Notre Dame Commit Profile: Tight End Ian Premer

Notre Dame landed a huge commitment when big time tight end Ian Premer picked the Fighting Irish. Premer was a top target for Notre Dame and landing him gives the Irish one of the best overall players in the 2026 class.

Let's take a look at the recruiting profile for Premer.

IAN PREMER PROFILE

Hometown/High School: Great Bend, Kan./Great Bend

Height/Weight: 6-5, 225

IB Grade: 4.5 (Top 75 caliber prospect)
Upside Grade: 5.0 (Top 35 caliber prospect)

Player Comp: Kyle Rudolph, Notre Dame

Recruited By: Mike Denbrock

Offers: Notre Dame, Michigan, Oregon, USC, Florida, Oklahoma, Penn State, Miami (Fla.), Texas A&M, Tennessee, Auburn, Nebraska, Missouri, Wisconsin, Arkansas, Kansas State, Michigan State, Oklahoma State, Illinois, Indiana, West Virginia, Boston College, Iowa State, Colorado, Kansas, Duke, Northwestern, Stanford, Vanderbilt

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RECRUITING RANKINGS

On3: 4-star - No. 24 overall - No. 3 tight end
247Sports: 4-star - No. 43 overall - No. 3 tight end
ESPN: 4-star - No. 60 overall - No. 3 tight end
Rivals: 4-star - No. 123 overall - No. 9 tight end
On3 Consensus: 4-star - No. 42 overall - No. 4 tight end
247Sports Composite: 4-star - No. 44 overall - No. 4 tight end

NOTRE DAME FIT

Notre Dame's best tight ends over the last 20 years have all been different players, but the majority of them have been impact pass catchers first and foremost. Premer is that kind of weapon, one that can develop into a dominant pass catcher at the next level. He can line up attached, but he can do damage all over, and his game is arguably even better suited to move around and line up outside and in the slot. Landing a player with dual-threat ability that can also impact the run game is also ideal. Right now Premer is a work in progress in the run game, but even there his potential to impact the offense is quite high.

FILM ANALYSIS

Premer is listed at 6-5 and 225 pounds and his frame is impressive. He has long arms - which gives him an elite catch radius - and he has the frame to add a lot of strength and good weight. I don't know if he'll fill out quite as much as Kyle Rudolph, but overall his frame reminds me a lot of the former Notre Dame standout tight end. Premer is a basketball player in high school, so that helps keep his weight down, but once he stops playing basketball in the offseason he'll fill out quickly.

This is a long striding athlete that can really run. Premer covers a lot of ground and shows the speed to be a home run threat at the next level. He explodes off the ball and quickly gets to top speed, which also shows up when he makes the catch and runs away from defenders. But his second gear makes him a big play weapon, and that speed translates to the next level quite nicely.

If you want an idea of the kind of athlete Premer is, watch him running the ball out of the backfield, where he's planting vertically on outside zone and creasing the defense. His foot quickness is impressive and allows him to get clean breaks coming out of his top ends. On top of having the athletic skill to be a good route runner, Premer also shows a good understanding of how to win as a route runner. He'll pick the Notre Dame route tree up in a hurry. His athleticism also helps him make defenders miss after the catch, making him a legit after the catch weapon as well. Mike Denbrock likes to run tight end screens, and Premer should thrive in those concepts thanks these traits.

Premer has impressive ball skills. On top of having a big catch radius he does a great job of attacking the football and catching it away from his body. He tracks the deep ball extremely well and he shows the body control you want and need to be a highly effective contested catch player. His length, fast hands and aggressiveness going after the ball combine with his speed to make him a matchup nightmare once the ball is in the air. Once he gets stronger he'll be one of those "just throw it up to him" kind of weapons.

Premer is a willing blocker and that will eventually be a strength, especially when working on the perimeter. As he adds more strength I expect this to become at least an area where he's good, but there's potential for it to become a strength.