Notre Dame football could be on the verge of adding some significant pieces to its 2028 recruiting class. With one of the biggest games of the season approaching, Marcus Freeman and his staff have an opportunity to turn that recruiting momentum into something tangible.

On3/Rivals national recruiting insider Steve Wiltfong has logged expert predictions for three 2028 prospects to land with the Fighting Irish: Warren (Ohio) Harding defensive end Asa Burch, Louisville (Miss.) running back Zaiden Jernigan, and Sacramento (Calif.) Grant Union linebacker Julian Bruno.

All three predictions carry 60% confidence, according to the Rivals recruiting prediction database. That’s an encouraging development for Notre Dame, particularly with the Miami Hurricanes coming to town this weekend.

The Irish are preparing to host an impressive collection of recruits for Saturday’s matchup against the No. 1-ranked Hurricanes. The visitor group includes several highly regarded 2028 prospects, allowing Freeman and his staff to make a major impression on some of their most important recruiting targets.

There is a lot to like about the three players Wiltfong is projecting to Notre Dame. Each would address an important position in the 2028 class, and the relationships the Irish have developed with them give the program a legitimate opportunity to close.

Asa Burch brings plenty of upside along the defensive front

Burch is an intriguing defensive prospect for Notre Dame. The Warren Harding standout is listed at 6-5.5 and 225 pounds, giving him a good combination of length and size for an edge defender.

He is also one of the more highly regarded players in this group. Rivals currently lists Burch as a five-star prospect, No. 92 nationally and the No. 13 edge defender in the 2028 class.

Notre Dame made its interest official in April when it extended an offer. Burch subsequently participated in the Irish Invasion recruiting camp in June, giving the coaching staff an opportunity to evaluate him in person.

That experience clearly left an impression. Following the camp, Burch expressed interest in returning to South Bend for a game during the fall.

The Irish have made defensive-line recruiting a priority, and Burch has the physical profile to become an important addition to that group. His ability to play on the edge makes him an especially interesting target as Notre Dame continues building its 2028 defensive class.

Wiltfong’s prediction is another positive development for the Irish. With competition for highly regarded defensive linemen continuing to increase, getting Burch into the class would be a massive recruiting win, especially with his family ties to the Michigan Wolverines.

Zaiden Jernigan has become a major priority for Notre Dame

Jernigan might be the most established offensive prospect in this group visiting this weekend.

The Louisville standout has been incredibly productive throughout his high school career. After rushing for 1,386 yards and 21 touchdowns as a freshman in 2024, he followed that up with 1,563 yards and 20 touchdowns on 238 carries during his sophomore season. He also showed an ability to produce explosive plays, including a 244-yard performance against Holmes County Central.

His production has helped him become one of the more sought-after running backs in the 2028 cycle. Rivals currently lists him as a five-star prospect, No. 76 nationally and the No. 2 running back in his class. His offer sheet includes Alabama, Auburn, Florida, Florida State, LSU, Michigan, Ohio State, Ole Miss, Mississippi State, Tennessee and USC, among others.

Notre Dame has done a good job establishing a relationship with Jernigan, particularly through running backs coach Ja’Juan Seider.

Jernigan has already visited Notre Dame twice, including last year’s USC game and Irish Invasion this summer. He is scheduled to return for the Miami matchup, making it his third trip to South Bend.

He has also mentioned that the staff has been direct about what it wants from him. Head coach Marcus Freeman told him the Irish need a running back who can create explosive runs and turn them into touchdowns.

Considering what Notre Dame has accomplished recently with Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price, that is an easy position for Seider to sell. The Irish have clearly made Jernigan feel wanted. Now they have another opportunity to show him why South Bend could be the right place for the next chapter of his football career.

Julian Bruno could be an important addition to the 2028 linebacker class

Bruno is another prospect whose recruitment has been trending in a positive direction for Notre Dame.

The Sacramento linebacker is listed at 6-foot-1 and 200 pounds in his current Rivals profile. He is ranked No. 472 nationally and No. 32 among linebackers in the 2028 class.

His production at Grant Union has helped him attract attention from programs across the country. As a sophomore in 2025, Bruno recorded 109 tackles, 14 tackles for loss, and 3.5 sacks in 12 games. He also recorded an interception. That’s a productive season for a young linebacker who still has considerable room to develop.

Notre Dame offered Bruno in July, and the coaching staff has made a concerted effort to build a relationship with him despite the distance between South Bend and Sacramento.

One of the most interesting parts of his recruitment has been the message from the Irish. Despite his lower ranking, the Irish have made it well known to Bruno that he is a top priority in the class.

Notre Dame has a long history of developing productive linebackers, and the coaching staff clearly sees Bruno as someone who could help continue that tradition. He has also developed strong relationships with linebackers coach Brian Jean-Mary, director of recruiting Carter Auman, and defensive assistant Tre Reader.

Bruno is scheduled to make his first trip to South Bend for the Miami game. That is an important opportunity for Notre Dame, especially considering the distance involved in recruiting a California prospect.

Wiltfong’s prediction adds another layer of intrigue to the recruitment. If Notre Dame can make the kind of impression it hopes to this weekend, the Irish could be in an excellent position to keep building on that relationship.

Miami weekend could be a significant recruiting opportunity for Notre Dame

The timing of these predictions is particularly interesting.

Notre Dame is preparing to host Miami in a game that has enormous implications for the Fighting Irish on the field. The opportunity to host the No. 1 team in the country in front of a national audience also creates a recruiting environment that Freeman and his staff can take advantage of.

The reported visitor list includes upwards of 22 2028 prospects, with talent spread across both sides of the football. Jernigan is among the offensive visitors, while Bruno is also expected to make his first trip to campus. Several other nationally regarded prospects will be in South Bend as well.

This is where Notre Dame has an opportunity to separate itself.

Recruits can hear about the atmosphere, tradition, and development opportunities from coaches throughout the recruiting process. Experiencing all of those things in person during a matchup of this magnitude is different.

For Jernigan, Notre Dame has already established itself as a serious contender through consistent communication and multiple visits. For Bruno, Saturday represents his first opportunity to see the program in person after months of relationship-building.

Burch’s recruitment is another one worth monitoring as the Irish continue pursuing one of the more talented edge defenders in the 2028 cycle.

There is still a ways to go before any of these players make their college decisions (that could change this weekend). But three predictions from a national recruiting insider in the same recruiting window are certainly worth paying attention to.

Notre Dame has put itself in a good position with all three prospects. Now Freeman and his staff have to finish the job. If the Irish can turn these predictions into commitments, the 2028 class could be off to a very promising start.