5-star safety Joey O'Brien signs with Notre Dame

Marcus Freeman and Notre Dame are in the midst of signing the program’s best recruiting class in more than two decades. The Fighting Irish sit at No. 3 in the team rankings heading into Signing Day, headlined by four five-stars.

That number is second only to Oregon’s five, and includes two of the nation’s top defensive backs: safety Joey O’Brien and cornerback Khary Adams. O’Brien, who hails from La Salle (Pa.), officially signed with the Irish on Wednesday after committing back in June.

At the time, he chose ND over Oregon, Clemson and Penn State and never wavered in his decision with the Irish. The opportunities on and off the field were simply too good to pass up.

“Just going on that official visit with the people there, the whole place, how they develop you and that degree you get there it holds so much wealth in that degree,” O’Brien told Rivals’ Steve Wiltfong of what made him commit to Notre Dame. “I feel like my older self (would be mad at me) if i didn’t take that chance to get into Notre Dame because not everyone can.”

Head coach Marcus Freeman and the relationship between the two was a key factor as well.

“Just a great person. Very nice. Respectful and when he talks to you, you want to go to battle for him,” O’Brien said. “We did the past the torch thing (on the official visit) and he did what he does on game day, gets you fired up, this is who I want to be, this is who I want to play for.”

Fighting Irish getting one of the country’s most dynamic athletes

Standing in at nearly 6’5, O’Brien is one of the most electric players at the high school level nationally. In addition to being a standout defensive back, he has also been one of Pennsylvania’s top prep receivers.

As a junior last fall, he hauled in 68 passes for 1,029 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns. On defense, he recorded 36 tackles, broke up 13 passes, and notched an interception.

He recently earned his fifth star in the Rivals Industry Ranking, continuing a rise up the rankings that began over the summer. He checks in as the No. 31 overall prospect and No. 3 safety in the 2026 class, according to the Rivals Industry Ranking, an equally weighted average that utilizes all three major recruiting services.

In Rivals’ own rankings, he is tabbed as the country’s No. 25 prospect and No. 1 safety.