Seven Notre Dame football 2026 recruiting targets who had notable rises in updated On300 rankings
The Notre Dame football program’s 2026 class target board is filled with prospects among the top high school rising juniors in the nation — many of them considered elite. At least, that is what the latest On300 rankings suggest.On Monday, On3 director of scouting and rankings Charles Power and national scout Cody Bellaire revealed their updated 2026 class player rankings. The On300 includes 79 recruits with offers from the Fighting Irish.
Blue & Gold highlights seven key prospects who moved up in the rankings.
Rancho Cucamonga (Calif.) High CB RJ Sermons
The Irish made an outstanding first impression on USC legacy RJ Sermons when he was in South Bend on April 13. As it turns out, that might be key to winning the coveted 6-foot, 180-pound defensive back’s recruitment.
On Monday, he climbed three spots to No. 15 overall while remaining the No. 2 cornerback in the 2026 class. Look for Sermons to return to Notre Dame this summer. Oregon, Penn State, Southern California, Texas A&M and UCLA will also likely get him on campus.
Jacksonville (Fla.) The Bolles School safety Simeon Caldwell
On April 13, Notre Dame welcomed four-star safety Simeon Caldwell to campus for an unofficial visit. On Monday, he moved up 24 spots overall in the On300.
The 6-3, 185-pounder is now the No. 4 safety in the class instead of No. 6. He already plans to return to South Bend this summer and visit Ohio State. The Irish figure to be a strong contender to secure his commitment.
Portage (Mich.) Portage Northern OL Gregory Patrick
Of the “Big Three” Big Ten/Midwest offensive linemen who visited Notre Dame this spring, Gregory Patrick is the highest-ranked over Tyler Merrill and Ben Nichols.
Now, the 6-4, 280-pound Patrick checks in as the No. 74 player in the class instead of 82 and the No. 5 interior OL rather than No. 7. The Irish remain a top school in his recruitment.
Country Club Hills (Ill.) Hillcrest DL McHale Blade
Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman said the program will prioritize Chicagoland recruits who fit the university and program. Now, Freeman should have a better idea of this cycle’s top recruit from the Windy City.
McHale Blade was one of the biggest risers on Monday, rising 73 spots to the No. 101 overall player in the class. He is also the No. 6 defensive lineman in 2026, nine spots better than his previous ranking. Blade went to Notre Dame twice in March and should be a frequent return visitor to South Bend in the coming months.
Cincinnati St. Xavier LB Kobe Clapper
On Sunday, the Irish secured a commitment from Cincinnati St. Xavier three-star defensive lineman Gordy Sulfsted, a 2025 class recruit. In 2026, look for Notre Dame to hold in high regard Kobe Clapper, the No. 167 player in the class.
Clapper climbed 46 spots in the overall rankings and is now also the No. 17 linebacker in the class, up four spots positionally. The 6-2, 195-pounder was in South Bend on April 19.
Cocoa (Fla.) High QB Brady Hart
Brady Hart is one of two 2026 signal-callers who remain the most likely to fill Notre Dame’s need for a one in the 2026 cycle. Before Monday, he was the No. 205 overall player and No. 15 quarterback. As of today, he is the No. 170 player and No. 10 passer.
Lake Mary (Fla.) High QB Noah Grubbs
The other Notre Dame 2026 quarterback commit candidate is Noah Grubbs, the No. 193 overall player and No. 14 quarterback in the updated On300. He previously was the No. 219 player and No. 17 quarterback in 2026.
72 other Notre Dame football 2026 recruits in May 20 On300
OT Jackson Cantwell (4)OL Lamar Brown (5)ATH Brandon Arrington (7)EDGE Anthony Jones (9)S Blaine Bradford (10)TE Kendre Harrison (12)CB Elbert Hill (13)EDGE Hezekiah Harris (16)LB Tyler Atkinson (21)RB Javian Osborne (23)
S Zelus Hicks (24)OT Ekene Ogboko (26)OL Kevin Brown (28)RB Jonaz Walton (30)WR Aaron Gregory (32)WR Calvin Russell (34)WR Devin Carter (38)TE Kaiden Prothro (39)OL Darius Gray (43)RB Savion Hitler (45)QB Ryder Lyons (50)
EDGE Rodney Dunham (58)RB Davian Groce (59)QB Troy Huhn (60)CB Dorian Barney (61) — Alabama commitTE Brock Harris (67)LB Xavier Griffin (68)CB Brandon Lockart (69) — USC commitCB Davon Benjamin (70)WR Kaydon Finley (71)
OL Tyler Merrill (76)LB Tank King (79)WR Jabari Brady (84)LB Cincere Johnson (88)RB Messiah Mickens (90) — Penn State commitCB Jontavius Wyman (93)S J’Zavien Currence (97)RB Raycine Guillory (98) — Texas commitATH Heze Kent (106)RB DeZephen Walker (108)
LB Kosi Okpala (119)CB Shavar Young Jr. (122)CB Samari Matthews (128)ATH Jett Washington (133)WR Naeem Burroughs (134)DL James Carrington (135)CB Chaston Smith (142)CB Jaelen Waters (155) — Florida State commitDL Jermaine Kinsler (160)LB Talanoa IIi (162)
S Jireh Edwards (163)OL Ben Nichols (172)CB Dominick Kelly (180) — USC commitLB Storm Miller (185)RB Javian Mallory (188)WR Jordan Clay (197)RB Amari Latimer (202)S Joey O’Brien (203)DL Daverin “Deuce” Geralds (215)DL Gabriel Hill (222)
LB Noriel Dominguez (232)LB Thomas Davis (234)TE JC Anderson (235)LB Samu Moala (240)EDGE Braeden Jones (247)S Jordan Deck (257)CB Hakim Satterwhite (258)WR Trent Mosley (267)S Zech Fort (270)WR Brody Keefe (285)WR Daniel Odom (291)EDGE Trenton Henderson (297)
The post Seven Notre Dame football 2026 recruiting targets who had notable rises in updated On300 rankings appeared first on On3.
Welcome to Billionaire Club Co LLC, your gateway to a brand-new social media experience! Sign up today and dive into over 10,000 fresh daily articles and videos curated just for your enjoyment. Enjoy the ad free experience, unlimited content interactions, and get that coveted blue check verification—all for just $1 a month!
Account Frozen
Your account is frozen. You can still view content but cannot interact with it.
Please go to your settings to update your account status.
Open Profile Settings