Notre Dame lands commitment from 2026 4-star CB Chaston Smith

Marcus Freeman and Notre Dame are pushing to sign a top-10 recruiting class in the 2025 cycle next week. The Irish are also getting the gears turning on their 2026 class, too.

On Sunday, Knoxville (Tenn.) McCallie four-star cornerback Chaston Smith announced his commitment to Notre Dame, choosing the program in South Bend while also holding offers from over 20 other Power Four schools, including Texas A&M, Clemson, Oregon, Alabama and others.

Smith visited Notre Dame last month, where defensive backs coach Mike Mickens and the staff made a great first impression. Not long after, the 6-foot-1 DB is now in the mix for the Irish.

“Great experience, opened my eyes,” Smith told On3 of the recent visit. “And just development and getting to play for good coaches and school.”

“The opportunity on and off the field,” he added about what intrigues him in South Bend. “Also how coach Freeman and Coach Mickens develop DBs and put them in the league.”

Smith becomes the fourth commit for Freeman and Co. in the 2026 cycle. He joins four-star quarterback Noah Grubbs, four-star linebacker Thomas Davis Jr. and three-star wide receiver Dylan Faison.

On3 ranks Smith as the No. 241 overall prospect and No. 18 CB in the junior class. He ranks No. 247 overall in the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.

Attention will soon turn fully toward recruiting in the 2026 class. While early, Notre Dame has the No. 15 junior class in the On3 Industry Team Recruiting Rankings with the addition of Smith.