Who's Next? - 2026 Edition

[DomeFieldAdvantage]

Jarrard is committing as early as over the weekend. (ish) So, likely him before another 2026 prospect.

Jacobson - ND will still honor his offer. Jacobson prefers ND. However, he’s not particularly keen on coming into the class with Premer. If ND pushes for him (they aren’t pushing at the moment, just giving him the option), he’s likely to eventually still commit. However, I don’t think ND is going to really push, barring something unforeseen.

Golden - Alabama, and Oklahoma have countered with slightly larger NIL deals, and Oklahoma has arranged for more up front. Until both countered with larger NIL deals, Golden was essentially a silent commit. However, between that, and family getting in his ear, he’s having doubts. Still, he’s very close with most of this class, and ND is willing to work on adjusting his NIL offer. Unless Alabama, or Oklahoma gets absurd with their NIL offers, ND can still get this done if they push. (Oklahoma is pushing harder than Alabama)

Vallejo - It’s not over. ND will come at him with a larger NIL offer, and he’s unsure of his decision in choosing Michigan. Michigan put unbelievable last minute pressure on him, and also pushed on his academic doubts. However, ND still talks to him weekly, and he’s quietly listening.

ND is also looking at some other prospects at DT, DL, and yes, there are quiet feelers at QB, just in case Grubbs bombs at the start of the upcoming season.

Is there any considerations w/r/t Jarrard for the '26 QB? As in, are there prospects they want to keep quiet so as not to spook Jarrard, or is the potential looking around more for late risers? Also, would it be a straight replacement of Grubbs (assuming he has a bad start) or would they honor his commitment and simply bring in a second QB for the class (assuming Grubbs would choose to stay in a 2 QB class)?

 

[NDPhilly]

Quiet feelers confirmed. Knew Freeman wouldn’t sit tight. Start the speculation.

 

[SeekNDestroy]

Just a reminder. We’re all thrilled to hear insider info from Merckxe, but please don’t ruin it by bombarding him with questions. Or worse, questioning his info’s validity.

 

[NDFAN2008]

Jarrard is committing as early as over the weekend. (ish) So, likely him before another 2026 prospect.

Jacobson - ND will still honor his offer. Jacobson prefers ND. However, he’s not particularly keen on coming into the class with Premer. If ND pushes for him (they aren’t pushing at the moment, just giving him the option), he’s likely to eventually still commit. However, I don’t think ND is going to really push, barring something unforeseen.

Golden - Alabama, and Oklahoma have countered with slightly larger NIL deals, and Oklahoma has arranged for more up front. Until both countered with larger NIL deals, Golden was essentially a silent commit. However, between that, and family getting in his ear, he’s having doubts. Still, he’s very close with most of this class, and ND is willing to work on adjusting his NIL offer. Unless Alabama, or Oklahoma gets absurd with their NIL offers, ND can still get this done if they push. (Oklahoma is pushing harder than Alabama)

Vallejo - It’s not over. ND will come at him with a larger NIL offer, and he’s unsure of his decision in choosing Michigan. Michigan put unbelievable last minute pressure on him, and also pushed on his academic doubts. However, ND still talks to him weekly, and he’s quietly listening.

ND is also looking at some other prospects at DT, DL, and yes, there are quiet feelers at QB, just in case Grubbs bombs at the start of the upcoming season.

Some comments on this.
1. Locking in Jarred early for 2027 is great I still don’t think it’s a bad idea to possibly take 2 QB’s in 2026. It would be interesting to know who would be our next 2026 QB to push for.
2. Jacobson I just don’t think it makes much sense in him coming here. Taking him maybe gives you insurance if Premer flips or something, but I’d rather use that roster spot somewhere else.
3. I really hope Vallejo ends up in this class I think he’s gonna be a good one.
4. I don’t see us losing Golden to Oklahoma he just doesn’t seem like a fit there. There class isn’t really that great either at the moment. I would be curious to know what does the NIL deal look like for a player like him? Do they get certain amount of money up front for commiting and sticking in this class? Do they get more each year after that?

 

[Rocketman84]

Quiet feelers confirmed. Knew Freeman wouldn’t sit tight. Start the speculation.

Absolutely everything that has been said on this board over the past few weeks someone the know and some with sensible guesses...Only thing missing is still not completely giving up in another LB in the Fall

 

[Rocketman84]

Some comments on this.
1. Locking in Jarred early for 2027 is great I still don’t think it’s a bad idea to possibly take 2 QB’s in 2026. It would be interesting to know who would be our next 2026 QB to push for.
2. Jacobson I just don’t think it makes much sense in him coming here. Taking him maybe gives you insurance if Premer flips or something, but I’d rather use that roster spot somewhere else.
3. I really hope Vallejo ends up in this class I think he’s gonna be a good one.
4. I don’t see us losing Golden to Oklahoma he just doesn’t seem like a fit there. There class isn’t really that great either at the moment. I would be curious to know what does the NIL deal look like for a player like him? Do they get certain amount of money up front for commiting and sticking in this class? Do they get more each year after that?

1. Getting a QB early in the class is usually a great thing bc he can be the foundational tool for the class, but it can backfire in cases that he bombs as a SR and your left scrambling for a last minute replacement.

Do you take 2 QBs if someone like Bell wants to come aboard? Or take 2 if he's a 4* upside guy?

2. Situation where it's better to have him and not need him then to need him and not have him. Good candidate to flip if we lose someone down the line. Would you rather add him and then just possibly take 1 next year?

3. Really think Vallejo is a stronnnng flip candidate later on in the cycle once he thinks about Football/Academics as a combo instead of separate entities.With that said the "other" guys have had some success with DL

4.He delayed the commitment for a reason. He was basically sealed and delivered but OKLA is giving him cause to pause by flashing upfront money. We combat that with backend success whether on or off the field (slight offer enhancement as well).

 

[Giddyup]

Thanks for the info! Garrard get would be huge.

 

[NDFAN2008]

I’ll take a 4 star QB out of Georgia any year

 

[GATTACA!]

and yes, there are quiet feelers at QB, just in case Grubbs bombs at the start of the upcoming season.

 

[bige4irish]

Someone mentioned Bell, but ND wasn’t really interested in him. Sources say that he cried and cried when he got turned down, but ND has better options.

That was my imitating michigan folks when they don’t get a player. IT WAS NOT A SERIOUS COMMENT before I start getting slammed for being a troll.

 

[NDFAN2008]

Some guys ND should be keeping tabs on if I were them at QB
1. Keisean Henderson Houston Commit we have a boat load of Texas guys in this class how hard of a pull would it be?
2. Bowe Bentley another Texas kid committed to Oklahoma
3. Jake Fette another Texas Kid currently committed to Arizona State

 

[allenm5333]

Some guys ND should be keeping tabs on if I were them at QB
1. Keisean Henderson Houston Commit we have a boat load of Texas guys in this class how hard of a pull would it be?
2. Bowe Bentley another Texas kid committed to Oklahoma
3. Jake Fette another Texas Kid currently committed to Arizona State

Whatever they do, gotta let Teddy know lol

 

[NDPhilly]

I really like Zammit, and feels like he’d be a obvious contingency if Grubbs really falls off

 

[MacIrish75]

I really like Zammit, and feels like he’d be a obvious contingency if Grubbs really falls off

This is exactly what’s going to happen and I’m all for it. It makes too much sense.

 

[Fbolt]

Grubbs will crush this season. No worries. 🤞

 

[ND7983]

Jarrard is committing as early as over the weekend. (ish) So, likely him before another 2026 prospect.

Jacobson - ND will still honor his offer. Jacobson prefers ND. However, he’s not particularly keen on coming into the class with Premer. If ND pushes for him (they aren’t pushing at the moment, just giving him the option), he’s likely to eventually still commit. However, I don’t think ND is going to really push, barring something unforeseen.

Golden - Alabama, and Oklahoma have countered with slightly larger NIL deals, and Oklahoma has arranged for more up front. Until both countered with larger NIL deals, Golden was essentially a silent commit. However, between that, and family getting in his ear, he’s having doubts. Still, he’s very close with most of this class, and ND is willing to work on adjusting his NIL offer. Unless Alabama, or Oklahoma gets absurd with their NIL offers, ND can still get this done if they push. (Oklahoma is pushing harder than Alabama)

Vallejo - It’s not over. ND will come at him with a larger NIL offer, and he’s unsure of his decision in choosing Michigan. Michigan put unbelievable last minute pressure on him, and also pushed on his academic doubts. However, ND still talks to him weekly, and he’s quietly listening.

ND is also looking at some other prospects at DT, DL, and yes, there are quiet feelers at QB, just in case Grubbs bombs at the start of the upcoming season.

You are saying ND talks to him weekly?
That’s weird, I have a screenshot from somebody at ND saying he would have to apologize & mend fences with ND after lying to them for a week.
Also, you disappeared real quick from On3 when you messaged everyone telling them about a dozen transfers that never happened? What’s with that?
The names you told EVERYONE were supposed to be secret, not messages to EVERYONE.
Funny enough, after I saw you doing that I messaged someone at ND about it & if they knew who you were. They did not know you and were NOT happy you were spreading that around and were going to look into who was leaking info to untrusted people. Because those names were leaked, and pretty much contained, except you telling everyone on On3…then disappearing afterwards when everyone called you out?

 

[NDhoosier]

ND7983 back to attacking Merck again...

 

[CoachB]

Driskell, relax. We are all ND fans. I like your show, but no offense, your recruiting "intel" isn't why I watch. Leave him alone. He obviously knows his stuff and I for one am glad he is here. Go Irish!

 

[MacIrish75]

You are saying ND talks to him weekly?
That’s weird, I have a screenshot from somebody at ND saying he would have to apologize & mend fences with ND after lying to them for a week.
Also, you disappeared real quick from On3 when you messaged everyone telling them about a dozen transfers that never happened? What’s with that?
The names you told EVERYONE were supposed to be secret, not messages to EVERYONE.
Funny enough, after I saw you doing that I messaged someone at ND about it & if they knew who you were. They did not know you and were NOT happy you were spreading that around and were going to look into who was leaking info to untrusted people. Because those names were leaked, and pretty much contained, except you telling everyone on On3…then disappearing afterwards when everyone called you out?

Bout time to take this to the Irsay (🪦) Y fellas…

 

[Dale]

You are saying ND talks to him weekly?
That’s weird, I have a screenshot from somebody at ND saying he would have to apologize & mend fences with ND after lying to them for a week.
Also, you disappeared real quick from On3 when you messaged everyone telling them about a dozen transfers that never happened? What’s with that?
The names you told EVERYONE were supposed to be secret, not messages to EVERYONE.
Funny enough, after I saw you doing that I messaged someone at ND about it & if they knew who you were. They did not know you and were NOT happy you were spreading that around and were going to look into who was leaking info to untrusted people. Because those names were leaked, and pretty much contained, except you telling everyone on On3…then disappearing afterwards when everyone called you out?

Wasn’t me!

 

[IrishLion]

Wasn’t me!

Actually laughing out loud over my lunchtime Skyline right now

 

[greyhammer90]

 

[GrangerIrish24]

Actually laughing out loud over my lunchtime Skyline right now

You ruin everything

 

[rtrn2glory]

You are saying ND talks to him weekly?
That’s weird, I have a screenshot from somebody at ND saying he would have to apologize & mend fences with ND after lying to them for a week.
Also, you disappeared real quick from On3 when you messaged everyone telling them about a dozen transfers that never happened? What’s with that?
The names you told EVERYONE were supposed to be secret, not messages to EVERYONE.
Funny enough, after I saw you doing that I messaged someone at ND about it & if they knew who you were. They did not know you and were NOT happy you were spreading that around and were going to look into who was leaking info to untrusted people. Because those names were leaked, and pretty much contained, except you telling everyone on On3…then disappearing afterwards when everyone called you out?

I'm starting to think he is driskell.

 

[irishu]

Lmao get wrecked lil bro

@ND7983

 

[IrishWayDomer]

You are saying ND talks to him weekly?
That’s weird, I have a screenshot from somebody at ND saying he would have to apologize & mend fences with ND after lying to them for a week.
Also, you disappeared real quick from On3 when you messaged everyone telling them about a dozen transfers that never happened? What’s with that?
The names you told EVERYONE were supposed to be secret, not messages to EVERYONE.
Funny enough, after I saw you doing that I messaged someone at ND about it & if they knew who you were. They did not know you and were NOT happy you were spreading that around and were going to look into who was leaking info to untrusted people. Because those names were leaked, and pretty much contained, except you telling everyone on On3…then disappearing afterwards when everyone called you out?

Dude...

 

[fightingirish26]

Fall camp is fucking needed, asap

 

[irishu]

Prister brings up Vallejo every podcast. Pretty sure ND is still interested in him lol

 

[HouseofPain]

You are saying ND talks to him weekly?
That’s weird, I have a screenshot from somebody at ND saying he would have to apologize & mend fences with ND after lying to them for a week.
Also, you disappeared real quick from On3 when you messaged everyone telling them about a dozen transfers that never happened? What’s with that?
The names you told EVERYONE were supposed to be secret, not messages to EVERYONE.
Funny enough, after I saw you doing that I messaged someone at ND about it & if they knew who you were. They did not know you and were NOT happy you were spreading that around and were going to look into who was leaking info to untrusted people. Because those names were leaked, and pretty much contained, except you telling everyone on On3…then disappearing afterwards when everyone called you out?

Cmon man. No reason for this.

 

[FDNYIrish1]