Notre Dame football is ready to make a big push for one of the more talented pass rushers in the 2027 recruiting class
There is a new talented pass rusher to know on the Notre Dame recruiting board.
Notre Dame football has used a lot of resources to upgrade its defensive line over the last couple of years. On the edge, the defensive end group may be the deepest we have seen in a while heading into the 2026 college football season. That includes star pass rusher Boubacar Traore, Bryce Young, Keon Keeley, Loghan Thomas, and five-star freshman Rodney Dunham.
In the 2027 recruiting class, head coach Marcus Freeman and the Fighting Irish have their eyes on several talented defensive ends. That includes Greenwich (Conn.) Country Day star pass rusher Mekai Brown and the Irish staff made the trip to visit this week. Brown earned an offer from Notre Dame, and it appears that the Irish are set to make a strong push for the talented defender.
Until Brown makes a trip to South Bend, there is no telling what type of chances the Notre Dame team ends up having. Brown feels like the type of defensive end that the Irish have been valuing more and more over the Freeman tenure. They have had a ton of confidence in their ability to develop as a staff. Brown is incredibly long, explosive, and frame to add a ton more weight down the road. This is a pass rusher very much in the Bryce Young and Keon Keeley mold.
Mekai Brown’s recruiting background
Brown is considered to be a four-star player by each of the major recruiting platforms. On the 247 Sports Composite ranking, Brown currently sits as the No. 57 overall player, the No. EDGE, and the No. 1 player in the state of Connecticut for the 2027 recruiting class. This is a toolsy player with all the upside in the world.
It should be no surprise that a long list of impressive programs are currently pursuing Brown. Some of his top offers so far include the Fighting Irish, Georgia, Ohio State, Tennessee, Texas A&M, Ole Miss, USC, Florida State, Indiana, Missouri, Nebraska, Auburn, South Carolina, Kentucky, Georgia Tech, Maryland, UNC, UCLA, Virginia Tech, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Pitt, Boston College, Syracuse, and Rutgers, among others.
At 6-7 and 230 pounds, Brown is a high upside pass rusher who is widely considered one of the most talented defensive ends in the country. As a sophomore in 2024, the Connecticut native managed to collect 36 total tackles, seven tackles for loss, and seven sacks. Brown also recorded two forced fumbles, broke up two passes, and he also recorded two safeties.
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