Newsstand: Notre Dame's Pot of Gold Day produces record number of new 2026 offers

Kyle Kellyby:Kyle Kelly•03/18/24•

ByKyleKelly

Notre Dame football’s Pot of Gold Day did not disappoint. By Blue & Gold’s count, 86 2026 class recruits reported new scholarship offers from the Fighting Irish during Sunday’s St. Patrick’s Day-themed recruiting event. 

This year’s Pot of Gold Day campaign exceeded the program’s effort in the last two years. In 2023 and 2022, the Irish sent out 64 new scholarship offers to prospects in the 2024 and 2025 classes, respectively. Those Pot of Gold Day offers eventually produced 13 commitments between both classes. 

Here is a breakdown of the number of 2026 recruits the Irish offered by position Sunday:

  • Running back: 9
  • Wide receiver: 13
  • Tight end: 5
  • Offensive line: 9
  • Defensive line: 17
  • Linebacker: 17
  • Cornerback: 9
  • Safety: 7

Note: Notre Dame already offered its first group of quarterbacks before St. Patrick’s Day. 

So when will the Irish pick up their first commitment from a 2026 class prospect? Well, each of the last two years, a high school sophomore defensive lineman — Brandon Davis-Swain (2024) and Davion Dixon (2025) — has pledged to the Irish the weekend of the Blue-Gold Game. Davis-Swain signed with Colorado, and Dixon is still verbally committed to the Irish.

Blue & Gold is already hearing a good number of Pot of Gold Day offerees will be on campus this spring for unofficial college recruiting visits. 

Notre Dame Posts of the Day

On Sunday, Atlanta Woodward Academy wide receiver Jerome Bettis Jr. committed to the Notre Dame football program.

The sons of former Irish greats Bettis, Bryant Young and Jim Flanigan have all committed to Notre Dame. Young’s son — Bryce Young — enrolled at Notre Dame this spring. Flanigan’s son, James Flanigan, is a four-star 2025 class tight end.

Former Irish defensive back Julian Love was one of several former standouts who sent a message through a Notre Dame assistant coach for Pot of Gold Day. 

Notre Dame Quote of the Day

“I always knew in the back of my mind it would be home for me. Even the first time I went up there with my mom, dad and sister, we saw them play against USC. I loved the energy, atmosphere and culture of the school. That was appealing to me at a young age. Since then, I’ve felt a strong sense of home when I’m up there. That was a big factor for me.”

— Bettis on his decision to pledge to the Fighting Irish. 

Notre Dame Headlies of the Weekend

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