Notre Dame Recruiting: 2026 Commits Big Board originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
Notre Dame is looking to land another top class under head coach Marcus Freeman. The 2026 class will be the fourth under Freeman and the Irish are riding high after a 14-2 campaign that saw the program make it all the way to the national championship game. Freeman and the Notre Dame staff will look to use that success and momentum to land an elite group of recruits.
NOTRE DAME COMMITS (26)
QB Noah Grubbs – 6-4, 205 – Lake Mary (Fla.) High School
RB Javian Osborne – 5-10, 190 – Forney (Texas) High School
RB Jonaz Walton – 5-9, 200 – Carrollton (Georgia) Central
WR Dylan Faison – 6-0, 170 – Boca Raton (Fla.) St. Andrews School
WR Bubba Frazier – 5-10, 175 – Savannah (Ga.) Benedictine Military
WR Kaydon Finley – 6-1, 200 – Aledo (Texas) High School
WR Devin Fitzgerald – 6-2, 190 – Phoenix (Ariz.) Brophy Prep
WR Brayden Robinson – 5-9, 160 – Red Oak (Texas) High School
TE Preston Fryzel – 6-4, 215 – Toledo (Ohio) Central Catholic
TE Ian Premer – 6-5, 225 – Great Bend (Kan.) High School
OL Sullivan Garvin – 6-5, 300 – Allegan (Mich.) High School
OL Grayson McKeogh – 6-7, 265 – Wyndmoor (Pa.) LaSalle College
OL Tyler Merrill – 6-5, 330 – Mechanicsburg (Pa.) Cumberland Valley
OL Ben Nichols – 6-6, 320 – Davison (Mich.) High School
OL Gregory Patrick – 6-5, 280 – Portage (Mich.) Northern
OL Charlie Thom – 6-6, 270 – Avon (Conn.) Avon Old Farms
DE Rodney Dunham – 6-4, 225 – Charlotte (N.C.) Myers Park
DE Ebenezer Ewetade – 6-4, 225 – Garner (N.C.) South Garner
DT Tiki Hola – 6-3, 300 – Bastrop (Texas) High School
LB Thomas Davis Jr. – 6-2, 210 – Matthews (N.C.) Weddington
LB Jakobe Clapper – 6-2, 200 – Cincinnati (Ohio) St. Xavier
S Joey O’Brien – 6-4, 185 – Philadelphia (Pa.) LaSalle College
S Nick Reddish – 5-11, 185 – Charlotte (N.C.) Independence
CB Khary Adams – 6-2, 180 – Towson (Md.) Loyola Blakefield
CB Chaston Smith – 6-2, 175 – Chattanooga (Tenn.) McCallie School
CB Ayden Pouncey – 6-3, 175 – Winter Park (Fla.) High School
Here is a breakdown of each player in the Notre Dame 2026 class. It will be updated as the Irish add more players to the class.
QB NOAH GRUBBS
Hometown/High School: Lake Mary (Fla.) High School
Height/Weight: 6-4, 205
IB Grade: 4.0 (Top 100 caliber prospect)
Upside Grade: 4.5 (Top 75 caliber prospect)
Grubbs has prototypical size, a live arm and he’s been incredibly productive so far in his high school career, passing for 8,287 yards and 103 touchdowns in just three seasons of high school football. Grubbs reshaped his body as a junior and it allowed him to be more effective moving in the pocket and he even showed the ability to run a bit more as a junior. He has a quick release and a gunslinger mentality, and he can attack down the field. As he gets older and stronger, and as he learns to drive more off his back foot you’ll see him get even more zip on the football. Grubbs is a smart player but he’ll force the ball a bit more than I like. I love that aggressiveness, and as he becomes a better decision maker he’ll be even more impactful. Grubbs has loads of arm talent and despite being so productive he has plenty of room for growth and improvement.
RB JAVIAN OSBORNE
Hometown/High School: Forney, Texas/Forney
Height/Weight: 5-10, 190
IB Grade: 4.5 (Top 75 caliber prospect)
Upside Grade: 5.0 (Top 35 caliber prospect)
Osborne is one of the best running backs in the country, if not the top back, and that’s impressive considering how loaded this running back class is in the 2026 cycle. Osborne is an explosive runner that shows an elite first step and the acceleration needed to be a home run threat. The Forney star has excellent agility and elite vision/anticipation, traits that allow him to thrive on jump cuts and bounce runs. Those traits are perfect for Notre Dame’s Inside Zone/Duo/Counter runs. His ability to make lateral cuts and then plant and get vertical is rare …. and special. Despite not being the biggest back, Osborne runs with authority and displays an impressive leg drive. Combined with his top-notch contact balance, these traits make him a big time after-contact runner and a make-you-miss back. He isn’t used much in the pass game, but in limited usage he has been a big play screen game player.
RB JONAZ WALTON
Hometown/High School: Carrollton, Ga./Central
Height/Weight: 5-9, 200
IB Grade: 4.0 (Top 100 caliber prospect)
Upside Grade: 5.0 (Top 35 caliber prospect)
Walton is a big-time running back with tremendous production, having already rushed for over 4,700 yards and hauled in over 900 yards worth of passes. He has also returned three kickoffs for touchdowns over the last two seasons. Walton is a stocky, low built running back that runs with impressive power when he wants or needs to. His downhill running style makes him a great fit for Notre Dame’s run schemes, and he has one of the more impressive stiff arms you’ll see in this class. Walton is deceptively fast for his build, and he’s more than capable of being a home run hitter. His vision and feel for the position is outstanding, and his football IQ seems to match his 4.0 GPA in the classroom. Walton has impressive balance and cutting ability, showing the suddenness to make defenders miss in space. The Central star is an underrated weapon in the pass game and has every down talent.
WR DYLAN FAISON
Hometown/High School: Boca Raton (Fla.) St. Andrews School
Height/Weight: 6-0, 170
IB Grade: 4.0 (Top 250 caliber prospect)
Upside Grade: 4.0 (Top 150 caliber prospect)
Like his brother, Faison is a star on the football field and the lacrosse field. Landing Faison wasn’t about doing a favor to his older brother, he is a legit Power 4 wide receiver and was a good way to start 2026 receiver recruiting. Faison is an outstanding all-around athlete with impressive foot quickness and change of direction ability. These traits make him a dynamic player with the ball in his hands, which projects very well into the Notre Dame offense. He’s a weapon in the screen game and if he gets the ball in space in the quick game he is a threat to make a big play, and he uses that effectively in the screen game as well. He needs a lot of technical work, but the route running potential is exciting. Faison shows good speed off the line and his deep speed is solid as well. Faison isn’t a big pass catcher, but he has strong hands and battles for the football.
WR BUBBA FRAZIER
Hometown/High School: Savannah, Ga./Benedictine Military School
Height/Weight: 5-10, 175
IB Grade: 4.0 (Top 150 caliber prospect)
Upside Grade: 4.0 (Top 100 caliber prospect)
Notre Dame wants and needs more speed and playmaking at wide receiver and Frazier certainly adds that to the class. He has both aspects of speed you want, meaning he shows an outstanding starting ability (burst off the line) but also a top notch second gear and ability to accelerate. Every time he gets the ball – whether it’s catching a pass, getting a handoff or returning a kick – he’s a threat to take it to the house. Frazier is more than just a gadgity, after the catch player. His lack of height and catch radius drags his grade down a bit, but he’s a big time route runner and shows strong catching ability. He has a great feel for getting open, possessing the athleticism and route skill to gain immediate separation out of breaks, but also the feel for finding soft spots against zone looks. Frazier is ideally suited for the slot but also shows the route running prowess and ball skills to make an impact on the outside as well. His punt return skills are also top notch.
WR KAYDON FINLEY
Hometown/High School: Aleda, Texas/Aledo
Height/Weight: 6-1, 200
IB Grade: 4.0 (Top 100 caliber prospect)
Upside Grade: 5.0 (Top 35 caliber prospect)
Notre Dame needed to land one of the nation’s best wideouts in the 2026 class and they did just that when Finley jumped on board. Finley was dominant as a junior when he racked up 81 catches for 1,432 yards and 21 touchdowns. Finley has an outstanding all around game that should allow him to make a very quick transition at Notre Dame. He’s a versatile receiver that could thrive in the slot just as effectively as he could play outside, even in the boundary. Finley has is an outstanding athlete that plays with good urgency and he shows top notch route running skills. His feel for the game is top notch and his ability to work himself open is excellent. Finley is a strong pass catcher that can thrive in contested catch situations due to his length, strong hands, body control and tracking skills. Finley can do damage after the catch, but he does his best work as a route runner and pass catcher. It’s hard to find any weaknesses in his game, and there is still plenty of room for his body and game to grow.
WR DEVIN FITZGERALD
Hometown/High School: Phoenix, Ariz./Brophy Prep
Height/Weight: 6-2, 190
IB Grade: 4.0 (Top 250 caliber prospect)
Upside Grade: 4.5 (Top 75 caliber prospect)
Fitzgerald is a bit of a late riser who became more of a hot commodity this spring, but it was Notre Dame that ultimately won this battle. Notre Dame wanted a boundary receiver in the class and I believe Fitzgerald has that kind of talent. He is 6-2 with long arms and big hands, and that catch radius and pass catching skill is where his game thrives the most right now. He has the talent to develop into a top notch boundary player with strong contested catch skills. He plays strong and excels as a blocker and can also do some damage after the catch. As he fills out this part of his game will take a big jump, as will his ability to dominate at the catch point in one-on-one situations. Athletically, Fitzgerald shows impressive agility and foot quickness, traits that lead to him developing into a strong route runner. His speed is solid, but if he can make some improvement in that area you’ll see him tap into his full potential.
WR BRAYDEN ROBINSON
Hometown/High School: Red Oak, Texas/Red Oak
Height/Weight: 5-9, 160
IB Grade: 4.0 (Top 250 caliber prospect)
Upside Grade: 4.0 (Top 100 caliber prospect)
Notre Dame wanted to add speed and playmaking ability to its receiving corps and it certainly accomplished that with the addition of Robinson to the class. Robinson lacks ideal size at just 5-9 and 160 pounds, but he’s built well and he’s strong for his size. What makes him so impactful is his explosive athletic ability. Robinson has legit home run speed and he gets to top gear in a hurry. He is a threat to run by defenders off the ball and to crease defenses once he gets the ball in his hands. Robinson is elusive but his moves have purpose, and he’s always trying to get north-south. He’s not just a great track athlete that is trying to play football; Robinson is a natural and instinctive football player with a mind for the game. He’s a strong route runner, he’s a fundamentally sound player with good ball skills and he’s an efficient overall player. He’s what you want from a coach’s son, except Robinson has blazing speed to match. Robinson also has potential as an impact return man at Notre Dame.
TE PRESTON FRYZEL
Hometown/High School: Toledo, Ohio/Central Catholic
Height/Weight: 6-4, 215
IB Grade: 4.0 (Top 250 caliber prospect)
Upside Grade: 4.5 (Top 75 caliber prospect)
Fryzel was a late offer for Notre Dame, but the moment he was offered he became a priority for the staff. The Central Catholic standout is an outstanding pass catcher that attacks the field on all three levels. He explodes off the line and shows the speed to stretch the field, and he’s a weapon after the catch. Fryzel is a strong route runner that shows good instincts attacking defenders with his release. His foot quickness and agility allows him to quickly get out of his breaks and his speed allows him to get very good separation. Fryzel is a savvy tight end that knows how to alter speeds when needed and he can find soft spots in the zone. His ball skills are outstanding. Fryzel’s length gives him a good catch radius, he attacks the ball with his hands, he tracks the deep ball very well and his body control allows him to be an impact pass catcher. Fryzel will need to prove himself in the run game, something he isn’t asked to do much for TCC.
TE IAN PREMER
Hometown/High School: Great Bend, Kan./Great Bend
Height/Weight: 6-5, 225
IB Grade: 4.5 (Top 75 caliber prospect)
Upside Grade: 5.0 (Top 35 caliber prospect)
Premer was the top tight end on the board for Notre Dame for quite some time, so adding him late in the summer was a huge coup for the Irish. Premer has an outstanding length/speed combination, which is something Notre Dame really covets at the tight end position. He has the height and length to present size matchup problems, and the speed to be a legit vertical threat that can make life really tough on linebackers. The Great Bend star is an outstanding all around athlete that shows impressive foot quickness and agility, top notch balance and he’s an impressive leaper. His body control, strong hands, length and tracking skills make him a difficult player to defend, because Premer has the kind of “throw it to him anyway” skills. His explosiveness and vision with the ball in his hands make him an impact player after the catch, which fits the Irish offense perfectly. Premer is a willing blocker that has the natural strength and drive to eventually develop into a strong blocker at the next level.
OL SULLIVAN GARVIN
Hometown/High School: Allegan (Mich.) High School
Height/Weight: 6-5, 300
IB Grade: 3.5 (Top 350 caliber prospect)
Upside Grade: 4.5 (Top 75 caliber prospect)
Notre Dame clearly put an emphasis on landing physical blockers that play with a certain type of demeanor, and Garvin certainly fits that mold. He has good size and is already at 300 pounds, but his frame should allow him to gain at least 10-15 more pounds of good weight. Garvin comes off the line well and shows a good pop at the point of attack. He plays with a good base in pass protection and is a quality puller in the run game. Garvin does a good job moving his feet through contact and he’s a strong finisher in the run game. Garvin has good length and he uses his hands quite well, and that’s the best part of his game from a technical standpoint. Where Garvin needs a lot of work is with his footwork in the run game. He could potentially stay at tackle, but part of what I like about his game is that he fits at guard as well and could even be a center in the Notre Dame offense.
OL TYLER MERRILL
Hometown/High School: Mechanicsburg (Pa.) Cumberland Valley
Height/Weight: 6-5, 330
IB Grade: 4.0 (Top 100 caliber prospect)
Upside Grade: 5.0 (Top 35 caliber prospect)
Merrill is a massive young blocker with loads of potential. He’s a dominant tackle at the prep level but he projects as a guard at the next level. Merrill is an outstanding run blocker thanks to his combination of size and power. He has very heavy hands and delivers a lot of punishment in the run game. Merrill will need to reshape his body a bit, but he’ll likely always be a very big (320+ pounds) blocker, and Notre Dame wants and needs that kind of beef. He plays with the demeanor and attitude you want in an offense that desires to run the ball with authority. Merrill has a good motor and he’s an outstanding finisher in the run game. I’d like to see him learn to come off the ball with a bit more speed, something I think he’s athletically capable of. He shows a good feel for pass protection, but that part of his game will take off once he moves inside to guard. Big time player with big time talent.
OL BEN NICHOLS
Hometown/High School: Davison (Mich.) High School
Height/Weight: 6-6, 320
IB Grade: 4.0 (Top 150 caliber prospect)
Upside Grade: 4.5 (Top 75 caliber prospect)
Marcus Freeman has said he wants to be a line driven team, and that Notre Dame will always be a team that wants to dominate on the ground. Landing players like Nichols certainly helps keep that rolling. The Davison standout is massive (6-6, 320) and he plays with a really nasty disposition. He dominates in the run game at the prep level and that should continue in college. Nichols is a fundamentally sound lineman that plays with good pad level, fires off the ball and shows the power needed to be an elite run mover and finisher. Nichols has good length and could play both right tackle or guard at the next level, but the interior is where he projects best. Nichols shows impressive vertical quickness, but his change of direction isn’t elite, which is partly why he projects to the interior. Dominant run blocker with loads of potential, this was a big pickup for the Irish.
OL GREGORY PATRICK
Hometown/High School: Portage, Mich./Northern
Height/Weight: 6-5, 280
IB Grade: 4.0 (Top 250 caliber prospect)
Upside Grade: 4.0 (Top 100 caliber prospect)
Patrick is an ideal fit for what Notre Dame likes with its offensive linemen. He’s a versatile player that lines up at tackle in high school, and he has some solid tackle schools for the next level. But his skillset fits even better for the interior, where he could play guard or center. That kind of versatility should allow him to find a spot where he can get on the field the fastest. Patrick also has the nasty demeanor and physicality Notre Dame covets for its Inside Zone/Duo schemes, and the agility to thrive as a puller in the Gap schemes. Patrick has a lean build right now and is listed around 280 pounds. He has the kind of frame that should allow him to fill out with really good weight and get to at least 300 pounds, if not more. The all-around skillset is quite good, making this a strong pickup.
OL GRAYSON MCKEOGH
Hometown/High School: Wyndmoor, Pa./LaSalle College
Height/Weight: 6-7, 265
IB Grade: 4.0 (Top 250 caliber prospect)
Upside Grade: 4.5 (Top 75 caliber prospect)
McKeogh had an interesting rise to becoming a top prospect on the board for Notre Dame. A defensive end in 2023, McKeogh began playing more on the offensive side of the ball as a junior. McKeogh flourished on the offensive side of the ball. At 6-7 with long arms he has the length you desire on the edge, and although he’s lean now there is a frame to add a lot of really good weight. McKeogh put on a good amount of weight between 2023 and 2024 but his athleticism remained. He’s an explosive player off the ball in the run game, and he does a great job of working his feet through contact and he shows good power for his size. His length and foot quickness on the edge is outstanding, and as a former end he has a good feel for what defenses are trying to do. He’ll need to add a lot of weight and continue improving his technique, but there are a lot of tools to work with.
OL CHARLIE THOM
Hometown/High School: Avon, Conn./Avon Old Farms
Height/Weight: 6-6, 270
IB Grade: 3.0 (Top 500 caliber prospect)
Upside Grade: 4.0 (Top 100 caliber prospect)
Thom is a very intriguing prospect and is certainly quite different than the rest of the class. For one, Thom was originally part of the 2025 class but he’s doing a prep year at Avon Old Farms after playing tight end as a high school player for Darien (Conn.) High School. He went through a bit of a size jump over the last year and his recruiting profile took off this spring and summer after he worked out in front of several college coaches, including the Notre Dame staff. Thom is a long player with a solid frame, one that should allow him to get to 300-plus pounds and have a chance to maintain his athleticism, if not get a bit more explosive as he gets more time in the strength program. He’s a quality all-around athlete that shows good lateral quickness and change of direction skills. Thom will obviously need to learn OL technique and I want to see him play with more force in the run game, but he has some tools to work with.
DE RODNEY DUNHAM
Hometown/High School: Charlotte, N.C./Myers Park
Height/Weight: 6-4, 225
IB Grade: 4.5 (Top 75 caliber prospect)
Upside Grade: 5.0 (Top 35 caliber prospect)
Dunham is already one of the nation’s top prospects, but what should excite Fighting Irish fans is that he’s just scratching the surface of his full potential. Dunham has a unique blend of size, explosiveness, athleticism and instincts, which means he checks all the boxes that Notre Dame covets from its top prospects. At 6-4 and 225 pounds with impressive athletic skills, Dunham projects as an impact edge player for the Irish. With his frame he should be able to add plenty of weight and strength, and as he does his game will become even more dominant. Notre Dame wants/need a strong, stout, all-around end that can dominate the run and rush the passer, and Dunham has all the tools to get to that point during his college career. On top of the physical tools, Dunham shows an impressive football IQ for the position.
DE EBENEZER EWETADE
Hometown/High School: Garner, N.C./South Garner
Height/Weight: 6-4, 225
IB Grade: 4.0 (Top 100 caliber prospect)
Upside Grade: 5.0 (Top 35 caliber prospect)
Notre Dame got on Ewetade early and it paid off in a big way, as the Irish were able to beat some powers from the South to land this talented edge player. Ewetade is a long and athletic edge player, which was a priority for Notre Dame in this class. His pass rushing prowess comes from his combination of length, athleticism and top-level pass rushing ability. That makes him a great fit for Notre Dame’s Vyper position. He’s a pure edge player that can handle both phases of the game (run/pass) at a high level. Right now Ewetade is still on the thin side, but he has a quality frame that should allow him to fill out quite nicely. He’s a rangy athlete and is surprisingly effective against the run, but it’s his elite pass rushing potential that boosts his ranking. Despite being relatively raw, Ewetade was highly productive and shows an impact all-around game.
DT TIKI HOLA
Hometown/High School: Bastrop, Texas/Bastrop
Height/Weight: 6-3, 300
IB Grade: 4.0 (Top 150 caliber prospect)
Upside Grade: 4.5 (Top 75 caliber prospect)
Notre Dame wanted to add impact beef to the middle of its defensive line with this class and Hola certainly gives the Irish that. He’s still young for his class, so expect Hola to keep filling out, and he’s also ready to around 300 pounds. Hola is an impact run defender already, having racked up over 100 tackles and 12 tackles for loss as a junior. He’s a thick, stout, strong young defender with top-notch length. His combination of size, length and power makes him a force at the point of attack, and his ability to get off blocks and get to the ball is impressive. When allowed to do so, Hola shows a good vertical burst off the line and good closing speed. Right now his game is all about dominating against the run, and his high school doesn’t ask him to run the quarterback a ton, but he’s got some tools there to be more effective in college. Hola has a motor that runs hot and he’s a smart football player with the tools to play early.
LB JAKOBE CLAPPER
Hometown/High School: Cincinnati, Ohio/St. Xavier
Height/Weight: 6-2, 200
IB Grade: 4.0 (Top 250 caliber prospect)
Upside Grade: 4.0 (Top 150 caliber prospect)
Clapper is a highly productive player at one of the best programs in the state of Ohio. Being able to dominate against the competition that St. Xavier plays is impressive, and that’s what Clapper did as a junior when he was named All-Ohio after racking up over 100 tackles and 10.5 tackles for loss. Clapper is an instinctive player that lines up all over the field for the Bombers. He’s ideally suited as an off ball linebacker, which is where he plays the most, but St. Xavier will also play him in the slot, on the edge in passing situations and even as a deep alley safety. He’s a quality athlete with impressive short-area quickness. Clapper is a high football IQ player that makes quick reads, which allows him to maximize the range and speed he does possess. He’s not an overly big player but he has good length and the frame to fill out enough to play at the next level. Despite being just 200 pounds, Clapper arrives at the football with a lot of power.
LB THOMAS DAVIS JR.
Hometown/High School: Matthews (N.C.) Weddington
Height/Weight: 6-2, 210
IB Grade: 4.0 (Top 150 caliber prospect)
Upside Grade: 4.0 (Top 100 caliber prospect)
Davis is an outstanding all-around linebacker that very much fits the modern game. The first thing that stood out to me on film is how effective he is in coverage. Davis is a smart football player that makes very strong reads and he can bait quarterbacks into throwing the ball. His anticipation in coverage is outstanding and he gets his hands on a lot of footballs in coverage, and that part of his game projects to both Will and Rover in the Notre Dame defense. Davis is a smooth athlete that changes direction with ease and he can close downhill. Davis isn’t just a coverage linebacker, and he shows the projection to be an impact run defender as well. He shows good block destruction at the point of attack, he makes strong reads and he arrives at the football with good force. His closing speed is impressive and he’s a strong tackler in space. Davis doesn’t blitz a ton at the high school level but he has tools to be effective there.
S JOEY O’BRIEN
Hometown/High School: Philadelphia, Pa./LaSalle College
Height/Weight: 6-4, 185
IB Grade: 4.5 (Top 75 caliber prospect)
Upside Grade: 5.0 (Top 35 caliber prospect)
O’Brien was a top target for Notre Dame from the moment the focus turned to the 2026 class, so landing him was huge for the program. O’Brien is a very unique prospect that could start at and thrive at five different positions. He could play both cornerback positions, both safety positions and he could also play wide receiver. Notre Dame is recruiting O’Brien as a safety, and that is where his current upside is the highest. The LaSalle standout has truly elite length a 6-4 with very long arms, and his length is one of his greatest assets. O’Brien is also a very smooth, long-lived athlete that covers a lot of ground. He has impressive change of direction skills that allows him to plant and drive on the football with impressive speed, and he can get to the middle or play off the hash with great range. O’Brien is a heady football player that gets his hands on a lot of footballs, and his playmaking potential is what makes him such an elite prospect.
S NICK REDDISH
Hometown/High School: Charlotte, N.C./Independence
Height/Weight: 5-11, 185
IB Grade: N/A
Upside Grade: N/A
I don’t have a grade on Reddish yet because I don’t have as much film on him as other players in the class. As I get more film I’ll be able to do a more complete evaluation and ranking of him. Right now everything is based on his highlights from his sophomore season, and that part of the evaluation is impressive. Reddish is a versatile athlete that could play both safety and nickel in the Notre Dame defense. He is a smart and instinctive player that is always around the football, and you saw that when he racked up 95 tackles, broke up 10 passes and picked off four more passes. He’s a smooth and fluid athlete that shows good range at safety and shows good coverage skills in the slot. Reddish shows easy change of direction skills and makes good jumps on routes, and he reads the quarterback well. He flies downhill against the run and shows really good pop as a tackler. Reddish is a well-coached player that plays with good technique, which helps him thrive against the run.
CB KHARY ADAMS
Hometown/High School: Towson, Md./Loyola Blakefield
Height/Weight: 6-2, 180
IB Grade: 4.0 (Top 100 caliber prospect)
Upside Grade: 5.0 (Top 35 caliber prospect)
Adams is one of the most physically gifted players in this class, and when his technique starts to match his talent watch out. He continues a strong trend under Mike Mickens of long, rangy and instinctive cornerbacks. At 6-2 with long arms, Adams has elite length, and he knows how to use it. He’s a very difficult player to throw around, and he’s an instinctive cover player that shows a great feel for sticking to routes. He’s patient, trusts his skill and does a great job staying in phase on vertical routes. Adams has loose hips and can open and run with exceptional ease. I’m impressed with his ability to plant and drive when playing off coverage. Adams shows a high football IQ in coverage, and his combination of range, speed and change of direction also project well to playing more zone and off man coverage. Those traits fit well for the boundary position, but his ability to press and run project very well to the boundary.
CB AYDEN POUNCEY
Hometown/High School: Winter Park, Fla./High School
Height/Weight: 6-3, 175
IB Grade: 4.0 (Top 100 caliber prospect)
Upside Grade: 4.5 (Top 75 caliber prospect)
Pouncey is listed by the national services as a safety, but he dominates as a cornerback in high school and that’s the position the Irish staff is recruiting him to play. At 6-3 he’s not your typical cornerback, but Notre Dame has proven it can thrive with long, tall cornerbacks. The key for Pouncey is that he has the cornerback traits that Mike Mickens wants at the position. On top of his length, Pouncey is an outstanding all-around athlete. He shows impressive downhill speed, easy change of direction skills and his long speed stands out as well. Pouncey is a smooth athlete with the feel for coverage you want in a cornerback. He’s on the thin side, but Pouncey is a willing tackler that packs a punch when he arrives at ball carriers. His frame is top notch and should allow him to fill out to around 200 pounds by the time his career is over. Pouncey is a versatile athlete that can thrive at safety if he doesn’t fit at cornerback, but Notre Dame really likes him as a cover corner.
CB CHASTON SMITH
Hometown/High School: Chattanooga (Tenn.) McEachern
Height/Weight: 6-2, 175
IB Grade: 4.0 (Top 150 caliber prospect)
Upside Grade: 4.5 (Top 75 caliber prospect)
Notre Dame has shown an affinity for very tall, long cornerbacks in recent seasons and Smith certainly fits that mold. He’s a smooth and rangy field cornerback that can cover a lot of space. Notre Dame also likes high football IQ corners and Smith fits that as well. Smith shows the ability to play off man and he also is allowed to come up and press quite a bit. His route recognition is strong and he takes very good angles to the football when it’s in the air. He’s a smooth athlete that can flip his hips effectively and his plant-and-drive stands out as well. He’s not as fast as guys like Leonard Moore, Christian Gray and Cam Hart but he is plenty fast enough to be a strong man defender at the next level.
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This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 12, 2025, where it first appeared.