Tiki Hola, a 6’3″, 290-pound defensive lineman from Bastrop, Texas, has officially committed to Notre Dame. Hola, a 2026 four-star Rivals250 recruit, chose the Fighting Irish over SMU and USC. According to Rivals, Hola was ranked as the 16th defensive tackle, 30th best player in Texas, and 214th best player in the country.
The Fighting Irish continue to add to their already star-studded recruiting class for 2026. So far, they have landed 15 total commits, placing them second in the country behind USC. But what is their secret? Hola’s recent commitment shows that the Fighting Irish culture is still alive and well.
Tiki Hola’s Commitment Shows Notre Dame’s Culture Is Winning Recruits Beyond the Field
Fighting Irish fans are ecstatic after landing DL recruit Tiki Hola and are looking forward to what he can bring to their defense. On June 13, he will take his third visit to South Bend. As happy as the fans are, there is probably nobody happier than Notre Dame HC Marcus Freeman and defensive line coach Al Washington.
Breaking: Notre Dame scores a commitment from Rivals250 DL Tiki Hola
“They’ve always made me feel like it’s home. I’m really comfortable over there”
More from Hola: https://t.co/KK7x3rBBDB pic.twitter.com/4s0j306FxD
— Sam Spiegelman (@samspiegs) May 10, 2025
Before Freeman was named head coach in December 2021, Notre Dame was always in the conversation, but they often came up short. They would make the College Football Playoff back when it was four teams, but they would often end up short.
Now, Freeman has shaped and built Notre Dame to a competitive team competing for National Championships.
This past season, Freeman led the Fighting Irish to a 14-2 record, which was the most wins in program history. They also went to the National Championship, but ultimately fell short to the Ohio State Buckeyes. However, Freeman and the Irish have tons of momentum and hype going into 2025 as they look to stay on top as one of the best teams in the country.
Historically, when you think of Notre Dame in terms of dominant positions, one usually thinks of offensive line and tight ends. However, Freeman has done an incredible job of recruiting and developing top-end talent and developing them to be dominant in college and getting them to the next level.
The Fighting Irish defensive line over the years has been a lot better, too, which can especially be attributed to defensive line coach Al Washington.
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Hola has been on Washington’s radar for years and knew how valuable he was.
“Coach Sebastian and Coach Washington have been recruiting me for the last few years,” the four-star DL said. “They’ve always made me feel like it’s home. I’m really comfortable there and in that environment. The fan base and the teammates over there made me feel welcomed, and they made me feel valuable.”
As good a program as Notre Dame is on the field, what ultimately led to Hola committing to Notre Dame was its culture and reputation off of the field — especially the coaching staff.
“Outside of football, Coach Freeman and Coach Washington are two great people,” he detailed. “Being coached by them would be a great opportunity — to expend [sic] my opportunities in football and the doors that God has opened for me outside of football.”
The culture Freeman has instilled in the team followed by the way the players and staff bought in, mixed in with the elite recruiting classes year in, and year out sets up the Irish for long-lasting success.
Hola looks to add to that long list of Notre Dame legacy and be a difference maker, and maybe even bring a National Championship to South Bend.
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