Rising 2026 TE Sam Hamilton recaps Notre Dame spring practice visit
Cincinnati Archbishop Moeller class of 2026 tight end Sam Hamilton didn’t need a long visit to have an impactful experience at Notre Dame.
The 6-3, 205-pounder had been to South Bend before, but the previous trip was for a prospect camp last summer. This was his first full recruiting visit experience at Notre Dame, and he loved it. Hamilton was saw the Fighting Irish practice March 25.
“The visit was awesome overall,” Hamilton told Blue & Gold. “I got to see everything from the weight room and stadium to the Grotto and church. The campus is beautiful and getting to see all of Notre Dame gave me a really great look to see how well I would fit into the football program and school.
“The highlight of the day was getting to sit in on the meeting with Coach [Mike] Denbrock and the players and seeing how it would be playing for Notre Dame.”
Hamilton loved his chat with Denbrock, who has returned to Notre Dame to coach the tight ends and run the offense, and head coach Marcus Freeman.
“I talked to Coach Freeman about the Irish Invasion camp coming up and them coming to see me in the spring at practice. It’s great to hear that he is interested in me. Also, talking with Coach Denbrock about the upcoming football season and camp was great — getting to know how much he cares about me and how great it would be to play for him.”
Hamilton noted that he thought Notre Dame’s practice that morning was “efficient” and “physical.”
“I got to be by the tight ends the whole time during individual drills and team practice,” he detailed. “I learned a lot from the coaches, and it happens to be that our high school playbook is a lot like their playbook. But seeing how great you have to be in the classroom, locker room and on the field was the best learning point for me.”
The rising junior prospect would be over the moon to add an offer from the Fighting Irish. A strong performance at the staff’s Irish Invasion camp in June could be crucial for that to happen. He currently holds offers from Kentucky and Toledo.
Hamilton visited Ohio State the day after seeing Notre Dame, and he’s planning to check out Kentucky and Wisconsin soon as well.
“I have been invited to many other schools for spring practices and camps, but as of right now, those are the only schools I will be attending for spring visits,” he said. “I am getting ready for camps in June and this upcoming season.”
