Notre Dame Closing in on Five-Star Edge Rusher Rodney Dunham After Successful Visit
Notre Dame football is making waves on the recruiting trail, hosting key 2026 targets for impactful visits. One standout visitor was five-star pass rusher Rodney Dunham from Charlotte (N.C.) Myers Park, who returned to South Bend over the weekend—and the trip couldn’t have gone better.
Following Dunham’s visit, On3’s recruiting expert Steve Wiltfong placed a prediction in favor of the Fighting Irish landing the elite defender. Notre Dame has been in fierce competition with Georgia, Tennessee, South Carolina, and Duke for Dunham’s commitment, but it now appears the Irish are leading the race.
Dunham has been a top priority for Notre Dame from the start, and his stock continues to rise. The On3 Consensus rankings place him as a five-star prospect and the No. 19 overall player in the 2026 class. Meanwhile, 247Sports ranks him as the No. 14 overall player and the No. 2 edge rusher in the cycle.
At 6-foot-4, 228 pounds, Dunham is a dominant force on the field. During his junior season, he racked up 29 total tackles, 10 tackles for loss, five sacks, 16 quarterback hurries, a forced fumble, and a blocked kick. He’s also a talented baseball player and could have opportunities to compete in both sports at the next level.
Dunham’s recruitment has drawn interest from powerhouse programs, with offers from Alabama, Ohio State, Texas, Georgia, LSU, Michigan, Auburn, and Florida State, among others. If Notre Dame wins this battle, it would be a massive victory for defensive line coach Al Washington and a statement to critics who claim the Irish struggle to land five-star talent.
With momentum on their side, the Fighting Irish could soon be celebrating a major recruiting triumph.
