Notre Dame four-star CB target Ace Alston sets commitment date

Notre Dame football recruiting target Ace Alston’s recruitment is set to come to a close later this month. On Monday, the Cincinnati Anderson 2027 class cornerback confirmed to Blue & Gold that he will announce his commitment on Dec. 9. WCPO Cincinnati sports reporter Mike Dyer was first to report the news.

Alston told Blue & Gold he will choose between his top 10 schools, released Nov. 10: Notre Dame, Oregon, Indiana, Michigan, Missouri, Ohio State, Tennessee, LSU, Penn State and USC. The Irish hosted Alston on two unofficial visits this football season, more than any school. He has been to South Bend five times total as a recruit, only trailing Tennessee, which has hosted him seven times.

According to the Rivals Industry Ranking, Alston is one of the most coveted prospects in the class. He ranks as the No. 128 overall player, No. 12 cornerback nationally and No. 2 prospect in Ohio.

The 5-foot-11, 175-pound Alston is one of two Irish defensive back targets set to come off the board within the next three weeks. Last Tuesday, Rolesville (N.C.) High junior safety Marquis Bryant revealed he would commit on Dec. 16. Bryant, a four-star prospect, is the No. 169 overall player, No. 17 safety nationally and No. 8 recruit in North Carolina in the class.

Notre Dame’s 2027 class, which ranks No. 6 in the country, already has seven verbal commits, including one defensive back. On Nov. 12, the Irish secured Tustin (Calif.) High four-star safety Khalil Terry’s pledge. Terry is the No. 168 overall recruit, No. 16 safety nationally and No. 17 player in California in the class.

In the 2026 cycle, Notre Dame has the No. 3 class nationally. The Irish expect all 27 high school seniors to sign with the program on Wednesday, the first day of the early signing period. That class features five defensive backs, including five-star prospects, cornerback Khary Adams and safety Joey O’Brien.

The 2026 commit list also features the Nos. 19 and 25 players from Ohio: Toledo Central Catholic tight end Preston Fryzel and Cincinnati St. Xavier linebacker Kobe Clapper. Clapper, Alston and Fryzel’s schools will play for the Ohio Divisions I, II and III state championships, respectively, later this week.

Since Irish coach Marcus Freeman joined the program in 2021, the Irish have signed eight high school players from Ohio: St. Xavier defensive lineman Gordy Sulfsted (2025), Lakewood (Ohio) St. Edward edge rusher Loghan Thomas (2024), West Chester (Ohio) Lakota West safeties Taebron Bennie-Powell (2024) and Ben Minich (2023), Cincinnati Archbishop Moeller cornerback Karson Hobbs (2024), Mentor (Ohio) High defensive lineman Brenan Vernon (2023), Huber Heights (Ohio) Wayne offensive lineman Aamil Wagner (2022) and Cincinnati La Salle running back Gi’Bran Payne (2022).

With the news Alston confirmed Monday, he has the chance to be the next one.