Even before his recruitment took off, Notre Dame football made 2026 Glenside (Pa.) La Salle College cornerback Joey O’Brien a top priority. The Fighting Irish were among his earliest offers and have consistently pursued him for over a year. Now, their efforts under Mike Mickens may be paying off, with positive news potentially on the horizon.
Steve Wiltfong, On3’s Vice President of Recruiting, recently logged an expert prediction favoring Notre Dame. The Irish have been locked in a tough battle with Penn State, which holds strong influence in O’Brien’s home region. Despite this, Notre Dame’s coaching staff has remained relentless in their pursuit.
Ranked as the No. 48 overall player, the No. 5 athlete, and the top player in Pennsylvania for the 2026 class by 247Sports, O’Brien is an elite talent. While some programs project him as a safety, Notre Dame sees him as a cornerback. At 6-foot-4 and 190 pounds, he boasts impressive athleticism and a high ceiling.
O’Brien’s recruitment has drawn interest from many powerhouse programs. Alongside Notre Dame and Penn State, he holds offers from Georgia, Ohio State, Alabama, Michigan, Oregon, Tennessee, Ole Miss, Nebraska, Miami, Clemson, Florida State, Michigan State, Missouri, Syracuse, West Virginia, Stanford, Boston College, UCLA, Duke, Indiana, and Illinois, among others.
During his junior season, O’Brien showcased his versatility and playmaking ability. Defensively, he recorded 36 tackles, one interception, and 13 pass breakups. On offense, he was even more dynamic, racking up 68 catches for 1,029 yards and 12 touchdowns—while even throwing a touchdown for good measure.
