Notre Dame has tanked on defense since Marcus Freeman arrived in South Bend, and the staff will look to continue that trend in the 2027 class. Notre Dame’s success in past seasons — including securing the No. 1 class in the 2026 cycle — will allow the staff to focus more on bringing in impact talent than chasing numbers.
Here’s a look at the number needs and goals for Notre Dame’s 2027 defensive recruiting class.
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Need: 2-3
Notre Dame landed an elite defensive end duo in the 2026 class when it signed Rodney Dunham And Ebenezer Ewetade. The North Carolina duo brings great pass-rushing potential to the defense. This was the best side group to sign with the Irish since their arrival Julien Okwara, Khalid Karim, Daelin Hayes And Adetokunbo Ogundeji returning in the class of 2016. Notre Dame will look to recruit at least two more players in the 2027 class, and it will need that group to be on the same level as the Dunham/Ewetade pair. Notre Dame hasn’t been able to pile up big advantage groups year after year as it has other positions on defense, particularly in the secondary. This needs to change, and it will be up to the first-year coach to decide Charlie Partridge and the recruiting staff to ensure he can build on the foundation started last season. I could see the staff adding a third class to the class, depending on how the current roster evolves after the 2026 season.
Need: 2-3
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The defensive tackle depth chart is a bit richer in the freshman and sophomore classes thanks to the two-way carry of Golden Elijah And Tiki Hola in the class of 2026, the move of the 2025 signee Christophe Burgess Jr.. inside, and the signature of Gordy Sulfsted And David Dixon in the class of 2025. Heading into the 2027 cycle, the Irish want at least two big players inside, but I think three will be the end result. Notre Dame needs more interior playmakers, but the staff also wants to add more size. This is a very strong class nationally, and the Midwest is also full of quality interior players like Brayden Parks And David Folorunsho. Notre Dame also made a California star Markus Fakatou a major priority, even before his reclassification in the class of 2027. These are only three talented players among us, but the list is much longer. The Irish really need to finish strong inside this class.
Need:3
Commits: Amarri Irvin
Notre Dame landed just two linebackers in the 2026 class, signing Thomas Davis Jr.. And Jacob Clapperand the Irish are now primarily a two-linebacker defense. Attracting at least two players in this class is the minimum goal, but with the experience of the current roster and the loss of some young players to the portal (Anthony Sacca, Bodie Kahoun) I saw this group grow to three. Notre Dame has a commitment from Florida Amarri Irvina talented and physical inside linebacker, but the coaching changes on defense have obviously created some uncertainty with all the defensive commitments. New coach Brian Jean-Mary’s number one priority is making sure Irvin is locked in. Once he does, adding at least one more talented defenseman is essential, but a third would be ideal.
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Need: 2-3
Commits: Ace Alston, Xavier Hasan
A farewell gift from the former high school coach Mike Mickens was the commitment of three talented defensive backs, including a great cornerback Xavier Hasan and talented cover man from Ohio Ace Alston. If Notre Dame simply keeps these two talented defenders in the class, the cornerback class is quite good and would continue the program’s recent surge in getting big corner classes. This is an impressive duo, with Hasan capable of playing every position in the secondary and Alston projecting quite well in both the corner of the court and the slot. With Christian Gray, DJ McKinney And Leonard Moore likely gone after this season, I could see a scenario where a third cornerback would be needed, even after Notre Dame signs a trio of elite cornerbacks in 2026 (Khary Adams, Ayden Pouncey, Chaz Smith), and the presence of three talented and promising second-year students in Dallas Golden, Mark Zackery IV and transfer Jayden Sanders.
Need: 2-3
Commits: Khalil Terry
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Landing of Notre-Dame Khalil Terry It was a good start for the safety class, with Terry able to play fullback and nickel. Keeping him in the class will be crucial, but Notre Dame needs at least one more safety in the class, but I think two more are needed. Notre Dame landed two safeties in the 2026 class with an elite athlete Joey O’Brien opening the way. Fellow 2026 Nicholas Reddish could play safety, but he was primarily recruited to play nickel by the previous staff. If he ends up playing more nickel, that means Notre Dame only has three pure safeties in the previous two classes, with Ethan Long And Brandon Logan remaining Class of 2025. Notre Dame aims to add big talent to the class, with Gavin Williams, Honoring Fa’alava-Johnson And Zayden Gamble being the main targets. If Notre Dame could draft two of these players to go with Terry, the Irish would get the kind of elite safety class they need.
Need: 1
Commits:Sean Kraft
Notre Dame’s first commitment in the Class of 2027 was Sean Kraftrated best snapper in the country by Rubio Long Snapping. After landing a punter and a kicker in the 2026 class, a snapper is all that was needed in this class, and the Irish landed the best in the country.
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