SOUTH BEND — Notre Dame football’s 2026 recruiting class continues to fly high in the national rankings.
Friday evening, June 20, the latest nonbinding commitment came from five-star safety Joey O’Brien of La Salle College High School in suburban Philadelphia. Rated 30th overall and fourth nationally among safeties, per 247 Sports Composite, O’Brien had the Irish in his top four along with Penn State, Oregon and Clemson.
“I’d trust Coach Marcus Freeman with my life,” O’Brien said at his announcement, which was carried live on YouTube. “He’s the type of dude I want to go to battle for.”
The 6-foot-3, 185-pound O’Brien, who also stars at wide receiver, took his official visit to Notre Dame last weekend. Flanked by his parents and sisters, O’Brien said he gave the Irish his commitment on Wednesday night, June 18.
“It was really a hard choice for me, but that last visit really pushed everything over the top for them,” O’Brien said. “I like to win. That’s what I’m going to do. I’m going to be fighting for a spot as soon as I get there.”
Earlier Friday, the Irish secured a commitment from four-star cornerback Khary Adams of Loyola Blakefield in Towson, Md. Rated No. 36 overall, Adams chose the Irish over offers from fellow finalists Michigan, Oregon and Penn State.
Adams is taking his official visit this weekend.
On Wednesday June 18, Notre Dame added a commitment from O’Brien’s prep teammate, Wyndmoor, Pa., offensive tackle Grayson McKeough (6-foot-7, 275 pounds). McKeough is a three-star prospect with significant upside.
With first-year general manager Mike Martin leading the recruiting operation, the Irish moved past Texas A&M on Friday and trail only USC in the latest national rankings for the 2026 cycle. Martin’s predecessor, Chad Bowden, jumped to the Trojans in January.
At 6-foot-3 and 182 pounds, Adams has reportedly flashed 4.4 speed in the 40-yard dash and has been clocked at 10.7 seconds in the 100 meters. Only O’Brien and edge rusher Rodney Dunham (No. 15 overall) of Myers Park High School in Charlotte, N.C., rank higher in the current Irish 2026 signing class.
In late April, Notre Dame secured a commitment from four-star safety Ayden Pouncey (No. 139 overall) of Winter Park, Fla.
Three-star cornerback Chaston Smith gave his commitment last Dec. 1, and the recent additions have only added to the pipeline of talent flowing into defensive pass-game coordinator Mike Mickens’ vaunted secondary.
Commitments won’t become official until the early signing period opens Dec. 3-5.
Mike Berardino covers Notre Dame football for the South Bend Tribune and NDInsider.com. Follow him on social media @MikeBerardino.
This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: Five-star safety Joey O’Brien commits to Notre Dame football, joining Maryland prep CB Khary Adams
Reporting by Mike Berardino, South Bend Tribune / South Bend Tribune
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
