BREAKING: 4-Star Linebacker Jakobe Clapper Commits to Notre Dame Over Oregon, Michigan, Ohio State and Louisville
Notre Dame football landed one of its biggest recruiting victories of the 2026 cycle on Thursday as 4-star linebacker Jakobe Clapper, one of the Midwest’s premier defensive prospects, announced his commitment to the Fighting Irish over a loaded group of finalists including Oregon, Michigan, Ohio State, and Louisville. The 6-foot-2, 220-pound product out of Archbishop Moeller High School in Cincinnati, Ohio, has long been on the radar of national programs thanks to his high motor, sharp instincts, and sideline-to-sideline playmaking ability. Now, he’s officially headed to South Bend.
Clapper’s decision marks a pivotal recruiting moment for Marcus Freeman and the Notre Dame staff, particularly when considering the stiff competition involved. Ohio State, just two hours away from Clapper’s home, had long been considered a frontrunner in his recruitment, with the Buckeyes pushing hard to keep the local star in-state. Michigan and Oregon both offered compelling visions of how Clapper could be the centerpiece of their defensive future, and Louisville made a strong late push behind the scenes. Yet, in the end, it was Freeman’s vision and defensive pedigree that sealed the deal.
For Notre Dame, Clapper’s commitment is not just about securing a talented player. It’s symbolic of the program’s ability to go head-to-head with national powerhouses—and win. Clapper represents the kind of multi-level defender that has become increasingly valuable in the modern game. He’s fast enough to drop into coverage against tight ends and running backs, strong enough to shed blockers in the box, and explosive enough to rush the passer off the edge when asked.
Throughout his junior year at Moeller, Clapper showcased why he’s considered among the top linebackers in the nation. He recorded 106 total tackles, 18 tackles for loss, and seven sacks while also forcing three fumbles. His ability to diagnose plays pre-snap and get downhill in a hurry drew the attention of scouts and opposing coaches alike. More importantly, Clapper played with a relentless energy that turned him into a team leader and locker room cornerstone.
That leadership, paired with elite football IQ and top-tier athleticism, made him a “must-have” target for Notre Dame. The Irish had been recruiting Clapper for over a year, and the consistency from the staff, led by Freeman and linebackers coach Max Bullough, paid dividends. Clapper made multiple visits to South Bend, including a pivotal trip in early April that ultimately helped seal his commitment. According to sources close to the recruitment, Clapper left that visit raving about the culture, development plan, and academic opportunities available at Notre Dame.
Freeman, a former linebacker himself, has put a premium on building the defense from the inside out. Clapper fits that mold perfectly. In his commitment announcement, the four-star prospect specifically cited his belief in Freeman’s defensive system and the personal relationships built during the process. “Coach Freeman was real with me from day one,” Clapper said. “He understands what it takes to play linebacker at the highest level, and I know I’m going to be developed as both a player and a man at Notre Dame.”
The ripple effects of Clapper’s decision could be felt throughout the rest of Notre Dame’s 2026 recruiting class. Already holding a top-10 group nationally, the Irish now add a centerpiece defender who could help lure other blue-chip talents to South Bend. Clapper joins a class that includes standout defensive lineman Zion Davis and shutdown corner Braylon McKnight, giving Notre Dame a foundation to build one of the best defensive hauls in recent memory.
While it’s easy to focus on the recruiting rankings—Clapper is currently listed as the No. 6 linebacker in the nation and the No. 58 overall player according to 247Sports—what separates him is how he fits within the Irish defensive scheme. Notre Dame’s evolving 4-2-5 base asks linebackers to be versatile, instinctive, and technically sound. Clapper checks every box. He’s the type of defender who can erase mistakes with sheer effort, but he rarely makes mistakes himself.
In an era where college football is defined more and more by explosive offenses and hybrid defenders, players like Clapper become critical. He brings with him a rare combination of discipline and dynamism. He can cover ground in a hurry, pop pads with force in the hole, and has a knack for making the momentum-swinging plays—sacks, stops on third down, forced fumbles—that can define a game. Beyond the numbers, coaches rave about his film study habits and maturity. That professionalism, combined with elite athleticism, makes him one of the safer and more exciting defensive projections in the 2026 cycle.
The victory is especially sweet for Notre Dame given the caliber of schools Clapper turned down. Michigan had prioritized Clapper from the start, envisioning him as the next great centerpiece in their linebacking tradition. Oregon, fresh off a dominant defensive season in the Big Ten, sold Clapper on a national brand and big-stage exposure. And Ohio State, historically dominant in keeping Ohio’s top players in-state, will undoubtedly feel the sting of losing one of their premier in-state targets to a hated rival.
Clapper’s commitment also reinforces the recent trend of Notre Dame becoming more aggressive and successful in elite defensive recruiting under Freeman. In each of the past three cycles, the Irish have landed at least one top-100 defensive prospect, and Clapper continues that tradition. It signals to the college football world that Notre Dame’s defense is not just a complementary unit but a defining identity.
Looking ahead, Clapper will have the chance to contribute early in South Bend. With a few upperclassmen potentially departing after the 2025 season, there’s a clear path for the Cincinnati native to see the field as a freshman, particularly on special teams and in rotational linebacker packages. Long-term, the staff envisions Clapper anchoring the second level of the defense, flanked by other young athletic linebackers in a system designed to maximize their range and versatility.
For now, Notre Dame fans can celebrate a significant addition to their 2026 class—one that not only adds talent but strengthens the Irish pipeline in Ohio, a critical battleground state for Midwest recruiting. Clapper becomes the latest high-profile commitment from the Buckeye State, continuing a trend that has seen the Irish increasingly poach elite Ohio talent from under the noses of the Buckeyes and Wolverines.
His decision also sends a message nationally. Notre Dame is not shying away from the elite. In fact, they’re winning those battles with greater consistency. Clapper’s recruitment was a heavyweight bout, with national powers each making compelling cases. But it was the Irish—steeped in tradition, led by a former linebacker-turned-head coach, and armed with a vision for success on and off the field—that won out.
There’s still a long way to go until Clapper officially signs on the dotted line, but Thursday’s announcement is a resounding statement. Notre Dame has landed one of the best linebackers in America, a tone-setting leader with the tools to elevate a defense and the character to lead a locker room. In doing so, they’ve also taken another important step toward building a championship-caliber roster.
Jakobe Clapper’s story at Notre Dame is just beginning. But if his high school career and recruitment are any indication, it’s going to be a special one.
