Ohio State vs. Notre Dame: A recruiting star comparison of the projected starting 22

The matchup between Ohio State and Notre Dame in college football is always one to circle on the calendar, especially when it involves two of the most storied programs in the sport. Both teams have an immense recruiting pedigree, consistently bringing in top-tier talent year after year. With elite coaching staffs, national championship aspirations, and the passionate fanbases that come with their respective histories, Ohio State and Notre Dame have built their rosters through exceptional recruiting. As these two teams face off in an anticipated showdown, it’s worth diving into a recruiting star comparison of their projected starting 22 players.

This article will compare the recruiting rankings of each of the projected starting players on both teams, offering insight into the talent that each roster boasts. While rankings aren’t the sole measure of a player’s ability, they give a general idea of the level of competition that these athletes have faced to get to where they are. By breaking down each position group for Ohio State and Notre Dame, we’ll see just how these two elite programs stack up on paper heading into this head-to-head matchup.

Quarterback Comparison

Ohio State: Kyle McCord

• Recruiting Rank: 5-Star (Top 10 Nationally)
• Hometown: Philadelphia, PA
• High School: St. Joseph’s Prep
• Comparison: McCord is considered one of the top quarterbacks in his class. His combination of arm strength, football IQ, and poise under pressure made him a coveted recruit. As a 5-star prospect, he was ranked as the No. 2 QB in the country in the 2021 class. McCord has spent the past few seasons as a backup at Ohio State, gaining valuable experience behind C.J. Stroud, and now is set to take over as the starter.

Notre Dame: Sam Hartman

• Recruiting Rank: 4-Star
• Hometown: Charlotte, NC
• High School: Oceanside Collegiate Academy
• Comparison: Hartman wasn’t as highly ranked as McCord but has still proven himself to be one of the most effective quarterbacks in college football. After transferring from Wake Forest, Hartman arrives at Notre Dame with a wealth of experience and production. Despite being a 4-star recruit, he has developed into a leader with a strong arm and the ability to make plays both in the pocket and on the move.

Edge: Ohio State

McCord’s higher recruiting ranking gives him the edge here, but Hartman’s experience and production at the college level give him the opportunity to show he can still compete with the best.

Running Back Comparison

Ohio State: TreVeyon Henderson

• Recruiting Rank: 5-Star (Top 20 Nationally)
• Hometown: Hopewell, VA
• High School: Hopewell High School
• Comparison: Henderson was an absolute star in high school, ranking as one of the top running backs in his class. His combination of vision, speed, and burst makes him a game-changer. In his time at Ohio State, he has lived up to the hype, showing flashes of greatness as a true freshman and sophomore. Henderson has the ability to dominate the field in both the running and passing game.

Notre Dame: Audric Estime

• Recruiting Rank: 4-Star
• Hometown: New Jersey
• High School: Bergen Catholic
• Comparison: Estime may not have the same five-star pedigree as Henderson, but he’s been one of the more powerful running backs in college football. He has excellent size (6-1, 227 pounds) and vision, and has proven to be a punishing runner between the tackles. Estime was a key part of Notre Dame’s offense in his first year with the team and looks to continue his growth in 2025.

Edge: Ohio State

Henderson’s explosive playmaking ability and 5-star pedigree give him the edge in this comparison, though Estime is a powerful back with the potential to make a big impact.

Wide Receiver Comparison

Ohio State: Marvin Harrison Jr.

• Recruiting Rank: 5-Star (Top 5 Nationally)
• Hometown: Philadelphia, PA
• High School: St. Joseph’s Prep
• Comparison: A literal and figurative heir to one of Ohio State’s most legendary families, Marvin Harrison Jr. is one of the most highly touted wide receivers in the country. His combination of size, speed, route-running ability, and hands makes him a top target in the Buckeye offense. As a 5-star recruit, he is expected to be a first-round NFL pick in the 2025 draft.

Notre Dame: Jaden Greathouse

• Recruiting Rank: 4-Star
• Hometown: Austin, TX
• High School: Westlake High School
• Comparison: Greathouse wasn’t as highly ranked as Harrison but still possesses excellent size and hands. He was a standout at Westlake, one of the top programs in Texas, and his ability to make contested catches is a valuable trait. Greathouse is a physical, well-rounded receiver who will be a major part of Notre Dame’s passing attack.

Edge: Ohio State

Harrison is one of the most elite wide receivers in the country and arguably one of the top playmakers in college football, making him the clear winner in this comparison.

Offensive Line Comparison

Ohio State: Paris Johnson Jr. (LT)

• Recruiting Rank: 5-Star
• Hometown: Cincinnati, OH
• High School: Princeton High School
• Comparison: Johnson is one of the best offensive line prospects in recent years, with an ideal combination of size, strength, and athleticism. As a 5-star recruit, he is expected to be a high first-round pick in the NFL Draft.

Notre Dame: Joe Alt (LT)

• Recruiting Rank: 5-Star
• Hometown: Minneapolis, MN
• High School: The Blake School
• Comparison: Alt, like Johnson, was a highly ranked 5-star prospect. Known for his size and skill as a left tackle, Alt has been a staple of Notre Dame’s offensive line since he arrived on campus. His excellent technique and ability to protect the quarterback make him one of the best in college football.

Edge: Push

Both Johnson and Alt are elite prospects who have already shown they can play at a high level. This comparison is essentially a toss-up given both players’ abilities to dominate the line of scrimmage.

Defensive Line Comparison

Ohio State: J.T. Tuimoloau (DE)

• Recruiting Rank: 5-Star (Top 10 Nationally)
• Hometown: Honolulu, HI
• High School: Eastside Catholic
• Comparison: Tuimoloau is an elite pass rusher with a rare combination of size, speed, and strength. As a 5-star recruit, he was one of the most highly sought-after defensive prospects in the nation and has lived up to the hype as a dominant force on the edge.

Notre Dame: Rylie Mills (DE)

• Recruiting Rank: 4-Star
• Hometown: Chicago, IL
• High School: Lake Forest High School
• Comparison: Mills is a highly versatile defensive lineman who can play multiple positions along the line. He is not quite the top-tier pass rusher that Tuimoloau is, but he has shown great improvement in his technique and continues to develop into a well-rounded defensive player for Notre Dame.

Edge: Ohio State

Tuimoloau is an explosive, dynamic pass rusher who has shown he can be a game-changer. While Mills is solid, Tuimoloau’s impact on the field gives Ohio State the advantage here.

Linebacker Comparison

Ohio State: Tommy Eichenberg

• Recruiting Rank: 4-Star
• Hometown: Cleveland, OH
• High School: St. Ignatius High School
• Comparison: Eichenberg has developed into one of Ohio State’s key defensive leaders. As a 4-star recruit, he was always expected to contribute at a high level, but he’s elevated his game over time. Eichenberg is an intelligent, physical linebacker who excels in both run defense and pass coverage.

Notre Dame: JD Bertrand

• Recruiting Rank: 4-Star
• Hometown: Lawrenceville, GA
• High School: Greater Atlanta Christian School
• Comparison: Bertrand has been a key part of Notre Dame’s defense for the past few seasons. A skilled tackler with excellent instincts, Bertrand was a 4-star recruit who was always expected to develop into a strong linebacker at the college level. His ability to read the offense and contribute in pass coverage is a valuable asset for the Irish.

Edge: Push

Both Eichenberg and Bertrand are well-rounded, reliable linebackers who have become key components of their respective defenses. The edge here is very close, as both players are highly skilled and experienced.

Secondary Comparison

Ohio State: Denzel Burke (CB)

• Recruiting Rank: 5-Star
• Hometown: Scottsdale, AZ
• High School: Saguaro High School
• Comparison: Burke has emerged as one of the top cornerbacks in college football. His elite ball skills, speed, and coverage ability make him a standout. A 5-star recruit, Burke was expected to come in and be a major contributor right away, and he has lived up to that promise with exceptional play.

Notre Dame: Benjamin Morrison (CB)

• Recruiting Rank: 4-Star
• Hometown: Phoenix, AZ
• High School: Brophy Prep
• Comparison: Morrison has been one of Notre Dame’s most exciting young talents. A 4-star recruit, Morrison has quickly developed into a standout cornerback for the Irish, with excellent ball skills and the ability to cover some of the best receivers in the country.

Edge: Ohio State

Burke is one of the best cornerbacks in college football and has the advantage over Morrison in this comparison.