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Newsstand: Four-star athlete Joey O'Brien names Notre Dame to his top six schools

Kyle Kellyby:Kyle Kelly04/11/25

ByKyleKelly

Joey O'Brien.jpeg
2026 ATH Joey O'Brien. (Kyle Kelly/Blue & Gold)

One of Notre Dame football’s top recruiting targets has narrowed his recruitment to six schools.

On Thursday night, Wyndmoor (P.a.) La Salle College four-star “athlete” Joey O’Brien announced he’s down to the Fighting Irish, Clemson, Michigan, Oregon, Penn State and Tennessee with On3 national recruiting reporter Hayes Fawcett

According to the On3 Industry Ranking — a proprietary algorithm that compiles ratings and rankings from all four primary recruiting media services — O’Brien is the No. 69 overall player, No. 2 “athlete” nationally and No. 2 recruit in Pennsylvania in the 2026 class. 

The 6-foot-4, 180-pound defensive back/wide receiver is quite familiar with Notre Dame, unofficially visiting campus four times since last March. He will return to South Bend on June 3 for a multi-day official visit. O’Brien also has OVs scheduled to Clemson, Oregon, Penn State and Tennessee. 

O’Brien held scholarship offers from 21 other programs before trimming his recruitment. Ohio State, Georgia, Alabama, Florida State and Florida are among the teams that didn’t make the cut. 

He was a Philadelphia Catholic League MVP last season, recording 36 tackles (32 solo), 13 pass breakups and 1 interception, as well as 68 catches for 1,029 yards and 12 touchdowns. 

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Notre Dame Quote of the Day

“Just the opportunities that they brought to me outside of football and with football. You’re getting developed by the best and you’re playing with the best, but also you’re getting a world-class education and great degree with amazing people around you. That’s what attracted me the most.”

— Dunham on his decision to commit to Notre Dame. 

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