Notre Dame Holds Firm in Top Five of 2026 Recruiting Rankings as Marcus Freeman Builds Powerhouse for the Future
Notre Dame football continues to make waves on the recruiting trail, holding steady in the top five of the 2026 team recruiting rankings and showing no signs of slowing down. Under the direction of third-year head coach Marcus Freeman, the Fighting Irish have transformed from a program consistently knocking on the playoff door into one now building the type of roster that can not only get in but win it all. Freeman’s approach—modern, aggressive, and deeply rooted in both tradition and innovation—has created a surge in interest from elite prospects across the country, and the 2026 cycle has been a testament to his vision.
As of early May, Notre Dame ranks among the nation’s recruiting elite alongside perennial powers such as Georgia, Alabama, Ohio State, and Texas. What stands out most about this Irish class is its depth and balance. Freeman and his staff have not simply chased star power—they’ve recruited with purpose, prioritizing position groups that project long-term needs while maintaining the program’s high academic and character standards. It’s a rare blend in today’s college football landscape, where instant gratification often trumps long-term planning, but Freeman is building for sustained excellence.
The class currently boasts a strong mix of top-100 national recruits, multi-sport athletes, and high-upside developmental prospects. Perhaps more importantly, Notre Dame has locked down several players early in the process who not only fill key positions but also serve as peer recruiters, drawing other blue-chip athletes to South Bend. That peer recruiting culture is one of the biggest silent weapons in modern college football, and the Irish are wielding it expertly.
Notre Dame’s class has a particularly strong foundation in the trenches. The offensive line group is shaping up to be one of the best in the country, headlined by five-star tackle Michael Terry out of Missouri and top-50 interior lineman Jackson Meeks from Georgia. Both players have the size, footwork, and technique to start early in their careers, and they fit the mold of the physical, smart linemen who have long defined Notre Dame football. Meeks, who has a wrestling background, brings an edge to the position group that the staff covets. Terry, meanwhile, is viewed as a potential anchor at left tackle for years to come.
On the defensive side, the Irish have secured commitments from two of the top edge rushers in the country—Jordan McClain from Florida and Chase Berryman out of Indiana. McClain, in particular, turned heads this spring with his explosive first step and ability to bend around tackles. Berryman, a 6-foot-4, 245-pound force with a relentless motor, fits the mold of past Notre Dame greats like Justin Tuck and Isaiah Foskey. The Irish have also addressed the interior defensive line with the commitment of four-star nose tackle Tyrese Harper, a powerful run-stuffer from Michigan who is drawing comparisons to Howard Cross III.
Linebacker recruiting has been a strong suit under Freeman, a former linebacker himself, and the 2026 cycle continues that trend. The Irish already hold pledges from top-150 players Josh Beamon and Chris Langston, both of whom have the athleticism to cover in space and the toughness to play downhill. Freeman’s fingerprints are all over this unit, with emphasis placed on speed, versatility, and football IQ.
In the secondary, Notre Dame has made noise with the commitment of elite cornerback Kealan Jones, a top-40 overall prospect from Texas who chose the Irish over offers from Alabama and LSU. Jones is known for his closing speed, instincts, and polished coverage skills. He joins an already impressive DB class that includes hard-hitting safety Malik Sessions from Florida and technician-oriented corner CJ Richardson from Illinois. This group is loaded with length and athleticism, attributes that are increasingly critical in defending the modern passing game.
Offensively, quarterback recruiting always draws the headlines, and Notre Dame made a major statement by landing KJ Winston Jr., a top-10 signal-caller out of Maryland. Winston is the kind of quarterback Freeman and offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock believe can take the program to the next level—poised, strong-armed, mobile, and extremely coachable. He’s already developing chemistry with his fellow commits, particularly four-star wide receiver Malcolm Greene and tight end Trey Bishop, a 6-foot-6 red zone mismatch with elite hands.
Speaking of receivers, this year’s haul looks like one of the deepest and most dynamic wideout classes in recent memory for Notre Dame. In addition to Greene, who brings elite top-end speed and route-running savvy, the Irish have secured a commitment from Kamari Dixon, a 6-foot-3 possession receiver with an enormous catch radius. Both Dixon and Greene have the ability to stretch the field and win contested catches, which will give Winston a pair of reliable targets early in his career.
The tight end position remains a strength, and Bishop continues a long line of standout Irish tight ends. Notre Dame is also still in the mix for a second elite tight end prospect, with several blue-chip names set to visit South Bend in June. If the Irish can close on one more pass-catching weapon, it could push this offensive class from very good to elite.
What makes the 2026 recruiting cycle especially encouraging for Notre Dame fans is that the Irish are still in serious contention for several more top-50 national prospects. The staff has made the cut for five-star running back Elijah Hinton, who would be the program’s most dynamic back since Josh Adams. They’re also heavily involved with defensive back Avery Battle and linebacker Kingston Toia, both of whom are planning official visits to South Bend this summer. If Notre Dame can land even two of those three, it could catapult their class to No. 2 or No. 1 nationally.
This recruiting success is not just about Freeman—it’s about the entire operation he’s built. The Irish have invested heavily in recruiting infrastructure over the past two years, modernizing their approach with new on-campus facilities, an aggressive NIL collective, and a data-driven scouting department that identifies talent early. Recruiting coordinator Chad Bowden continues to receive praise from recruits and their families for his energy and attention to detail. Bowden’s rapport with players and his tireless effort have helped make Notre Dame a real player in regions where it used to struggle to gain traction, particularly in the Southeast.
Notre Dame is also benefitting from a cultural alignment that many programs struggle to achieve. There’s buy-in from university leadership, alumni, and former players, all of whom see this as a golden opportunity to reestablish the program among the college football elite. Freeman’s authenticity, relatability, and vision resonate across the spectrum. He’s built trust with recruits, coaches, and families because he’s consistent and transparent. That culture is winning over elite prospects, even when the Irish can’t always match the NIL offerings of SEC powers.
Moreover, Notre Dame’s schedule and national TV exposure provide a platform few programs can match. Recruits know they’ll be on national television nearly every week, playing against top-tier competition, and preparing for the NFL in a system that blends pro-style concepts with collegiate explosiveness. Add in the school’s unmatched academic reputation and storied tradition, and it’s no surprise that Notre Dame is assembling a top-five class with room to grow.
There’s still a long way to go before the 2026 cycle is finalized, and other schools will undoubtedly make strong late pushes for several Irish commits. But for now, Notre Dame fans have every reason to be excited. The staff is in sync, the commits are locked in, and the momentum is real. This is not a one-year blip or a class built on hype—it’s the result of a sustainable blueprint aimed at turning Notre Dame from a top-10 program into a perennial title contender.
With Marcus Freeman at the helm, Notre Dame is proving that elite recruiting and elite development are not mutually exclusive. They’re working hand-in-hand to build something special. If this 2026 class lives up to its potential, it could mark the beginning of a new golden era in South Bend. The rest of college football should take notice—Notre Dame is coming, and this time, they’re coming for it all.
