Notre Dame commit playoff preview: Four Irish commits to face off in win-or-go-home matchups

This week, it’s win or go home for 15 recruits verbally committed to Notre Dame football. And at least two will see their seasons end because they play each other.

On Friday night, wide receiver Bubba Frazier faces running back Jonaz Walton in the Georgia playoffs, while linebacker Thomas Davis Jr. takes on safety Nick Reddish in North Carolina’s postseason. According to the Rivals Massey Ratings, Frazier’s and Davis’ teams are favored.

Frazier and Savannah (Ga.) Benedictine Military School enter the third round riding a nine-game win streak after opening the season 0-2. Walton’s Carrollton (Ga.) Central program is 12-0 and undefeated, though it must go on the road for this matchup. The Massey Ratings project a 40-28 Benedictine win.

In North Carolina, Davis and Charlotte (N.C.) Weddington have won 10 straight ahead of Friday’s fourth-round clash with Reddish and Charlotte (N.C.) Independence, which has strung together six consecutive victories. Massey projects a 39-14 win for Weddington.

Central will need a heavy dose of Walton if it hopes to knock off Benedictine. The four-star prospect, ranked the No. 9 running back in the senior class, has been outstanding this fall with 1,200 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns on 124 carries. He’s also dangerous as a receiver with 31 catches for 475 yards and 4 scores. He averages 9.7 yards per carry and 15.3 yards per catch.

Frazier, a four-star and the No. 37 wide receiver in the class, has been productive on the ground and through the air. Entering last week, he had 41 catches for 627 yards and 10 touchdowns plus 31 carries for 186 yards and 3 scores.

On defense, Davis and Reddish have anchored their respective units.

Reddish, a three-star, has 16 more tackles than Davis, albeit in one more game. He’s totaled 77 tackles, 6 tackles for loss, 1 sack, 4 pass breakups, 1 interception, 2 forced fumbles and 2 fumble recoveries in 12 games. Davis, a four-star, entered last week with 51 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, 1 sack, 9 QB pressures and 12 pass breakups.

Davis and Reddish rank as the Nos. 13 and 30 players in North Carolina and the Nos. 15 and 67 prospects at their positions. Frazier and Walton are the Nos. 14 and 26 prospects in the Peach State.

Which other Notre Dame commits have playoff games this week?

Here is a look at the 11 other Notre Dame commits who have playoff gams this week. All players listed are 2026 class prospects in the high school senior class unless otherwise noted.

— LB Kobe Clapper and Cincinnati St. Xavier (10-2) vs. Middletown (Ohio) High (11-2) in the Ohio Division I state semifinals at Welcome Stadium in Dayton on Friday.

— WR Kaydon Finley and Aledo (Texas) High (12-0) vs. Fort Worth (Texas) Arlington Heights (11-1) at Crowley ISD Stadium in the third round of the Texas Class 5A, Division 1 football playoffs Friday.

— TE Preston Fryzel and Toledo (Ohio) Central Catholic (10-4) vs. Cuyahoga Falls (Ohio) Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy (12-0) at Fostoria (Ohio) High in the Ohio Division III semifinals Friday.

— DL Elijah Golden and Sarasota (Fla.) Cardinal Mooney (11-1) vs. St. Petersburg (Fla.) Lakewood in the Florida Class 2A regional finals Friday.

— QB Noah Grubbs and Lake Mary (Fla.) High (9-3) at DeLand (Fla.) High (12-0) in the Florida Class 7A regional finals Friday.

— DL Tiki Hola and Bastrop (Texas) High (11-1) vs. Richmond (Texas) Randle (12-0) at Prairie View A&M in the third round of the Texas Class 5A, Division 2 playoffs Friday.

— S Joey O’Brien and OT Grayson McKeogh and Wyndmoor (Pa.) La Salle (11-1) vs. Lansdale (Pa.) North Penn (12-2) at Warrington (Pa.) Central Bucks South in the Pennsylvania Class 6A semifinals Saturday.

— RB Javian Osborne and Forney (Texas) High (10-2) vs. Willis (Texas) High (10-2) at the Ford Center at the Star in Frisco, Texas, in the third round of the Texas Class 6A, Division 2 playoffs Friday.

— 2027 OL James Halter and Pittsburgh Central Catholic (12-1) vs. Harrisburg (Pa.) High (13-0) at Altoona High School in the Pennsylvania Class 6A semifinals Saturday.

— 2027 LB Ellis McGaskin and Mobile (Ala.) Williamson (12-0) vs. Prichard (Ala.) Vigor (11-2) at Ladd-Peebles Stadium in the Alabama Class 5A semifinals Friday