Notre Dame 2026 four-star OL target Ben Nichols sets a commitment date
One day after Notre Dame secured a verbal commitment from Allegan (Mich.) High 2026 three-star offensive lineman Sullivan Garvin, another top Fighting Irish offensive line target from the Great Lake State has set his commitment date.
On Friday, Davison (Mich) High four-star prospect Ben Nichols announced he would reveal his verbal commitment Dec. 24. On Nov. 11, he released a Top 9 schools that featured Notre Dame, Alabama, Iowa, Kentucky, Michigan State, Ohio State, Penn State, Tennessee and Wisconsin.
According to the On3 Industry Ranking, Nichols is the No. 198 overall player, No. 16 interior offensive lineman nationally and No. 3 prospect in Michigan in 2026.
Nichols is coming off a taxing season of travel, making trips to see games at Notre Dame (Sept. 7), Michigan State (Sept. 14), Penn State (Nov. 9), Wisconsin (Nov. 16) and Tennessee (Nov. 23). Although the 6-foot-5, 315-pound Nichols was in South Bend when the Irish fell to Northern Illinois, it did not deter him from having another good time on campus.
“I know Notre Dame’s a better team than that,” Nichols told Blue & Gold on Sept. 8. “Everybody has off games. … They play physical football. It’s not anything against them. It was just one of those days.”
That was Nichols’ fifth trip to Notre Dame, which was only one less than the number of times he visited Michigan State. He also saw the Irish for a camp in June 2023, the USC game in October 2023, spring practice in April 2024 and over the summer on June 18.
Background on Ben Nichols’ Notre Dame football recruitment
Notre Dame offensive line coach Joe Rudolph offered Nichols on Pot of Gold Day. Just a sophomore at the time, Nichols was one of about 85 recruits in the 2026 class to report a new Irish scholarship offer during the program’s March 17 St. Patrick’s Day-themed recruiting event. That was a big deal for the No. 2 O-line recruit in Michigan.
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“I was pretty excited, especially since it’s such a great college,” Nichols told Blue & Gold on April 3. “There’s nothing not to love about Notre Dame. My family loves it, too. They were pumped up.
“The history about it — they put offensive linemen in the league. It’s a great school; the academics are amazing. I love the coaches, and everything about it is pretty dang good.
“The campus is beautiful. The fans have great spirit. The coaches are amazing and really care for their players. They develop you as a player and a man.”
After multiple great trips to South Bend, the Irish will have to hold off a few SEC schools and several Big Ten powers if they want to add him to their 11th-ranked recruiting class that already features five commits.
In addition to Michigan State and Notre Dame, Nichols also paid trips to Michigan, Northwestern, Ohio State, Illinois, Iowa, Cincinnati, Toledo, Central Michigan, Eastern Michigan and Western Michigan. The Wolverines never offered him a scholarship.
