Linebacker Roman Igwebuike Commits To Notre Dame
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Notre Dame has picked up an important commitment, landing Chicago (Ill.) Mount Carmel standout linebacker Roman Igwebuike. The Irish beat out Tennessee, Clemson, Indiana and Missouri to land this standout running back, who is also the first linebacker to commit to Brian Jean-Mary since he arrived at Notre Dame.
The 6-3, 220-pound defender had an outstanding junior season for the Chicago powerhouse program. He racked up 113 tackles, 13.5 tackles for loss, seven sacks, two interceptions, three forced fumbles, three pass break ups and a fumble recovery. Igwebuike was the best defensive player for a Mount Carmel team that went 14-0 and won a state championship. The Caravan defense held Oswego to just three points in the state title game.
Igwebuike is a heady and physical inside linebacker that projects well to the Mike position. He's a smooth athlete with strong agility, and he arrives at ball carriers with a lot of force. That power and strength allows him to be a stout run stopper, both from a stopping power standpoint, but also when it comes to beating blockers on his way to the ball carrier. Igwebuike is a smooth athlete that changes direction well and shows very good box quickness and speed. He has solid range and as a junior he showed a really good feel for getting depth and making good reads in coverage.
The Mount Carmel standout is now the only linebacker in the Notre Dame 2027 class, after the Irish suffered two decommitments at the position. Those decommitments opened up room for Igwebuike, who is a player Jean-Mary was very high on from the moment he arrived at Notre Dame. Igwebuike is a bigger athlete than Ellis McGaskin and Amarri Irvin, who were the previously committed linebackers. His ability to shut down the run is every bit as good as those two backers and his upside is greater.
Igwebuike is also a higher ranked prospect than either of the two decommitted linebackers, and that's according to all three recruiting services. He is ranked as the No. 123 overall player and No. 9 linebacker on the 247Sports composite rankings. Igwebuike is also ranked as the No. 134 overall player and No. 10 linebacker in the nation on the Rivals/On3 consensus ranking.
Notre Dame is working hard to get back into Chicago, so landing Igwebuike is a big win in that regard as well. He is the second standout defensive player from Chicago to commit to Notre Dame, joining elite Chicago (Ill.) St. Patrick defensive tackle David Folorunsho.
Igwebuike earned offers from the Irish, Ohio State, Georgia, Texas, Miami, Indiana, Oklahoma, Oregon, Clemson, USC, Florida, Tennessee, Florida State, Michigan, Auburn, Ole Miss, Missouri, Iowa, Illinois, Nebraska, Virginia Tech, Louisville, Washington, Wisconsin, Michigan State, North Carolina, Arizona State, Arkansas, NC State, Kentucky, Georgia Tech, Vanderbilt, Baylor, Mississippi State, Minnesota, Boston College, Iowa State, Kansas State, Oklahoma State, Syracuse, West Virginia, Kansas and Purdue.
Igwebuike is the 22nd player to commit to Notre Dame in the 2027 class. He joins Florida quarterback Champ Monds, Texas running back Lathan Whisenton, Massachusetts running back Isaiah Rogers, Florida wide receiver Julius Jones Jr., Colorado wide receiver Jackson Coleman, Oklahoma tight end Titus Hawk, Louisiana offensive lineman Albert Simien, New Jersey offensive lineman Olu Olubobola, Pennsylvania offensive lineman James Halter, Wisconsin lineman Richie Flanigan, California offensive lineman Jackson Hill, Pennsylvania defensive end, Pennsylvania defensive end Abraham Sesay, New Jersey defensive end Jackson Vaughn, New Jersey defensive end Aidan O'Neil, Illinois defensive tackle David Folorunsho, Georgia defensive tackle Segun Alexander, North Carolina cornerback Xavier Hasan, Ohio cornerback Ace Alston, Florida safety Zayden Gamble, Florida nickel John Gay III and North Carolina long snapper Sean Kraft.
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