Lafayette Hill Star Joey O’Brien Commits to Notre Dame as Javian Osborne Trolls Rivals Penn State and Oregon After Decision

Notre Dame football continues to assert itself as a national recruiting powerhouse, and the latest proof comes in the form of Joey O’Brien’s commitment to the Fighting Irish. The five-star safety from La Salle College High School in Pennsylvania announced his pledge to Marcus Freeman’s program on June 20, 2025, dealing another significant blow to fellow blue-blood contenders, most notably Penn State and Oregon. But beyond the commitment itself, the buzz across the college football world spiked when Notre Dame running back commit Javian Osborne added a playful jab at the Irish’s rivals shortly after the news broke.

O’Brien’s decision comes as no surprise to those following his recruitment closely. Ranked as the No. 40 overall prospect in the nation by On3 and widely regarded as one of the premier defensive backs in the 2026 cycle, O’Brien’s combination of size, athleticism, and versatility makes him a coveted prize. Standing 6-foot-4 with the ability to play both safety and wide receiver at an elite level, his rare skill set attracted major programs across the country.

Notre Dame emerged victorious in a heated battle that also featured Penn State, Oregon, and several other top-tier programs. In the end, O’Brien chose to bring his talents to South Bend, reinforcing Notre Dame’s defensive depth and signaling that Marcus Freeman’s aggressive recruiting strategy continues to pay dividends.

The aftermath of O’Brien’s announcement became a storyline in itself, thanks to Javian Osborne’s subtle but pointed reaction. Osborne, a four-star running back and fellow member of Notre Dame’s surging 2026 class, wasted no time expressing his excitement. Taking to X, formerly known as Twitter, Osborne posted, “Who’s next? GoIrish,” a brief but clearly targeted message that many interpreted as a dig at both Penn State and Oregon—the two programs most heavily linked to O’Brien before his Irish commitment.

While some fans may have seen Osborne’s comment as light-hearted, it underscores a deeper narrative brewing in college football recruiting circles. The Fighting Irish are not just winning recruiting battles—they’re doing so in high-profile fashion, often at the expense of longtime competitors. For Notre Dame supporters, Osborne’s post wasn’t merely playful banter; it was a confident declaration that the Irish are building something special, while leaving their rivals scrambling to keep pace.

The broader impact of O’Brien’s commitment reverberates beyond message boards and social media posts. His addition fortifies a Notre Dame secondary that’s already shaping up to be one of the nation’s best in the coming years. Alongside four-star safety Ayden Pouncey, who committed to the Irish earlier this year, O’Brien gives Notre Dame one of the most formidable defensive back tandems in the 2026 class.

O’Brien’s ability to play both ways at La Salle College High School speaks volumes about his athletic ceiling. On defense, he brings elite ball-hawking instincts, physicality, and range—traits that have led analysts to project him as a future star at safety. Offensively, his frame and explosiveness make him a mismatch nightmare when deployed as a wide receiver. Though Notre Dame recruited him primarily for the defensive side of the ball, there’s growing speculation that Freeman and his staff may explore utilizing O’Brien’s versatility down the road.

With O’Brien in the fold, Notre Dame’s 2026 recruiting class rises to No. 2 nationally, per 247Sports. The commitment cements the Irish’s standing as a destination program for elite prospects and reflects the tireless efforts of Freeman’s staff to close on top targets across the country.

Notre Dame’s recruiting hot streak has included multiple high-profile wins over regional and national rivals. The Irish already hold commitments from several blue-chip players, including Osborne, who chose Notre Dame over SEC and Big Ten powerhouses earlier this year. O’Brien’s decision, coupled with Osborne’s online taunt, reflects not only individual victories but a growing sense of confidence and swagger among the Irish commits.

For Penn State and Oregon, O’Brien’s choice represents a tough pill to swallow. Both programs aggressively pursued the Pennsylvania native, with many insiders considering the Nittany Lions a hometown favorite for much of the process. Oregon, under head coach Dan Lanning, has built a reputation for poaching top defensive talent from across the country, but even the Ducks couldn’t pry O’Brien away from Notre Dame’s gravitational pull.

The social media reaction was swift and divided along predictable lines. Notre Dame fans flooded X with celebrations, praises for Freeman, and playful jabs echoing Osborne’s sentiments. Rivals’ fan bases, particularly Penn State’s, expressed frustration, with some lamenting another missed opportunity to keep elite in-state talent within Pennsylvania borders.

While online banter is nothing new in the fiercely competitive world of college football recruiting, Osborne’s timing and tone struck a nerve, symbolizing Notre Dame’s growing momentum and the pressure it’s placing on traditional recruiting rivals.

For O’Brien, the choice came down to more than just football. Sources close to the La Salle standout indicated that Notre Dame’s academic excellence, player development reputation, and the culture Freeman is cultivating played decisive roles. The opportunity to join an elite class, compete for national championships, and prepare for an NFL future proved too enticing to pass up.

O’Brien’s commitment also speaks volumes about the strength of relationships built during the recruiting process. Defensive backs coach Mike Mickens and safeties coach Chris O’Leary were instrumental in securing O’Brien’s pledge, establishing trust and mapping out a clear developmental plan for the highly touted prospect. Their vision for his future, coupled with Notre Dame’s recent track record of sending defensive backs to the NFL, solidified the Irish as the logical choice.

Looking ahead, Notre Dame’s coaching staff remains aggressive in pursuing additional top-tier talent for the 2026 cycle. Osborne’s “Who’s next?” comment wasn’t just a taunt—it reflected the internal confidence that more elite commitments could soon be on the horizon for the Irish.

As the summer recruiting period heats up, the Fighting Irish find themselves in prime position to challenge for the nation’s top class. With the addition of Joey O’Brien, their defensive future looks brighter than ever. The 6-foot-4 playmaker brings size, athleticism, and an undeniable competitive edge to South Bend—a combination that fits perfectly with Marcus Freeman’s evolving identity for the program.

In many ways, O’Brien’s commitment represents more than just a recruiting win. It’s a symbolic moment for Notre Dame football, signaling that the Irish are not only back in the conversation with college football’s elite but capable of out-recruiting their biggest rivals and doing so with a newfound sense of swagger.

For Freeman, Osborne, O’Brien, and the rest of the 2026 class, the mission is clear: keep stacking elite talent, continue raising the standard, and make Notre Dame a perennial national title contender. With each commitment—especially one as impactful as Joey O’Brien’s—the Irish are one step closer to that goal. And judging by the reactions online, their rivals are fully aware.