Notre Dame ranks among the top schools in average rating per commitment for the 2026 recruiting class, highlighting its strong appeal to elite prospects.

In college football recruiting, rankings often serve as a barometer of a program’s ability to attract top-tier talent. Among these metrics, the average rating per commitment provides a nuanced perspective—highlighting the quality of each individual recruit rather than solely the quantity. For the 2026 recruiting cycle, Notre Dame’s position among the top schools in this metric underscores its growing prominence and allure among elite high school prospects.

This analysis will explore the significance of this ranking, the factors contributing to Notre Dame’s attractiveness, the implications for the program’s future, and how this positioning reflects broader trends in college football recruiting. We will delve into Notre Dame’s strategic recruiting approach, the profile of their commits, and what this indicates about their competitiveness in attracting top talent early in the cycle.

Understanding the Metric: Average Rating Per Commitment

Before examining Notre Dame’s standing, it’s essential to understand what the average rating per commitment signifies. Recruiting rankings, such as those from 247Sports, Rivals, and ESPN, assign star ratings and composite scores to prospects based on evaluations from scouts and analysts.

• Star Ratings: These typically range from 1 to 5 stars, with 5-star prospects representing the most highly heralded recruits nationally.
• Composite Scores: These aggregate multiple recruiting services’ evaluations into a single numerical value, providing a holistic assessment of a recruit’s perceived potential and talent.

The average rating per commitment takes the combined scores of all signed players and divides by the number of commitments. A higher average indicates that a program is securing more highly rated recruits on average—an indicator of their ability to attract top-tier talent.

For Notre Dame, ranking among the top schools in this metric suggests that its commitments are, on average, among the most highly rated in the nation, reflecting a strong pull on elite prospects.

Notre Dame’s Rising Recruiting Profile in 2026

Notre Dame has historically been a program that competes for top talent, balancing both athletic excellence and academic prestige. Its recruiting profile has seen notable growth, especially in recent years, fueled by:

• On-Field Success: Consistent appearances in bowl games, playoff contention, and competitive seasons bolster its reputation.
• Academic and Cultural Appeal: The university’s academic standards, leadership development, and unique identity appeal to prospects seeking a holistic college experience.
• NFL Track Record: Notre Dame’s history of producing NFL talent remains attractive to top recruits.
• National Reach: The program’s recruiting efforts extend across the country, attracting talent from diverse regions.

For the 2026 cycle, early commitments and evaluations indicate that Notre Dame is successfully attracting some of the most highly rated prospects, pushing its average rating per commitment into the upper echelons nationally.

Key Factors Contributing to Notre Dame’s High Average Rating

Several strategic and cultural factors contribute to Notre Dame’s ability to secure highly rated recruits:

1. Strong Recruiting Infrastructure: Notre Dame’s recruiting staff is experienced, well-connected, and adept at identifying and nurturing top talent early.
2. Early Engagement: The program’s focus on early recruiting allows them to build relationships and secure commitments from high-potential prospects before other schools can.
3. Academic and Cultural Fit: Many top prospects value Notre Dame’s rigorous academics and unique student-athlete culture, aligning with their personal aspirations.
4. National Brand and Visibility: Notre Dame’s iconic status in college football and high-profile games provide exposure that appeals to top recruits.
5. NFL Success and Development: The reputation for developing NFL-caliber players remains a key selling point.
6. Relationship Building: Notre Dame’s coaching staff emphasizes building genuine, long-term relationships with recruits and their families, fostering trust and commitment.

These factors collectively enhance the program’s appeal, allowing it to secure commitments from elite prospects with high potential and ratings.

Profile of the 2026 Commits and Their Ratings

While the full roster of Notre Dame’s commitments for 2026 is still emerging, early commits have already demonstrated high ratings:

• Five-Star Prospects: Notre Dame has secured commitments from several five-star recruits, who are among the most highly rated prospects nationally.
• High Four-Star Talents: Many of the commitments are in the 4.8 to 5.0 range on the composite scale, indicating elite potential.
• Positional Balance: The commitments include top-tier players across key positions—quarterback, linemen, linebackers, and skill positions—highlighting a comprehensive approach to building a competitive roster.

The high average rating per commitment is a reflection of both the quality and potential of these recruits. Their early commitments suggest Notre Dame’s growing reputation as a destination for top talent, and their evaluations indicate that these players are viewed as future stars.

Implications for Notre Dame’s Future Success

Securing a class with a high average rating per commitment has multiple positive implications:

1. On-Field Performance: Top-rated recruits tend to have a higher likelihood of developing into impactful players, elevating the team’s competitiveness.
2. Recruiting Momentum: Demonstrating the ability to sign highly rated prospects early builds confidence in Notre Dame’s recruiting efforts, attracting even more elite prospects.
3. Program Prestige: A highly rated class enhances Notre Dame’s national profile, reinforcing its status among college football’s elite programs.
4. NIL and Marketability: Highly talented recruits attract NIL opportunities, which can further incentivize prospects to choose Notre Dame.
5. Long-Term Success: Early commitments and high ratings set the foundation for sustained excellence, as top prospects are more likely to develop into NFL-level talent.

This high average rating per commitment signifies that Notre Dame is not just competing for quantity but for quality—a crucial factor in building a championship-contending roster.

Comparison with National Peers

When comparing Notre Dame’s recruiting metrics to other top programs like Alabama, Georgia, Ohio State, and Clemson, its ranking among the top schools in average rating per commitment is particularly noteworthy given its independent status and academic standards.

While powerhouse programs often dominate in quantity and overall class rankings, Notre Dame’s focus on quality over quantity often results in a higher average rating per commitment. This strategic emphasis reflects a deliberate approach: targeting fewer but more highly rated prospects who fit the program’s culture and development model.

In early 2026 evaluations, Notre Dame’s position among the top schools underscores its effectiveness in this approach, matching or surpassing traditional recruiting powerhouses in terms of commitment quality.

Broader Trends in College Football Recruiting

Notre Dame’s strong showing in this metric aligns with broader recruiting trends:

• Early Commitment Focus: Programs are increasingly securing commitments early in the cycle, providing stability and momentum.
• Emphasis on High-Quality Talent: The landscape values not just quantity but the quality of recruits, especially for programs aiming for national championships.
• Holistic Player Evaluation: Schools are prioritizing character, academics, and leadership alongside athletic ability, aligning with Notre Dame’s identity.
• Regional and National Competition: Top prospects are being courted by multiple elite programs, making early, high-quality commitments vital.

Notre Dame’s success in maintaining a high average rating per commitment demonstrates its competitiveness and strategic acumen in this evolving environment.

Notre Dame’s ranking among the top schools in average rating per commitment for the 2026 recruiting class underscores the program’s formidable appeal to elite prospects. This achievement reflects a combination of strategic recruiting practices, a compelling university culture, a storied football tradition, and a focus on attracting high-potential talent early in the cycle.

As the class continues to take shape, the high average rating signals not only immediate on-field potential but also long-term prospects for sustained success. Notre Dame’s ability to consistently attract top-tier recruits with high evaluations cements its position as a national recruiting powerhouse, capable of competing with the best in college football.

This trend bodes well for the future, promising a talented roster poised to contend for championships and further elevate Notre Dame’s storied legacy. The program’s emphasis on quality over quantity, combined with its unique cultural appeal, positions it well to capitalize on this momentum and attract the kind of players who will define the next era of Irish football.