Notre Dame football is making a serious push in the recruiting game, and this time, their homework is clearly paying off. With On3 ranking the Irish at No. 4, the program is steadily building one of the most promising classes for 2026. Now, they are working hard to land a key piece — four-star running back Jonaz Walton — and reports suggest they are on solid ground to recruit the elite prospect.
Notre Dame Prioritizes Jonaz Walton in Top-Tier Recruiting Push
Javian Osborne, a four-star recruit and one of the top running back prospects in the country, announced his commitment to play for Notre Dame on Saturday, May 3. However, the Irish are still looking to strengthen their running back depth, which has pushed them to add more talent at the position.
Walton, a four-star running back, has emerged as a priority target, with running backs coach Ja’Juan Seider leading the charge in his recruitment. If they officially land him in their recruiting class, it would be a major win, as securing back-to-back four-star recruits would surely boost their ranking and their future depth.
Notre Dame has already secured 14 recruits in its 2026 recruiting class so far. The class includes a mix of highly rated prospects, such as Rodney Dunham (EDGE), Osborne (RB), Ayden Pouncey (DB), and Noah Grubbs (QB), among others.
Now, Walton could give them a huge edge for sure. According to reports, Walton has made two visits this year, and the Irish seem well-positioned to secure his commitment. Based on credible sources, it seems like an official announcement could be coming soon.
We’ve also heard positive feedback from the young talent himself. Walton has spoken highly of his visits to South Bend, Ind. During his first visit in January, the Central High School (Carrollton, Ga.) star said, “It went really well. Honestly, I was able to meet with their academic advisor and their head of admissions. … That was really the main thing — how they help transition high school students to being college students.”
The Irish are battling Alabama, Florida, Stanford, and Tennessee for Walton’s commitment. But with momentum on their side, they may be closing in on another big-time win.
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