Notre Dame football hoping to close the deal on versatile Midwest defender this week during return visit
For months now, Notre Dame football has been the assumed leader for 2026 Cincinnati (Ohio) St. Xavier linebacker Jakobe Clapper. The Ohio standout visited South Bend earlier this offseason, and the Fighting Irish seemed to have put themselves in the lead against some other prominent suitors. Many believed that Clapper was going to pull the […]
For months now, Notre Dame football has been the assumed leader for 2026 Cincinnati (Ohio) St. Xavier linebacker Jakobe Clapper. The Ohio standout visited South Bend earlier this offseason, and the Fighting Irish seemed to have put themselves in the lead against some other prominent suitors. Many believed that Clapper was going to pull the trigger at that point.
Instead, Clapper chose to take a step back and let the process play out a little bit more. The talented linebacker is now visiting South Bend again today, and there is once again the feeling that Notre Dame could close the deal on this return trip. Clapper brings tremendous versatility, and would be a great compliment to Thomas Davis Jr.
Clapper is considered to be a four-star on the 247Sports Composite ranking. He currently sits as the No. 384 overall player, No. 30 linebacker, and No. 18 player in the state of Ohio for the 2026 recruiting class. Every other recruiting ranking has Clapper pegged as a three-star player.
Despite that modest ranking, Clapper has put together a tremendous offer list. Some of the best programs that have extended offers so far include the Fighting Irish, Ohio State, Oregon, Michigan, Tennessee, Penn State, Indiana, Louisville, Kentucky, Michigan State, Boston College, Minnesota, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Duke, Illinois, Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, Rutgers, Vanderbilt, and Purdue among others.
As a junior, Clapper was absolutely dynamic for St. Xavier. The 6-2, 200-pound linebacker managed to record 105 total tackles, 11.5 tackles for loss, and 4.5 sacks. Clapper also recorded a forced fumble, two fumble recoveries, two pass breakups, and hauled in a touchdown on offense.
It’s hard to bet against head coach Marcus Freeman, Max Bullough, and the Irish staff in their pursuit of a dynamic linebacker. Clapper could be just the latest example of that. The linebacker room is in a great spot for the foreseeable future.
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