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Top-25 recruit Ian Premer explains Notre Dame football commitment

Singer headshotby: Mike Singer06/26/25MikeTSinger
ian premer 2026 kansas state target
Photo from KSN Wichita

It was a wild ride down the stretch in the recruitment of Great Bend (Kan.) High class of 2026 tight end Ian Premer.

Kansas State had the buzz in the media. Iowa State was right there. Notre Dame’s contact with him was better than ever. It was anyone’s guess as to where he’d end up as Premer was playing his cards close to his vest, but recruiting insiders were guessing Kansas State.

They were wrong. Notre Dame got the call around noon ET that Premer, who ranks as On3’s No. 24 overall player and No. 3 tight end in America, would be committing to them. The Irish coaching staff went into a frenzy, ending a highly competitive recruitment.

“Yeah, it’s definitely been a chaotic week,” Premer told Blue & Gold moments after announcing his decision. “I’ve been talking things over with my parents, and we decided that Notre Dame is the spot for me.”

And why is Notre Dame the spot for Premer?

“On the football side with their national championship run last year, and this class so far is speaking for itself with how impressive it is,” he answered. “Going forward, Notre Dame is going to continue to be really good. You combine the football side with the academics and you realize the type of special place it is.”

Notre Dame offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock, assistant tight ends coach Harris Bivin and senior analyst Trent Miles all played a key role in Premer picking the Irish.

“You have three guys with that stature coaching the position, and there’s not going to be any deficiencies,” he said. “I’ll be well coached, and it’s a loaded room.”

Denbrock has the tight ends coach role officially — as well as the offensive coordinator title — but Bivin leads the day-to-day charge for the Irish recruiting the position. He did an outstanding job with Premer, who the Irish offered on Feb. 1.

“He’s been great, and I’ve loved getting to know him,” Premer added. “He really knows his stuff. He’ll definitely help me on the blocking side of things as a tight end.”

Premer hauled in 30 passes for 541 yards with 8 touchdowns as a junior in 2024, plus 27 carries for 260 yards with 2 scores. He is the Irish’s second-highest ranked commit of the class, and Notre Dame now has a whopping six top-100 overall pledges — all per On3.

“On the football field, I’m very diverse and play a lot of positions on offense and play safety on defense,” he said. “I’m a high-motor guy who never gets tired. I play both ways, so I have to be like that, and I like to be explosive and strong with my game.

“Off the field, I’m a normal 17-year-old high schooler. I like to hang out with my friends  and family and play all types of sports. I play football, baseball and basketball for my high school and like to golf with my friends.”

Premer will sign with Notre Dame in December and enroll at the university next summer.

He picked the Irish over Iowa, Kansas and Kansas State. Michigan, Miami, Oregon, Texas A&M, Florida, Tennessee and many others offered him a scholarship.

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