2025 four-star TE Nate Roberts commits to Notre Dame football

Notre Dame recruiting always heats up in the summer, and the Fighting Irish picked up their fourth new commitment of the month on Saturday afternoon. The first three were in the 2024 cycle, while head coach Marcus Freeman‘s newest pledge is a member of the 2025 class.

Washington (Okla.) High’s Nate Roberts, who ranks as the nation’s No. 137 overall player and No. 7 tight end according to the On3 Industry Ranking, announced his commitment to Notre Dame, selecting the Irish over a handful of other top-notch programs.

“I picked Notre Dame over Ohio State,” Roberts told On3’s Chad Simmons about his commitment. “Those two and Clemson were schools I was really high on. Things went back and forth a few times, and all three have shown a lot of interest, but this last Notre Dame visit put the cherry on top. I know where I need to be and that is Notre Dame.”

Roberts has been a busy man the past couple weeks, taking trips to Georgia, Auburn, Clemson, Ohio State, Michigan and Notre Dame. His visit to South Bend was June 13, and he also got to see campus for the first time April 15.

“From the first visit, I knew Notre Dame was the place for me,” Roberts continued. “I had that feeling and there was no reason for me to wait any longer. It is early, but I am ready to commit to Notre Dame and get to work with Coach [Gerad] Parker.”

The 6-4, 225-pounder holds scholarship offers from the schools mentioned above, plus the likes of Oklahoma, Penn State, Tennessee, Alabama, Wisconsin, Miami, Texas A&M and Oregon.

He is Notre Dame’s second pledge of the 2025 cycle, joining Miami Belen Jesuit Prep interior defensive lineman Davion Dixon, who picked the Irish in April.

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More from Roberts on his Notre Dame commitment

The four-star prospect is excited about joining a program that contends for the title of Tight End U.

“The tradition and the culture that they have at Notre Dame are things I like a lot,” Roberts said. “The staff is amazing and the academics are top-notch. They also have had success at tight end and that meant a lot to me. I always wanted to go somewhere that uses the heck out of the tight end position, and the starting tight end for Notre Dame these past 12 years has been drafted. No other school can say that.”

Notre Dame offered Roberts as part of its Pot of Gold recruiting initiative back on St. Patrick’s Day, where the staff essentially kicked off its class of 2025 efforts by offering several dozen prospects.

“Coach Freeman and Coach Parker have shown great interest in me,” he said. “They have shown a lot of love. Coach Parker has gone over offensive periods with me, and he has shown how I can fit into his offense, so there is a lot to like there. Coach Freeman has been great with me, too. He has shown me ways I can fit into their culture and how they can make me a better football player and a better person.

“Coach Freeman is doing a great job and Notre Dame will only go up from here. We have gone over many slideshows, and he has talked to me in person. He’s done a great job with me and my family. I think Notre Dame will have a great season this year and in the seasons ahead with what Coach Freeman is doing and the recruiting classes coming in.

“I am ready to be that role model for other guys that will commit.”

In leading Washington High to an undefeated record and a 2022 Oklahoma 2A state championship, Roberts caught 33 passes for 705 yards with 11 touchdowns. He had 324 yards after catch.

Roberts was named to The Oklahoman‘s 2022 Little All-City first-team offense. He also stars on the Washington High baseball team.

Roberts is the younger brother of Jake Roberts, a 2020 three-star tight end that signed with North Texas out of high school. Jake transferred to Baylor in the offseason.