Predicting next five commitments for Notre Dame football in the 2026 recruiting class

Originally posted on A to Z Sports | By Ryan Roberts | Last updated Apr 5, 2025 4:58 PM ET

Notre Dame football is amidst spring recruiting visits right now, and Summer officials are right on the horizon. The 2026 recruiting class got off to a pretty strong start, but there is a lot of closing that needs to happen. There are a ton of key targets remaining on the board, which is unusual for this Fighting Irish program.

With about 20 spots still remaining, there are many decisions that will come in the future. Here are my five predictions for the next 2026 recruits to commit to Notre Dame. It is a very impressive group.

EDGE Rodney Dunham - Charlotte (N.C.) Myers Park

Dunham, who is considered by some to be a five-star recruit, is scheduled to make his college decision on April 10. The North Carolina star is set to pick between the Irish, Georgia, Tennessee, South Carolina, and Duke. At 6-4 and 230 pounds, Dunham is the type of impact pass rusher that Notre Dame needs more of.

LB Jakobe Clapper - Cincinnati (Ohio) St. Xavier

Many believed that Clapper would have pulled the trigger by now, and nothing has changed. He’s a versatile linebacker that Max Bullough likes quite a bit. Clapper has the skill set to play rover early on, but the frame to eventually grow into a WILL linebacker.

EDGE Ebenezer Ewetade - Garner (N.C.) South

After a late run at 2024 South Garner defensive tackle Nnamdi Ogboko, the Irish are looking to try and make a splash in the 2026 class. Notre Dame has put themselves in a very good spot with Ewetade. He’s extremely twitchy, and brings some of the best upside of any pass rusher in the class.

Update - Ewetade beat my article to the punch. He has committed to Notre Dame today, and is officially a part of the 2026 class.

DT Tiki Hola - Bastrop (Texas) High School

The Irish need to continue finding size on the interior. Hola is their best bet right now in the 2026 class. He is a very good run defender, but won’t offer a ton against the pass. The fact that he should be over 300 pounds very quickly, which is a big sell, quite literally.

RB Javian Osborne - Forney (Texas) High School

If the crystal balls and other predictions weren’t enough, Notre Dame is in a very good place with Osborne. Ja’Juan Seider has done an incredible job in this recruitment. Osborne would be a tremendous addition to a room that most likely loses Jeremiyah Love after the 2025 season.

This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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