Notre Dame football takes a massive step toward stealing away a talented defensive lineman from multiple Midwest powers

The 2027 recruiting trail has a chance to get hot once again for HC Marcus Freeman and Notre Dame football.

Ryan Roberts — National College Football Writer
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Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman celebrates a turnover during a NCAA college football game against Virginia at Notre Dame Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024, in South Bend.

With how well Notre Dame football has been recruiting high school talent under head coach Marcus Freeman, as well as their recent impact on the transfer portal, the future looks very bright for the Fighting Irish program. Even during the madness of the portal, Freeman’s job speculation, and a million other twists and turns, recruiting doesn’t stop. That is a year-round job.

Notre Dame received some more good potential news this week when it was announced that 2027 Owings Mills (Md.) McDonogh School defensive line Joseph Buchanan had set his commitment date for February 15. The Maryland native will be choosing between the Fighting Irish, Ohio State, Indiana, and UNC. This presents another opportunity for Freeman and Co. to flex their recruiting muscles against two other Midwest powers.

As of today, there isn’t a ton of intel out there for where Buchanan is leaning right now. With a month until his decision date, the Irish still have some time to try and get themselves into a good position. Notre Dame only currently holds one defensive line commitment in the 2027 class from legacy Richie Flanigan. It will be notable to watch just how quickly new defensive line coach Charlie Partridge can make his impact felt on the recruiting side, like we have already seen in the portal.

With a bigger body on the edge, Buchanan is one of these bigger defensive ends who could eventually move inside to defensive tackle in the long term. He is a very talented young defender with a ton of developmental upside if he were to land with the Fighting Irish next month.

Joseph Buchanan’s recruiting background

Buchanan is considered to be a four-star player by each of the major recruiting platforms. On the 247 Sports Composite ranking, they have the Maryland native currently rated as the No. 178 overall player, the No. 21 defensive lineman, and the No. 5 player from the state of Maryland for the 2027 recruiting class. Maryland has been a state that hasn’t always been overly fond of the Fighting Irish in the past. 

The offer list is just as impressive for Buchanan. Some of his top offers include the Fighting Irish, Ohio State, Georgia, Michigan, Oregon, Tennessee, USC, Penn State, Indiana, Virginia Tech, Wisconsin, Boston College, South Carolina, Pittsburgh, Michigan State, Georgia Tech, Kentucky, Maryland, Duke, UNC, Syracuse, West Virginia, and Rutgers, among others. 

At 6-4.5 and 260 pounds, Buchanan is a very versatile defensive lineman who can do a lot for a defense. As a junior in 2025, he has managed to record 43 total tackles, seven tackles for loss, and four sacks. Buchanan has also recorded 11 more quarterback hurries.

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