Five-star safety Joey O’Brien is headed to South Bend, giving his commitment to Notre Dame over Clemson, Michigan, Alabama, and a host of other national powers in a massive recruiting win for the Fighting Irish. The 6-foot-2, 195-pound defensive back out of Saint Peter’s Prep (Jersey City, New Jersey) is considered the top safety in the country by multiple services and becomes the crown jewel of Notre Dame’s 2026 class—a class that is quickly shaping into one of the program’s best in recent memory. For head coach Marcus Freeman, the addition of O’Brien isn’t just a recruiting victory; it’s a loud, national statement that Notre Dame is ready to reclaim its place among college football’s elite and build a defense capable of shutting down the best offenses in the country.
O’Brien announced his commitment with a short, heartfelt message shared across social media, thanking his family, coaches, and mentors, and expressing his deep respect for all the programs that recruited him. But he made it clear that South Bend had something the others didn’t—something he could feel from the moment he stepped on campus.
“I knew it when I got there,” O’Brien said. “It just felt like home. The tradition, the coaching staff, the way they made me feel like a priority—Notre Dame is where I want to be.”
The commitment ends what had been one of the most competitive and closely followed recruitments of the 2026 cycle. Clemson made a strong push late, with head coach Dabo Swinney and defensive coordinator Wes Goodwin both taking personal interest in O’Brien’s development and role in their future defense. Michigan had hosted him for an unofficial visit that reportedly “went better than expected,” and Alabama—always a threat in top-tier defensive recruiting—had its own momentum building in the spring. But throughout the process, Notre Dame remained steady. Position coach Chris O’Leary built a relationship with O’Brien that transcended football, and Freeman’s vision for how he would anchor the Irish secondary proved to be the difference-maker.
O’Brien brings elite athleticism, an instinctive football IQ, and a hard-hitting edge to the safety position. He has the rare ability to cover sideline-to-sideline, defend one-on-one in space, and lay the lumber in run support. He reads offenses like a quarterback and has shown time and time again that he can make game-changing plays, whether by jumping a route for an interception or timing a blitz perfectly for a backfield tackle. In an era where versatility is king, O’Brien might be the prototype.
At Saint Peter’s Prep, he’s been a force from day one. As a sophomore, he recorded 78 tackles, 5 interceptions, and 3 forced fumbles, while also contributing on offense and special teams. He’s earned comparisons to players like Kyle Hamilton—a name that means a lot in Notre Dame circles—due to his ranginess, intelligence, and nose for the football. That comparison isn’t lost on O’Brien, either.
“Watching Kyle Hamilton at Notre Dame showed me what that position could look like at the highest level,” he said. “I want to be that guy who changes the game, who opponents have to plan around every single week.”
Notre Dame fans, no doubt, are already envisioning a new era of defensive dominance. O’Brien joins a 2026 class that already includes elite talent across the board, including high-upside edge rushers, versatile linebackers, and several four-star prospects in the secondary. With O’Brien as the anchor, the Irish now have a tone-setter—a player whose presence elevates the standard for everyone else.
For Freeman, who made defense the foundation of his vision when he took over the program, the commitment validates years of strategic recruiting and player development. He’s shown that Notre Dame can recruit with the best, even without the NIL war chests of some SEC programs. Instead, Freeman and his staff continue to sell a powerful blend of tradition, development, national exposure, and a legitimate path to the NFL. That pitch has resonated with players like O’Brien, who see Notre Dame not just as a stepping stone, but as a proving ground.
“It wasn’t about the flash,” O’Brien’s high school coach Mike McGill said. “Joey is a smart kid. He wanted somewhere that would challenge him on the field, in the classroom, and as a person. Notre Dame checked all those boxes.”
And while the Irish have had no shortage of success in recruiting top defensive backs in recent years, O’Brien’s commitment could trigger a domino effect. Other highly ranked targets in the 2026 class, including several defensive backs and defensive linemen who visited with O’Brien, are now taking a closer look at the Irish. It’s not uncommon for elite recruits to recruit each other, and with O’Brien now firmly in the fold, Notre Dame suddenly looks like the place to be.
His presence also brings a swagger and leadership that goes beyond highlight plays and accolades. Those around him consistently mention his work ethic, attention to detail, and passion for the game. He’s a quiet leader, but his presence carries weight—especially in the locker room. That’s the kind of intangible Freeman has made a point of prioritizing in his recruiting classes: high-character kids who elevate the culture as much as they elevate the scoreboard.
Off the field, O’Brien is equally impressive. A strong student with aspirations of studying business, he chose Notre Dame in part because of the academic rigor and the alumni network. That balance—football greatness and academic excellence—is rare, and O’Brien has made it clear that he’s chasing both.
“I want to be a great football player, but I also want to be prepared for life after football,” he said. “Notre Dame offers the best of both worlds.”
That message is likely to resonate with other recruits who are looking beyond just the football field. In an era where short-term incentives often take center stage, O’Brien’s decision to choose Notre Dame—despite pressure and bigger NIL offers from elsewhere—sends a powerful message about the value of legacy, development, and fit.
Notre Dame’s secondary is already loaded with young talent, but there’s no doubt O’Brien will have a chance to compete early. With his size, speed, and instincts, he’ll be hard to keep off the field. Whether as a hybrid safety-linebacker, a true deep-field center fielder, or even a chess piece who moves around in Al Golden’s scheme, O’Brien has the versatility and football IQ to thrive.
There’s a sense of excitement now swirling around South Bend, and for good reason. In Joey O’Brien, the Irish didn’t just land a five-star safety—they landed a foundational piece, a future leader, and a potential All-American who embodies everything the program strives to represent. Fans will point to this commitment as a moment the tide began to shift, when Notre Dame began to close the gap on the SEC and Big Ten giants in recruiting and, more importantly, on the field.
As recruiting rankings shuffle and names emerge over the next few months, Joey O’Brien’s pledge will stand out not just because of his talent, but because of the conviction behind it. He chose South Bend not for the flash, but for the fit. And if his high school career is any indication of what’s to come, the Irish just landed a game-changer—one who may one day be remembered not just as the best safety in the class, but as one of the best to ever wear the blue and gold.
