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Notre Dame Class of 2027 Recruiting Big Board: Defense

*Updated June 2nd, 2026

Notre Dame's defensive class is one of the best in the country, and with more key additions in the crosshairs, the Fighting Irish recruiting machine shows no signs of slowing down.

Photo by The Irish Tribune


Here are some names to keep an eye on going forward in the class of 2027. Please see our commitment tracker to stay up to date with Fighting Irish commits


Edge


Abraham Sesay

(4-star) 6-5 215lbs out of Downingtown East High School in Exton, Pennsylvania. He is ranked by 247Sports as 50th overall nationally and 7th overall at the Edge position. He holds 28 D1 offers.


  • Visited Notre Dame on April 18th, 2026 (unofficial)

  • Official visit set for June 19th



Defensive Line


Brayden Parks

(4-star) 6-3 305lbs out of Brother Rice High School in Chicago, Illinois. He is ranked by 247Sports as 172nd overall nationally and 19th overall at the defensive line position. He holds 40 D1 offers.


  • Visited Notre Dame for the annual Junior Day Event on the weekend of March 19th-21st, 2026


Santana Harvey

(4-star) 6-5 220lbs out of Lakeland High School in Lakeland, Florida. He is ranked by 247Sports as 284th overall nationally and 35th overall at the defensive line position. He holds 34 D1 offers.


  • Official Visit set for June 19th

 

Linebacker


Kaden Henderson

(5-star) 6-1.5 218lbs out of Jesuit High School in Tampa, Florida. He is ranked by 247Sports as 24th overall nationally and 1st overall at the linebacker position. He holds 47 D1 offers.


  • Visitied Notre Dame on April 18th, 2026 (unofficial)

  • Named Notre Dame as a member of his Top 5 schools (3/6/2026)

  • Official Visit set for June 19th


Toa Satale

(4-star) 6-3 200lbs out of Miliani High School in Miliani, Hawaii. He is ranked by 247Sports as 63rd overall nationally and 4th overall at the linebacker position. He holds 32 D1 offers.


Roman Igwebuike

(4-star) 6-3 220lbs out of Mount Carmel High School in Chicago, Illinois. He is ranked by 247Sports as 149th overall nationally and 13th overall at the linebacker position. He holds 45 D1 offers.


  • Visited Notre Dame on April 18th, 2026 (unofficial)

  • Set to visit Notre Dame on June 12th-14th

  • Named Notre Dame as a member of his Top 5 schools (5/7/2026)




Athletes


Xavier Sabb

(5-star) 6-1 180lbs out of Glassboro High School in Glassboro, California. He is ranked by 247Sports as 31st overall nationally and 2nd overall as an athlete. He holds 24 D1 offers.


Marcus Fakatou

(5-star) 6-6 275lbs out of Orange Lutheran High School in Orange, California. He is ranked by 247Sports as 32nd overall nationally and 2nd overall at the defensive line position. He holds 36 D1 offers.


  • Official Visit to Notre Dame set for June 15th


Tae Walden Jr.

(4-star) 6-2.5 165lbs out of Collierville High School in Collierville, Tennessee. He is ranked by 247Sports as 125th overall nationally and 6th overall at the ath position. He holds 37 D1 offers.


  • Announced Notre Dame as a member of his Top 10 schools on (4/6/2026)


Brayton Feister

(4-star) 6-3 230lbs out of Archbishop Hoban High School in Akron, Ohio. He is ranked by 247 Sports 132nd overall nationally and 7th overall at the ath position. He holds 31 D1 offers.


Matthew Gregory

(4-star) 6-1 170lbs out of Owen J Roberts High School in Pottstown, Pennsylvania. He is ranked by 247 Sports as 107th overall nationally and 17th overall at the ath position. He holds 26 D1 offers.


  • Announced Notre Dame as a member of his Top 7 schools on (5/14/2026)


Cade Cooper

(4-star) 6-3 192lbs out of Malvern Prep High School in Malvern, Pennsylvania. He is ranked by 247 Sports as 339th overall nationally and 43rd overall at the wr/ath position. He holds 24 D1 offers.


  • Visited Notre Dame on March 28th, 2026

  • Official Visit set for June 12th


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