Elite recruits see themselves at Notre Dame as Irish advance to the National Championship
Notre Dame is headed to the National Championship.
Marcus Freeman and his Irish program erased an early 10-0 deficit, to rally on Thursday night for a 27-24 victory over Penn State in the Orange Bowl. It was the only time all year they trailed by two scores.
Aiming to win the program’s 12 title and first since 1988, Notre Dame now waits for the winner of Friday night’s Ohio State-Texas game in the Cotton Bowl.
Performances like these, seasons like this, captivate the next wave of difference-makers. Blue-chippers were tuned into the Irish’s win over the Nittany Lions and they see themselves helping the historic program become a juggernaut again.
“This day is huge,” On3’s No. 3 2026 edge rusher Rodney Dunham Jr. said. Also a terrific baseball player, the Charlotte (NC) Myers Park standout is the country’s No. 18 prospect overall.
“They’ve always been top on my list but now this might bump them up to the top spot. Need to start visiting them more in the near future.”
Notre Dame will battle the likes of South Carolina, Duke, Florida State and Tennessee among others for Dunham. He wasn’t the only one raving about the victory.
“Games like this mean a lot as a recruit,” On3’s No. 1 safety and No. 7 prospect overall Blaine Bradford said. LSU, Georgia and Alabama are a few other contenders. “When I go to college I want to play and win big games as well and them winning shows that they are a school that can put me in those positions. My favorite things about the Irish are Coach Freeman, the culture, and how they came back from the NIU loss with grit.”
“It’s a great win for Notre Dame fighting back from being down against a good Penn State team on one of the biggest stages was awesome to watch,” On3’s No. 3 safety Simeon Caldwell said. “Watching this game showed me the preparation of not only the starters have but also the backups, they had some injuries and the guys up next rose to the occasion when their number was called. My favorite thing about the Irish is definitely the people there! Hearing Coaching Freeman redirect the attention off of him and onto his players shows the type of leader and person he his. And also Riley (Leonard) giving props to his God and his teammates for having his back not only in this game but for the whole year. It just shows the culture they have.”
Culture was a popular word for prospects talking about the Irish.
“It just shows the culture that Coach Freeman has brought to ND,” On3’s No. 8 edge rusher and No. 52 prospect overall Simote Katoanga said. He’s been high on Notre Dame his entire process as they battle USC, Ohio State and others. The resiliency and fight that ND showed the entire game, with all the injuries, they kept fighting. My favorite thing about the Irish is their heart. They have been doubted all season, and tonight they proved once again they are one of the best teams in the nation. I also love seeing just their retention rate, and how many guys buy into what Coach Freeman has been preaching there.
“Definitely a school I have a great relationship with already and is starting to build more momentum.”
Notre Dame was already at the top or near the top for many of the Midwest’s best including leading on the On3 RPM for On3’s No. 9 defensive lineman McHale Blade who hails from Chicago.
The Irish could quickly trend for others.
“I think if you decide Notre Dame they have proven you can win at the highest level,” On3’s No. 1 prospect in Michigan and No. 7 offensive tackle in the country Gregory Patrick said. “I love the culture that Coach Freeman has built. The resiliency and leadership in the locker room is hard to find.”
“Performances like tonight show me they’re going to fight through the adversity and play four full quarters,” the On3 Industry’s No. 1 recruit in the Hoosier State JJ Finch said. He added he loves the coaching staff. “I still don’t have a No. 1 but they are at the top of my list along with a few others. Definitely up there.”
The Irish, their staff and the play are impressing coveted targets from coast to coast.
“ND is about to do something that has never been done before!” Port Arthur (Texas) Memorial On300 linebacker Tank King said. “They are about to prove that they are who they say they are. Coach Freeman is a great coach and he has a way to pull the best out of his players and to have the opportunity to potentially play for him is a blessing.
King said that Notre Dame is “as top as it can be” regarding his list of scholarship opportunities.
“The things that I like about Notre Dame is that they always recruit,” he continued. “They rarely use the portal. I can appreciate a school that likes to develop young players. I also like how much experience that Coach (Al) Golden has as a defensive coordinator. His guys never gave up in tough situations and showed determination to win.”
Towson (Md.) Loyola Blakefield On300 cornerback Khary Adams is seeing himself in the Irish secondary. He said ND is “extremely high” regarding his scholarships.
I’m watching the game I’m speechless,” Adams said. “I feel like my opportunity with Notre Dame definitely increased seeing the DBS play. My favorite thing out the Irish is the energy and high motor they play with.
Little Rock (Ark.) Parkview Magnet four-star linebacker Jakore Smith was offered by the Irish back in March.
“A performance like this just shows a high defensive team and they’re doing this with key players hurt, so just imagine the whole defense healthy,” Smith said. “And their linebackers are all sideline to sideline linebackers like me. Nobody trying to be a superstar. Everybody just doing their job and when the play comes they make it.”
Notre Dame already has six commits in the 2026 recruiting cycle.
“I committed to Notre Dame to win championships,” class jewel and four-star quarterback commit Noah Grubbs said. “That’s the standard every year. I bet on myself just like this team does. It’s Notre Dame vs the world. My favorite thing about the Irish is the chip on our shoulder. You’re either with us or against us but either way, you’ll be watching us! Go Irish!”
“I just can’t wait to actually move in to ND and be a part of what Freeman has built and is continuing to build,” offensive line pledge Sullivan Garvin said. “I’m blessed to be in an opportunity like this and my favorite things about the Irish is their resiliency, they always step up and make plays when it matters most.”
“DBU,” defensive back verbal Chaston Smith stated.
Stay tuned to On3 as reaction continues to come in.
The post Elite recruits see themselves at Notre Dame as Irish advance to the National Championship appeared first on On3.
