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Today, we recap the past week in all things Notre Dame recruiting, including new commitments, new offers, players to watch this week, and prospects who committed elsewhere.

Irish Land Top Defensive Lineman

Chicago, Ill./Saint Patrick defensive lineman David Folorunsho gave his verbal commitment to Notre Dame just after publishing time of last week’s notebook. Folorunsho, a five-star recruit and the No. 9 player in the country according to Rivals/On3, is an athletic run-plugging defensive tackle and a very good pass rusher to boot. He gives Notre Dame a blue chipper in the trenches on the defensive side of the ball. Notre Dame also needs to have more success in Chicago, and Folorunsho gives them a major victory in the Windy City.

New Offers

Fayetteville, N.C./E.E. Smith edge Cassell Cruickshank has been one of the fastest-rising recruits this spring and added an offer from Notre Dame. The 6-5, 220-pound four-star prospect is ranked by Rivals/On3 as the No. 12 player in the nation and by 247Sports as the No. 15 overall player nationwide. 

Chicago, Ill/Carmel Catholic linebacker Jameer Miles was offered by Notre Dame. Miles is an outstanding player in the Land of Lincoln’s Class of 2028, which seems to be exploding with each passing day. I am a big believer in what he brings to the table as a recruit. Having seen him at a camp last winter, Miles is a great mover in space, a proven pass rusher and strong run defender with the size and length to succeed in upper-tier college football. Notre Dame’s proximity to Chicago should give the Irish an early edge.

Chattanooga, Tenn./Baylor School tight end Braxton Rein picked up an offer from Notre Dame. He is a 6-6, 230-pound prospect with the size and length Notre Dame looks for at that position. Rein is also a member of the 2028 class.

Notre Dame extended an offer to a rising sophomore: Class of 2029 running back Brayden Boults out of Sumter, S.C./Crestwood. The 5-9, 185-pound running back already holds 28 offers and is already generating plenty of buzz.

Decommitment To Watch

Four-star Monsanna Torbert decommitted from Indiana Hoosiers, a big loss for the Hoosiers' 2027 class. Torbert, a 5-11, 170-pound defensive back from Cincinnati, Ohio/Princeton, is a player Notre Dame has been trying to flip for some time, and this decommitment comes as good news for Notre Dame. The Irish staff is battling Ohio State and Michigan, who also want to flip the talented two-way standout, but Notre Dame is certainly making a big push here. He could potentially become the second Cincinnati-area defensive back the Irish could land after Cincinnati, Ohio/Anderson cornerback Ace Alston.

Off The Board

Notre Dame was long considered the top school for offensive tackle Layton von Brandt, but the Middletown, Del./Appoquinimink four-star chose Auburn over the Fighting Irish. It was a surprising move, considering von Brandt had given a silent commitment to the Irish staff. But recent commitments at offensive tackle from Olu Olubobola and Jackson Hill, plus the fact Notre Dame was is still working hard to land five-star Albert Simien, was enough to get von Brandt to reconsider.

La Verne, Calif./Damien safety Gavin Williams committed to USC, picking the Trojans over his final four schools which included Notre Dame. Williams had a breakout junior year, recording 63 tackles for three forced fumbles and two interceptions in 2025.

Chicago, Ill./Mount Carmel safety Tavares Harrington is set to announce his commitment this evening. Notre Dame is listed as one of his three finalists, along with Michigan and Alabama. Harrington will get a chance to announce where he's going, but we are confident that his choice won't be Notre Dame.

Big Decision Coming

Oradell, N.J./Bergen Catholic defensive end Jackson Vaughn, who reclassified to the Class of 2027, will make his verbal commitment at 6:30 PM ET on May 26. Notre Dame, Miami, LSU, Auburn and South Carolina are all in the mix, and he’s built great relationships with Notre Dame staffers since they began recruiting him after Irish Invasion last June. Notre Dame is in a strong position heading into this announcement.

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