EDGE Darieon Prescott announced his commitment to Notre Dame live on The Pat McAfee Show on Monday. Photo via Darien Prescott/IG (@cfk.prescott) A consensus four-star, Prescott chose Notre Dame over Oregon and Texas A&M, among 36 listed offers, according to 247 Sports. 247 Sports ranks the 6-4, 255-pound Irish commit as the #7 overall recruit, #3 EDGE, and #2 player in Illinois in the class of 2028. Want the inside scoop on all things Notre Dame? Subscribe to Tribune+ today! Coming out of Bolingbrook, IL, Prescott attends his local Bolingbrook High School, where he dominated the gridiron as a sophomore last season. He finished the year with 65 tackles, 14 TFLs, 5 sacks, 26 QB hurries, 8 PBUs, 3 forced fumbles, 2 fumble recoveries, and 2 blocked kicks. Prescott was named to Rivals’s Sophomore All-American Second Team for his efforts. One of the more impressive parts about Prescott is his elite frame and long arms. Just this past offseason, the rising Junior added about 30 pounds of muscle to his physique. He also holds a very high motor, as shown by his willingness to play pretty much anywhere on the defensive line. Additionally, Prescott is a true disruptor against the pass, using his long arms to swat down passes in the event he is not able to get to the QB. All in all, Notre Dame just secured itself a truly elite edge rusher, one that should earn five-star status by the time he steps foot on South Bend. Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle Prescott becomes Notre Dame’s third commit in the 2028 class, joining S Andre Jones and K Owen Davies. Want the latest intel on Notre Dame football? Subscribe to Tribune+ and get access to recruiting and team intel from The Irish Tribune team, as well as access to our intel community, exclusive app, and more Notre Dame content: Subscribe here to support our independent journalism. Follow The Irish Tribune on social media: Facebook / Instagram / X / Threads / TikTok Follow @Brenden_Duffy on X Liked this story? Subscribe to our mailing list and get every story in your inbox. Check out our Irish partners: TMPR Sports - Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle here! Legion of the Leprechaun - Join the #1 Notre Dame fan community on Facebook today!

The story of how Notre Dame recruited a boy from one of Michigan football’s royal families. It is a relatively well-known fact that Notre Dame starting Quarterback CJ Carr had ties to Michigan through his family. His paternal grandfather, Lloyd Carr, had a Hall-Of-Fame career coaching the Wolverines to a 122-40 record, along with a 1997 National Championship. His maternal grandfather, Tom Curtis, was an All-American Safety for Michigan before winning Super Bowl V with the Indianapolis Colts. Both Carr’s parents met as students in Ann Arbor, where his father played QB. Want the inside scoop on all things Notre Dame? Subscribe to Tribune+ today! Carr had every reason to continue the family legacy at Michigan. His potential Michigan commitment would have been a huge victory for Wolverine fans, especially in his hometown of Saline, MI, which is less than eight miles away from Ann Arbor. Carr was rated a four-star recruit and top four QB in the 2024 recruiting class by On3 Rivals. Many Michigan fans, along with the actual school itself, felt Carr would simply become a Wolverine based on his family ties. That was not the case. Carr explained this during an interview on the Rich Eisen Show during Notre Dame’s media week. It was pretty obvious the Michigan coaching staff had early eyes on Carr, as they gave him an official offer after the last game of his freshman season, according to Carr. Carr recalls how his father originally hid the offer from him. “He had seen a bunch of kids get offered at an early age, and he always thought it was just unnecessary pressure to be recruited as a freshman." After Michigan State shortly became the second to offer the young QB, his dad finally told him the truth. Carr respectfully turned down the Spartans, as the Wolverines had offered him first. It was understandably a very electric time in the Carr household following then Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh’s phone call with the young phenom. Despite the shared connection to Michigan, the family remained wholly supportive of the younger Carr. “My family said, “This is your recruiting process. You know we love Michigan.” My mom went to Michigan. My dad went to Michigan. “You got to make a decision for yourself.” I just continued to keep it open and see where it’d take me.” Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle Carr kept his options fully open, even if it meant looking into one of Michigan’s fiercest rivals. Carr traveled to various Midwest schools, including Notre Dame. However, the Irish were not a serious contender for the young QB until Marcus Freeman took over as head coach. “I visited, but I wasn't really looking to go there until Freeman got hired. People said great things about him, and I love Tommy Rees, who was at Notre Dame for a couple years then.” According to Carr, he had the perspective that Michigan was already expecting him to go there; due to this, they really had not been recruiting him hard. However, Rees, then Notre Dame Offensive Coordinator and QB Coach, inevitably pursued Carr heavily. “Tommy Rees came in with the approach that until I say no to him, he's going to recruit me as hard as he can. He's going to be in the school, and he's going to show Notre Dame's love and want for me. That meant a lot to me throughout the process. Eventually I visited four or five times, and I said, "This is a place for me. This is home. I wouldn't want to be anywhere else." And I made that decision." Following that decision in June of 2022, Carr has led the Irish to a 10-2 record as a Redshirt Freshman in 2025, and has emerged as one of College Football's best talents. In fact, FanDuel currently has Carr (+750) as the favorite to win the coveted Heisman Memorial Trophy this upcoming season. However, it is continually evident throughout Carr’s career that he beats to his own drum. He won’t let outside noise determine his decisions. Nevertheless, the commitment from one of Michigan's golden families has certainly paid off for the Fighting Irish. Want the latest intel on Notre Dame football? Subscribe to Tribune+ and get access to recruiting and team intel from The Irish Tribune team, as well as access to our intel community, exclusive app, and more Notre Dame content: Subscribe here to support our independent journalism. Follow The Irish Tribune on social media: Facebook / Instagram / X / Threads / TikTok Liked this story? Subscribe to our mailing list and get every story in your inbox. Check out our Irish partners: TMPR Sports - Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle here! Legion of the Leprechaun - Join the #1 Notre Dame fan community on Facebook today!

Following a back-and-forth battle with Oregon, Notre Dame received a commitment on Thursday afternoon from highly sought-after Defensive Lineman Brayden Parks. The 6-3, 300-pound DL ranks as a consensus four-star, rated as the #161 overall recruit and #18 DL in the 2027 class, according to 247 Sports. Among over 40 listed offers, Parks committed to Notre Dame over Oregon, Ohio State, Miami, and others. Want the inside scoop on all things Notre Dame? Subscribe to Tribune+ today! Parks, a Chicago native, attends Brother Rice High School. The big-bodied DL helped his program win a State Championship this past fall, recording 44 tackles, 6 TFLs, and 2 sacks during the season. Parks is what you are looking for in a DT in 2026. Physically, he is big, powerful, tough, and has a good motor. He is also pretty quick for his size and holds a good pass-rush skillset. However, elite run-stopping is the name of the game for Parks, with an innate ability to dominate the interior. Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle The Chicago native’s commitment marks the Irish’s third pledge in the 2027 class from a Chicago defensive player, joining DL David Folorunsho and LB Roman Igwebuike. Parks becomes the sixth DL to join the class that now sits at 23 commits. Want the latest intel on Notre Dame football? Subscribe to Tribune+ and get access to recruiting and team intel from The Irish Tribune team, as well as access to our intel community, exclusive app, and more Notre Dame content: Subscribe here to support our independent journalism. Follow The Irish Tribune on social media: Facebook / Instagram / X / Threads / TikTok Follow @Brenden_Duffy on X Liked this story? Subscribe to our mailing list and get every story in your inbox. Check out our Irish partners: TMPR Sports - Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle here! Legion of the Leprechaun - Join the #1 Notre Dame fan community on Facebook today!

While Notre Dame seems primed to have a special 2026 football season, it does not mean that this upcoming season will not present its fair share of challenges. Let's take a look at what those potential challenges could be. Living Up to the Hype Marcus Freeman and his coaching staff have been able to build an impressive roster that rivals the very best in college football. This, combined with the results of recent seasons, has caused many to have extremely high expectations for the 2026 football team. And it is not just Notre Dame fans; many pundits around the country share these expectations, as Notre Dame will enter the season as a top-five ranked team. While these are great signs that the program is continuing to level up, it does present the team with a new challenge that they will have to contend with all season...pressure. Yes, as the saying goes, "pressure is a privilege," but it can also rattle a team trying to live up to the expectations that others have set out for them. Looking closer, CJ Carr will feel more pressure than anyone else on this team. He is already in consideration for the Heisman Trophy, a first-round pick, and will be looked at to carry the offense. He is an immensely talented player who has the capability to do all these things, but it is yet to be seen if he can handle all the noise that comes with his success. At the end of the day, this problem is not unique to Notre Dame, and they will have to become used to this sort of pressure if they want to continue elevating to the top of college football. Want the inside scoop on all things Notre Dame? Subscribe to Tribune+ today! Battling Complacency Freeman often talks about the lesson learned in 2024 when Notre Dame followed a big win against Texas A&M with an embarrassing loss to Northern Illinois. He stated that the team did not do a good job of dealing with their own success, failing to recognize that they could lose to any team without the proper mindset. In 2026, it is likely they will be presented with a very similar challenge. It is well documented that the Fighting Irish do not have a particularly hard schedule. While that appears to be the case now, a schedule such as theirs can quickly become a tricky one laced with trap games. Notre Dame is favored in every game this season, meaning that talent should not be a problem for them, but every Notre Dame fan knows that there is always at least one game that is closer than it should be. Last year, that game was Boston College. While Notre Dame ended up winning, it was not until Jeremiyah Love's long touchdown run that Irish fans could take a deep breath. This season, Boston College could be a potential trap game once again, as that matchup directly follows the game against Miami. The game against Miami is not only a rivalry game, but it is also the toughest game on Notre Dame's schedule. This game is definitely one that the Irish have circled, and if they win, it may cause them to look past Boston College. Yes, every team is entitled to the occasional "bad game", but they must be careful because the wrong loss could end their hopes of returning to the College Football Playoffs. Luckily for Freeman and his team, the group is filled with experienced players who could be all they need to avoid complacency. Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle Replacing an Offensive System Last season, Notre Dame was home to two first-round running backs, giving them what felt like guaranteed offense every Saturday. Love and Jadarian Price accounted for 2,046 of the team's 2,441 rushing yards and 29 of 38 total rushing touchdowns. Looking at total offense, the duo scored over half of Notre Dame's offensive touchdowns in 2025, reinforcing the notion that they carried the bulk of the load on offense. Now that the rushing tandem is gone, Notre Dame will have to recreate their offensive philosophy. They can no longer depend on Love and Price to generate big plays and steady production. Upcoming starting running back Aneyas Williams will be responsible for replacing some of the production, but it will be impossible for Notre Dame to run back the same game plan in 2026. The workload will likely shift to Carr's arm. Last season, he thrived in a role that did not rely on him to create the offense or deliver on many big plays. Now, he will likely be asked to do more through the air. While many believe he is ready for that jump in responsibility, it is an unknown that Notre Dame will have to figure out throughout the season. Carr will have a strong offensive line and a plethora of receiving weapons to lean on, giving him a much better chance of successfully shouldering that burden. Only time will tell just how big the hole Love and Price are leaving behind. Want the latest intel on Notre Dame football? Subscribe to Tribune+ and get access to recruiting and team intel from The Irish Tribune team, as well as access to our intel community, exclusive app, and more Notre Dame content: Subscribe here to support our independent journalism. Follow The Irish Tribune on social media: Facebook / Instagram / X / Threads / TikTok Liked this story? Subscribe to our mailing list and get every story in your inbox. Check out our Irish partners: TMPR Sports - Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle here! Legion of the Leprechaun - Join the #1 Notre Dame fan community on Facebook today!

Recently, the controversial former coach appeared on ‘The Independent’ podcast to discuss his current feelings toward his former job. Photo via Notre Dame Athletics Brian Kelly. The two words that can set off nearly every single Notre Dame diehard. Despite Kelly holding the most wins in Irish history, his image is still largely controversial among fans. Kelly left South Bend for LSU and Baton Rouge in late November of 2021. Notre Dame players found out via a 10 pm text from Kelly, who then expanded on the text with a 10-minute meeting the next morning. Needless to say, public perception of Kelly in South Bend, and elsewhere, is anything but timid. Lou Holtz, the last Notre Dame coach to lead the team to a National Championship in 1988, and Kelly had somewhat of a spotty connection. Holtz reportedly wrote Kelly around eight different letters, all positive, Holtz said, over his time behind the Irish helm. However, Kelly responded to exactly zero of these letters, according to Holtz. Want the inside scoop on all things Notre Dame? Subscribe to Tribune+ today! Perhaps this is why it shocked many fans whenever Kelly reemerged on campus for the first time for Holtz’s funeral. Despite Holtz’s remarks, Kelly remembers the connection differently. After being asked about the Holtz funeral by the host of the ‘Independent’ podcast, Kelly said: “Well, first because of the man. You know the legacy that he has left at Notre Dame. I feel like you, as a former head football coach, at minimum you show the respect of the seat that you were in.” Anyone with a good-natured intuition might claim that perhaps the environment of Notre Dame might make revisiting awkward for Kelly. However, the former coach feels different. “Um, it doesn't feel awkward. I think that's probably the best way to put it. I don't feel awkward.” Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle Which confused many fans, considering the constant hate thrown at Kelly by Irish fans on the various socials. However, Kelly provides somewhat ample reasoning for why his presence isn’t out of place at Our Lady’s campus. “Obviously, we did a lot of great things for the university through our foundation. And so we feel that we have a connection with Notre Dame that we want to continue within the parameters that we're allowed. So we'll be very cognizant of that. I'm not going to be running around campus for my workouts. But we're going to be seen when we have the opportunity.” Kelly’s seemingly intentional ignorance of how fans perceive him will be put on full display over the next few months, as Kelly also hinted at a visit to his old assistant Marcus Freeman and the rest of the Irish staff in the future. Want the latest intel on Notre Dame football? Subscribe to Tribune+ and get access to recruiting and team intel from The Irish Tribune team, as well as access to our intel community, exclusive app, and more Notre Dame content: Subscribe here to support our independent journalism. Follow The Irish Tribune on social media: Facebook / Instagram / X / Threads / TikTok Liked this story? Subscribe to our mailing list and get every story in your inbox. Check out our Irish partners: TMPR Sports - Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle here! Legion of the Leprechaun - Join the #1 Notre Dame fan community on Facebook today!

Former Notre Dame Head Coach Brian Kelly appeared on ‘The Independent’ podcast and explored the impact Marcus Freeman could have made as a LSU Coordinator. The vast majority of Irish fans know the name Brian Kelly and have plenty of takes regarding him. Oftentimes, it is forgotten or intentionally ignored that Kelly currently has the most wins in Irish history. Irish fans can be forgiven for harsh feelings regarding the former coach, especially given his untimely and arguably disrespectful departure in 2021. After Kelly notified the then 11-1 Notre Dame football team that he was leaving for LSU, he cooked up a storm of disgust and disbelief from fans and players alike. In the midst of the situation, Kelly attempted to nab his coordinators and make them Tigers. For a short while, Offensive Coordinator Tommy Rees, who is a former Notre Dame Quarterback, and Defensive Coordinator Marcus Freeman were expected to follow their coach and complete the move. Want the inside scoop on all things Notre Dame? Subscribe to Tribune+ today! However, on December 6th, 2021, the announcement of Freeman taking the helm sent a wave of relaxation throughout the Irish Nation. On top of the announcement, Rees would retain his job as offensive coordinator under Freeman. Freeman was somewhat of a nervous pick for any Irish fan, as he was a first-time head coach. However, he would alleviate the shakiness and second-guessing from everyone after he led the Irish to the 2025 National Championship in only his third year. Notre Dame fans are a near consensus in support of Freeman over Kelly. However, what if LSU had snagged both coordinators? Brian Kelly gave insight into this very topic in the interview. Kelly agreed that having coaches who he knew spoke his coaching language and philosophy would've meant a lot. He later went on to double down on how having an unfamiliar staff probably made the process worse. “One of the things that may have made this process slower than they wanted it to be was coordinator hires” “I had to make a change after year two in defense. That’s never a great thing” Kelly then followed up with a modicum of praise for his former Defensive Coordinator, Brian House. “I think the world of Brian House,” Kelly said. “He’s a great man and a smart football coach, but it just didn’t work.” Kelly then showered understanding upon House’s eventual replacement, Joe Sloan. “He was handed an obviously tough situation,” Kelly remarked. “He was inexperienced in some areas and outstanding in others.” Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle Finally, Kelly answered the question everyone had been waiting for. “Those two that you mentioned [Freeman and Rees], if they were able to make the move, it would’ve been an easier transition, no doubt.” Finally, Kelly shed some light on why Freeman had decided to stay in South Bend after all. “Well, I didn't ask him directly what changed his mind, but I know his family was very strong in this decision-making process. So, I will just assume without knowing that I don't have the answer. I think his family had a very strong influence in where they wanted to be and where they wanted to raise their family.” According to Kelly, it was ultimately Freeman’s family that kept him at Notre Dame, and in turn, assured Notre Dame would be relevant as well. Perhaps karma is real, and Freeman simply caught the sweet end of its tail. Want the latest intel on Notre Dame football? Subscribe to Tribune+ and get access to recruiting and team intel from The Irish Tribune team, as well as access to our intel community, exclusive app, and more Notre Dame content: Subscribe here to support our independent journalism. Follow The Irish Tribune on social media: Facebook / Instagram / X / Threads / TikTok Liked this story? Subscribe to our mailing list and get every story in your inbox. Check out our Irish partners: TMPR Sports - Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle here! Legion of the Leprechaun - Join the #1 Notre Dame fan community on Facebook today!

Ranking the loudest and most difficult places Notre Dame will travel to this season. There are few feats in sports more difficult than winning a college football game on the road in a hostile environment. Something about the thunder of stadium bleachers can cause an entire offense to lose focus. Six opposing teams will have to take on the enormous task of beating the Irish at home. On the flip side, Notre Dame will travel outside South Bend six times as well, with two neutral-site games and four true away games. We ranked the opposing stadiums the Irish will play in, using factors such as stadium capacity, average attendance, and more. No. 1 - BYU at LaVell Edwards Stadium - Provo, UT Notre Dame will travel west to take on loaded BYU in this marquee matchup. (Photo via BYU Athletics) Capacity- 62,073 Average Attendance- 63,789 (100%+) BYU 2025 Home Record- (6-0) The October 17th matchup between the Irish and Cougars will prove to be the toughest in terms of opposing environments. The game is guaranteed to be sold out, which is the norm in Provo, where they haven’t lost a game since 2024, going undefeated in Provo last season. The Irish will have to prepare for the deafening roar of over 63,000 screaming fans as they take on the already talented Cougars in the latest edition of the BYU/ND Rivalry. No. 2- Wisconsin at Lambeau Field - Green Bay, WI The Irish will kick off 2026 by playing in a stadium named after a former Notre Dame player. (Photo via University of Wisconsin Athletics) Capacity- 81,441 Average Attendance- 78,003 (96%) Although the September 6th season opener between Wisconsin and Notre Dame is officially "neutral," the Irish are traveling to the Badgers’ backyard. The official distance between Lambeau and Wisconsin’s campus is less than 135 miles, which is a field trip compared to the 300+ miles between Notre Dame and Lambeau. Although the Packers’ home stadium is named after Curly Lambeau (who played under legendary Irish coach Knute Rockne), it’d be no surprise if a sea of red appears in the stands. Notre Dame also typically struggles in hostile environments early in the season. Want the inside scoop on all things Notre Dame? Subscribe to Tribune+ today! No. 3 - Navy at Gillette Stadium - Foxborough, MA The Irish will take on perennial rival Navy in the New England Patriots' home stadium this season. (Photo via Naval Academy Athletics) Capacity- 64,628 Average Attendance- ~64,628 (100%) On October 31st, the Irish and Midshipmen will once again add another year to the storied rivalry between the two schools. The rivalry typically takes place either in South Bend or in an NFL stadium. This time, the game will host potentially up to 64,000-65,000 fans in Gillette Stadium, the home of the New England Patriots. The Midshipmen had a great year in 2025, going 11-2 with the only losses coming against Notre Dame and a very talented North Texas squad. Navy also went undefeated at home last season. No. 4 - North Carolina at Kenan Memorial Stadium - Chapel Hill, NC The Irish will travel to North Carolina to take on a sneaky Tar Heel squad. (Photo via University of North Carolina Athletics) Capacity- 63,000 Average Attendance- ~50,050 (79%) North Carolina 2025 Home Record- (2-4) On October 3rd, Marcus Freeman and the Irish will travel south to take on the Bill Belichick-led Tar Heels. Although North Carolina didn’t fare great last season, finishing 4-8, this game is no pushover, as ACC fans tend to show up when Notre Dame is in town. That means potentially 63,000 fans screaming at the Irish while they attempt to defeat a team led by one of the coaching greats in football lore. I anticipate Kenan Memorial Stadium to become likened to the Smith Center (where North Carolina dominated in basketball). Needless to say, the Irish will be on upset alert for this matchup. Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle No. 5 - Purdue at Ross-Ade Stadium - Lafayette, In The Irish will travel down south to take on in-state rival Purdue in the fourth game of the 2026 season. (Photo via Purdue Athletics) Capacity- 61,441 Average Attendance- ~59,887 (97%) Purdue 2025 Home Record- (2-5) On September 26th, Notre Dame will travel just over 110 miles to take on in-state rival, Purdue. Although Boilermaker football has struggled in previous years, Purdue fans still pack Ross-Ade Stadium. The atmosphere will be electric as they attempt to upset the Irish in this early-season matchup. I expect plenty of Notre Dame fans to venture with the team, so for that reason, Ross-Ade is lower than it otherwise would be. No. 6 - Syracuse at JMA Wireless Dome - Syracuse, NY Notre Dame will close out the regular season by taking on Syracuse in a unique venue. (Photo via Syracuse University Athletics) Capacity- 42,784 Average Attendance- ~38,605 (90%) Syracuse 2025 Home Record- (2-4) Notre Dame will travel east to close out the 2026 regular season. The season finale against Syracuse will take place in the only venue used for football and basketball in the entirety of NCAA Division I athletics. The Orange struggled last year and still brought in 90% average attendance at home. It’s a shame the venue is among the smallest in the Power Four, with seating less than 43,000. I expect this game to sell out, considering the plethora of Irish fans in New York. I don’t expect the game to be a 70-7 Irish blowout like last year, but I also expect the matchup to be a relatively calm one as the Irish hopefully head into the postseason. Want the latest intel on Notre Dame football? Subscribe to Tribune+ and get access to recruiting and team intel from The Irish Tribune team, as well as access to our intel community, exclusive app, and more Notre Dame content: Subscribe here to support our independent journalism. Follow The Irish Tribune on social media: Facebook / Instagram / X / Threads / TikTok Liked this story? Subscribe to our mailing list and get every story in your inbox. Check out our Irish partners: TMPR Sports - Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle here! Legion of the Leprechaun - Join the #1 Notre Dame fan community on Facebook today!

Notre Dame reached into its backyard of Chicago to secure its newest commitment, LB Roman Igwebuike, who announced his pledge to the Irish on Saturday afternoon. Photo via Roman Igwebuike/IG (@romanigwebuike) Igwebuike, a consensus four-star recruit, chose Notre Dame over Indiana, Clemson, Missouri, and Tennessee. The 6-3, 225-pounder ranks as the #134 overall prospect, #10 LB, and #7 player in Illinois in the class of 2027, per Rivals Industry. Want the inside scoop on all things Notre Dame? Subscribe to Tribune+ today! The Chicago native attends Mount Carmel High School, where he helped the program to its fourth consecutive State Championship last season. On the way to getting his ring, Igwebuike tallied 115 tackles, 13.5 TFLs, 7 sacks, 17 QB pressures, 3 PBUs, 3 forced fumbles, 2 INTs, and a fumble recovery. Highlights vs Loyola Chasedown Tackle INT in the State Championship Igwebuike possesses an elite frame, which helps contribute to his success as a potent run-stopper. Additionally, the explosive LB offers valuable sideline-to-sideline speed. He projects as an inside backer who offers the versatility to occasionally rush off the edge. Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle Notre Dame’s 2027 class now stands at 22 commitments, with Igwebuike’s announcement giving the Irish their first LB. Igwebuike also marks the class’s second addition from Illinois, joining DL David Folorunsho. Want the latest intel on Notre Dame football? Subscribe to Tribune+ and get access to recruiting and team intel from The Irish Tribune team, as well as access to our intel community, exclusive app, and more Notre Dame content: Subscribe here to support our independent journalism. Follow The Irish Tribune on social media: Facebook / Instagram / X / Threads / TikTok Follow @Brenden_Duffy on X Liked this story? Subscribe to our mailing list and get every story in your inbox. Check out our Irish partners: TMPR Sports - Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle here! Legion of the Leprechaun - Join the #1 Notre Dame fan community on Facebook today!

While Notre Dame may have its most star-studded roster in a while, there will be no shortage of talent lining up on the other side of the Irish as we preview the top ten players Notre Dame is set to face during the 2026 regular season. Photo via University of Miami Athletics I released the bottom half of my top ten on Thursday, and now we can get into the elite-level game changers. Below are my top five players Notre Dame will take on in 2026: 5. Darian Mensah; Miami QB Coming in at number five is Miami’s newest transfer signal-caller, following in the footsteps of Cam Ward and Carson Beck. Mensah, a 6-3 and 205-pound Redshirt Junior, was originally a three-star QB out of San Luis Obispo, CA, who committed to Tulane out of high school. After redshirting his freshman season in 2023, Mensah earned the starting role at Tulane in 2024. That season, he completed 65.9% of his throws for 2,723 yards and 22 touchdowns with six interceptions across 13 games played. Mensah and the Green Wave finished the year with an AAC Championship Game appearance and a 9-4 record. Following his breakout campaign at Tulane, Mensah would enter the portal and transfer to Duke, reportedly signing a two-year, $8 million deal with the Blue Devils. Last season at Duke, Mensah excelled with a 66.8% completion percentage while throwing for 3,973 yards (Duke single-season record) and 34 touchdowns with six interceptions across 14 games played. With Duke’s high-octane passing offense, Mensah led the Blue Devils to ACC Champions as the QB earned MVP honors during the conference title matchup. He then went on to earn the Sun Bowl MVP after throwing for 327 yards and four touchdowns in a win over Arizona State, improving Duke’s final record to 9-5. This offseason, Mensah violated his original contract with Duke and transferred to Miami following a controversial settlement between the Blue Devils and their former QB. The Hurricanes’ freshly poached QB possesses good accuracy, nice touch on his deep throws, and demonstrates a very high football IQ. However, he is prone to turnovers, getting lucky with a few missed interceptions last season, and has had fumble issues in the past. Want the inside scoop on all things Notre Dame? Subscribe to Tribune+ today! 4. Damon Wilson II; Miami EDGE The first of two Miami DL in this list is another transfer for the Hurricanes, Senior Damon Wilson II. The 6-4, 250-pound EDGE out of Nokomis, FL was a highly-touted five-star recruit at Venice High School who had committed to Georgia. Across two seasons in Athens as a Bulldog, Wilson posted 26 tackles, six TFLs, 3.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries in 26 games played, including two starts. Seeking an increased role, Wilson would enter the portal and transfer to Missouri for the 2025 season. Last year at Missouri, Wilson showed why he is an elite pass rusher as he tallied 23 tackles, 9.5 TFLs, nine sacks, two PBUs, one interception, and one fumble recovery in 13 games played. He earned an All-SEC Second Team selection following this campaign, in which he generated 54 pressures. This offseason, Wilson entered the portal again, this time taking his talents back to his home state of Florida and the Miami Hurricanes. With elite measurables, a great burst, and an explosive skillset, the ‘Canes found themselves another elite pass-rushing EDGE to replace Tampa Buccaneers first-round NFL Draft selection Rueben Bain Jr. 3. Ahmad Moten Sr.; Miami DL The leader on the interior of Miami’s DL is, undoubtedly, Redshirt Senior Ahmad Moten Sr. The 6-3, 300-pound DL decided to return to the Hurricanes this offseason despite receiving early-round NFL Draft buzz. Moten committed to Miami as a four-star recruit out of Cardinal Gibbons HS in Fort Lauderdale, FL. The DL really broke out last season as a Redshirt Junior, tallying 31 tackles, nine TFLs, and 4.5 sacks across 14 games played, helping the ‘Canes to a CFP Championship Game appearance. Moten made his mark against Notre Dame, finishing the contest with three tackles and was credited for a sack on the costly intentional grounding penalty against CJ Carr. The All-ACC Second Team DL is a great athlete for his size; however, he performs better as a pass-rusher compared to a run-stopper despite the massive frame. The key to countering Moten is not to run plays at him, as he does tend to be a non-factor and give up if the ball is not around him. Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle 2. LJ Martin; BYU RB The most talented RB on the Irish’s schedule is not much of a debate with this 6-2, 225-pound Senior looking to build off an outstanding Junior campaign. An El Paso, TX native, Martin committed to BYU coming out of high school as a three-star RB. Martin made an impact early in his BYU career, totaling 1,379 yards and 14 touchdowns across 20 games played as a Freshman and Sophomore. However, last season was when the Cougars RB became a national star. Across 13 games, Martin tallied 1,305 yards and 12 touchdowns on 236 carries. The BYU Team Captain was named Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year after leading the conference in rushing yards and yards from scrimmage (1,560). As a receiving option, Martin contributed 36 receptions for 255 yards. The 6-2 RB offers great measurables, including a 4.46 40-yard dash time. He is an elite contact-seeking runner who always falls forward and fights for every yard. Martin carries his frame well, and despite not being the cleanest route runner, his hands are very reliable out of the backfield. 1. Malachi Toney; Miami WR And finally, the number one player that Notre Dame will line up against in 2026 is the Hurricanes’ Sophomore WR. Coming out of Liberty City, FL, Toney was a four-star recruit at American Heritage who reclassified from ‘26 to ‘25 to join Miami early. At just 17 years old, Toney had a historic freshman campaign last season, setting Miami single-season records in receptions (109) and receiving yards (1,211). He also ended up with 10 receiving touchdowns, with his first coming in his first collegiate game against Notre Dame, where he finished with 82 yards across six catches. Toney’s 109 receptions led the country, while his 1,211 yards led the ACC. These are two major reasons he earned the following accolades in 2025: AP All-American Second Team, Consensus Freshman All-American, ACC Rookie of the Year, and All-ACC First Team. Toney is an extremely versatile threat, as evidenced by his usage last season. The 5-11, 188-pound WR rushed for 113 yards and added another touchdown across 23 carries. He totaled 298 yards across 23 punt return attempts. To top it off, he even threw 4/7 for 82 yards with two touchdowns and no turnovers as a passer. There is not much the 2028 NFL Draft top-10 pick lock can not do. Toney is an elite route runner who burns defenses after the catch, and he maintains great ball skills. Honorable Mentions: Bryce Fitzgerald (Miami DB), Addison Nichols (SMU OL), Joshua Bates (SMU OL), Melkart Abou Jaoude (UNC DL), Mason Posa (Wisconsin LB), Bruce Mitchell (BYU OL), Kevin Jennings (SMU QB) Want the latest intel on Notre Dame football? Subscribe to Tribune+ and get access to recruiting and team intel from The Irish Tribune team, as well as access to our intel community, exclusive app, and more Notre Dame content: Subscribe here to support our independent journalism. 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While Notre Dame may have its most star-studded roster in a while, there will be no shortage of talent lining up on the other side of the Irish as we preview the top ten players Notre Dame is set to face during the 2026 regular season. Photo via SMU Athletics Last season, I wrote a similar piece, featuring just nine players, and all nine went on to be selected in the 2026 NFL Draft, including three first-round picks. This year was much more difficult to cut the list down, in large part due to Miami’s emerging talents and the additions of BYU and SMU to the schedule, but I gave it a try below, starting with numbers ten through six. 10. Cooper Barkate; Miami WR The first of six Hurricanes to appear on this list is also one of two former Duke stars who transferred to Miami this offseason. Barkate, a 6-1 and 195-pound Redshirt Senior, was a former Notre Dame target as a three-star recruit out of Mater Dei. He would end up committing to Harvard, where he waited until his third year to break out as a star. In 2024, Barkate hauled in 63 receptions for 1,084 yards and 11 touchdowns in 10 games played. After the Harvard WR earned All-Ivy First Team and FCS All-American Second Team honors following this campaign, he would hit the portal and transfer to Duke for the 2025 season. Barkate saw his numbers rise last season at Duke, despite the jump in competition. Across 14 games played, he tallied 1,106 yards on 72 receptions for seven touchdowns as the Blue Devils went on to win the ACC Championship. The All-ACC Second Teamer’s best outing came against Georgia Tech, where he finished the game with a season-high 13 catches for 172 yards. Following his Duke QB, Barkate transferred with Darian Mensah down south this winter. The former Harvard WR boasts polished route running and high IQ, and should be one of the biggest beneficiaries of playing alongside elite WR Malachi Toney and the coverage he demands. 9. Chris Peal; Syracuse CB Coming in at number nine is a product of his HC, Fran Brown. Peal, a Redshirt Junior, was originally a four-star two-way athlete from Charlotte, NC. The 6-1, 200-pound CB committed to Georgia and, at the time, DB Coach Brown, coming out of high school. Peal appeared in just five games across two seasons with the Bulldogs, opting to enter the transfer portal and reunite with Coach Brown at Syracuse in 2025. Last season, Peal started all 12 games played and tallied 47 tackles, seven PBUs, and one forced fumble. He was able to come up with five tackles and one PBU during Notre Dame’s 70-7 shellacking of Syracuse. Regardless of the team's success, Peal was and will continue to be a bright spot for the Orange. He is an elite zone CB, possessing a 6-1 frame with a 4.35 40-yard dash. He is a good tackler, accounting for just three misses last fall, and is also solid in run support. The obvious poking point with Peal is his lack of an interception, but I can guarantee that changes in 2026, ideally not at CJ Carr’s expense. Want the inside scoop on all things Notre Dame? Subscribe to Tribune+ today! 8. Mark Fletcher Jr.; Miami RB Hurricane number two on this list, and one of two American Heritage High School products, is Miami’s Senior RB. Fletcher, 6-2 and 225 pounds, is a native of Fort Lauderdale, where he was a four-star recruit before committing to Miami out of high school. The workhorse RB broke onto the scene last season as a Junior, when he rushed for 1,192 yards and 12 touchdowns on 216 carries across 14 games played as the Hurricanes marched all the way to the CFP Championship Game. Fletcher recorded over 100 rushing yards in six games, including a season-high of 172 at Texas A&M in a CFP matchup. He also set a CFP record as he rushed for 507 total yards during the Canes’s postseason run. While not as much of a receiving threat, he still racked up 140 yards and two scores on 17 receptions last year, including one eight-yard catch against the Irish. Notre Dame did well stuffing Fletcher in last season’s meeting, holding him to just 66 yards on 15 carries, marking the first of five outings in which he did not surpass at least 80 rushing yards. The Irish will need to match this performance in 2026 when the All-ACC Third Team RB comes to South Bend. 7. Evan Johnson; BYU CB Next is BYU’s ballhawking CB, Evan Johnson. The six-foot, 185-pound Redshirt Senior comes from Monterey, CA, where he was a three-star WR coming out of high school before committing to BYU. Upon arrival at BYU, Johnson was converted to a CB, and that switch has paid off tremendously. Last season is when the lockdown CB broke out, compiling 47 tackles, 13 passes defended, eight PBUs, five interceptions, including a pick-six, and one sack. Johnson’s five picks tied for the most among Big 12 defenders as the Cougars reached the Conference Championship Game and finished the season with a 12-2 record. His best performance came against East Carolina, when he recorded six tackles, three passes defended, and two interceptions, including his pick-six. Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle 6. PJ Williams; SMU OL SMU’s offensive line is, in my opinion, the strongest of any other opponent on the Irish’s schedule, even Miami. But the leader of the group is Senior RT PJ Williams. The 6-5, 313-pound OL out of Dickinson, TX, was a four-star Texas A&M commit out of high school. However, after playing in just one game and redshirting his freshman year, Williams entered the portal and transferred to SMU. Williams has started the past 27 games for the Mustangs, earning 2024 All-ACC Third Team honors and a 2025 All-ACC Second Team nod. Last season, the SMU RT ranked among the top five ACC OL in pressure rate, allowing just two sacks while serving as a team captain. Overall, Williams is an all-around very talented blocker. His matchup with Notre Dame will be interesting, though, as Williams struggled against Miami’s lengthy EDGEs last year, something Notre Dame can offer with Boubacar Traore and Bryce Young. Stay tuned for the top five talents that Notre Dame will face in 2026. Want the latest intel on Notre Dame football? Subscribe to Tribune+ and get access to recruiting and team intel from The Irish Tribune team, as well as access to our intel community, exclusive app, and more Notre Dame content: Subscribe here to support our independent journalism. Follow The Irish Tribune on social media: Facebook / Instagram / X / Threads / TikTok Follow @Brenden_Duffy on X Liked this story? 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The special uniforms feature nods to the Green Bay Packers, Acme Packers, Paul Hornung, and America's 250th birthday. Photo by Notre Dame Athletics Notre Dame has released the 13th edition of the Shamrock Series uniform for the Fighting Irish's opening game against Wisconsin at Lambeau Field. The reveal comes after a teaser trailer was released on Notre Dame football's social media pages, prior to the official reveal. The trailer featured old film reels of Green Bay Packers highlights alongside a 1900s-era football helmet with the caption, "For a century, our stories have been stitched together..." With this video and the appearance of the 2026 Shamrock Series uniforms, it appears that Notre Dame and Under Armour have taken inspiration from the storied history shared between both the Irish and the Packers as the main focus for this year’s Shamrock Series matchup. The Shamrock Series game will kick off the Irish’s season and will be held at the legendary venue of Lambeau Field. Curly Lambeau, the stadium's namesake, started his football career playing fullback at Notre Dame under legendary head coach Knute Rockne in 1917. An illness forced the freshman to return to his hometown of Green Bay, Wisconsin, and Lambeau founded the Green Bay Packers the following year. Lambeau both played and coached for the Packers, where it was clear his old coach had left an impression on the young man. The Professional Football Hall of Fame claims that Lambeau was the first pass-minded coach in professional football. Rockne is often cited as the pioneer of the pass in collegiate athletics. Lambeau and his passing setup brought six NFL Championships home to Green Bay before a backhanded scheme by league higher-ups forced him to resign in 1950. Throughout Lambeau’s career, the Notre Dame influence is more than prevalent. Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle Since the 2009 founding, the Shamrock Series has become an anticipated aspect of every Notre Dame Football season. Back when Notre Dame was first emerging as a national powerhouse under coach Knute Rockne, hardly any Midwestern teams were willing to play the Irish. A large reason for this was rampant anti-Catholicism gripping the Midwest in the early 1900s. Furthermore, the Fighting Irish would have to compete against teams exceedingly far away, which the Irish traveled to on subways. This allowed Notre Dame Football to be featured in front of largely immigrant-based Catholics, who otherwise wouldn’t have come into contact with Notre Dame. Thus, the Subway Alumni phenomenon and the largest brand in college football were born. The Shamrock Showcase is traditionally a marquee game for the Irish and is always played at a neutral site. It has allowed Notre Dame to play at legendary venues such as Yankee Stadium, Fenway Park, and Soldier Field. Each year, the Irish compete in a unique uniform representing an aspect of Notre Dame Football. Recently, fans speculated that the jersey revealed would be the same one leaked earlier this week. This would later be confirmed to be the case following the announcement post by Notre Dame socials. The jersey is reportedly a spin-off of the 1923 Green Bay Packers jerseys, with shamrocks woven into the back thread. A key component of the match-up is the mesh design in the gold lining of the numbers. Thread was traditionally used for jerseys before more practical materials became available. Notre Dame is representing that shared vintage look between the two programs, as well as a testament to the longevity between the Irish and the Packers. The Jersey features an array of iconic additions specifically tailored to this year's edition of the Shamrock Showcase. Nameplate The nameplate is typically only reserved for playoff games, but is featured on this year's jersey. Striping A direct throwback to the iconic Green Bay Packers jersey striping. Flag Patch The all-gold American flag patch is in commemoration of the nation's 250th anniversary. Paul Hornung The numbers are inspired by the PAUL HORNUNG era and are a nod to the Notre Dame Heisman winner and legendary Green Bay Packers. 11 Golden Shamrocks Notre Dame’s eleven claimed National Championships are represented in the eleven golden shamrocks running across the collar of the jersey. Here is a closer look at the uniforms: Photos via Notre Dame Athletics The uniqueness of the iconic Shamrock Series jerseys has typically been a hot/cold affair between Irish fans. Some years, fans welcome the refreshing new twist to the classic Notre Dame uniforms; other years, fans widely reject the new iteration of the jersey, and thank the Lord it was only for one game. As always, the pure traditionalists are totally against the idea of changing the iconic blue and gold that Notre Dame sports game after game. In the hours leading up to the reveal, a post showing the leaked jersey was widely circulated in the Notre Dame subreddit. Fans shared various opinions on the jersey. “If it is those awful leaked uniforms, I’m going to be very upset.“ - (via Reddit/ErasetheDoubt) “Excited to see them! We are the home team, so dark navy as the primary top?” - (via Reddit/God_Country_ND) (via X/nd_unitracker) This image has appeared all over social media for the past week as the leaked Shamrock Series jersey. Want the latest intel on Notre Dame football? Subscribe to Tribune+ and get access to recruiting and team intel from The Irish Tribune team, as well as access to our intel community, exclusive app, and more Notre Dame content: Subscribe here to support our independent journalism. 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Rivalries can be seen as the engine powering the super machine that is college football. The massive tailgating, major pregame shows, and national television audiences drive the hype for these matchups. However, due to conference realignment, many of these Intraconference Matchups have fallen to the wayside. That is, unless you are protected by the title of Independent, such as Notre Dame. The University of Southern California (USC) rivalry notwithstanding, the Irish have done an exceptional job of keeping rivalries on the schedule. Although not playing every year, Notre Dame has Purdue, Michigan State, and Stanford on the docket this year. That leads us to one of the most esteemed and respected rivals, the Navy Midshipmen. Want the inside scoop on all things Notre Dame? Subscribe to Tribune+ today! That matchup has been scrutinized by detractors of "Our Lady." They use it to deride the Irish and to throw the flimsy accusation that the Irish schedule cupcakes. All while ignoring certain teams in the south playing Division II schools in the second-to-last week of the season, a practice that only ends this season with the requirement of teams playing nine Power Five teams on a schedule. By doing this, they ignore the esteemed history of this rivalry and what it means to the Navy as a whole. The rivalry started in 1927. It was born out of the fact that Notre Dame, at the time an all-boys college, had many students fighting in World War II. The Navy used the campus as a training ground that provided enough money for the institution to stay afloat. Because of this, Notre Dame has played Navy yearly out of gratitude; it was played annually from 1927 to 2019, making it the longest uninterrupted intersectional rivalry. That was until the COVID Pandemic ended the streak in 2020. Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle As much as the game means to Notre Dame in terms of gratitude and reverence, it means that much more to Navy. When the rivalry was renewed in 2016, then Navy Athletic Director Chet Gladchuck said, "...it is of great interest to our collective national audience of Fighting Irish fans, Naval Academy alumni, and the Navy family at large." The benefits far outweigh what it means for the fans, alumni, and even players. It is the Navy's largest athletic financial windfall each year. Notre Dame does not make money from away games and does not share revenue from home games. That is why when the Navy hosts this game, it is played in NFL stadiums. This allows the Navy to generate millions of dollars in revenue from municipal payouts, ticket sales, and sponsorships. It also gives players who serve our country the opportunity to play in a “big game” atmosphere that they would only get otherwise by playing the annual showdown against Army. History is the very fabric of tradition. By people deriding Notre Dame for scheduling this game, they show their ambivalence to tradition and biased ignorance of the meaning of this game. As rivalry and tradition give way to “super conferences” and “grabbing the bag”, we need this game to remind us of the purity and history of college football. Anything to diminish this game is simply an advancement of the game we love, becoming a bludgeoned body of capitalism. Want the latest intel on Notre Dame football? Subscribe to Tribune+ and get access to recruiting and team intel from The Irish Tribune team, as well as access to our intel community, exclusive app, and more Notre Dame content: Subscribe here to support our independent journalism. Follow The Irish Tribune on social media: Facebook / Instagram / X / Threads / TikTok Liked this story? Subscribe to our mailing list and get every story in your inbox. Check out our Irish partners: TMPR Sports - Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle here! Legion of the Leprechaun - Join the #1 Notre Dame fan community on Facebook today!