Notre Dame commit Joey O'Brien reflects on recruitment, choosing the Irish

Wyndmoor (Pa.) La Salle College’s Joey O’Brien, the nation’s No. 40 overall player and No. 5 safety according to the 2026 On3 Industry Ranking, announced his commitment to Notre Dame over Clemson, Oregon and Penn State on June 20.

After his decision became public, O’Brien spoke with local media members in attendance. The Abrams Sports YouTube page published a video of O’Brien breaking down his decision. Read the transcript below.

O’Brien on his Notre Dame official visit being what pushed the Irish over the edge for him…

“Really, it was just hanging out with the class of 2026 — the commits like Noah Grubbs, Khary Adams and TJ [Davis] — it’s just a great fit for me. It felt like home when I was there with them. They were so welcoming, and it felt like family.”

On Notre Dame’s playoff run last season…

“That’s the type of team you want to be on — a team that fights all the way through and doesn’t give up. That’s what I see in Notre Dame. That was also a reason I picked them.”

On what he learned about himself during the recruiting process…

“I realized that I have to start saying no to people. During the process, I was answering every call and text, going to places when they told me. It ended up being a lot, and I should have been more picky. It could have been smoother. But I definitely enjoyed the recruiting process — I enjoyed meeting people from the East Coast to the West Coast.”

On Notre Dame recruiting him for offense as well as defense…

“They said there could be packages because they see me as a wide receiver, too.”

On how Notre Dame can develop him at the next level…

“Mike Mickens will be the main person developing me; he’s the safeties and cornerbacks coach. He was a dog when he played — one of the best in (college football). He’s one of the best defensive backs coaches in the country. If I’m being coached by him, then his work is going to have an effect on me.”

On Notre Dame’s offensive and defensive schemes…

“Notre Dame has started throwing the ball a lot more than they usually do. That’s a plus, because not a lot of receivers want to block but that’s what you have to do in an offense like that. But they’re spreading the ball out more. For defense, they play a lot of DBs and they fly around out there. You saw that in the playoffs — they were forcing fumbles and getting picks.”

On his relationships with the Notre Dame staff…

“Notre Dame was my third offer, so they’ve been there the whole time. I’ve built a great relationship with Coach Freeman. I’ve met his wife, all his kids and I’ve been over to his house. We’re really family with him. My mom and dad trust him, and we love him with our heart. It’s a great fit for me.”

On if he leaned elsewhere during the recruiting process…

“I was definitely leaning Oregon and Penn State. Oregon — it’s the coaching staff there. I love them all — Coach Tosh, Coach Lanning, Coach Hamp. Those are all my guys. And then Penn State — hometown kid. You have people in your ear yelling to go to Penn State. I love both schools a lot.”