Notre Dame Football Recruiting: Fighting Irish have top-five class in 2026 cycle

After failing to land a top-10 recruiting class — per the On3 Industry Team Recruiting Rankings — in each of the last two cycles, Notre Dame is gunning to sign an elite crop of prospects in the 2026 class.

So far, head coach Marcus Freeman and his staff are well on their way to doing just that. As of June 15, the Fighting Irish have 16 commits and a class that ranks No. 5 nationally. A five-star and 13 other blue-chippers currently highlight the pledge list.

In April, Charlotte Myers Park five-star EDGE Rodney Dunham became the top-ranked commit in the Irish’s class, as he chose ND over Georgia, Tennessee and others. He’s now the No. 14 player nationally and the No. 2 EDGE.

Five days earlier, another elite EDGE prospect in South Garner (N.C.) four-star Ebenezer Ewetade committed. He is a major outlier for On3, checking in as the No. 28 recruit in the 2026 On300.

May brought a quartet of commitments, including the touted running back duo of Forney (Texas) four-star Javian Osborne and Carrollton (Ga.) Central four-star Jonaz Walton. Both are top-10 prospects at the position.

Four offensive linemen are already in the class, highlighted by four-star interior linemen Tyler Merrill and Gregory Patrick, both of whom are top-150 recruits. Winter Park (Fla.) four-star safety Ayden Pouncey, Lake Mary (Fla.) four-star quarterback Noah Grubbs and Boca Raton (Fla.) Saint Andrew’s three-star wide receiver Dylan Faison are set to head from the Sunshine State to South Bend next year.

The Irish currently hold commitments from eight different states. The class blue-chip percentage sits at 88.

Notre Dame commitments by position

Quarterback
Four-star Noah Grubbs, No. 181 NATL. (No. 11 QB)

Running Back
Four-star Javian Osborne, No. 112 NATL. (No. 8 RB)
Four-star Jonaz Walton, No. 135 NATL. (No. 10 RB)

Wide Receiver
Four-star Bubba Frazier, No. 279 NATL. (No. 47 WR)
Three-star Dylan Faison, No. 666 NATL. (No. 99 WR)

Interior Offensive Lineman
Four-star Tyler Merrill, No. 128 NATL. (No. 4 IOL)
Four-star Gregory Patrick, No. 147 NATL. (No. 9 IOL)
Four-star Ben Nichols, No. 223 NATL. (No. 17 IOL)
Four-star Sullivan Garvin, No. 390 NATL. (No. 31 IOL)

Defensive Lineman
Three-star Tiki Hola, No. 470 NATL. (No. 52 DL)

EDGE
Five-star Rodney Dunham, No. 14 NATL. (No. 2 EDGE)
Four-star Ebenezer Ewetade, No. 109 NATL. (No. 16 EDGE)

Linebacker
Four-star Thomas Davis Jr., No. 183 NATL. (No. 11 LB)
Four-star Kobe Clapper, No. 388 NATL. (No. 30 LB)

Cornerback
Four-star Chaston Smith, No. 286 NATL. (No. 26 CB)

Safety
Four-star Ayden Pouncey, No. 148 NATL. (No. 13 S)