Elite 2027 QB Teddy Jarrard commits to Notre Dame over Georgia and Michigan

Kennesaw (Ga.) North Cobb’s Teddy Jarrard announced his commitment to Notre Dame on Thursday afternoon via the Rivals YouTube channel, giving the Irish a major class of 2027 quarterback pledge.

The four-star prospect picked Marcus Freeman’s program over Georgia, Michigan, Ohio State and Penn State, ending his recruiting process before the start of his junior season.

“I chose Notre Dame because of the culture there,” Jarrard told Rivals’ Chad Simmons ahead of his announcement. “Coach Freeman has built a great program there over the years, and it’s something special that I want to be a part of. Also, Coach Gino [Guidugli] has been great to me. He develops quarterbacks in a great way.”

Jarrard ranks as the nation’s No. 171 overall player and No. 12 quarterback according to the Rivals Industry Ranking, an equally weighted average that utilizes all three major recruiting services. But according to Rivals’ own rankings, he’s the No. 52 recruit and No. 2 signal-caller in America.

“Out of any school, Notre Dame showed the most love and support for my journey,” Jarrard continued. “That meant a lot to me and my family. The culture at Notre Dame is different than any other school. The fans really rally around the players. When I was up there, you could really feel the difference.”

Jarrard is Notre Dame’s third commitment of the 2027 class, joining linebacker Ellis McGaskin and long snapper Sean Kraft.

Details on Jarrard’s Notre Dame commitment

The Fighting Irish may have been the last Division I school in America to offer a quarterback in the 2027 class.

Position coach Gino Guidugli didn’t get to hit the road in January as much compared to previous years due to the national title run. With in-person evaluations being so important to his offering process, the Irish decided to wait on offering any passers until June 21.

That decision drew scrutiny from many Irish fans and media, but it ultimately paid off.

Guidugli offered Jarrard and Shreveport (La.) Evangel Christian Academy’s Peyton Houston a month ago, and that’s been it. Houston didn’t seem likely to end up at Notre Dame, and the Irish staff got their guy in Jarrard.

“The coaches at Notre Dame have been a great part of my journey,” Jarrard said. “Coach Gino has been great to me. When he came to see me during spring practice, I could feel his energy, and it was special.

“Coach [Mike] Denbrock as well — he has a great resume with quarterbacks, developing offenses and being successful. That was another big thing.

“Coach Freeman really pours into his players and has a passion for his team. He really loves his guys — differently than other head coaches.”

The 6-3, 196-pounder received his first scholarship offer from Bethune-Cookman in Feb. 2024. He steadily added offers in the following several months, and his process really exploded during the spring evaluation period this past April and May.

Georgia, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi State, NC State and Ohio State were among the schools that offered him in the spring, while the Irish, Clemson, Florida State and Penn State extended scholarships to him last month.

“Notre Dame is getting a quarterback who is a perfectionist,” Jarrard said. “I work on my craft every day and I’m going to outwork everyone. I’ll come in trying to set the tone and get better every day.”

The Teddy Jarrard file

During his sophomore season in 2024, Jarrard threw for 2,783 yards and 34 touchdowns with a 72 percent completion percentage. He was named the Georgia High School Association Region 7-AA offensive player of the year and to the 2024 All-Cobb County first-team offense.

He had a strong freshman campaign as well, completing 153 of 260 passes for 2,065 yards with 18 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. Recruit Georgia listed him as a 2023 Class 2A All-State honorable mention.

Jarrard played his first two high school seasons at North Cobb Christian, a Georgia Class 2A school, but transferred to North Cobb, a class 6A program, in the offseason.

“From the food he puts into his body, to the way he sleeps at night to the way he prepares for each day, Teddy is an elite high school quarterback with a professional mindset,” North Cobb head coach Shane Queen told Simmons. “I have never seen anything like it. Teddy is different and there just are not guys like him. He is on a different level, not only with his ability, but his preparation.”

Jarrard was named the quarterback MVP of the Rivals Five-Star Challenge on June 24.

“It was clear that he was the best quarterback on the day,” Rivals director of scouting and rankings Charles Power said. “He was the most accurate passer and made the quickest decisions. The ball was out in a timely fashion, and he was very impressive in the 7-on-7 setting. He almost had a flawless day, aside from one later interception.

“He had a very impressive performance. I really like how he throws the football. He is super consistent, has a good arm and makes quick decisions. He read defender leverage really well and knew when to get the ball out of his hands — at the ideal time when his receivers had separation. Again, he was very impressive.”

His uncle, Cory Phillips, played at Georgia from 1999 to 2002 and is a close friend of Bulldogs’ head coach Kirby Smart — another data point that shows how impressive of a recruiting win this is for the Irish. Jarrard also grew up a Georgia fan.

Jarrard’s younger brother, Gunner, is a class of 2029 tight end prospect with an early offer from UNLV and potential in baseball as well.