Notre Dame landed an outstanding offensive class in the 2026 cycle, adding 16 talented players to the roster. The Irish met all their numbers needs, they added impact talent, they added size and there's no doubt they added playmakers across the board. It is without question a gap closing class for the Irish program.

I graded the offensive class HERE, and now it's time to look at the player grades for the class.

OFFENSIVE CLASS RANKING

QB Noah Grubbs - 6-4, 208
RB Javian Osborne - 5-9, 200
RB Jonaz Walton - 5-10, 208
WR Dylan Faison - 6-1, 180
WR Kaydon Finley - 6-0, 212
WR Devin Fitzgerald - 6-2, 199
WR Bubba Frazier - 5-8, 177
WR Brayden Robinson - 5-8, 164
TE Preston Fryzel - 6-4, 220
TE Ian Premer - 6-6, 235
OL Sullivan Garvin - 6-5, 314
OL Grayson McKeogh - 6-8, 300
OL Tyler Merrill - 6-5, 330
OL Ben Nichols - 6-5, 320
OL Gregory Patrick - 6-5, 275
OL Charlie Thom - 6-7, 275

PLAYER PROFILES

NOAH GRUBBS

Position: Quarterback
Height/Weight: 6-4, 208
Hometown/High School: Lake Mary, Fla./Lake Mary

IB Grade: 4.0 (Top 150 caliber prospect)
Upside Grade: 4.5

Grubbs has been an incredibly productive four-year starter for Lake Mary and he has served as the leader of the 2026 class. Grubbs has passed for over 10,000 career yards and over 130 touchdowns at the prep level and his game has really evolved. Grubbs has a strong right arm but I think there is a lot of potential for it to get stronger. He's lost a lot of weight over the last two seasons as he has tried to reshape his body. Although he accomplished that mission I don't think he had quite as much zip on the ball as we saw from him as a sophomore. Once he gets into the Notre Dame strength program his arm strength will see a jump and we'll see more power. As it is right now, Grubbs has a quick release and can get the ball down the field effectively. The ball comes out quickly and he's worked hard to improve his pocket mobility and overall athleticism. He'll need to clean up his footwork a bit and his ball placement needs improvement, but Grubbs has a lot of physical tools and great leadership traits. 

JAVIAN OSBORNE

Position: Running Back
Height/Weight: 5-9, 200
Hometown/High School: Forney, Texas/Forney

IB Grade: 4.5 (Top 75 caliber prospect)
Upside Grade: 5.0

Osborne comes to Notre Dame after a brilliant high school career in which he rushed for over 6,500 yards and scored over 100 touchdowns. He's one of the nation's best backs and he's a perfect fit for the Notre Dame run scheme. Osborne is an explosive running back that has an elite initial burst and elite change of direction skills. His ability to jump cut is as good as Jadarian Price and his vision combines with a high level football IQ to make him a decisive runner with elite anticipation and reading ability. Osborne has tremendous contact balance and his ability to accelerate out of cuts is outstanding. The Forney star explodes through holes, has the ability to crease tight windows and the open field speed to be a home run hitter. Osborne is built low and has a thicker lower half, which makes him a force at the point of contact and makes him tough to bring down in space. All of that makes Osborne a handful to bring down and makes him a dynamic make-you-miss runner. Osborne can do work in the pass game and shows the all-around game the Irish staff covets.

JONAZ WALTON

Position: Running Back
Height/Weight: 5-10, 208
Hometown/High School: Carrollton, Ga./Central

IB Grade: 4.0 (Top 100 caliber prospect)
Upside Grade: 5.0

Walton is a dynamic all-around athlete that made a living being a big play weapon as a runner, pass catcher and returner. The Carrollton star rushed for just under 6,000 yards, had over 1,400 receiving yards and returned four kicks for touchdowns in his career. Walton is a stocky, well-built running back that runs with impressive power when he needs to. He isn't as sudden as Osborne and doesn't necessarily have the same initial burst, but his long speed is outstanding and his balance is elite. Walton is a patient runner with top notch vision, but once he gets going he's a home run player. The Central standout has one of the most impressive stiff arms in the country, and that combines well with his body type and power to make him a hard player to bring down. Walton is a legit weapon in the pass game, and Central actually lines him up in the slot and uses him in the screen game and as a downfield pass catcher. There is no question he could be a legit weapon in the third-down packages, but what makes him a great pickup is that he's the perfect fit for the Notre Dame run game schemes and he adds big play skills to an offense that desires big play backs.

DYLAN FAISON

Position: Wide Receiver
Height/Weight: 6-1, 180
Hometown/High School: Boca Raton, Fla./Saint Andrew's School

IB Grade: 3.5 (Top 400 caliber prospect)
Upside Grade: 4.0

I didn't get to see any senior film of Faison, so my evaluation of him hasn't changed. Faison is a star on the football field and the lacrosse field. Landing Faison wasn’t about doing a favor to his older brother, he is a legit Power 4 wide receiver and was a good way to start 2026 receiver recruiting. Faison is an outstanding all-around athlete with impressive foot quickness and change of direction ability. These traits make him a dynamic player with the ball in his hands, which projects very well into the Notre Dame offense. He’s a weapon in the screen game and if he gets the ball in space in the quick game he is a threat to make a big play, and he uses that effectively in the screen game as well. He needs a lot of technical work, but the route running potential is exciting. Faison shows good speed off the line and his deep speed is solid as well. Faison isn’t a big pass catcher, but he has strong hands and battles for the football. If he can add some strength and continue enhancing his route running he can absolutely help the Irish offense.

KAYDON FINLEY

Position: Wide Receiver
Height/Weight: 6-0, 212
Hometown/High School: Aledo, Texas/Aledo

IB Grade: 4.5 (Top 75 caliber prospect)
Upside Grade: 5.0

Landing Finley was one of the top coups in this class. Finley is an outstanding wide receiver prospect that has the tools to be an early contributor for the Irish. He's a well built receiver with good length and top level ball skills. Finley can win contested catches, he's a force over the middle and his body control gives him an impressive catch radius. The Aledo standout is a strong prospect that has all the tools you want in a volume pass catcher. Finley is a quality athlete as well, possessing enough speed to be a route running force out of breaks, the acceleration to get over the top of the defense and the quickness/agility to be a weapon after the catch. Finley is also an advanced young wideout that knows how to use his stem to manipulate defenders and ability to get separation out of his top ends. Finley is a smart football player and his versatility is one of my favorite traits. He can can play all three positions in the Notre Dame offense, and he's just as comfortable winning one-on-one battles as he is finding soft spots against zone looks. 

DEVIN FITZGERALD

Position: Wide Receiver
Height/Weight: 6-2, 199
Hometown/High School: Phoenix, Ariz./Brophy Prep

IB Grade: 4.0 (Top 250 caliber prospect)
Upside Grade: 4.5

Another big riser as a senior was Fitzgerald, who had a monster final season for Brophy Prep. Fitzgerald caught 82 passes for 1,230 yards and 15 touchdowns as a senior, and he finished his career with a brilliant performance in a playoff loss to Chandler. Fitzgerald caught 14 passes for 253 yards and four touchdowns. It was his second game of over 200 yards on the season, and both games were against two of the best programs in the state. That kind of big game production only raises his profile and shows how much his game grew. Fitzgerald has also filled out physically and he's a more imposing player now than he was as a junior. Fitzgerald is a quality athlete and an advanced route runner, traits that help him get good separation. But his height (6-2), length, big hands and body control make him a legit contested catch pass catcher. Those tools fit quite nicely into the boundary position in the Notre Dame offense. He can win contested throws and is a force over the middle, which also projects well to the field positions. Top end speed is the only thing keeping him from being an even bigger move up the class rankings.

BUBBA FRAZIER

Position: Wide Receiver
Height/Weight: 5-8, 177
Hometown/High School: Savannah, Ga./Benedictine Military

IB Grade: 4.0 (Top 150 caliber prospect)
Upside Grade: 4.5

Notre Dame needs to add playmakers to the offense, especially those who can do damage after the catch, and that's exactly what they got in Frazier. He does everything in the Benedictine offense over the last two seasons. Frazier lines up outside, in the slot, at running back and he's an impact return man. Over the last three seasons Frazier has caught 141 passes for 2,137 yards and 19 touchdowns while adding 1,163 rushing yards and 14 more scores. Frazier has run a 10.5 in the 100-meter dash and that big time speed translates to the football field extremely well. He's a legit threat to score from any part of the field thanks to that big time speed, explosive change of direction skills and impressive strength. Frazier makes a lot of plays in the screen game and on jet sweeps or runs out of the backfield, but there's a lot more to his game than that. He's an impressive route runner with legit wide receiver skills as both a route runner and pass catcher. Frazier is also an impact punt and kick returner that adds a lot of special teams value to the class. This is one of my favorite prospects in the class.

BRAYDEN ROBINSON

Position: Wide Receiver
Height/Weight: 5-8, 164
Hometown/High School: Red Oak, Texas/Red Oak

IB Grade: 4.0 (Top 150 caliber prospect)
Upside Grade: 4.0

Robinson is such an entertaining prospect to watch on film. He's a dominant pass catcher and a dynamic return man. Over the last two seasons, Robinson hauled in 151 passes for 2,119 yards and 20 touchdowns. At 5-8 with elite speed and playmaking skills the expectation is that Robinson will be a gadget player that runs a lot of screens, sweeps, reverses and quick game. Robinson can certainly do damage in those areas and I look forward to seeing how Notre Dame will get him involved in those parts of the offense. But what I really like about his game is that he's a legit wide receiver. Robinson is a strong route runner, he plays like you'd expect a coach's son to play, he has top notch ball skills and he knows how to get open using more than just his speed. Robinson is also a scary good return man, and I fully expect him to be in the mix as a returner for the Irish. The only issue with Robinson is his size. He's maybe 5-8, which means he's a smaller target down the field. If he can overcome that I think he'll be a difference maker for the Irish on offense and special teams.

PRESTON FRYZEL

Position: Tight End
Height/Weight: 6-4, 220
Hometown/High School: Toledo, Ohio/Central Catholic

IB Grade: 4.0 (Top 150 caliber prospect)
Upside Grade: 4.5

I liked Fryzel when Notre Dame first landed him but his game really took off as a senior. Fryzel is often used more like a wide receiver for Toledo Central Catholic, and his pass game prowess is what makes him such an important pickup. Notre Dame likes to move its tight ends around the formation and that's perfectly suited to Fryzel's game. He can line up in the slot, which Notre Dame does often, but he also has the downfield speed and route running prowess to line up in the boundary and win one-on-one. Fryzel has legit speed that makes him a really tough matchup for linebackers. As a senior he showed off his impressive route running repertoire and he tracks the deep ball like a wide receiver. Combine that with his speed and Fryzel has an impressive ability to get separation and make big plays. What makes him a unique prospect is that Fryzel can do damage after the catch, both with his speed and ability to make defenders miss in space. Fryzel needs to fill out, get stronger and improve in the run game in order to achieve his full potential, but he's an outstanding talent.

IAN PREMER

Position: Tight End
Height/Weight: 6-6, 235
Hometown/High School: Great Bend, Kan./Great Bend

IB Grade: 5.0 (Top 35 caliber prospect)
Upside Grade: 5.0

Premer is one of the best skill players in the country and he's arguably the best tight end to sign with Notre Dame since Kyle Rudolph ... and no, I didn't forget about Michael Mayer. Premer has elite size at 6-6 with long arms, and his ball skills are elite. The Kansas star is a high level athlete with the speed to stretch and the agility to develop into a top route runner. Premer is a rare athlete that actually rushed 620 yards and 14 touchdowns as a senior, caught 40 passes for 734 yards and 14 more scores, made 68 tackles on defense, picked off six passes and returned three interceptions and a kick return for a touchdown in his career. He'll need to continue getting stronger, but he's a willing blocker that has the potential to do inline work in time. Premer is such a unique weapon and I expect the Irish staff to move him all around the field, including getting him some matchups in the boundary where he can use his size, speed and ball skills to make plays in ways that we haven't seen from a tight end since Tyler Eifert was putting together a Mackey Award winning season.

SULLIVAN GARVIN

Position: Offensive Line
Height/Weight: 6-5, 315
Hometown/High School: Allegan, Mich./Allegan

IB Grade: 4.0 (Top 250 caliber prospect)
Upside Grade: 4.5

Garvin was a huge riser from a grading standpoint over the last year. It's not reflected in the class ranking, but that says more about how loaded this class is than it does about Garvin's improvement. He was always a physical player that takes a lot of joy in dominating his opponents. That was also true in his senior season after moving over to left tackle. Garvin is an outstanding run blocker that did a much better job working his feet and using his hands at the point of attack as a senior. Garvin has the size you want in a physical run blocking interior player, checking in at 6-5 and 314 pounds. He has worked to get his body in better shape and I could see him getting up to around 320 pounds during his Notre Dame career. Garvin showed much improved pass blocking skills as a senior, and that was due to his improved foot quickness. That was my biggest knock on Garvin as a junior, but he looked quicker and moved better off the ball as a senior. Although he was much better in pass protection at left tackle as a senior, I still think his game is best suited inside, either at guard or center.

GRAYSON MCKEOUGH

Position: Offensive Line
Height/Weight: 6-8, 300
Hometown/High School: Wyndmoor, Pa./LaSalle College

IB Grade: 4.5 (Top 75 caliber prospect)
Upside Grade: 5.0

McKeough has had quite the rise over the last two seasons. He went from being a tall, skinny, athletic defensive end as a sophomore to a thick and athletic elite offensive tackle by his senior season. McKeough gained a lot of weight over the last two seasons but it didn't sap him of any athleticism. He shows the foot quickness to handle speed off the edge and the smooth athletic skills to be an easy change of direction player. McKeough shows explosiveness on traps and pulls, and he added a lot of strength as a senior. McKeough has the length you want in an elite offensive tackle, which combines nicely with his athletic skills to make him a force in pass pro. He'll need to improve his overall footwork and pad level, but he uses his hands extremely well and is an overall sound technical player. McKeough gets after it in the run game and is a great fit for Notre Dame's zone schemes, as well as having the tools to be an effective puller. The scary thing is that McKeough graded out as a Top 50-75 caliber player as a senior, but he still isn't close to reaching his full potential. Legit NFL talent here.

TYLER MERRILL

Position: Offensive Line
Height/Weight: 6-5, 330
Hometown/High School: Mechanicsburg, Pa./Cumberland Valley

IB Grade: 4.0 (Top 100 caliber prospect)
Upside Grade: 5.0

If you like nasty, dominating offensive linemen then you're likely going to love Merrill as a prospect. Notre Dame wants to get bigger up front and that's the first thing you see when you put in his tape. Merrill is every bit of 6-5 and 330 pounds. He'll need to get in better condition and reshape his body a bit, but he's always going to be a massive road grader. Merrill's potential in the run game is elite, and he has the short area quickness, power and finishing skills to be a force in the Irish ground game. Notre Dame's Duo, Inside Zone and Midzone schemes all fit Merrill's skillset and ability to get big time movement. He plays with a ferocious edge and he seems to really enjoy burying defensive players. Merrill has good length for an interior player and he uses his hands well. I saw improvement with his foot quickness and pass blocking as a senior, but those are certainly areas where he will need to continue showing growth. If he really embraces the conditioning and nutrition programs at Notre Dame I can see Merrill becoming a multi-year starter that dominates.

BEN NICHOLS

Position: Offensive Line
Height/Weight: 6-5, 320
Hometown/High School: Davison, Mich./Davison

IB Grade: 4.0 (Top 150 caliber prospect)
Upside Grade: 4.5

Nichols is another massive lineman in the class for the Irish. At 6-5 and 320 pounds he has the kind of huge body and frame that Notre Dame clearly desired in this class. The first thing you see when watching Nichols play is he's a nasty blocker in the run game. He shows impressive short area quickness out of his snap, he works his feet through contact and he's an excellent finisher in the run game. Nichols plays with some nastiness in the run game, but he also plays under control when the need arises, like when he's working to the second level or working in space. Nichols has impressive hands, which he uses well in the pass game. He played tackle for Davison, but that's not where his future is at the next level. I expect Nichols to move inside to guard, where I think his game will take off. Nichols has the talent to be a major mover in Notre Dame's Zone and Duo schemes. I also think his game translates much better in pass pro inside, where he can use his length, powerful hands and short area quickness to handle good pass rushers. Nichols will need to reshape his body a bit and improve his footwork, but I love the tools.

GREGORY PATRICK

Position: Offensive Line
Height/Weight: 6-5, 275
Hometown/High School: Portage, Mich./Portage Northern

IB Grade: 4.0 (Top 250 caliber prospect)
Upside Grade: 4.5

I don't know if there's a more versatile offensive player in the class than Patrick. A high school tackle, Patrick has the athleticism and shows enough feel for playing in space to handle tackle at the next level. Patrick is good in short areas and plays with some fire in the run game, and he has traits that could allow him to thrive at guard as well. Where i really like his potential is at center. It's a position he hasn't played but I think his athleticism, natural leverage, run game skills, length and leadership traits are perfect for the position. He's not as big or naturally powerful as the other blockers in the class, but Patrick plays an aggressive game that fits Notre Dame's downhill run game schemes. Patrick is on the lean side right now at 275 pounds, but he has the frame that should allow him to get to 300 pounds relatively quickly. Patrick will also need to add more weight room strength, but the traits are there for him to be a strong all-around blocker at whatever position he ends up at with Notre Dame.

CHARLIE THOM

Position: Offensive Line
Height/Weight: 6-7, 275
Hometown/High School: Avon, Conn./Old Farms

IB Grade: 3.5 (Top 400 caliber prospect)
Upside Grade: 4.5

Thom was a late - and surprising - addition to the Notre Dame class. At the time of his commitment he was a bit of an enigma. He played mostly tight end during his career, so his prep school season was about transitioning to offensive line. I was surprised at how quickly he looked comfortable playing tackle at Avon Old Farms. Thom is a long, athletic player that shows the smooth footwork and change of direction skills to thrive at tackle. Him panning out at tackle was key to Notre Dame's line class meeting its need for a legit second tackle. Thom is still learning the position, but if you only saw his prep school season you'd think this was a position he had played for years, which is a great sign. Thom showed a lot of fight this season, and he was more than willing to mix it up and battle in the run game. He was very comfortable in pass pro and he has the length you want to play tackle. His athletic traits absolutely fit well on the edge of the line. Thom still has a lot of room to add weight and more weight room strength is a must as well. He has a chance to to be a really, really good player, but he also needs a ton of work.

Let me know what you think of this class and what your rankings would be in the comments section below!

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