Offensive Lineman Charlie Thom Commits To Notre Dame

Notre Dame has added yet another player to its vaunted 2026 class, this time landing a commitment from Avon (Conn.) Old Farms offensive lineman Charlie Thom. The Irish beat out Penn State to land this 6-6, 270-pound lineman.

Thom has had an intriguing recruitment. Formerly a member of the 2025 class, Thom is at Avon Old Farms as a fifth-year high school player after spending most of his career as a tight end at Darien (Conn.) High School, but this spring and summer he has seen his recruitment blow up. That includes a recent offer from Penn State, who was hoping to get Thom in the class.

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Thom filled out a bit as a senior for Darien, and his projection to offensive line became more clear. Thom isn't athletic enough to play tight end in college, but as an offensive lineman he grades out well from an athletic standpoint.  

Earlier this month, Thom attended a Notre Dame camp and worked out in front of the Irish coaches. He impressed the Notre Dame coaches enough to earn an offer, and he immediately set up an official visit to see the Irish. Once Notre Dame offered the question was about when Thom would commit to the Irish, not if. He has been open about his desire to attend Notre Dame if they offered.

Thom is the sixth offensive lineman to commit to Notre Dame in this class. He joins Pennsylvania big man Tyler Merrill and athletic tackle Grayson McKeogh, massive Michigan linemen Ben Nichols and Sullivan Garvin, and steady lineman Gregory Patrick in the class.

The Old Farms blocker is an under-the-radar prospect that has only been ranked by On3, who views him as a three-star prospect. He earned a 3.0-star grade on the Irish Breakdown board as well, but there are tools to work with and Thom has a 4.0-star upside grade.

Thom earned offers from the Irish, Penn State, Nebraska, Michigan State, Virginia Tech, Boston College, Syracuse, Stanford, Virginia, Wake Forest and UConn.

Thom is the 21st player to commit to Notre Dame, joining Florida quarterback Noah Grubbs, Texas running back Javian Osborne, Georgia running back Jonaz Walton, Georgia wide receiver Bubba Frazier, Florida wide receiver Dylan Faison, Ohio tight end Preston Fryzel, Pennsylvania offensive linemen Merrill and McKeogh, Michigan lineman Merrill, Nichols and Garvin, North Carolina defensive ends Rodney Dunham and Ebenezer Ewetade, Texas defensive tackle Tiki Hola, North Carolina linebacker Thomas Davis Jr., Ohio linebacker Jakobe Clapper, Pennsylvania safety Joey O'Brien, Maryland cornerback Khary Adams, Florida cornerback Ayden Pouncey and Tennessee cornerback Chaston Smith.