with the flash of a five-star rating, both bring physical tools and upside that Notre Dame’s staff clearly believes they can develop.
But things really started to pick up steam in the fall. On October 22, Notre Dame landed a big-time commitment from Top247 offensive tackle James Halter - a key piece for any class and a potential cornerstone of the Irish offensive line in years to come.
Just a few weeks later, they added two more Top247 defenders: safety Khalil Terry on November 12 and linebacker Amarri Irvin on November 26. That’s a trio of high-ceiling players who could eventually form the backbone of a defense built to thrive in Marcus Freeman’s aggressive, fast-flowing scheme.
Then came December, and with it, two more major additions in the secondary. Top247 cornerbacks Ace Alston and Xavier Hasan committed on December 9 and 15, respectively, giving Notre Dame a dynamic duo on the perimeter. Both players bring elite athleticism and coverage skills, and together, they give the Irish a head start on building out a lockdown secondary in this class.
With seven commitments already locked in, the Irish are in a strong position - but they’re far from done. One of the next big areas of focus is the EDGE position, where Notre Dame is looking to add game-changing pass rushers to complement the talent already on board.
There’s a clear sense of urgency to land impact players off the edge - guys who can collapse pockets, disrupt timing, and change games with a single play. Notre Dame has its eyes on several priority targets at the position, and while some names are already familiar to Irish fans, others are just starting to emerge on the radar. And as always, there are a few under-the-radar prospects worth tracking as the cycle unfolds.
The recruiting board is fluid, and things can change quickly, but one thing’s clear: Marcus Freeman and his staff are swinging big. With a top-five class already in place and more blue-chip talent in the pipeline, Notre Dame is positioning itself to compete at the highest level - not just on Saturdays, but on signing days too.