Notre Dame takes another massive step toward trying to lock down a top-50 wide receiver that every elite program wants

Notre Dame takes another massive step toward trying to lock down a top-50 wide receiver that every elite program wants

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Notre Dame takes another massive step toward trying to lock down a top-50 wide receiver that every elite program wants
Head coach Marcus Freeman
IMG Academy’s Osani Gayles (13) rushes for yards against Mandarin’s Tamajh Mitchell (7) during the first quarter of a high school football matchup at Mandarin High School, Friday, Sept. 19, 2025, in Jacksonville, Fla. The IMG Academy Ascenders defeated the Mandarin Mustangs 57-7.

Notre Dame should have a chance at another elite wide receiver in the 2027 recruiting class. Things are moving quickly, and the final stretch is set.

Notre Dame football is eyeing a strong finish to its 2027 recruiting class. Head coach Marcus Freeman and the Fighting Irish are busy getting set for a hectic several weeks of official visitors. It could be the difference between a great and elite class, depending on how some of these visits go.

One of the more interesting visitors expected in South Bend next month is top-50 2027 Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy wide receiver Osani Gayles, and he will be on campus on June 19-21. Gayles also has official visits set up to Alabama (May 29-31), Tennessee (June 12-14), and Washington (June 5-7). Those trips will go a long way towards solidifying things for Gayles and helping him make a final decision.

That final decision will come shortly after that last official visit to Notre Dame. Gayles is set to announce his commitment on June 27, and as of today, things still seem pretty open in his recruitment. While I wouldn’t call the Fighting Irish the front runner, they certainly have a chance at a strong finish. That official visit to South Bend will be the key.

Notre Dame is also pushing hard for fellow 2027 Florida pass catchers Julius Jones Jr., who is a legacy recruit for the Irish. If they can make that statement in Florida, it has a chance to be another elite class under Freeman and company.

Osani Gayles’ recruiting background 

Gayles is considered to be a four-star and top-115 overall player by each of the major recruiting platforms. On the 247 Sports Composite ranking, Gayles is ranked as the No. 48 overall player, the No. 8 wide receiver, and the No. 6 player out of the state of Florida for the 2027 recruiting class. 247 Sports and ESPN both have Gayles rated as the No. 35 overall player in the class. 

As if his recruiting wasn’t impressive enough, the offer list for Gayles might be even better. Some of his top offers include the Fighting Irish, Georgia, Alabama, Ohio State, Oregon, LSU, Florida, Tennessee, Ole Miss, Texas A&M, Miami, USC, Florida State, Auburn, Missouri, Washington, Arizona State, Colorado, Arizona, Minnesota, UCLA, Oregon State, Washington State, Cal, and Stanford, among others. 

When Gayles was a sophomore at St. Mary’s in 2024, he put together an outstanding season. During that year, he hauled in 43 receptions for 756 yards and six touchdowns, while carrying the football 22 times for 218 yards and three scores on the ground. With IMG Academy this past year, Gayles managed 20 receptions for 492 yards and five touchdowns in nine games, an average of 24.6 yards per reception.

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