2026 Master Thread

[Irish5Saint]

As good as ND's ST's were in every other facet, there must be a reason they went with Hurleman vs guys we think made more sense.

Because the way returns work, you’re not likely to get a big return in general.

Having a guy who can catch the ball is way more important.

 

[Dale]

Well don't say that because he might be checking to see if Salerno or Finke have another year of eligibility left just to return punts 2-4 yds a pop. It's beyond me year after year that they continue to put someone back there who opposing teams absolutely love kicking too because the opposing team feels he has no chance to go beyond 4-5 yds a pop.

Have you ever watched a non ND football game?

 

[IrishBryan77]

Well don't say that because he might be checking to see if Salerno or Finke have another year of eligibility left just to return punts 2-4 yds a pop. It's beyond me year after year that they continue to put someone back there who opposing teams absolutely love kicking too because the opposing team feels he has no chance to go beyond 4-5 yds a pop.

Exactly. You can't tell me that he was the best option on that whole team. Put someone in there that has better skill and is even (I don't know......) FASTER??

 

[IrishBryan77]

It was a way to get the Grad transfer on the field and he had experience doing it at Colgate albeit nothing special (26ret. 196yds), seemed to be a sentimental thing for guy. Rudy got a play and he got a season of returning punts.

Teams that win titles don't think this way. Just sayin

 

[IrishBryan77]

Because the way returns work, you’re not likely to get a big return in general.

Having a guy who can catch the ball is way more important.

I'm pretty certain he muffed at least 2-3 punts this year. 🙄

 

[Dale]

Exactly. You can't tell me that he was the best option on that whole team. Put someone in there that has better skill and is even (I don't know......) FASTER??

That’s how we started the year. Greathouse and Faison returned punts. They weren’t particularly effective at it.

The reason? Almost all punt returns in the sport of football do not go for a meaningful gain.

 

[IrishBryan77]

That’s how we started the year. Greathouse and Faison returned punts. They weren’t particularly effective at it.

The reason? Almost all punt returns in the sport of football do not go for a meaningful gain.

Regardless....I'm not complaining I guess, still very pleased with this year. I think we SHOULD stop looking at "one and done" transfer quarterbacks though. Seems like Carr has been here 7 years now and he's still a freshman.....PLAY HIM 🤣

 

[Irish#1]

That’s how we started the year. Greathouse and Faison returned punts. They weren’t particularly effective at it.

The reason? Almost all punt returns in the sport of football do not go for a meaningful gain.

This is so obvious, it's hard to understand why some don't get it. Losing a punt because of a muff or blindside tackle is a big momentum change you want to avoid. It's rare to have a guy like Rocket or Brown or even Zibby who really understand the art of returning a punt.

 

[ND87]

 

[Jimmy3Putt]

Hasrushed for 4000+ yds, averaging 11.25 ypc over his first 3 varsity seasons at one of the State's all-time programs. That's insane.

They are 42-2 with 2 DII state titles and a runner up.

Sub 11 guy as a Soph too.

You should’ve seen me back in the day.

 

[SeekNDestroy]

You should’ve seen me back in the day.

Polk High legend?

 

[BobbyMac]

You should’ve seen me back in the day.

DM your full name and I'll check you out.

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[Irish du Nord]

Had a top four of UGA, Michigan, Tennessee, and Texas Tech but was offered by UT last week and now us. Dad played for Purdue in the late 90s and is from Chicagoland. Good athlete, James Flanigan-lite Track and Field numbers

 

[notredomer23]

Football recruiting intel on each 2026 Top247 prospect: What we're hearing on every player in updated rankings

Here's the latest college football recruiting intel on every player ranked in Wednesday's 2026 Top247 update.

247sports.com

This is a little bit of a ridiculous but also decent article from Loy.

Top 122 ND is mentioned for (stopping at 122 because too time consuming.
7. Felix Ojo
14. Rodney Dunham
20. Jett Washington
29. Khary Adam
32. Tananoa Ili
36. Ekene Ogboko
39. Ian Premer
43. KJ Edwards
48. Joey Obrien
54. Simote Katoanga
65. Jamieon Winfield
70. Zion Robinson
73. Matt Sieg
82. Jordan Clay
103. Zech Fort
104. Brian Bonner
105. Trent Mosley
106. Elijah Golden
112. Simeon Caldwell
121. Havon Finney
122. Noah Clark

Couple noteworthy comments are below IMO:

70. WR Zion Robinson: Notre Dame, Stanford and Vanderbilt are three schools to watch. They are all considered "locks" to get official visits, according to Robinson. The academics and athletics play a major role in his decision. Texas is also in play, along with TCU, SMU and Illinois.

122. DL Noah Clark: Notre Dame is making a move with the coveted lineman. He'll be on campus June 10 for his official visit. Ohio State is another one to watch. Michigan is a third Midwest school that is checking the boxes. A few others include North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia and Miami. Official visits will play the biggest factor in his final decision

156. RB Jonaz Walton: There look to be five top contenders as of this point. That group includes Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Notre Dame and Tennessee. In addition, keep an eye on Miami, Auburn and Stanford. Despite being from the state of Georgia, the most optimism is coming from the crew in South Bend.

Did we know Zion Robinson was potentially a high academic guy? Can't lose a player like that.

 

[NDPhilly]

Yeah I mean we can’t miss on Robinson if that’s actually who he’s considering. Incredibly rare to have an elite WR so focused on academics.

 

[notredomer23]

Yeah I mean we can’t miss on Robinson if that’s actually who he’s considering. Incredibly rare to have an elite WR so focused on academics.

6'4" 180? Sub 10.8 100M and is a Texas High Jump champion? Yeah. Give him a bag.

It does appear his dad is the director of track and field at TCU as one negative, and qualified for multiple Olympics in the 800.

 

[BobbyMac]

That article was depressing.

The biggest thing I can take away from it is when Chad's right hand moves, so do Loy's lips,

 

[CanadalovesND]

Not highly ranked by any means, or even yet ranked by On3, but he has now 20 scholarship offers with a few bigger name SEC schools like Auburn & Florida.

He finished as the third leading receiver as a junior at Lake Mary. 23-359-5TDs.

Likely going to be the number one option this year.

 

[KPENN]

Local kid to me, so pretty cool. Was coached by Jarron Jones

 

[NDWarrior]

Local kid to me, so pretty cool. Was coached by Jarron Jones

Me too! I'm a Rochester NY native and still spend late July to late October there every year. I actually played against Corny Southall (Rush Henrietta back in the day - I'm old!). Speaking of which, I don't remember seeing this news on here, but I see his son committed to be a preferred walk-on last year - Cool! 2024 WR prospect and Notre Dame legacy Xavier Southall commits to Irish

 

[BeauBenken]

Local kid to me, so pretty cool. Was coached by Jarron Jones

Watched the first play of his highlights and I am absolutely down. Plays big for 6'1", moves well, and has that dawg in him.

Seriously, find his Hudl and watch play one. You'll be happy.

Plus he has like a minute of just blocking at the end of the tape.

 

[Rocketman84]

Have you ever watched a non ND football game?

Every week, coached WRs and STs for Prep and Semi-Pro and played WR and ran back kicks and punts in college. So probably watched enough to make someone's head spin or to make themselves believe that a walk on was the best option to return punts at Notre Dame. Regardless of what other programs are doing, Hurleman wasn't the BEST option we had at our school. If your asking about watching CFB, how many walk-ons did you see returning punts for a team in the top 25? I don't think one would have to watch much FB let alone play the game to know that Hurleman, Salerno or Finke were the BEST options to return punts. They went back to basically catch the ball and nothing more and if your hinting at the return being taken out of Football, well Tyree certainly looked fine just a season ago.

 

[Veritate Duce Progredi]

Watched the first play of his highlights and I am absolutely down. Plays big for 6'1", moves well, and has that dawg in him.

Seriously, find his Hudl and watch play one. You'll be happy.

Plus he has like a minute of just blocking at the end of the tape.

I watched his hudl the other day, really like him as a prospect and I don't think he takes a backseat to anyone. His athleticism, acceleration and ball skills look great, might be one of those rare guys that accelerates through the catch.

 

[Rocketman84]

Me too! I'm a Rochester NY native and still spend late July to late October there every year. I actually played against Corny Southall (Rush Henrietta back in the day - I'm old!). Speaking of which, I don't remember seeing this news on here, but I see his son committed to be a preferred walk-on last year - Cool! 2024 WR prospect and Notre Dame legacy Xavier Southall commits to Irish

Yea, Xavier had a few offers but chose to walk-on at Notre Dame.

 

[Dale]

Every week, coached WRs and STs for Prep and Semi-Pro and played WR and ran back kicks and punts in college. So probably watched enough to make someone's head spin or to make themselves believe that a walk on was the best option to return punts at Notre Dame. Regardless of what other programs are doing, Hurleman wasn't the BEST option we had at our school. If your asking about watching CFB, how many walk-ons did you see returning punts for a team in the top 25? I don't think one would have to watch much FB let alone play the game to know that Hurleman, Salerno or Finke were the BEST options to return punts. They went back to basically catch the ball and nothing more and if your hinting at the return being taken out of Football, well Tyree certainly looked fine just a season ago.

I don’t think you’re getting the point, which others have added on, if you watch plenty of football, you know punts are rarely if ever returned for a meaningful amount of yards anymore. And so whose name is on the back of the jersey really doesn’t matter if they aren’t going anywhere regardless. In fact I’d rather have a walk on do it then an impact player risk injury.

For reference, Rendell punted 43 times. Silas Bolden led P5 in PR attempts at 26. Considered a KR/PR ace. He returned one for a 75 yard TD. The other 25 he averaged 6.8 yards per return. Hurleman averaged 6.0. So the best and most active punt returner in the country usually only returned it likely half the time and aside from ONE return, was the same as Hurleman.

 

[Rocketman84]

I don’t think you’re getting the point, which others have added on, if you watch plenty of football, you know punts are rarely if ever returned for a meaningful amount of yards anymore. And so whose name is on the back of the jersey really doesn’t matter if they aren’t going anywhere regardless. In fact I’d rather have a walk on do it then an impact player risk injury.

For reference, Rendell punted 43 times. Silas Bolden led P5 in PR attempts at 26. Considered a KR/PR ace. He returned one for a 75 yard TD. The other 25 he averaged 6.8 yards per return. Hurleman averaged 6.0. So the best and most active punt returner in the country usually only returned it likely half the time and aside from ONE return, was the same as Hurleman.

I think your missing the point that he's NOT the best option and had no chance of going to the house at this level. I watched Wake live several times, UAB, Baylor, Stanford and PITT do just fine in the PR dept but the difference is they decided to put legit game breaker back there rather than a fair catching walk on. Everyone is aware that a lot of PRs don't get returned anymore but who you have back there when it is returnable makes a world of difference. If you don't understand that, I don't know what to tell you.

 

[Dale]

I think your missing the point that he's NOT the best option and had no chance of going to the house at this level. I watched Wake live several times, UAB, Baylor, Stanford and PITT do just fine in the PR dept but the difference is they decided to put legit game breaker back there rather than a fair catching walk on. Everyone is aware that a lot of PRs don't get returned anymore but who you have back there when it is returnable makes a world of difference. If you don't understand that, I don't know what to tell you.

Holy cow dude they tried Faison back there. He didn’t do anymore more than Hurleman, if not worse. UAB returned 16 punts. Baylor 14. Pitt 13. Stanford 14. All those teams stunk and barely returned punts. You’re citing Trent Dilfer as proof you are correct brother.

You’re literally talking about 2 or 3 plays in an entire season being anything worth mattering! A “world of difference” is just flat out incorrect and can be statistically proven.

What if Faison turned his ankle again back there? What if Greathouse took a shot to the head and we didn’t have him versus PSU? Would that be worth a 12 yard return one time over Hurleman’s fair catch?

You think Marty Biagi never considered any of this? Freeman pays that nerd that stands behind behind him to tell him things like returning punts is a statistically insignificant venture.

 

[BobbyMac]

Also... Biagi's more worried about getting to the punter, not setting up the returner. So that leaves the returner on an island with the gunners.

So what's more important? The guy who proved in practice he'll secure the ball and get you a few yds when he can or the guy voted most likely to break one but fumbles in practice?

Whatever Biagi thought was net best for the ST's is fine with me. He produced a lot of pts for ND with his unit.

 

[Veritate Duce Progredi]

Every week, coached WRs and STs and played WR and ran back kicks and punts in college. So probably watched enough to make someone's head spin or to make themselves believe that a walk on was the best option to return punts at Notre Dame. Regardless of what other programs are doing, Hurleman wasn't the BEST option we had at our school. If your asking about watching CFB, how many walk-ons did you see returning punts for a team in the top 25? I don't think one would have to watch much FB let alone play the game to know that Hurleman, Salerno or Finke were the BEST options to return punts. They went back to basically catch the ball and nothing more and if your hinting at the return being taken out of Football, well Tyree certainly looked fine just a season ago.

How much film does one need to watch to have a more informed opinion than the coaching staff?

 

[notredomer23]

ISD Intel | Behind The Scenes Of Notre Dame Recruiting

A look at several of the top 2026 defensive targets on the board, where the Irish stand, who they're battling and more.

irishsportsdaily.com

ISD is very optimistic about DL recruiting.