Notre Dame 2026 TE target Preston Fryzel sets commitment date
One of Notre Dame football’s 2026 class recruiting targets is set to come off the board later this month.
On Wednesday, Toledo (Ohio) Central Catholic tight end Preston Fryzel told Blue & Gold that he plans to announce his verbal commitment Monday, June 23. His finalists are Notre Dame, Iowa and Miami (FL). On3 national recruiting reporter Hayes Fawcett first reported the news on social media Wednesday evening.
The 6-foot-4, 215-pound Fryzel visited Notre Dame twice and also made a trip to Miami earlier this month. Before those visits, he acknowledged Cincinnati, Duke, Iowa, Minnesota and Pittsburgh as his initial group of favorites. However, the Irish, Hurricanes and Hoosiers have emerged as his top three schools down the stretch. Fryzel finished up his Notre Dame official visit just three days ago.
“As a (football) program, they’re going to compete for a National Championship every year,” Fryzel told On3 vice president of recruiting and transfer portal Steve Wiltfong after his Notre Dame official visit. “As for school, they’re a top school in the nation academically.”
Fryzel is one of the top tight ends in the 2026 class. In On3’s rankings, he is a three-star prospect who ranks as the No. 19 player in Ohio and No. 17 tight end nationally. He totals 29 scholarship offers, including 21 from Power Four programs.
Fryzel was a key player in Central Catholic’s run to the state championship game last season. He earned all-state honorable mention from the Ohio Prep Sports Media Association after recording 43 receptions for 807 yards (18.8 yards per catch) and 10 touchdowns in 16 games.
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Fryzel previously told Blue & Gold that general manager Mike Martin sees him as a strong fit for Mike Denbrock’s system. Martin was the one who offered Fryzel on May 21.
“They’re looking for a receiving guy,” Fryzel said. “A ‘big slot.’ I think my film shows that with my ball skills.”
Fryzel comes from the same school that produced former Notre Dame quarterback Deshone Kizer. Overall, he was one of the best players in his high school’s history, completing 345 of 584 passes for 5,684 yards and 56 touchdowns. Kizer guided Central Catholic football to a state championship in 2012.
Notre Dame is looking for its first tight end commit in the 2026 cycle. Currently, the class features 16 verbals and ranks No. 5 in the country in the 2026 Industry Ranking football Team Recruiting Rankings.
