What to know about every 2026 offensive target that unofficially visited Notre Dame in June
Notre Dame’s 2025 class recruiting targets were not the only uncommitted prospects to visit campus this month. Before the NCAA recruiting dead period began Monday — which prevents recruits from visiting schools until the quiet period begins on July 25 — the Fighting Irish hosted five 2026 class offensive targets on unofficial visits.
Here is a look at each recruitment and how the Irish fare within them.
Mt. Zion (Ill.) High four-star TE JC Anderson
On3 Industry Ranking: No. 146 overall player, No. 6 tight end nationally and No. 4 prospect in Illinois in 2026
Other June visits: Michigan, Ohio State, Illinois, LSU and North Carolina
JC Anderson was the headliner at Notre Dame’s Evaluation Camp I on June 10. The 6-7, 230-pounder wanted to make his way to South Bend for the third time to work out with offensive coordinator/tight ends coach Mike Denbrock. The coveted power conference prospect received more than he bargained for.
“I got more tips than I’ve ever gotten in a 30-minute workout,” Anderson said. “He helped me a lot. He gave me a ton of tips, and I took them to the 1-on-1s. I did a great job in the 1-on-1s in the camp, too.”
The competition remains stiff for Anderson, who plans to visit Penn State, Florida, Florida State and Auburn in July. In addition to Penn State, he has paid past trips to Iowa, Wisconsin, Michigan State, Missouri and Tennessee.
Saint George (Utah) Pine View four-star TE Brock Harris
On3 Industry Ranking: No. 48 overall player, No. 3 tight end nationally and No. 1 prospect in Utah in 2026
Other June visits: Wisconsin, Michigan, Michigan State, Cincinnati, Ohio State and Miami
Brock Harris squeezed as many Midwestern visits as he could from June 4-6, seeing every school mentioned above besides Miami. The most memorable part about his time in South Bend on June 4 was spending time with Denbrock.
“He put up my film and compared me to some of the things they do with their tight ends,” Harris said. “I liked that a lot. He’s come to my school before too, so I’ve known him for a bit. I like him a lot.”
Alabama, Baylor, BYU, Georgia, LSU, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Oregon, Oregon State, Texas, Texas A&M, TCU, UCLA, USC and Utah are also battling for a spot at the top of the elite pass catcher’s recruitment. They have all welcomed him to their respective campus at least once.
Davison (Mich.) High four-star OL Ben Nichols
On3 Industry Ranking: No. 232 overall player, No. 17 interior offensive lineman nationally and No. 4 prospect in Michigan in 2026
Other June visits: Iowa, Cincinnati and Ohio State
When Ben Nichols announced his June visits tour, Notre Dame was not originally on the list. However, the 6-5, 315-pound mauler made it to South Bend on June 18 on his way back from Ohio to spend time with offensive line coach Joe Rudolph.
Nichols told Blue & Gold that his time in South Bend was “great,” keeping Notre Dame in pole position for the Michigan preps product. Along with the schools he saw in June, the Irish are in contention with Kentucky, Michigan State, Penn State and Tennessee.
Portage (Mich.) Portage Northern four-star OL Gregory Patrick
On3 Industry Ranking: No. 118 overall player, No. 7 interior offensive lineman nationally and No. 2 prospect in Michigan in 2026
Other June visits: Michigan State and Alabama
Notre Dame stands out for Gregory Patrick, who will prioritize academics when it comes time to announce his commitment. Although he is not nearing a decision, the Irish trend to be a finalist for the 6-foot-4, 280-pounder following his June 18 visit.
“I’m not going to be biased toward any school, but Notre Dame is a pretty good option right now,” Patrick said. “I’d say all schools are pretty level, but Notre Dame is definitely a solid fit since academics are super important in my decision.”
Patrick also stopped by Michigan in May and was at Oklahoma twice last year. He’s also considering Penn State and Nebraska, which he visited in January and March, respectively.
Purcellville (Va.) Woodgrove three-star WR Connor Salmin
On3 Industry Ranking: No. 327 overall player, No. 50 wide receiver nationally and No. 9 prospect in Virginia in 2026
Other June visits: LSU, Clemson and Ohio State
Although Connor Salmin is a three-star prospect per the On3 Industry Ranking, On3 considers him a four-star who ranks as the No. 139 overall player and No. 21 wideout in the class. He is the only recruit on this list who did not pick up his Notre Dame offer on Pot of Gold Day.
Irish wide receivers coach Mike Brown offered the 6-1, 190-pound Salmin a few days after he stopped by his school in the spring. He scheduled his June 10 unofficial visit almost immediately, which did not disappoint.
“Overall, it was a great visit,” Salmin said. “I got to tour campus and the football facilities, meet with a lot of the coaching staff and watch Coach Brown at the camp.”
Before some of college football’s Blue Bloods became involved for the speedy pass catcher, he visited Duke, Maryland, North Carolina, Virginia, Virginia Tech, Wake Forest and West Virginia within the last year. Penn State has also hosted him twice. Salmin runs a 10.44 in the 100-meter dash.
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