Notre Dame Football Recruiting: Fighting Irish have top-five class in 2026 cycle

After failing to land a top-10 recruiting class — per the On3 Industry Team Recruiting Rankings — in each of the last two cycles, Notre Dame is gunning to sign an elite crop of prospects in the 2026 class.

So far, head coach Marcus Freeman and his staff are well on their way to doing just that. As of May 6, the Fighting Irish have 14 commits and a class that ranks No. 4 nationally. A five-star and 10 other blue-chippers currently highlight the pledge list.

Last month, Charlotte Myers Park five-star EDGE Rodney Dunham became the top-ranked commit in the Irish’s class, as he chose ND over Georgia, Tennessee and others. He’s now the No. 16 player nationally and the No. 2 EDGE.

Five days earlier, another elite EDGE prospect in South Garner (N.C.) four-star Ebenezer Ewetade committed. He and Dunham are the lone top-100 recruits pledged to the Irish thus far.

May has already brought a pair of commitments. Forney (Texas) four-star running back Javian Osborne chose Notre Dame over Michigan. Cincinnati St. Xavier four-star linebacker Kobe Clapper is the No. 30 player at his position this cycle.

Four offensive linemen are already in the class, highlighted by four-star interior linemen Tyler Merrill and Gregory Patrick, both of whom are top-200 recruits. Winter Park (Fla.) four-star safety Ayden Pouncey, Lake Mary (Fla.) four-star quarterback Noah Grubbs and Boca Raton (Fla.) Saint Andrew’s three-star wide receiver Dylan Faison are set to head from the Sunshine State to South Bend next year.

The Irish currently hold commitments from eight different states. The class blue-chip percentage sits at 79.

Notre Dame commitments by position

Quarterback
Four-star Noah Grubbs, No. 195 NATL. (No. 13 QB)

Running Back
Four-star Javian Osborne, No. 109 NATL. (No. 8 RB)

Wide Receiver
Three-star Bubba Frazier, No. 404 NATL. (No. 64 WR)
Three-star Dylan Faison, No. 700 NATL. (No. 106 WR)

Interior Offensive Lineman
Four-star Tyler Merrill, No. 122 NATL. (No. 4 IOL)
Four-star Gregory Patrick, No. 161 NATL. (No. 9 IOL)
Four-star Ben Nichols, No. 215 NATL. (No. 15 IOL)
Three-star Sullivan Garvin, No. 407 NATL. (No. 33 IOL)

EDGE
Five-star Rodney Dunham, No. 16 NATL. (No. 2 EDGE)
Four-star Ebenezer Ewetade, No. 97 NATL. (No. 14 EDGE)

Linebacker
Four-star Thomas Davis Jr., No. 181 NATL. (No. 11 LB)
Four-star Kobe Clapper, No. 371 NATL. (No. 30 LB)

Cornerback
Four-star Chaston Smith, No. 274 NATL. (No. 25 CB)

Safety
Four-star Ayden Pouncey, No. 150 NATL. (No. 12 S)