Elite EDGE Ebenezer Ewetade commits to Notre Dame football over Alabama, Georgia, others

Garner (N.C.) South Garner class of 2026 EDGE Ebenezer Ewetade has announced his commitment to the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, choosing Marcus Freeman’s program over other finalists Alabama, Georgia, Florida State and N.C. State.

Ewetade is considered one of the best pass rushers in the country, ranking as On3’s No. 36 overall player and No. 6 EDGE. And he locked in his pledge to the Irish on Saturday while on campus.

“It feels like family to me there,” Ewetade told Blue & Gold a few days before his decision became public. “I’ve always been in close communication with them, even before they gave me the offer. They’ve been on my side through everything. Notre Dame is the best choice for me.”

Notre Dame had long been interested in Ewetade, making contact with him and his high school coaches several months ago. The Irish made a move for Ewetade during his first visit to South Bend at the end of January for their junior day. Notre Dame continued to push for him throughout the spring, and despite him scheduling summer official visits with his top schools, he decided to end his recruitment early.

“Coach [Al] Washington, Coach [Nick] Sebastian, Coach Freeman — they talk to me all the time and feel like family,” added Ewetade.

Both the academic and on-field factors about Notre Dame were key to him picking the Irish. As cliché as it can sound, the university as a whole provided the best of both worlds for him.

“Education is important to me and my family,” he said. “If I want to succeed in my life, I need a good education, and Notre Dame is one of the best schools in the country. I can get a good degree to take me far after football is over.

“On the field, they’ll have me playing vyper. I’ll mostly be rushing the passer and will drop back a little bit. That’s something I’m learning now. And I’ll be defending the run.”

There are eight months until National Signing Day for the 2026 class, and decommitments for prospects are more common than ever. But don’t expect that to be the case with Ewetade.

“Like I said, it’s family,” the 6-4, 220-pounder said. “I wouldn’t go behind my family’s back. As soon as it’s official, it’s official.”

Ewetade is on Notre Dame’s campus with his high school teammate — offensive tackle Ekene Ogboko, a coveted Irish target in the 2026 class. They’ll officially visit Notre Dame together in June, and Ewetade noted that he’s going to try to get Ogboko to join him on the Fighting Irish commit list.

The elite prospect becomes Notre Dame’s eighth commitment, first defensive line pledge and second verbal from the state of North Carolina. The Tarheel State is supremely important for the Irish in the 2026 and 2027 classes.

“They’re coming for the best players in North Carolina,” Ewetade said.

The On3 Industry Ranking — a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting services — lists Ewetade has the No. 189 overall player and No. 22 EDGE in the country.

Auburn, Miami, Ohio State and Penn State are just a few of the other schools on his long offer sheet.

The Ebenezer Ewetade file

Ewetade’s junior season was tremendous, as he totaled 82 tackles (28 for loss), 10 sacks, 27 quarterback hurries, 1 pass deflection and 4 forced fumbles in just nine games. His sophomore season wasn’t shabby either, notching 24 stops (8 for loss), 5 sacks and 1 forced fumble across seven contests.

Last year was Ewetade’s first full season as a varsity football player and second season playing defensive line.

“I am really proud of his growth and development, and we are really encouraged that a lot of teams have been able to see his upside,” South Garner defensive line coach Brian Yarborough previously told Blue & Gold.

Ebenezer was named to the GNRC all-conference team for his efforts in 2024 and was a team captain. On the track, he has a personal best of 22.5 seconds in the 200-meter race.