Five-Star Edge Rodney Dunham Commits to Notre Dame
Rodney Dunham, a five-star edge rusher from North Carolina, officially announced his commitment to Notre Dame on Thursday. The 6-foot-4, 225-pound standout is a member of the 2026 recruiting class and one of the most coveted defensive prospects in the country.
“I’d visit other schools and always compare them to Notre Dame,” Dunham told On3.com. “None of them offered what Notre Dame does. There’s only one place like it. I realized the cold didn’t matter — I’ll have to play in the cold eventually — so I chose the school that felt right for me.”
Dunham selected Notre Dame over Duke, Georgia, South Carolina, and Tennessee. He also held offers from powerhouse programs including Alabama, Florida State, LSU, Michigan State, Ohio State, and Oregon.
An Elite Talent for the Irish
According to On3.com, Dunham ranks as the No. 19 overall player nationally and the No. 3 edge in the 2026 class. His commitment is a major win for Irish head coach Marcus Freeman, defensive line coach Al Washington, and analyst Nick Sebastian, all of whom played pivotal roles in securing Dunham’s pledge.
Rodney Dunham Sr. praised Freeman and his staff for their authenticity and coaching style.
“Coach Freeman comes off as very genuine,” he told Blue & Gold. “He believes what he says. Coach Washington stood out too — a detailed, down-to-earth teacher. We sat in on a team meeting, and I’ve been in others before, but he was incredibly thorough. He’s a great coach and a good man.”
Dominant on the Field
At Myers Park High School, Dunham was a dominant force during his junior year in 2024. He totaled 39 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, five sacks, and 16 quarterback hurries. His impact was just as impressive in 2023, with 54 tackles (16 for loss), six sacks, 20 QB hurries, three interceptions, three pass breakups, and a blocked field goal — showcasing his athletic versatility.
Dunham becomes Notre Dame’s ninth commitment in the 2026 cycle and the second on the defensive line, joining fellow edge rusher Ebenezer Ewetade. Ewetade is ranked No. 128 overall and the No. 18 edge according to On3.com.
Blue-Gold Game Set for Saturday
The 94th annual Blue-Gold Game is scheduled for Saturday at 2 p.m. ET in Notre Dame Stadium and will be broadcast live on Peacock.
While the game may offer limited insight into the quarterback race, all eyes will still be on Steve Angeli, CJ Carr, and Kenny Minchey. Due to injuries along the offensive line, a depleted wide receiver corps, and limited reps from running back Jeremiyah Love, the scrimmage may not provide a complete picture. The quarterback battle is expected to remain unresolved heading into the summer — making it one of the most intriguing storylines of the offseason.
Leave a Reply