2026 Master Thread

[NDFAN2008]

Mike and Christian did a 2026 RB talk this morning.

The names to know that ND is focusing on are DeZephen Walker, Jonaz Walton and Javian Osborne. A few others but these are the bigger names.

DeZephen Walker - Raymore-Peculiar - Running Back

Explore DeZephen Walker's athlete profile at On3.com. Get news and insights into his playing career, statistics, and achievements in sports.

www.on3.com

Jonaz Walton - Central - Running Back

Explore Jonaz Walton's athlete profile at On3.com. Get news and insights into his playing career, statistics, and achievements in sports.

www.on3.com

Javian Osborne - Forney - Running Back

Explore Javian Osborne's athlete profile at On3.com. Get news and insights into his playing career, statistics, and achievements in sports.

www.on3.com

The 2026 RB class isn't that deep

 

[NDPhilly]

No reason we shouldnt sign a top 100 RB with our production level + OL play.

 

[KPENN]

Another Missouri running back? Sign me up

 

[arrowryan]

No reason we shouldnt sign a top 100 RB with our production level + OL play.

But what about our depth chart!? I was told that signing good backs wasn’t necessary

 

[Irish du Nord]

The 2026 RB class isn't that deep

Better than 2025 imo

 

[calvegas04]

No reason we shouldnt sign a top 100 RB with our production level + OL play.

True, hopefully the staff is up to it

 

[dublinirish]

Landon Dowden 2026 Wide Receiver

Landon Dowden - 2026 Wide receiver for Southwest Florida Christian Acdmy (Fort Myers, FL) on Rivals.com

n.rivals.com

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[allenm5333]

2 Crystal balls for Nichols to us

 

[Cpnd1]

All the Michigan offensive lineman

 

[GoIrish41]

Osborne is a stud!

 

[Irish5Saint]

ISD Intel | Behind The Scenes Of Notre Dame Football Recruiting

Who does Madden Faraimo remind some of (besides KVA)? Who are some of the top 2026 targets to watch? Will Belichick's hiring impact Irish recruiting at all?

irishsportsdaily.com

Anyone got notes on this?

 

[Rocketman84]

Ehh it won’t change anything most big time recruits want $$ look at Florida State

Nope, most of these recruits in this generation are the definition of short term thinkers and think month to month instead of years down the line. Sadly, alot of these parents of the elite recruits get dumbfounded by the money grabs and set their kids up for failure (multiple decommitments, annual transfers, mo degeee) and dont hold them accountable. Notre Dame is still held in the. doing it the right way regard" and the kids of yesterday who were pushed and sometimes forced to come here at their parents hand are being told to take the easy route unfortinately. They like to put us in the top 5 or top 3 and gather the attention but most have no intention of coming here.

 

[Rocketman84]

The 2026 RB class isn't that deep

Nope, and their you have a future Texas commit, another SEC school commit UGA or Bama, and a possible for us.

 

[Jiggafini19Deux]

The 2026 RB class isn't that deep

Have to wonder how many kids are committed to playing the position anymore. WR is probably where it's at.

 

[CanadalovesND]

Damn. I really liked him as a nickel candidate. Mickens+Ohio connection not enough to thwart the Buckeyes.

 

[notredomer23]

Five teams and visits to watch for Top247 receiver Brayden Robinson

Red Oak (Texas) high Top247 receiver Brayden Robinson is one of the most electric pass-catchers in the class of 2026. 247Sports ranks the speedster as the No. 205 overall player in America, No. 34 receiver nationally, and No. 32 prospect in the state of Texas.

247sports.com

‘26 WR visiting for JR Day

 

[Dizzyphil]

posted by jack settleman....

 

[Me2SouthBend]

posted by jack settleman....

Worst D? GTFO.

 

[PolishDomer]

I know we have been so focused on the transfer portal and lack of names recently...how about the 2026 class? Are we seeing some movement/interest with our current run in the playoffs?

 

[NDPhilly]

This kinda has to be the year we take the jump to ~top 5 class if it’s gonna happen. I don’t ever expect us to sign a top 1-3 class, but no excuse for not being fringe top 5 after this success.

 

[NDMatt91]

I know we have been so focused on the transfer portal and lack of names recently...how about the 2026 class? Are we seeing some movement/interest with our current run in the playoffs?

I don't think we'll know until Junior Day and the Spring Game.

 

[NDFAN2008]

This kinda has to be the year we take the jump to ~top 5 class if it’s gonna happen. I don’t ever expect us to sign a top 1-3 class, but no excuse for not being fringe top 5 after this success.

Not to be a downer but I just don't see us ever getting a top 5 class lets me real. We will be around 10-14 going forward no matter what. If we aren't going to pay boat loads of cash for NIL then we will never compete against Bama, Oregon, Texas, Ohio State for high 5 star high school kids. You still got Georgia, Ole Miss, Michigan, Texas A&M, USC Ect.

 

[brewdog_14527]

Honestly, I don't really care about that recruiting rankings anymore. I heard a story once about an SEC coach asking a recruiter to bump a kid since the coach got a bonus for the number of 4 star kids signed. That alone would make me question the legitimacy of those rankings. What has been proven over the year, is that Freeman and his team of people are really good at evaluating talent, including the ones that the "recruiting experts" on the rankings site and on this site miss. There are very adept at using the portal also, which can fill up needs that HS recruiting misses. How many teams with higher recruiting rankings the last 3 years will be watching us play on Thursday night?

And since it hasn't been brought up in the last 6-7 posts, did we get a DT yet??

 

[irishnd31]

Not to be a downer but I just don't see us ever getting a top 5 class lets me real. We will be around 10-14 going forward no matter what. If we aren't going to pay boat loads of cash for NIL then we will never compete against Bama, Oregon, Texas, Ohio State for high 5 star high school kids. You still got Georgia, Ole Miss, Michigan, Texas A&M, USC Ect.

 

[NDpendent]

I don't give a shit about being in the top 5, I just want more Leonard Moore's and Anthonie Knapps

 

[GoldenAura]

Not to be a downer but I just don't see us ever getting a top 5 class lets me real. We will be around 10-14 going forward no matter what. If we aren't going to pay boat loads of cash for NIL then we will never compete against Bama, Oregon, Texas, Ohio State for high 5 star high school kids. You still got Georgia, Ole Miss, Michigan, Texas A&M, USC Ect.

Are you aware that this team is two games away from a National Championship? Have you even noticed while you’re busy looking at recruiting rankings? My goodness, give it a rest.

 

[NDFAN2008]

Are you aware that this team is two games away from a National Championship? Have you even noticed while you’re busy looking at recruiting rankings? My goodness, give it a rest.

The topic was we will need to land a top 5 class in 2026 to get over the next level and we haven't been there. We have finished around 10 ever year under freeman.

 

[GrangerIrish24]

The topic was we will need to land a top 5 class in 2026 to get over the next level and we haven't been there. We have finished around 10 ever year under freeman.

So what if we win it all this year? Then what will the narrative change to?

 

[irishnd31]

So what if we win it all this year? Then what will the narrative change to?

Transfer Portal DTs that are needed for 10 to 15 snaps a game. Oh wait that one has been used more than a horse snatch on dollar night

 

[GrangerIrish24]

Transfer Portal DTs that are needed for 10 to 15 snaps a game. Oh wait that one has been used more than a horse snatch on dollar night

That’s what we are missing, dt’s the size of horses.