Notre Dame moves one step closer toward trying to land a top-50 running back – Battling some of the best programs in CFB
Notre Dame is making a strong push for one of the best running backs in the 2027 recruiting class.
Notre Dame football has been recruiting the running back position as well as anyone over the last several years. Former running backs coach Delend McCullough did a magnificent job of attracting top talent, coaching, and developing during his tenure. Ja’Juan Seider has managed to come in and continue that momentum, signing a dynamic duo of Javian Osborne and Jonaz Walton in the 2026 recruiting class. Despite losing Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price this offseason, that group is in a great spot.
In the 2027 recruiting class, head coach Marcus Freeman, Seider, and the Fighting Irish have their sights set on some extremely talented running backs that they want to add to the mix. One name to know is Springfield (Mass.) Central running back Isaiah Rogers, a player who is one of the more talented runners in the entire class. Despite not much conversation around Rogers, Notre Dame was able to make the updated top schools list that he released recently.
The Fighting Irish were joined by Georgia, Penn State, Indiana, Nebraska, Virginia Tech, UNC, and UCLA on that list.
As of today, I do not consider Notre Dame to be the top contender for Rogers, but there is still a lot of time to make a move. The Massachusetts native has kept a lot of his recruitment close to the vest, and it is really anyone’s guess where he ends up. Seeing Notre Dame on this list should at least give some optimism for them being able to make that move.
Isaiah Rogers’ recruiting background
Rogers is considered to be a four-star player by each of the major recruiting platforms. On the 247 Sports Composite ranking, he currently ranks as the No. 123 overall player, the No. 7 running back, and the No. 2 player from the state of Massachusetts for the 2027 recruiting class. He has continued to rise up the recruiting rankings over the course of the offseason, and there’s no reason to believe that rise can’t continue. Rivals is highest on Rodgers currently, pegged as the No. 47 overall player in the 2027 class.
Like Rogers’ recruiting rankings, he has continued to see his offer list grow in recent months. Some of the top programs that have offered Rogers include the Fighting Irish, Michigan, Florida, Penn State, Nebraska, Florida State, Indiana, Boston College, Michigan State, Wisconsin, Virginia Tech, Maryland, Mississippi State, Syracuse, and Rutgers, among others. Even more high-level programs continue to do their homework on Rogers.
As a junior in 2025, Rogers put together a tremendous season for Springfield Central. In 10 games, Rogers managed to rush for 986 yards and 14 touchdowns, including an impressive average of 7.8 yards per carry. The 5-11, 205-pound playmaker also hauled in 32 receptions for 373 yards and three more scores. Rogers’ combination of explosiveness, size, and versatility would be a tremendous addition to any major program of interest.