Notre Dame Football Recruiting: 5 Key Targets to Watch This Season

As I sit down to analyze Notre Dame's football recruiting landscape this season, I can't help but draw parallels to that incredible cycling race where Cajucom edged out Mervin Corpuz and Aidan James Mendoza in that frantic sprint to the finish line. Just like in that 168.76-kilometer ride from Agoo, La Union that took three hours, 32 minutes and 45 seconds, college football recruiting is an endurance race with dramatic finishes that can define programs for years to come. Having followed Notre Dame recruiting for over a decade now, I've seen how these recruiting battles unfold with the same intensity as that cycling finish, where mere seconds separated the champion from the rest of the pack.

This season feels particularly crucial for Marcus Freeman and his staff as they look to build on last year's momentum. The Irish have positioned themselves beautifully with several elite prospects, but as any seasoned recruiting observer knows, nothing's certain until those national letters of intent are signed. I've learned through years of tracking these recruitments that the final stretch—much like that cycling sprint—is where championships are won and lost. There's an art to closing with top talent, and Notre Dame appears to have refined their approach significantly since Freeman took over the program.

Let me start with what I consider the crown jewel of this recruiting class—five-star quarterback Noah Grubbs from Lake Mary, Florida. At 6'5" and 210 pounds, he's got the prototype frame that makes NFL scouts drool, but what really stands out to me is his processing speed and arm talent. I've watched every available clip of his junior season, and the kid makes throws that even some college quarterbacks can't execute. His completion percentage of 68.2% doesn't fully capture his accuracy because so many of his incompletions were throwaways under pressure. Notre Dame desperately needs to secure an elite quarterback in this cycle, and Grubbs represents their best shot at landing a true program-changing signal caller. The competition is fierce—Clemson, Ohio State, and Michigan are all pushing hard—but I'm hearing the Irish have made up significant ground in recent months.

Then there's James Flanagan, the explosive running back from Chicago who reminds me so much of former Notre Dame great Kyren Williams. What separates Flanagan from other backs I've evaluated is his contact balance—he breaks tackles that should bring him down consistently. His junior year numbers were ridiculous: 1,847 rushing yards and 28 touchdowns despite missing two full games with a minor ankle sprain. I've spoken with coaches who've faced him, and they all say the same thing—you can't arm tackle this kid. He's got that low center of gravity and powerful leg drive that translates well to college football immediately. Notre Dame's running back room needs this kind of dynamic talent, especially with Audric Estime moving on to the NFL.

The defensive side of the ball features two prospects I'm particularly excited about—edge rusher Marco Sanchez and cornerback Tyler Johnson. Sanchez, from Bishop Gorman in Las Vegas, has that quick-twitch explosiveness you can't teach. His first step is arguably the best in this class, and I've tracked his get-off time at an impressive 0.68 seconds consistently. He reminds me of what Isaiah Foskey brought to the program but with potentially higher upside as a pass rusher. Johnson, meanwhile, has that rare combination of size and speed you look for in modern cornerbacks. At 6'1" with verified 4.45 speed, he can match up with the big receivers that dominate college football today. His ball skills are exceptional—he broke up 17 passes and intercepted 6 more during his junior season.

What really intrigues me about this recruiting cycle is how Notre Dame is competing for national-level talent across multiple positions. The fifth key target—offensive tackle Michael O'Malley from Cincinnati—represents the type of foundational piece that can anchor an offensive line for years. At 6'6" and 295 pounds, he's already got the frame to contribute early, but it's his footwork and hand placement that really stand out on tape. I've watched him neutralize elite pass rushers who were significantly older and more experienced, which tells me he's got the mental makeup to handle the jump to college football.

As we move through the season, I'll be watching how these prospects develop and how Notre Dame's coaching staff manages these recruitments. The dead periods, official visits, and in-home visits create a rhythm to recruiting that's not unlike the stages of that cycling race I mentioned earlier. There are moments of intense effort followed by strategic patience, all building toward signing day. From my perspective, Notre Dame needs to land at least three of these five targets to consider this class truly successful. The quarterback position is non-negotiable—they must get Grubbs. Then securing two from among Flanagan, Sanchez, Johnson, and O'Malley would give them the elite talent infusion this program needs to compete for championships.

What gives me confidence is the way Notre Dame has positioned themselves with these prospects. They're not just throwing offers around—they've identified specific fits for their system and culture. Having observed successful recruiting classes through the years, I can tell you that targeted approach typically yields better results than simply chasing stars. The relationships they've built with these young men and their families will be tested as other programs make their final pushes, but something tells me the Irish have laid the groundwork necessary to finish strong. Just like Cajucom in that cycling race, Notre Dame needs that final burst of energy and determination to cross the finish line first with these elite prospects.