Notre Dame coaches on the road: Gino Guidugli to see elite 2026 QB; offer watch?

Another day, another coaches on the road report here at Blue & Gold. The Notre Dame staff is all over the country as usual, and one staffer continues his time out in a different continent.

During the spring evaluation period, the Irish staff can have “contact” with high school juniors. That means they can have full-on conversations rather than just a “bump” as previously allowed. But as far as 2026 prospects go, the “bump” rule remains.

The NCAA does not permit head coaches from visiting prospects during the spring period.

Here is where the Fighting Irish staff is expected to be on Wednesday, according to Blue & Gold sources:

— I always begin this article with where Notre Dame’s offensive coordinator will be on the road, and Mike Denbrock continues his travels in the South this week. He’s headed up to the Peach State Wednesday to get a look at Brunswick (Ga.) High’s Heze Kent, a class of 2026 tight end and four-star recruit. Kent added Notre Dame to his offer list in March for Pot of Gold day.

— Notre Dame quarterbacks coach Gino Guidugli was with Denbrock in Central Florida Tuesday, and he’s making it down to the southern part of the state, where he has a very interesting visit. They saw Brady Hart and Noah Grubbs yesterday, and it’s well known that those two signal-callers are the key targets to watch in the 2026 class. But they’re not jumping on the opportunity to commit to Notre Dame, so the staff is looking at additional options.

And Guidugli will watch Fort Lauderdale (Fla.) American Heritage’s Dia Bell, the No. 14 player and No. 4 quarterback nationally per the 2026 On3 Industry Ranking, throw today. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see the Irish offer Bell soon if he impresses Guidugli. Bell has visited Notre Dame multiple times before, and the staff opted not to offer him earlier in the cycle, but he’s blown up with offers from a handful of elite programs. If the Irish offer, will they be too late?

Guidugli is also expected to get a look at Miami True North Classical Academy class of 2027 quarterback Zachary Katz, who holds offers from Miami, Ole Miss, Louisville and a few others.

— Irish running backs coach Deland McCullough is expected out in the Lone Star State, per Blue & Gold’s sources. He’s expected to drop by the high schools of two top 2026 running back targets — Frisco (Texas) Lone Star’s Davian Groce and Aledo (Texas) High’s Raycine Guillory. Groce ranks as the No. 3 running back nationally, and Guillory, a Texas commit, is the No. 12 ball carrier in America — per the On3 Industry Ranking.

— Receivers coach Mike Brown will be in the same area in Texas as McCullough, and he’s also expected to check in at Aledo High. His target at the school is elite 2026 wideout Kaydon Finley, who visited campus in early April. He’s also planning on being at Red Oak (Texas) High for Brayden Robinson, another coveted 2026 pass catcher.

— Notre Dame defensive coordinator Al Golden is expected to make the rounds in the state of Georgia.

— Irish defensive line coach Al Washington will be recruiting in the greater Miami area Wednesday.

— Linebackers coach Max Bullough is expected in Pennsylvania today, and one confirmed stop of his is at Pittsburgh Central Catholic, home of 2026 linebacker Colsen Gatten. The 6-0, 207-pounder visited South Bend this spring and holds an offer from the Irish.

— Notre Dame cornerbacks coach Mike Mickens will be in the Peach State and check in on Suwanee (Ga.) Peachtree Ridge’s Dorian Barney, a top 100 prospect in the 2026 cycle. We’re also told that Mickens will be at Marietta (Ga.) Sprayberry to inquire about 2026 cornerback Jorden Edmonds, who doesn’t have an offer from the Irish yet, but it wouldn’t be a surprise to see that change.

— Special teams coordinator Marty Biagi remains in Australia scouting specialists. He’s been there all week.

— We’re not aware of the whereabouts for Irish offensive line coach Joe Rudolph Wednesday.

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