In a stunning and pivotal recruiting shake-up that is sending shockwaves through the college football world, 5-star tight end Oscar Delp, a 6-foot-5, 245-pound generational talent, has officially decommitted from the Georgia Bulldogs and announced his commitment to the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, choosing the blue and gold over heavyweights like Clemson, Texas A&M, LSU, and Florida.
This monumental decision doesn’t just reshape Notre Dame’s 2025 recruiting class — it redefines the trajectory of the Irish offense for years to come. In Delp, Marcus Freeman and offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock have secured arguably the most complete tight end in the nation: a pass-catching juggernaut, an elite blocker, and a locker room leader with NFL potential stamped all over him.
Let’s break down what this means for Notre Dame, the college football landscape, and why Oscar Delp’s decision will echo from South Bend to Athens and beyond.
The Recruitment Saga: From Georgia Star to Notre Dame Treasure
Oscar Delp, originally from Cumming, Georgia and a product of West Forsyth High School, first committed to the Georgia Bulldogs during his junior year in what was widely viewed as a massive win for Kirby Smart. Georgia, long considered “Tight End U” alongside Notre Dame, was seen as the perfect fit. With names like Brock Bowers and Darnell Washington setting the standard in Athens, Delp was next in line.
But recruiting is never linear. Sources close to the situation cite a shift in Georgia’s offensive scheme, crowded positional depth, and an increasing admiration for Notre Dame’s legacy of developing tight ends — from Kyle Rudolph to Tyler Eifert, Cole Kmet, and Michael Mayer — as the foundation for Delp’s reconsideration.
As the spring progressed and Notre Dame made an aggressive push to flip the 5-star, things became clearer. Marcus Freeman’s persistence, coupled with tight ends coach Marty Biagi’s deep relationship with Delp’s family, played a central role in the final decision.
In a social media post accompanied by a photo of him in Notre Dame’s iconic blue jersey standing in front of Touchdown Jesus, Delp wrote:
“Sometimes, your heart leads you where you truly belong. After a lot of thought and prayer, I’ve decided to decommit from Georgia and commit to the University of Notre Dame. Go Irish!”
What Notre Dame Is Getting in Oscar Delp
Oscar Delp is not your average tight end prospect. He’s an all-around force — a legitimate matchup nightmare who can line up in-line, in the slot, or out wide. He has been clocked running a 4.6-second 40-yard dash, boasts a 36-inch vertical, and has hands as reliable as they are soft.
In his junior season, Delp posted eye-popping numbers:
- 62 receptions
- 987 receiving yards
- 14 touchdowns
- Zero drops in the red zone
But what separates him is the willingness to block like a lineman and the football IQ to exploit zone coverage as if he were a seasoned NFL vet.
Analysts compare his game to Travis Kelce — not because of pure athleticism alone, but due to his route-running ability, his awareness, and the fact he makes quarterbacks better.
For Notre Dame, who traditionally leans on the tight end as a central part of its offense, Delp is the kind of player who could start Day 1 and become a cornerstone of a Playoff-caliber attack.
Marcus Freeman’s Recruiting Magic
This flip cannot be overstated. In an era where NIL, conference realignment, and coaching changes have made recruiting the Wild West, Marcus Freeman continues to own the trail.
Flipping a 5-star offensive weapon from a perennial powerhouse like Georgia — especially at a position of strength for the Bulldogs — is a recruiting coup that ranks among the biggest under Freeman’s young but explosive tenure.
Notre Dame’s 2025 class was already impressive, but with Delp in the fold, it now sits firmly in top-5 territory nationally. He joins a class that already includes:
- 4-star QB Carson Kiner (OH)
- 4-star WR Trey McNair (TX)
- 5-star OT Marcus Conley (NJ)
- 4-star LB Isaiah Ford (MI)
And insiders suggest more dominos may fall. With Delp now committed, expect a ripple effect that could influence wide receivers and even other top tight end prospects to re-evaluate.
The Notre Dame Tight End Legacy Lives On
Notre Dame isn’t just Tight End U in name — it’s in practice. The list of names that have come through South Bend and made it to the NFL is impressive, and that legacy was a major selling point to Delp and his family.
In an interview following his announcement, Delp said:
“When I sat down with Coach Freeman and Coach Biagi, I realized they don’t just develop tight ends — they build men of character and leaders who are ready for the next level. I want to be part of that.”
From a scheme perspective, offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock is expected to design packages to take full advantage of Delp’s unique talents. Think flex formations, misdirection routes, and red zone domination.
Expect Delp to wear #87 — a nod to his idol, Michael Mayer — when he steps on campus next summer.
Ripple Effects: SEC Powerhouses Left in the Cold
Georgia, Clemson, LSU, Florida, and Texas A&M all thought they had a legitimate shot — and for a while, they did. But Notre Dame’s late push, anchored by continuity in coaching and academic appeal, ultimately swayed the five-star.
For Georgia, the loss stings. Delp was being groomed as the successor to Brock Bowers, and with depth thinning due to graduation and transfers, his absence creates a pressing need.
Clemson and LSU, who both had Delp visit unofficially this spring, are now scrambling to redirect their tight end search.
Florida and A&M, while less likely destinations, were still in the mix and had offered lucrative NIL packages, according to recruiting insiders.
Delp’s move to Notre Dame signals that development, culture, and legacy still matter, even in an era increasingly dominated by NIL dollars.
Looking Ahead: Delp’s Fit in South Bend
The future is now for Notre Dame. Delp isn’t coming to sit — he’s coming to dominate.
With current tight ends Mitchell Evans likely heading to the NFL and Holden Staes transferring, the position group is wide open. Delp is expected to compete for the starting TE1 role as a true freshman, particularly in double-TE sets with rising sophomore Eli Raridon.
Expect Notre Dame to build around a power-run, play-action-heavy scheme that utilizes Delp’s blocking and downfield threat. He could become the security blanket for Kiner or whoever wins the quarterback battle heading into 2025.
What They’re Saying
- Tom Lemming (Recruiting Analyst): “Oscar Delp is the best tight end prospect I’ve evaluated since Kyle Pitts. Notre Dame just got a program-changer.”
- Tim Prister (Irish Illustrated): “This is not just a big win, it’s a cultural statement. Marcus Freeman is not backing down from the SEC. He’s building something real in South Bend.”
- Oscar Delp’s Father, Mike: “Oscar felt like Notre Dame was home. It wasn’t just about football — it was about faith, education, and his future.”
Oscar Delp’s commitment to Notre Dame over Georgia, Clemson, Texas A&M, LSU, and Florida is more than a recruiting win. It’s a turning point — the moment where Notre Dame planted its flag as a modern national contender on and off the field.
With Marcus Freeman at the helm, the Irish are not only competing with the SEC — they’re beating them for elite talent.
