Notre Dame Boldly Attempts to Steal Borderline Top-100 Athlete from Backyard of Hated Rival in Stunning Recruiting Move

Notre Dame football isn’t just playing to win on Saturdays—it’s aiming to dominate every day of the week on the recruiting trail. In one of the most audacious recruiting moves of the cycle, the Fighting Irish are making a full-throttle push to steal a borderline Top-100 athlete right out of enemy territory, igniting fresh tensions with a bitter, historic rival.

The player in question? Class of 2026 four-star athlete Jaylen McCoy, a dynamic two-way threat currently ranked just outside the Top 100 nationally by 247Sports Composite. A product of Cass Tech High School in Detroit—located less than 50 miles from Michigan’s Ann Arbor campus—McCoy has long been considered a Michigan lean. But recent developments suggest Notre Dame is not only closing the gap, but perhaps even flipping the narrative.

According to several recruiting insiders, Notre Dame has gone “all in” on McCoy, who plays cornerback and wide receiver with equal dominance. Standing at 6-foot-1 and weighing 180 pounds, McCoy has blazing 4.4 speed, natural ball skills, and a football IQ that belies his age. He’s the kind of versatile athlete who can flip the script of a game in one play—and the kind of player every elite program wants anchoring its class.

Notre Dame’s interest in McCoy surged after he turned in a dominant performance at the OT7 regional camp in Indianapolis this past spring. Irish cornerbacks coach Mike Mickens was reportedly in attendance and came away deeply impressed with McCoy’s footwork, recovery speed, and ability to break on the ball. The Irish extended a scholarship offer just days later.

Since then, Notre Dame has doubled its efforts to make McCoy feel like a priority. He’s already made two unofficial visits to South Bend this summer, and insiders say a fall official visit is in the works. During his campus visits, McCoy met with head coach Marcus Freeman, dined with current players, and took a deep dive into the university’s storied history—on and off the field.

“It felt like home,” McCoy told a local Detroit reporter after his last visit. “I didn’t expect to connect so quickly with the staff. Coach Freeman, he’s real. Coach Mickens showed me exactly how they’d use me in the secondary. It’s a great school with a big-time football culture.”

That quote alone sent waves through Michigan’s recruiting circles. While McCoy remains uncommitted, those close to his recruitment admit Notre Dame has emerged as a real contender—something few would have predicted six months ago. Michigan, naturally, isn’t taking this lightly.

McCoy has been on Michigan’s radar since he was a freshman, and the Wolverines were one of the first Power Five schools to offer him. With their proximity to Cass Tech and long-standing relationships with coaches in the Detroit Public School League, the Wolverines were considered the frontrunner for months. And given that Jim Harbaugh’s staff has made keeping in-state talent a cornerstone of their program rebuild, the thought of losing a player like McCoy to Notre Dame is downright galling for many in Ann Arbor.

“It would be a gut punch,” said one Michigan insider. “Losing him to Alabama or Georgia is one thing. But Notre Dame? That’s personal. That’s blood.”

The tension only escalated after Freeman made an unannounced stop at McCoy’s high school in May, spending time not only with Jaylen but also with his family and coaches. That level of attention has not gone unnoticed by McCoy’s inner circle.

“Coach Freeman came through and really laid it out—what Notre Dame stands for, how they’ll invest in Jaylen as a man, not just an athlete,” McCoy’s father, Darren, said. “He didn’t promise playing time. He promised development, support, and a degree that means something. That hit different.”

Indeed, Notre Dame’s pitch to McCoy has centered around more than just football. With one of the highest graduation rates among FBS programs and a sterling academic reputation, the Irish have framed themselves as the complete package—prestige, player development, and post-football opportunities.

But make no mistake: this is also about winning a major on-field battle. McCoy’s recruitment is a symbolic war for regional supremacy between two Midwestern powers with no love lost between them. Michigan and Notre Dame have been locked in a century-old grudge match that stretches across generations, and recruiting wins are just as meaningful as wins on the scoreboard.

Though the Irish and Wolverines haven’t played each other since 2019, the rivalry still burns hot among fans, boosters, and coaching staffs. Snatching a blue-chip athlete from the Wolverines’ backyard would serve as a thunderous recruiting statement for Marcus Freeman, who’s made aggressive talent acquisition a central pillar of his tenure.

For McCoy, the decision will come down to fit—and the sophomore sensation is in no rush. He’s slated to take multiple official visits this fall, with stops planned at Michigan, Notre Dame, Penn State, and Oregon. A decision is expected sometime after his junior season concludes.

In the meantime, the recruiting world will be watching closely. If Notre Dame can pull off the flip, it could mark a pivotal momentum swing in its 2026 class, currently ranked in the Top 10 nationally. McCoy would become the headliner, joining recent quarterback commit Teddy Jarrard to form a dynamic one-two punch on opposite sides of the ball.

“He’s a game-changer,” said Rivals recruiting analyst Adam Gorney. “Guys who can play lockdown corner and score touchdowns are rare. Jaylen is rare. If Notre Dame lands him, it sends a message—they can recruit with anybody, anywhere, even in the shadow of their biggest rivals.”

Notre Dame’s staff appears to agree. Sources close to the program say the Irish are treating McCoy’s recruitment with “maximum intensity,” making near-daily contact through calls, texts, and graphics. Freeman, known for his relentless energy and personable approach, is reportedly taking a lead role in the pursuit—something he only does with the program’s top targets.

Whether that effort pays off remains to be seen. Michigan, for its part, has no intention of letting McCoy walk without a fight. Harbaugh’s staff is pulling out all the stops—emphasizing proximity to family, early playing time, and the ability to be a hometown hero.

But Notre Dame is banking on something deeper. A legacy. An identity. A future built not just on Saturdays in the fall, but on foundations of tradition, excellence, and accountability.

For Jaylen McCoy, the next few months could shape not only his future, but also the next chapter in one of college football’s fiercest rivalries.

Because this isn’t just a recruiting battle.

This is Notre Dame vs. Michigan.

And right now, the gloves are off.