After a slight lul in 2026 recruiting, Notre Dame football received a massive commitment on Tuesday from Matthews (N.C.) Weddington linebacker Thomas Davis Jr., who is one of the best defenders in the class. Davis is ranked as a four-star recruit by 247Sports, Rivals, and ESPN. The latter has him ranked the highest, currently sitting as the No. 113 overall player and No. 7 linebacker in the 2026 class.

Whether you look at the rankings, offer list, or production (92 total tackles, 13.5 tackles for loss, 8 pass breakups in 2023), Davis is a huge early commitment for the Irish. He is also the latest example of Notre Dame prioritizing NFL bloodlines. His father of the same name played 15 years in the NFL, earning three Pro Bowl honors, and recording 1,216 total tackles in his career.

Davis is the first example of NFL bloodlines in the 2026 class. We have seen a ton of examples over the last couple of cycles, and it’s safe to assume that will continue into the future.

2024 Class

Notre Dame signed two players with famous NFL fathers in the 2024 recruiting class. That includes defensive line Bryce Young and safety Kennedy Urlacher, both of which have already made an impact this fall.

The former is the son of former Notre Dame great Bryant Young, who has earned a spot in both the NFL and College Football Hall of Fames. He won a Super Bowl while a member of the San Francisco 49ers, and was also named a First Team All-Pro selection once. Young was selected in the first round of the 1994 NFL Draft.

Most people around Chicago, and general NFL fans, are very familiar with the name Urlacher. Brian Urlacher has also earned a spot in the NFL Hall of Fame. He spent the entirety of his 13-year career with the Chicago Bears, earning eight Pro Bowl honors. Like his son, he was a late bloomer, giving high hopes for what Kennedy could accomplish wearing the blue and gold.

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2025 Class

If the 2024 class was a good example of valuing DNA, the 2025 group took it to a whole other level. That included in the passing game with wide receivers Elijah Burress and Jerome Bettis Jr., as well as tight end James Flanigan.

Both Burress and Bettis had fathers who played together with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Plaxico Burress was a first round selection out of Michigan State in the 2000 NFL Draft. In total, he would spend 11 years in the NFL. During that time, he hauled in 553 catches for 8,499 yards and 64 touchdowns.

The name Bettis is held in high regard in South Bend. His father of the same name is one of the best players to ever wear the blue and gold, earning a first round selection during the 1993 NFL Draft. After rushing for 13,662 yards and 91 touchdowns during his career, Bettis earned a place in the NFL Hall of Fame.

On the defensive side of the football, linebacker Anthony Sacca is the son of former Penn State quarterback Tony Sacca who actually played in college with current Notre Dame defensive coordinator Al Golden. Sacca was a second round draft selection by the Phoenix Cardinals at quarterback.

Transfer Additions

Even outside of high school recruiting, Notre Dame is continuing to attract these former NFL players and their sons. We saw it this past offseason when former Duke pass rusher RJ Oben and defensive back Jordan Clark both opted for the Irish. Each was also drawn to the allure of the blue and gold.

Oben’s father Roman spent 12 years in the NFL. During those 12 years, Oben started a total of 130 games at offensive tackle. He played for the New York Giants, Cleveland Browns, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and San Diego Chargers.

Whether you are an NFL fan, or like to watch television, Ryan Clark is probably a name you are familiar with. Clark was a Pro Bowl safety for the Pittsburgh Steelers, and also played with the Washington Redskins. He totaled 938 tackles and 16 interceptions during his career.

Clark has also created a successful career off the field. He is now an NFL analyst for ESPN, and has held that position since 2015.