As the high school football landscape continues to evolve with every passing offseason, recruiting analysts and fans alike pay close attention to the periodic updates of major recruiting services. One of the most respected among them, Rivals.com, recently released its updated Rivals250 rankings for the class of 2026, and there’s a name surging up the list that Fighting Irish fans will be thrilled to see: Joey O’Brien.
A hard-nosed, versatile athlete with a motor that doesn’t quit, O’Brien has officially cemented himself as one of the nation’s elite prospects in his class. After previously hovering near the lower tiers of the Rivals250, O’Brien’s stock has skyrocketed, thanks to an impressive offseason showing and undeniable on-field production. His meteoric rise is not just a testament to his raw talent but a reflection of his relentless work ethic and the strong fit he’s found under the Notre Dame umbrella.
Let’s dive into what makes Joey O’Brien such a compelling player, what his rise means for Notre Dame, and how his trajectory could shape the Irish’s 2026 recruiting class.
Who is Joey O’Brien?
A 6-foot-3, 220-pound linebacker/safety hybrid out of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Joey O’Brien is the type of athlete who doesn’t fit neatly into one box. He’s rangy enough to patrol the back end as a safety but physical and instinctive enough to step into the box and play downhill like a linebacker.
At St. Joseph’s Prep, a school known for developing elite talent in the Northeast, O’Brien has carved out a reputation as a defensive tone-setter. Whether he’s blitzing off the edge, flying sideline to sideline in pursuit, or dropping into coverage to lock down a tight end or slot receiver, O’Brien is almost always the best player on the field.
Last season as a sophomore, he posted eye-popping numbers: 104 total tackles, 14 tackles for loss, 4 sacks, 3 interceptions, and 2 forced fumbles, all while helping lead his team to the state championship game.
It wasn’t just the numbers that stood out. College coaches and scouts rave about his football IQ, leadership, and motor. Now with the new rankings in, Rivals has moved him into the top 100 nationally, with many insiders projecting he could end up in the top 50 before all is said and done.
The Rise in Rankings: A Closer Look
In the previous iteration of the Rivals250, O’Brien was nestled in the 180s—a respectable position but not yet reflective of his ceiling. Since then, he’s had a transformative stretch.
During the offseason camp circuit, O’Brien turned heads at events like the Rivals Camp Series in New Jersey, where he dominated in one-on-one drills against blue-chip running backs and receivers. His ability to mirror routes, explode downhill, and anticipate throws earned him MVP honors among linebackers.
Following that up with a strong performance at Under Armour Next, O’Brien showcased elite measurables—a 4.62 40-yard dash, 35-inch vertical, and a 10-foot-2 broad jump—which further validated his athletic profile. Combine that with his elite film, and the Rivals analysts had no choice but to bump him up more than 80 spots, slotting him in at No. 92 nationally and No. 6 at the linebacker position.
What’s most intriguing about his rise is that O’Brien is still evolving. He’s only 16 years old and still growing into his frame. There’s chatter he could end up closer to 230 pounds without losing his speed—a prototype fit for today’s hybrid linebacker-safety role in both college and the NFL.
A Perfect Fit for Notre Dame
When Joey O’Brien committed to Notre Dame last November, it didn’t necessarily make national headlines the way a quarterback or 5-star wideout might, but those close to the program knew this was a huge win.
Marcus Freeman, a defensive-minded head coach who thrives on getting the most out of versatile defenders, immediately identified O’Brien as a foundational piece in his 2026 class.
Freeman and defensive coordinator Al Golden have long prized athletes who can blur the lines between positions. In O’Brien, they see a player who can line up as a rover, move inside to WILL in passing downs, or even cover tight ends as a pseudo-safety.
“He checks every box for us,” Golden said in a recent interview. “Smart, tough, fast, coachable—and he’s a leader. He’s going to be the heart of our defense in the future.”
From a schematic standpoint, O’Brien gives Notre Dame flexibility. He allows the defense to stay in base while disguising coverages, an increasingly vital trait in today’s college game where tempo and spacing are used to exploit traditional defenses.
Additionally, his East Coast roots bolster Notre Dame’s recruiting pipeline in a talent-rich region. The Irish have had recent success in Pennsylvania (see: Marvin Harrison Jr.’s former high school teammate, Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah), and O’Brien’s commitment only strengthens their hold in the area.
Impact on the 2026 Recruiting Class
With O’Brien now a top-100 player, Notre Dame’s 2026 class vaults into the top 5 nationally in several composite rankings. The Irish have landed key early pledges on both sides of the ball, but O’Brien is widely viewed as the centerpiece of their defensive haul.
More importantly, O’Brien’s rise is starting to generate momentum with other top targets. He’s been an active peer recruiter, using social media and campus visits to connect with fellow elite prospects.
Most notably, he’s reportedly been in regular contact with:
- Kameron Carter, a 5-star edge rusher from Georgia.
- DeShawn Wallace, a top-50 cornerback from California.
- Landon Baxter, a speedy receiver from Texas who recently included Notre Dame in his top five.
O’Brien told reporters at the Rivals camp, “I’m not just here to play—I’m here to build something. I want to bring a championship back to South Bend, and I know we need dogs all around to do that.”
That leadership mindset is infectious, and Notre Dame’s staff has noticed. Freeman and his assistants have praised O’Brien’s ability to connect with younger and older players alike. Don’t be surprised if his commitment helps seal the deal for several more top-tier recruits this summer.
What the Experts Are Saying
The national analysts have taken note of O’Brien’s rise, and the buzz is only getting louder.
Adam Gorney, Rivals National Recruiting Director, said:
“We’ve seen this before with guys like Roquan Smith and Devin White—hybrid defenders who don’t pop right away but develop into stars. Joey’s trajectory is on that path. His film, athleticism, and football sense are all elite.”
Mike Farrell, a longtime veteran of recruiting coverage, added:
“Notre Dame got a gem in Joey O’Brien. He’s a culture guy, but also someone who’ll be a three-year starter and potential All-American. I wouldn’t be shocked if he ends up in the Rivals50 by the fall.”
Even opposing coaches who faced O’Brien this past season have been effusive in their praise. One Northeast high school coach said,
“He’s a nightmare to game plan against. He’s everywhere. He’s the type of kid who makes your quarterback question every read.”
NFL Potential? It’s There
It may be early, but there’s already NFL buzz surrounding O’Brien. His length, explosiveness, and coverage skills fit the mold of modern pro defenders like Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, Isaiah Simmons, and Kyle Dugger—guys who can do a little bit of everything.
If he continues to develop physically and hones his technique, there’s no reason he can’t be a first-round talent by the time 2029 rolls around.
O’Brien has also drawn praise off the field. He’s an honors student, active in community outreach, and speaks often about using his platform to uplift others. That kind of maturity and character will serve him well in South Bend and beyond.
Final Thoughts: A Star in the Making
Notre Dame fans should be ecstatic about Joey O’Brien’s ascent. In an era where recruiting hype often outpaces production, O’Brien is the rare prospect who backs up every ounce of praise with his play on the field and his actions off it.
His jump in the Rivals250 is well-deserved, but it feels like just the beginning. With two more high school seasons ahead of him and a coaching staff at Notre Dame fully invested in his development, the sky’s the limit.
As the 2026 cycle heats up, don’t be surprised if O’Brien becomes a household name—not just among recruiting diehards, but for college football fans everywhere. The Fighting Irish may have just found their next defensive star, and his name is Joey O’Brien.