Notre Dame’s Future Stars Compared: Player Comps for Javian Osborne, Jonaz Walton, and Quarterback Phenom Noah Grubbs

As the Fighting Irish build toward a national title run, the future of the program is already taking shape through an elite group of young commits who are drawing comparisons to some of the biggest names in college and pro football. With three cornerstone recruits in 2026 — wide receiver Javian Osborne, offensive lineman Jonaz Walton, and quarterback Noah Grubbs — Notre Dame is not just reloading, it’s evolving. Each of these players brings a unique blend of skills that evoke memories of standout talents who dominated their positions at the highest levels.

Let’s dive deep into the projected trajectory of these elite commitments, breaking down their styles and the NFL or college stars they resemble most, based on tape, physical tools, and football IQ.

Javian Osborne – WR (2026)
Player Comparison: DeVonta Smith (Philadelphia Eagles, former Alabama star)

When you watch Osborne run routes, the first thing that jumps off the screen is his fluidity. The 6-foot-1 pass catcher from Melissa High School in Texas is a technician — precise footwork, clean breaks, and a deceptive burst that makes defensive backs think they have him locked down before he breaks open.

What makes the DeVonta Smith comparison so compelling is Osborne’s ability to win with finesse and smarts rather than pure brute force. Like Smith, Osborne isn’t the most physically imposing wide receiver — though he’s still growing into his frame — but his separation ability and timing are elite. He understands leverage and spacing, working the sideline like a veteran. His body control in contested-catch situations mirrors that of Smith during his Heisman-winning campaign at Alabama.

Osborne can also be moved across formations. He’s dangerous out of the slot or lined up wide. Notre Dame could weaponize him early with bubble screens and quick hitches to get the ball in his hands, allowing him to create yards after the catch with his quick change-of-direction and high-level vision.

Recruiting experts have raved about his football IQ, and it’s no surprise. Osborne already runs a complex route tree, showing maturity in reading coverage and adjusting mid-route — a rare trait for high school receivers. At Notre Dame, he’ll step into a role where his skill set will mirror what DeVonta Smith brought to Alabama’s offense — the ability to flip the field with a single step and become the safety valve or the home-run threat depending on what’s needed.

Jonaz Walton – OL (2026)
Player Comparison: Trent Williams (San Francisco 49ers)

It’s not often you see a high school lineman draw comparisons to one of the most dominant tackles in NFL history, but Jonaz Walton is not your average recruit. The 6-foot-4, 315-pound trench warrior out of Central High in Phenix City, Alabama, is a nasty, tone-setting blocker with violent hands, excellent foot speed, and a mean streak that has college coaches across the country salivating.

Walton’s playing style draws immediate parallels to Trent Williams — especially in how he finishes blocks and works in space. Like Williams, Walton explodes out of his stance with rare power and balance. On film, he consistently moves defenders five yards off the line of scrimmage and has the agility to pull, trap, and reach linebackers at the second level with ease. His lateral movement in pass protection is smooth, and he rarely gets caught leaning or overextending — signs of a well-coached and naturally gifted lineman.

He plays with a relentless motor and isn’t satisfied until his man is on the ground. That physical dominance combined with freakish athleticism makes him a potential day-one starter when he arrives in South Bend, especially considering Notre Dame’s recent success developing offensive linemen into NFL talent.

What separates Walton, though, is his ability to stay patient. Like Williams, he trusts his technique. He doesn’t panic when facing quick edge rushers and uses a strong base to anchor against bull rushes. If he continues developing at this rate, it’s easy to imagine him becoming the kind of blindside protector that NFL teams build around.

For Notre Dame, Walton isn’t just another lineman — he’s the future face of the offensive line, a generational talent who could carry on the school’s rich tradition of elite offensive linemen and become the spiritual and physical leader of the team in the trenches.

Noah Grubbs – QB (2026)
Player Comparison: Justin Herbert (Los Angeles Chargers)

When a quarterback stands 6-foot-4 and commands the pocket with confidence, precision, and poise as a high school junior, it’s impossible not to start dreaming big. That’s exactly what Notre Dame has in Noah Grubbs, a polished signal-caller from Lake Mary, Florida, who has already put up eye-popping numbers and shown maturity well beyond his years.

The comparison to Justin Herbert stems not only from Grubbs’ prototypical size and arm strength, but also from his ability to manipulate defenses with his eyes, stretch the field vertically, and remain poised under pressure. Like Herbert, Grubbs excels in structure — dissecting defenses from the pocket — but also possesses sneaky athleticism that allows him to extend plays when things break down.

What really jumps out is the way Grubbs anticipates windows. He throws receivers open with timing throws that lead targets away from defenders, a skill often seen in seasoned college quarterbacks, not high school juniors. He’s calm in the face of pressure, rarely bailing from clean pockets, and can hit all three levels of the field with velocity and touch.

Another aspect reminiscent of Herbert is Grubbs’ leadership and cerebral approach. By all accounts, he’s a film junkie who thrives on preparation. He’s already showing command of pre-snap reads and has the confidence to audible and change protections when needed. That football IQ, combined with physical tools, is what sets him apart and has the Irish fan base buzzing about the program’s long-term quarterback situation.

Grubbs fits the mold of the modern quarterback: big, strong, smart, and mobile enough to avoid being a sitting duck. Notre Dame hasn’t had a quarterback with this combination of traits since perhaps Brady Quinn — and Grubbs might already be further ahead at this stage.

Conclusion
In recruiting, player comparisons often get thrown around loosely, but with Osborne, Walton, and Grubbs, the comp tape doesn’t lie. Javian Osborne’s route-running and football intellect draw real parallels to DeVonta Smith, Jonaz Walton’s elite blend of power and polish screams Trent Williams, and Noah Grubbs, with his prototypical frame and surgical precision, mirrors the rise of Justin Herbert.

For Marcus Freeman and his staff, these aren’t just exciting players — they’re foundational pieces. They represent a shift in the kind of athletes Notre Dame is not only targeting, but landing. They are high-character, high-upside competitors who project as program builders and potential future captains.

The Irish are assembling a nucleus that can contend for more than just playoff berths — this is a core that could bring national championships back to South Bend. With these elite prospects in the fold and already drawing comparisons to college football royalty and NFL stars, the future of Notre Dame football doesn’t just look bright — it looks unstoppable.