Notre Dame Predicted to Land Dynamic Local Pass Rusher After Securing Commitment From Elite In-State Quarterback Prospect Teddy Jarrard
Notre Dame football’s recruiting momentum continues to build at a crucial point in the 2025 cycle. Days after landing elite in-state quarterback Teddy Jarrard, the Fighting Irish are now trending for one of the Midwest’s most coveted defensive talents — a dynamic edge rusher right in their own backyard. Multiple recruiting analysts predict that the domino effect from Jarrard’s commitment is already influencing top local prospects, with four-star defensive end Myles Preston now widely projected to choose Notre Dame.
Preston, a 6-foot-5, 240-pound edge rusher out of Indianapolis’ Warren Central High School, has seen his stock soar in recent months. Known for his explosiveness off the edge, high football IQ, and disruptive presence in both the run and pass game, Preston holds over 30 offers, including from SEC powerhouses like Alabama and Georgia. However, the momentum surrounding Notre Dame has dramatically shifted the conversation, especially with the program’s strategic focus on keeping top talent close to home.
Teddy Jarrard’s Impact Already Paying Dividends
When Teddy Jarrard announced his commitment to Notre Dame last week, it marked a major recruiting victory for head coach Marcus Freeman and offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock. Jarrard, ranked as the No. 4 quarterback nationally in the 2026 class, is a homegrown product from Mishawaka, Indiana, just minutes from Notre Dame’s campus. His decision was seen as a defining moment — not just for the quarterback room, but for the Irish’s recruiting reach within their own state.
Jarrard’s verbal pledge, which he made during a live event on ESPN, quickly reverberated across the Midwest. His commitment was framed by analysts as a “culture-setting” moment, and his personal relationships with fellow Indiana stars — like Preston — now appear to be playing a pivotal role in building what some are calling a “fortress” of in-state dominance.
“They say you build championship teams from your backyard,” one recruiting insider told 247Sports. “And Notre Dame has just locked down a quarterback with national star power. Now they’re in prime position to follow that up with one of the Midwest’s most complete pass rushers.”
Myles Preston: A Game-Changer on the Edge
Myles Preston’s rise on the national recruiting scene has been anything but quiet. He’s the No. 7 edge rusher in the 2025 class according to On3 and Rivals, and his junior season highlights show a player with rare traits — burst, bend, and relentless pursuit. Preston totaled 17 sacks and 25 tackles for loss in 2024, earning first-team All-State honors and attracting attention from top-tier programs across the country.
What separates Preston, however, is his commitment to constant improvement and leadership qualities that have drawn comparisons to former Notre Dame greats like Isaiah Foskey and Khalid Kareem.
“I’ve studied the guys who came through South Bend,” Preston said during an interview with Rivals earlier this year. “They play with discipline, power, and a mindset that fits me. I want to go where I can be developed and win.”
That philosophy aligns perfectly with what Marcus Freeman has built defensively. Under the guidance of defensive coordinator Al Golden, Notre Dame has become a pipeline for NFL-caliber defensive linemen, and Preston could be next in line.
The Local Advantage and the Culture Freeman Is Building
Marcus Freeman has placed heavy emphasis on “closing the borders” — a recruiting philosophy that stresses the importance of keeping the best players from Indiana, Illinois, and Ohio within Notre Dame’s grasp. With Jarrard on board and Preston strongly trending toward the Irish, that vision is rapidly becoming reality.
“Coach Freeman has made it clear: Notre Dame has to win at home first,” said former Irish linebacker and current NBC analyst Drue Tranquill. “He’s connecting with families, with high school coaches, and with kids who grew up watching Notre Dame football. That’s powerful.”
Preston is the perfect example. He’s made multiple visits to South Bend over the past year, including an extended stay during spring practices and the Blue-Gold Game. He’s spoken publicly about how he values the program’s academics, its storied defensive tradition, and most importantly, the direction Freeman is taking the team in both culture and competitiveness.
Recruiting Analysts: “Momentum Is Real”
Following Jarrard’s commitment, On3’s recruiting prediction machine shifted in favor of Notre Dame for Preston, giving the Irish a 75% chance of landing him — up from just 35% two weeks earlier. Rivals recruiting analyst Clint Cosgrove called it “a direct ripple effect.”
“Teddy and Myles have a great relationship,” Cosgrove noted. “They’ve been on visits together, they’ve trained together at multiple regional camps, and they talk a lot. When Teddy committed, it signaled to guys like Preston that Notre Dame is serious about competing at a championship level.”
ESPN’s Tom Luginbill added, “Notre Dame has always recruited nationally, but the elite teams today are built by locking down your home state and surrounding region. Notre Dame is doing just that.”
What Preston Would Bring to the 2025 Class
If Preston were to commit, he would immediately become the highest-ranked defensive player in Notre Dame’s 2025 class and a cornerstone of a defensive line group that is already showing promise. The Irish are in solid position with other defensive line targets, including four-star DT Elijah Griffin and Texas-based DE Jeremiah Tatum. Adding Preston would give the class a balanced combination of power, speed, and versatility.
Notre Dame’s current defensive linemen have benefited from a strong development pipeline. Players like Rylie Mills, Jordan Botelho, and Joshua Burnham have taken big steps under Al Golden’s watch, and that track record is increasingly attractive to top high school defenders.
Preston also brings intangible assets — he’s a vocal leader, a student of the game, and someone who embraces the academic and off-field challenges of playing at a place like Notre Dame.
What’s Next?
All signs point to Preston making his commitment before the end of August. With the high school season about to begin and official visits wrapping up, he’s expected to choose between Notre Dame, Ohio State, and Alabama — though all recent buzz indicates Notre Dame is clearly in front.
Should he follow through and join Jarrard in the 2025 class, it would mark another milestone in what has become a statement recruiting summer for Freeman and his staff.
Notre Dame fans have already taken notice. Social media lit up with speculation after Preston “liked” several Notre Dame posts and was spotted wearing Irish gear during a 7-on-7 event earlier this month.
If Jarrard is the quarterback of the future, Preston might be the player that helps ensure that future is protected — on the scoreboard and on the defensive side of the ball.
Notre Dame’s ability to turn local stars into future All-Americans has long been part of its DNA. Teddy Jarrard’s commitment may be the spark that reignites that tradition. And if Myles Preston follows suit, the Irish could be on their way to one of the strongest homegrown recruiting hauls in recent memory.
As Marcus Freeman and his staff continue to push for national relevance through player development, elite academics, and local relationships, landing Preston would be more than just a win — it would be proof of a blueprint working exactly as planned.
