Notre Dame football is going to have the last shot at the missing element for an elite defensive line class in 2026

After some early struggles in his tenure, Notre Dame defensive line coach Al Washington has really begun answering question marks about him when it comes to recruiting. There have been good moments over the last couple of recruiting classes, but the 2026 class has a chance to be his best, and by a good margin. Coach Washington and the Fighting Irish staff are putting together an elite haul. 

The EDGE group in 2026 is especially outstanding, already holding commitments from five-star pass rusher Rodney Dunham and North Carolina standout Ebenezer Ewetade. Add in Texas defensive tackle Tiki Hola, and the Irish are on track to their best defensive line haul in several years. One of the missing ingredients is a potential difference maker at strong side defensive end, and arguably the top target on the board is Chicago (Ill.) Simeon star McHale Blade. 

If Simeon sounds familiar, that is the same high school as 2025 Notre Dame defensive end signee Christopher Burgess. Blade transferred to play with Burgess as a junior in 2024, but unfortunately an injury limited him. The Irish staff is hoping to allow Blade and Burgess the opportunity to get on the field together finally, this time in the blue and gold. 

Notre Dame has been high in Blade for some time now, and they continue their strong pursuit. The 6-4, 245-pound defensive end is now down to five finalists for his services, and the Irish are one of them. They are joined by the Michigan Wolverines, USC Trojans, Wisconsin Badgers, and Purdue Boilermakers in that top group.