Notre Dame is making a strong impression on one of the top linebacker prospects in the 2028 recruiting class, and the Irish have received an encouraging prediction from a respected national recruiting analyst.

Greg Biggins of On3’s Rivals recruiting network has predicted that four-star linebacker Allen Kennett V, better known by his nickname “Cinco,” will eventually choose Notre Dame. The Anaheim, California, native plays at Servite High School and has emerged as an important target for Marcus Freeman and the Irish coaching staff.

Kennett is still early in his recruitment, and a prediction should not be confused with a commitment. But there are legitimate reasons for Notre Dame fans to be encouraged. The Irish offered him early, he has made multiple trips to South Bend, and his comments about the program have been positive.

For a Notre Dame program looking to continue building an elite defense through recruiting, Kennett is the type of prospect worth watching closely.

Greg Biggins sees Notre Dame as the landing spot for Cinco

Biggins’ prediction carries weight because Kennett’s recruitment has drawn national attention, with several major programs working to get involved. Notre Dame is competing with schools such as Texas, USC, Oregon, Tennessee, Michigan, and Nebraska for the four-star prospect.

The Irish also have something more substantial than a recruiting prediction working in their favor: a relationship with Kennett that has continued through his high school development.

Notre Dame offered Kennett in June 2025, making the Irish his first scholarship offer. He attended a Notre Dame camp that summer and returned to South Bend for the season opener against Texas A&M in September 2025. He visited again on September 19, 2026, when the Irish hosted Michigan State.

That most recent trip was particularly encouraging. Kennett loved the campus, appreciated how the staff treated him, and enjoyed watching Notre Dame’s linebackers play. He also had the opportunity to spend time with current Irish linebackers, including Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa and Madden Faraimo.

Those experiences matter when recruiting a player who lives across the country. Notre Dame cannot rely on geography to its advantage with a Southern California prospect. The coaching staff has to give him a compelling reason to leave home, and its early work with Kennett appears to be accomplishing that.

Who is Allen Kennett V? Recruiting background and high school production

Kennett, who goes by Cinco, has already put together an impressive high school résumé. His sophomore season in 2025 was a major step forward and helped establish him as a national recruiting target.

His reported production that season at Servite was particularly notable:

Statistic	2025 season
Total tackles	69
Tackles for loss	7
Sacks	2
Interceptions	1

Those numbers tell the story of a linebacker who was involved in multiple phases of the defense. Kennett was productive against the run, found his way into the backfield and made a play in coverage.

His development is especially interesting because he wasn’t exclusively a linebacker when he entered high school. As a freshman in 2024, Kennett played quarterback for Servite, completing 18 of 29 passes for 133 yards while rushing 50 times for 246 yards and two touchdowns.

That background gives him experience reading a game from the offensive side, too. It doesn’t automatically translate into linebacker instincts, but it is an additional piece of his development as he continues to grow into the position.

Kennett was named a first-team All-Trinity League linebacker after his sophomore season. His performance helped fuel a significant increase in recruiting attention, and he has since accumulated offers from a wide range of Power Four programs.

The latest recruiting profiles list him as a four-star prospect. Rivals’ industry ranking has placed him among the top 150 players nationally and among the top 10 linebackers in the country, although those rankings can change as evaluators continue to assess the 2028 class.

For Notre Dame, the combination of production, versatility, and room for development makes him an appealing target.

Marcus Freeman and Brian Jean-Mary have kept Notre Dame in the picture

One of the more encouraging aspects of this recruitment is how Notre Dame has maintained its connection with Kennett despite changes on the coaching staff.

His relationship with the Irish began with former linebackers coach Max Bullough. After Bullough departed for Michigan State, Al Washington took over the position group before leaving for the Miami Dolphins. Brian Jean-Mary subsequently became Notre Dame’s linebackers coach and continued pursuing Kennett.

Coaching turnover can complicate a recruitment, particularly when a prospect has developed a relationship with a specific position coach. Kennett, however, has continued to speak positively about Notre Dame.

In an August 2026 interview, he praised Jean-Mary and said he wanted to return to campus. He also emphasized three factors that will shape his eventual decision: player development, the opportunity to play early, and a quality education.

Notre Dame has a legitimate pitch in each area.

The Irish can point to a defensive system that has developed high-level linebackers, a strong academic reputation, and the opportunity to compete at the highest level of college football. Freeman’s ability to build relationships with prospects and their families is another important part of the equation.

Kennett’s comments about his visits suggest the school has made a positive impression beyond the football facilities. He has experienced a camp setting, a game-day atmosphere, and time with the staff. Those are useful opportunities for a recruit trying to determine whether a program is the right fit.

Still, the Irish are far from having this recruitment wrapped up. Kennett has shown interest in several other programs, and his national list of suitors means Notre Dame will have to keep earning his attention.

Notre Dame is targeting a deep group of linebackers in the 2028 class

Kennett isn’t the only high-profile linebacker on Notre Dame’s radar. The Irish are pursuing several blue-chip prospects at the position, giving Freeman and Jean-Mary the opportunity to build a substantial group if their recruiting efforts pay off.

Some of the notable names on Notre Dame’s defensive recruiting board include:

• Tahj Gray: A five-star linebacker from St. Joseph Regional in New Jersey who is among the country’s top overall prospects.
• Jameer Miles: A four-star linebacker from Carmel Catholic in Illinois who visited Notre Dame for the September 19 game against Michigan State.
• Andre Alexander Jr.: A four-star linebacker from IMG Academy in Florida.
• Gabriel Player: A four-star linebacker from Eau Gallie in Florida who has been identified as a potential Notre Dame visitor.
• Ryan Peterson: A four-star linebacker from Hough High School in North Carolina.
• Brayden Bonik: A four-star linebacker from Fort Bend Ridge Point in Texas.

Kennett is part of that same group of priority targets. Notre Dame’s 2028 defensive recruiting board has identified these prospects as players to monitor in the cycle.

That is an encouraging starting point, particularly with the 2028 class still developing. Notre Dame has multiple options at linebacker rather than relying on a single recruitment to go its way.

Gray, in particular, would be a significant addition given his standing among national prospects. Miles’ visit also demonstrates that the staff is building relationships with highly regarded players from different regions.

Landing Kennett would give Notre Dame another talented defender with a different geographic background and high school experience. Pairing him with other elite prospects could help the Irish build the kind of depth needed to sustain a high-level defense over multiple seasons.

The challenge is converting interest and visits into commitments. Recruiting boards change quickly, and an extensive list of targets doesn’t guarantee that a program will land all of them. But Notre Dame’s presence among so many highly rated linebackers is a positive sign for the direction of the class.

What Biggins’ prediction means for Notre Dame

Biggins’ prediction is meaningful because it aligns with several developments already visible in Kennett’s recruitment: an early scholarship offer, multiple visits to South Bend, positive comments about the program and a continuing relationship with the current coaching staff.

The next steps will be worth watching. Kennett has indicated that he intends to narrow his recruitment after his junior season, while leaving the timing of his eventual commitment open.

That gives Notre Dame time to continue making its case, but also gives competing programs opportunities to make up ground.

For Freeman, the priority is straightforward: keep Kennett engaged, continue showing him how Jean-Mary would develop him, and make sure the linebacker sees a clear path toward contributing in South Bend.

If Biggins’ prediction proves accurate, the Irish would add a four-star linebacker with strong sophomore production, considerable upside, and experience playing multiple positions in high school.

Notre Dame has put itself in a strong position with Cinco, and Biggins’ prediction gives Irish fans another reason to be optimistic. It isn’t a commitment, but the foundation of this recruitment is encouraging—and Kennett is one of the more important names to follow as Notre Dame builds its 2028 defensive class.