The Notre Dame football program has been on a roll recently when it comes to recruiting—and it’s not just about filling up the roster.
Over the past couple of weeks, the Fighting Irish have secured commitments from three highly regarded prospects: Rodney Dunham, Ebenezer Ewetade, and most recently, Gregory Patrick on Sunday. All three are rated as 4-star recruits across major recruiting services, and their additions have propelled Notre Dame up the national team rankings.
Earlier this winter, there were some concerns about the momentum—or lack thereof—in Notre Dame’s recruiting efforts. That narrative has flipped in a big way. The Irish now sit comfortably in the Top 10 across all four major recruiting sites.
Notre Dame surging in 2026 recruiting rankings
Of the four primary outlets, ESPN is the most conservative in evaluating Notre Dame’s recent gains, ranking the Irish at No. 8. However, it’s worth noting that ESPN typically invests fewer resources into in-depth recruiting coverage compared to other services.
Rivals responded more enthusiastically to the latest addition of Gregory Patrick, moving Notre Dame from just outside the Top 10 up to No. 6. 247Sports mirrored that rise, also placing the Irish at No. 6 after Patrick’s commitment, up from No. 9.
On3, however, has been the most bullish on Marcus Freeman’s 2026 class, now ranking Notre Dame at No. 5 nationally. That momentum may not slow down anytime soon, as several other top-tier recruits are seriously considering the Irish ahead of spring and summer decisions.
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