Notre Dame Named 'Biggest Challenger' to Flip 4-Star QB Kamden Lopati from Illinois
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Marcus Freeman and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish did not have the 2025 season they’d hoped for. After losing the national championship in 2024, the Fighting Irish went 10-2 and did not earn a spot in the College Football Playoff, leading the team to opt out of the Pop-Tarts Bowl.
Going into the 2026 season, several starters are set to return, including quarterback CJ Carr. He threw for 2,741 yards, 24 touchdowns and six interceptions last season. He is not eligible for the NFL until 2027 as he continues to build a legacy in South Bend.
While the position is in safe hands for now, Freeman continues to look toward the future. He and his staff have their sights set on quarterback Kamden Lopati in the 2027 recruiting class.
Rivals Industry Rankings place him as a four-star recruit, the No. 9 quarterback and the No. 122 player in the nation. Lopati, a West Valley City, Utah native, committed to the Illinois Fighting Illini on July 27, 2025.
However, Notre Dame is set to host him for an unofficial visit on Friday in South Bend. Rivals’ vice president of recruiting, Steve Wiltfong, reports that the Fighting Irish are emerging as a serious threat for a potential flip.
“Marcus Freeman and the Irish get West Valley City (Utah) West four-star and current Illinois commit Kamden Lopati to campus this weekend for a visit,” Wiltfong wrote. “I view ND as the biggest challenger to the Illini.”
Last season for West High School, the 6-foot-2 and 225-pound junior threw for 2,671 yards, 34 touchdowns and eight interceptions. He also rushed the ball 90 times for 730 yards and 10 touchdowns.
Notre Dame’s 2027 recruiting class already ranks sixth in the nation with seven commitments. However, that group doesn’t include a quarterback, making the Fighting Irish’s push for Lopati crucial.
Related: Nation’s No. 4 Recruit Predicted to Choose In-State Powerhouse
This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Mar 24, 2026, where it first appeared in the College Football section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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