Notre Dame football and head coach Marcus Freeman are on the verge of completing one of the program’s best recruiting classes in recent history. The Fighting Irish have built serious momentum on the trail for the 2027 class, and with only a handful of uncommitted targets remaining, the finish line is in sight.

Recruiting at an elite level has become the expectation under Freeman, and that standard has raised the ceiling for Notre Dame’s national championship aspirations. Here is the latest intel on where things stand with each remaining target and where I think they end up.

5-star Lake Charles (La.) Sam Houston OL Albert Simien

The biggest domino set to fall is 5-star offensive lineman Albert Simien out of Lake Charles, Louisiana. The 6-foot-4, 280-pound prospect is making his college decision on Friday, selecting between the Fighting Irish, Texas A&M, LSU, Ole Miss, and Nebraska.

Despite some LSU propaganda floating around there in recent weeks, this has been a Notre Dame versus Texas A&M battle for some time now. After an official visit to Notre Dame this past weekend, it appears that the Fighting Irish have claimed the momentum going down the stretch. Things are optimistic on the Notre Dame side, and barring something unforeseen, they do seem to have the upper hand heading into that decision.

I think this one ends up in Notre Dame’s favor.

Chicago (Ill.) Brother Rice DT Brayden Parks

On the defensive side of the ball, Notre Dame continues to make a strong push for Chicagoland defensive tackle Brayden Parks, who took an official visit to Oregon this past weekend. For a long time, this has been an Oregon versus Notre Dame battle. At times, it has looked like the Ducks held the lead, and at other points, it felt like the Fighting Irish were able to stifle Oregon and retake the momentum.

As of today, I expect Notre Dame to land Parks. Oregon has done a great job, and anything could change quickly in recruiting. But I do give the upper hand to the Irish. I think they finish this one out and cement their best overall defensive line class in a very long time.

Chicago (Ill.) Mount Carmel LB Roman Igwebuike

The last key player to keep an eye on is Chicago linebacker Roman Igwebuike. He has been pursued by a long list of impressive programs, but Notre Dame, Indiana, Clemson, and Tennessee have been the ones of note. Barring something unforeseen, whenever Igwebuike decides to make his decision, I think the Fighting Irish hold the upper hand.

With the Caden Henderson saga ending with him committing to Texas A&M, Igwebuike became an even more important target for Notre Dame. He brings a very unique skill set of length, explosiveness, and versatility that the coaching staff wants desperately. Landing him would be a significant addition to this class.

Manvel (Texas) High School CB Karnell “Greedy” James

Greedy James is a talented defensive back currently committed to Texas. Notre Dame and LSU have pursued him in recent months, and the Fighting Irish have had moments where it looked like they could potentially lure him away from his Longhorns pledge.

As of today, though, I think LSU actually makes that flip happen in the end. I have been on record that James does not end up with Texas when everything shakes out, but I believe the Louisiana native ultimately flips to the Tigers. It is an unfortunate miss for Notre Dame, but with how the Fighting Irish have recruited defensive backs over recent years, it is a blow that is not substantial for the program.

The big picture

Notre Dame is trending toward landing three of its four remaining key targets, which would put a strong finishing touch on an already impressive 2027 class. Freeman and his staff have set a standard on the recruiting trail that continues to elevate each cycle. Friday’s decision from Simien could be the next massive step toward cementing this group as one of the best in program history.