The Golden Blueprint: Inside Notre Dame’s Electrifying 2026 Offensive Recruiting Haul
The Fighting Irish are not just building a class — they’re crafting an offensive renaissance. And if early commits are any indication, the 2026 group could be Notre Dame’s most dangerous and dynamic collection of talent in decades.
Forget modest goals. Marcus Freeman and his staff are gunning for greatness — not just to contend, but to dominate. And while the 2025 class laid a solid foundation, 2026 is shaping up to be Notre Dame’s statement to the college football world: “We’re back. And we’re coming with fire.”
Offensive Commits Power Rankings
- RB Javian Osborne – 5’10”, 190 (Forney, TX)
- OL Tyler Merrill – 6’5″, 330 (Mechanicsburg, PA)
- RB Jonaz Walton – 5’9″, 200 (Carrollton, GA)
- QB Noah Grubbs – 6’4″, 205 (Lake Mary, FL)
- OL Ben Nichols – 6’6″, 320 (Davison, MI)
- WR Bubba Frazier – 5’10”, 175 (Savannah, GA)
- OL Gregory Patrick – 6’5″, 280 (Portage, MI)
- WR Dylan Faison – 6’0″, 170 (Boca Raton, FL)
- OL Sullivan Garvin – 6’5″, 300 (Allegan, MI)
Meet the Architects of the Future Offense
Javian Osborne: The Lightning Rod
Some backs run. Osborne erupts. Hailing from Forney, Texas, this 5’10”, 190-pound dynamo is an elite burst merchant with lateral agility that borders on supernatural. He isn’t just a speed back — he’s a surgeon with the ball, slicing through gaps, bouncing outside with fluid cuts, and delivering punishing blows at the second level. His vision is veteran-caliber, and while he’s not yet a full-time pass-catching back, flashes in the screen game suggest terrifying potential. Notre Dame’s Inside Zone and Counter schemes were practically made for this kid. If he’s not a five-star yet — he will be.
Tyler Merrill: The Juggernaut in the Trenches
The 6’5”, 330-pound road grader from Pennsylvania isn’t just big — he’s mean. Merrill is the kind of lineman who relishes trench warfare. With heavy hands, a nasty streak, and finishing power that could rattle helmets in Ann Arbor, he looks like a future anchor on the Irish offensive line. He’ll likely shift to guard at the college level, where his explosiveness and mass will shine. He’s a throwback mauler with modern agility — a rare, destructive force.
Jonaz Walton: The Silent Assassin
Statistically? Untouchable. Over 4,700 rushing yards, 900 receiving yards, and multiple kickoff return TDs. Physically? Deceptive. At 5’9”, 200 pounds, Walton is compact but lethal — think a smarter, more physical Ray Rice. He’s a downhill bruiser with ballerina balance, one of the best stiff arms in the country, and vision that borders on clairvoyance. He’s also a 4.0 GPA student, making him the kind of dual-threat (on-field and off) that Freeman covets. This kid is criminally underrated.
Noah Grubbs: The Cannon-Wielding Commander
Grubbs is the guy. The alpha. The rocket-armed general with over 8,200 passing yards and 103 touchdowns under his belt — and he’s still growing. At 6’4”, he’s built like a pro, throws like one, and plays with the swagger of a QB1 from day one. He’s fearless downfield, quick to pull the trigger, and while he occasionally trusts his arm too much, that gunslinger spirit can’t be coached — only refined. He reshaped his body and added mobility, and once he learns to pick his spots, he could become Notre Dame’s most exciting quarterback since Brady Quinn.
Ben Nichols: The Mountain with a Mean Streak
At 6’6”, 320 pounds, Nichols looks like he was forged in a Big Ten lab — but he’s Irish. His tape is full of bodies being driven into the turf with controlled fury. He can play tackle or guard, but his best path is inside, where his leverage and drive-blocking ability make him a freight train. He lacks elite change of direction, but his initial burst and hand placement are surgical. This is the kind of player that will punish defenders for four quarters — and love every second of it.
Bubba Frazier: The Human Highlight
Bubba doesn’t run routes — he vanishes. This 5’10” blazer out of Georgia brings an electric toolkit: elite burst, home-run speed, and dangerous return skills. Slot? Outside? End-around? Doesn’t matter — he’s lethal. He may not have the wingspan of an NFL prototype, but make no mistake: he’s a nightmare for defenses. Frazier is Notre Dame’s answer to the speed dilemma — a game-breaking, space-stretching chess piece.
Gregory Patrick: The Technician with a Tackle’s Frame
Patrick is a future linchpin. At 6’5”, 280 pounds, he plays with a cerebral nastiness that’s perfect for Notre Dame’s mix of zone and gap schemes. He projects best as a guard but could moonlight at center or tackle — and that versatility might fast-track him to early playing time. Don’t let the current weight fool you — once he fills out his frame, he’ll be a bully in the middle.
Dylan Faison: The Underrated Assassin
Faison isn’t flashy — yet. But dig deeper, and you’ll find a route-running savant with elite short-area quickness and underrated strength at the catch point. He’s raw, sure. But his ability to read zones, snap off breaks, and create separation makes him a dream in the slot. His bloodlines (his brother was a two-sport star) hint at even more upside. He’s not a burner — but he’s a baller.
Sullivan Garvin: The Raw Enforcer
You want nasty? Meet Garvin. At 6’5”, 300 pounds, he’s already a problem for defenders and he hasn’t even scratched the surface. His footwork needs refinement, and he’ll need technical polishing — but from a tools perspective, this guy is a heavyweight. Guard? Tackle? Center? Doesn’t matter. What does matter: he plays like he’s angry, and that’s exactly what this offensive line needs.
Upside Rankings: Future All-Americans in the Making
- OL Tyler Merrill – 5.0
- RB Javian Osborne – 5.0
- RB Jonaz Walton – 5.0
- QB Noah Grubbs – 4.5
- OL Ben Nichols – 4.5
- OL Sullivan Garvin – 4.5
- WR Bubba Frazier – 4.0
- OL Gregory Patrick – 4.0
- WR Dylan Faison – 4.0
Final Take:
Notre Dame’s 2026 offensive class isn’t just stacked — it’s intentional. It’s a masterclass in identifying not only talent, but fit. Freeman isn’t chasing stars — he’s assembling a war machine, one hard-nosed, high-upside player at a time.
This isn’t just a recruiting class.
It’s a warning shot to the rest of college football.
