Notre Dame EDGE commit Rodney Dunham named 5-star prospect in latest rankings update

Notre Dame scored a major addition to its 2026 football recruiting class earlier this month, beating out a host of teams for Charlotte (N.C.) Myers Park EDGE Rodney Dunham.

The 6-foot-4, 225-pounder chose the Fighting Irish over offers from Duke, South Carolina, Tennessee, Georgia and dozens of others, and he is one of the country’s most coveted prospects regardless of position. That was only solidified on Monday, as Dunham was ranked as a five-star prospect by On3 in its latest rankings update.

He checks in as the country’s No. x prospect and No. x edge rusher. He is coming off a junior season where posted 39 tackles, 10 stops for loss, 5 sacks, 16 quarterback hurries, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. 

Dunham looks to be locked in Notre Dame and doesn’t have any other visits planned.

“I knew the school was the perfect fit for me but I was still worried about the cold,” Dunham told On3’s Steve Wiltfong when he committed. “I’d always go on a visit and compare each school to Notre Dame and say it doesn’t give everything Notre Dame has. There is only one place like Notre Dame and it’s Notre Dame. I grew up and realized the cold doesn’t matter. I have to play in the cold some day. Then I picked the school for me.”

He has a particularly strong connection to the coaching staff, including head coach Marcus Freeman.

“Coach Freeman is an amazing leader,” Dunham added. ”I was talking to an employee that worked in the kitchen or something and he talked about what a great leader Coach Freeman is, being a father, person in the community and being a man. That’s who you want in the forefront of your life. You’re not going to be there your whole life but it might set you up for the rest of your life.

Rodney Dunham Scouting Report

On3 writes this about Dunham as a prospect:

“Athletic pass rusher with the skill set and functional movement skills that point to a high upside. Measured at around 6-foot-4, 215 pounds with good length as a junior. Lines up on the edge for his high school team, rushing the passer out of two and three-point stances. Limber athlete who has very smooth movements. Displays outstanding get-off, bursting off the snap. Has excellent curvilinear movement skills, showing the ability to accelerate while rounding the edge. Dips his shoulder to shirk contact with offensive tackles. Closes quickly on ball carriers once in the backfield. Play speed is evident as he stalks down ball carriers from behind. Shows burgeoning power at the point of attack, shedding offensive linemen once engaged. Will need to continue developing from a physical and technical standpoint. Could stand to improve his production. A younger prospect for the cycle, turning 18 years old in July before his freshman season of college football.”