Notre Dame Lands Key 2026 Commitment, Eyes More Talent for O-Line
Notre Dame football secured a major addition to its 2026 recruiting class on Thursday, both in talent and sheer size. Tyler Merrill, a dominant 6-foot-5, 320-pound offensive lineman from Mechanicsburg (Pa.) Cumberland Valley, committed to the Irish over Alabama, Penn State, Clemson, and Wisconsin. Merrill’s combination of size, power, and potential makes him one of the top linemen in the class.
Merrill joins Ben Nichols and Sullivan Garvin to form a strong early foundation for Notre Dame’s offensive line recruiting. However, offensive line coach Joe Rudolph and the staff are still looking to add at least one more lineman—potentially two if the right prospects emerge.
Top Remaining Targets
Notre Dame’s 2026 offensive line board isn’t large, but the Irish have key prospects still in play. Here are some names to watch:
- Gregory Patrick (Portage, Mich.) – A longtime target who has mutual interest in Notre Dame. The question remains whether he fits better as an interior lineman, which could impact his chances depending on positional needs.
- Ekene Ogboko (Durham, N.C.) – At 6-foot-6 and 280 pounds, Ogboko is a top-tier tackle prospect. Notre Dame is in the mix, but Georgia—where his brother Nnamdi plays—will be tough to beat.
- Felix Ojo (Mansfield, Texas) – A highly athletic 6-foot-6, 275-pound tackle with elite upside. The Irish face stiff competition, but they remain in the fight.
- Evan Goodwin (Little Rock, Ark.) – A newer addition to Notre Dame’s board, Goodwin received an offer recently. At 6-foot-6 and 315 pounds, he’s a physical presence with raw power and potential.
With limited spots remaining, Notre Dame’s staff will need to be strategic in closing out its offensive line class for 2026.
Notre Dame’s 2025 Schedule Finalized as Stanford Rivalry Continues
Notre Dame kicked off last season with a statement road win over No. 20 Texas A&M but stumbled in Week 2, suffering a shocking upset loss to Northern Illinois despite being 28.5-point favorites, per ESPN BET. Many believed that early-season setback would crush their playoff hopes—but the Irish had other plans.
The team rebounded in dominant fashion, securing a spot in the 12-team College Football Playoff and riding a 13-game winning streak all the way to the national championship game, where they fell to Ohio State. While it wasn’t the ideal ending, the Irish are optimistic about building on their success for another title push in 2025.
Notre Dame vs. Stanford Rivalry Returns
While excitement around the program has been high, one lingering question was the status of their future opponents—until now. Earlier this week, Stanford revealed, and Notre Dame later confirmed, that the two teams will face off in the final week of the 2025 regular season.
The rivalry, which dates back to the 1920s, has been a staple in college football, with the two teams playing for the Legends Trophy since 1989. Though they’ve met annually since 1997—excluding the shortened 2020 season—their future matchups had been uncertain.
Notre Dame has historically dominated the series, holding a 24-14 advantage in 38 meetings. The Irish have also won five of the last six matchups, outscoring Stanford by an average of nearly 30 points per game in that span.
The 2025 clash is set for November 29, with kickoff time and broadcast details yet to be determined.
