Marcus Freeman has an opportunity to make the November 7 matchup with Miami about much more than the result on the field. The Fighting Irish are preparing to welcome a significant collection of 2028 recruiting targets, including multiple five-star prospects and some of the most highly regarded players in the country.

Notre Dame’s November 7 matchup against Miami has the potential to be one of the most important recruiting weekends of the Marcus Freeman era.

The game already carries plenty of significance on the field. Notre Dame will have an opportunity to make a statement against one of its most recognizable rivals, with the national spotlight firmly on South Bend. But the importance of the weekend extends well beyond the outcome of the game.

Freeman and his coaching staff have assembled an impressive group of recruits expected to visit campus, with a particularly strong collection of talent from the 2028 recruiting class.

There are legitimate national-level prospects at nearly every position, including defensive line standouts Kellan Hall and Kameron McGee. The Irish will also have an opportunity to strengthen relationships with several highly regarded offensive players, including Texas wide receiver Jaylen Addai and Georgia running back Kevin Hartsfield.

The timing is particularly important.

Notre Dame has enjoyed considerable recruiting momentum under Freeman. The challenge now is maintaining that momentum while building relationships with an entirely new group of prospects.

The Miami game provides an opportunity to do exactly that.

Here is a closer look at the prospects expected in South Bend, their recruiting profiles, and the players Notre Dame should be particularly focused on during the weekend.

Recruiting note: The November 7 visitor list will continue to expand throughout the week, so more will be added. These are reported scheduled visits, not guarantees that every player will ultimately attend. Rankings can vary between recruiting services.

Notre Dame’s reported 2028 visitor list for Miami

The October 29 recruiting-board updates identify 22 prospects scheduled to visit Notre Dame for the Miami game. The group includes 10 offensive prospects and 12 defensive prospects.

Offensive visitors

Recruit	Position	School	Class
Kevin Hartsfield	RB	Newton (Georgia)	2028
Zaiden Jernigan	RB	Louisville (Mississippi)	2028
Xander Edwards	RB	Bolles (Florida)	2028
Jaylen Addai	WR	Shadow Creek (Texas)	2028
Jayce Halasz	WR	Graham-Kapowsin (Washington)	2028
Dedrick Kimbrough	WR	Thompson (Alabama)	2028
JC Wessel	TE	Bolles (Florida)	2028
Tre Oiler	TE	Arrowhead (Wisconsin)	2028
Joey Fleming	OT	Huntsville (Alabama)	2028
Lincoln Fa’alafi	OT	JSerra Catholic (California)	2028

Defensive visitors

Recruit	Position	School	Class
Kameron McGee	EDGE	Brother Rice (Illinois)	2028
Merrick Ham	EDGE	Marietta (Georgia)	2028
Kellan Hall	DL	Christian Academy of Louisville (Kentucky)	2028
Simon Nuamah	DL	Tabor Academy (Massachusetts)	2028
Zylen Little	DL	Carrollwood Day (Florida)	2028
Gabriel Player	LB	Eau Gallie (Florida)	2028
Logan Thompson	CB	Althoff Catholic (Illinois)	2028
Izayah Vickers	CB	Florida State University School (Florida)	2028
Jalen Flowers	S	Palos Verdes (California)	2028
Kamieon Compton-Nero	ATH	Rejoice Christian (Oklahoma)	2028
Dion Edwards	ATH	Tyner Academy (Tennessee)	2028
Camden Noe	ATH	Portage Central (Michigan)	2028

One additional name, 2028 defensive lineman Kingston Brown, may be making the trip, but I am still verifying that with another source.

The headliners: Five-star talent could make this a special weekend

Kellan Hall — Defensive line, Christian Academy of Louisville (Kentucky)

Five-star prospect

• 247Sports Composite: No. 2 nationally
• Position ranking: No. 1 defensive lineman
• Size: Approximately 6-foot-4, 265 pounds
• Commitment date: January 3, 2027

If Notre Dame could walk away from the Miami weekend with significant momentum in Hall’s recruitment, it would be an enormous accomplishment.

Hall is arguably the most important prospect on the visitor list. The Louisville standout is considered one of the premier players in the entire 2028 class, and his recruitment is already attracting national attention.

At 6-foot-4 and 265 pounds, he has the frame to develop into an impact interior defensive lineman at the college level.

The most important development for Notre Dame is that Hall has already demonstrated legitimate interest in the program.

He included the Fighting Irish in his top 12 schools on August 21 and has scheduled his South Bend visit for November 7. He has also announced January 3, 2027, as his commitment date.

That makes this visit particularly important. Notre Dame isn’t simply trying to introduce itself to a prospect who has never seriously considered the program. The Irish are trying to strengthen their position with a player who is approaching a significant recruiting decision.

Notre Dame’s opportunity: Marcus Freeman and defensive line coach Charlie Partridge have a chance to show Hall what his future could look like in South Bend. Notre Dame has built a reputation for developing defensive linemen, and the opportunity to compete at a program with national championship expectations is a significant selling point.

Hall is the type of recruit who can change the trajectory of a recruiting class. Notre Dame needs to make the most of this opportunity, especially with the momentum sitting with Kentucky currently.

Kameron McGee — EDGE, Brother Rice (Illinois)

Five-star prospect

• 247Sports Composite: No. 25 nationally
• Position ranking: No. 7 EDGE
• Size: Approximately 6-foot-4, 245 pounds
• Reported scholarship offers: 44

McGee is another major defensive recruiting opportunity for Notre Dame.

The Brother Rice standout is a five-star EDGE prospect with an impressive combination of size and athletic potential. At 245 pounds, he has the frame to become a powerful presence off the edge while maintaining the athleticism necessary to pressure opposing quarterbacks.

His recruitment is particularly interesting because Notre Dame is recruiting him in a region where the program has historically invested heavily.

Brother Rice is located in the Chicago area, giving Notre Dame a geographic advantage that should not be overlooked. South Bend is a reasonable trip for McGee and his family, and the opportunity to play close to home could be part of the Irish recruiting pitch.

The challenge is that McGee has plenty of competition for his services. His reported scholarship offers demonstrate how aggressively programs are pursuing him.

Notre Dame’s opportunity: The Irish need to sell McGee on the opportunity to become part of another elite defensive line group. If Notre Dame can pair him with a prospect such as Hall, it could establish the foundation for a special defensive front in the 2028 class.

Jaylen Addai — Wide receiver, Shadow Creek (Texas)

Five-star prospect by select services

• 247Sports Composite: No. 12 nationally
• Position ranking: No. 3 wide receiver
• Size: Approximately 6-foot-1, 170 pounds
• Reported scholarship offers: 43

Addai is one of the most important offensive visitors expected in South Bend.

The Shadow Creek standout from Pearland, Texas, is a highly regarded receiver with the type of national profile that makes him a priority for virtually every major program recruiting the 2028 class.

There is an important distinction with Addai’s ranking. Recruiting services do not all classify him the same way. The 247Sports Composite places him among the nation’s top prospects, while other services have assigned him a five-star rating.

That is an impressive résumé for a player who is still early in his high school career.

Addai’s recruitment is also one to watch because of the national competition. Texas, Texas A&M, and other major programs are involved, making this a challenging recruitment for Notre Dame. LSU will also be a major factor with his family ties.

That does not diminish the importance of his visit. In fact, it makes the opportunity more significant.

Notre Dame needs to establish a relationship that can withstand the pressure of competing with programs closer to home.

Notre Dame’s opportunity: The Irish need to show Addai how he fits into their offensive plans and why South Bend can be an ideal place to develop as a receiver. The atmosphere, history of the program, and opportunity to compete for championships are all part of the pitch.

Kamieon Compton-Nero — Athlete, Rejoice Christian (Oklahoma)

Five-star prospect

• 247Sports Composite: No. 43 nationally
• Position ranking: No. 4 athlete
• Class: 2028

Compton-Nero is another intriguing name on the visitor list.

The Oklahoma prospect is a versatile athlete who has attracted considerable attention from major college programs. His recruiting profile is particularly interesting because of his ability to project at multiple positions.

He is the type of prospect Notre Dame should want to establish a relationship with early.

The Irish have continued to prioritize versatility in their recruiting approach, and Compton-Nero offers the opportunity to bring another high-level athlete into the program.

Notre Dame’s opportunity: Freeman can sell the versatility of the defensive system and the opportunity to develop into a difference-maker wherever his skill set ultimately fits.

Other offensive prospects Notre Dame needs to know

Kevin Hartsfield — Running back, Newton (Georgia)

Hartsfield is one of the more intriguing offensive prospects on the visitor list. The Georgia running back gives Notre Dame another opportunity to establish a relationship in a recruiting region that continues to produce high-level talent.

Running back recruiting is especially important for the Irish because of the physical identity they want to maintain offensively. Notre Dame has traditionally valued backs who can run between the tackles, create yards after contact, and contribute in multiple situations.

Hartsfield’s visit allows the staff to show him how he could fit into that offensive identity.

Notre Dame’s opportunity: Establishing a strong relationship early could be important, particularly with other national programs competing for his attention.

Zaiden Jernigan — Running back, Louisville (Mississippi)

Jernigan represents another opportunity for Notre Dame to expand its recruiting footprint in the Southeast.

The Irish have increasingly looked beyond their traditional recruiting territories, and Mississippi is a state where developing relationships with high school programs can create opportunities for future recruiting classes.

Having multiple running backs on campus also allows Notre Dame to evaluate how its 2028 board could develop.

Xander Edwards — Running back, Bolles (Florida)

Edwards is particularly interesting because of his connection to Bolles, a Jacksonville-area program with a history of producing college football talent.

Notre Dame will have an opportunity to evaluate Edwards alongside JC Wessel, another Bolles prospect expected in South Bend.

Building relationships with multiple prospects from the same high school can be beneficial. It gives Notre Dame another opportunity to strengthen its connection with the coaching staff and establish a presence in Florida. With how Notre Dame didn’t push hard early for Edwards, a Notre Dame legacy, it makes this visit increasingly important.

Jayce Halasz — Wide receiver, Graham-Kapowsin (Washington)

Halasz gives Notre Dame another opportunity to recruit the Pacific Northwest.

The Irish have historically been willing to recruit nationally when they identify players who fit their program. A successful visit could help establish Notre Dame as a serious option for a receiver who might otherwise have more regional opportunities.

Dedrick Kimbrough — Wide receiver, Thompson (Alabama)

Kimbrough is another receiver to monitor.

Thompson is one of the better-known high school football programs in Alabama, making this an opportunity to develop a relationship in a recruiting territory where the SEC competition is always significant.

Notre Dame needs to continue finding receivers who can stretch the field and create separation. Establishing relationships with multiple 2028 receivers is an important step toward accomplishing that.

JC Wessel — Tight end, Bolles (Florida)

Notre Dame’s tight end position has been an important part of its offensive identity for years.

The Irish have traditionally recruited the position aggressively, and hosting Wessel gives the staff another opportunity to continue that tradition.

The Bolles connection is also worth watching because Edwards is scheduled to visit from the same school.

Tre Oiler — Tight end, Arrowhead (Wisconsin)

Oiler is another prospect who allows Notre Dame to recruit the Midwest.

The Irish have a natural geographic advantage with a Wisconsin prospect, and the opportunity to see Notre Dame play Miami in person should provide a strong introduction to the program. Oiler is a player that Notre Dame is very high on right now.

Joey Fleming — Offensive tackle, Huntsville (Alabama)

Offensive line recruiting will always be a priority for Notre Dame.

Fleming is an important name to monitor because the Irish need to continue building depth and maintaining their reputation as one of the country’s premier offensive line programs.

Notre Dame’s ability to develop offensive linemen is one of the strongest selling points Freeman and his staff can offer.

Lincoln Fa’alafi — Offensive tackle, JSerra Catholic (California)

Fa’alafi gives Notre Dame another opportunity to recruit the West Coast.

JSerra Catholic has become a recognizable program in California high school football, and the Irish have made a concerted effort to build relationships with prospects throughout the region.

Notre Dame will have an opportunity to show Fa’alafi what the offensive line culture in South Bend looks like firsthand. He is arguably their biggest target on the board currently, quite literally.

Other defensive prospects to watch

Merrick Ham — EDGE, Marietta (Georgia)

Ham is another important defensive front prospect.

Notre Dame’s ability to recruit the Southeast remains a major part of its long-term recruiting strategy. Georgia is particularly important because of the amount of high-level defensive talent produced in the state.

Ham’s visit gives the Irish an opportunity to compete for another edge defender while continuing to develop relationships in the region. They have made a good impression on Ham so far since he camped in South Bend last offseason.

Simon Nuamah — Defensive line, Tabor Academy (Massachusetts)

Nuamah is an interesting prospect because of his location in the Northeast.

Notre Dame has traditionally recruited the region well, and the opportunity to host a defensive line prospect from Massachusetts is another chance to reinforce those relationships.

The Irish need to continue prioritizing defensive line recruiting, especially with the importance of having multiple waves of talented players along the defensive front.

Zylen Little — Defensive line, Carrollwood Day (Florida)

Little gives Notre Dame another opportunity to recruit Florida.

The Sunshine State is one of the most competitive recruiting territories in the country. Notre Dame’s ability to establish relationships with prospects from Florida will be important as the 2028 class develops.

Having Little alongside several other Florida prospects on campus should also give the Irish an opportunity to make a strong impression on that recruiting group.

Gabriel Player — Linebacker, Eau Gallie (Florida)

Player is one of the linebacker prospects expected in South Bend.

Notre Dame has placed considerable emphasis on linebacker development, and the program’s history at the position is a major part of its recruiting pitch. The Irish can point to the number of linebackers who have developed into NFL players and explain how the position is utilized within their defensive system.

Logan Thompson — Cornerback, Althoff Catholic (Illinois)

Thompson is another opportunity to strengthen Notre Dame’s defensive back recruiting. Illinois remains an important state for the Irish, and having another prospect from the region on campus is valuable.

Notre Dame needs to continue recruiting corners who can handle the physical demands of playing in its defensive system while possessing the coverage ability to compete against elite receivers.

Izayah Vickers — Cornerback, Florida State University School (Florida)

Vickers gives Notre Dame another opportunity to recruit a defensive back from Florida. Cornerback recruiting is particularly competitive because virtually every major program is looking for long, athletic players who can handle one-on-one coverage.

The opportunity to visit South Bend for a major rivalry game could help the Irish establish a stronger relationship with Vickers.

Jalen Flowers — Safety, Palos Verdes (California)

Flowers is another West Coast prospect worth monitoring.

Notre Dame has recruited California for decades, and the Irish will have an opportunity to show Flowers what the program offers beyond the football field.

The safety position is particularly important in Notre Dame’s defense because of the responsibilities placed on the back end of the secondary.

Dion Edwards — Athlete, Tyner Academy (Tennessee)

Edwards gives Notre Dame another opportunity to recruit a versatile athlete from the Southeast. The staff will have the opportunity to evaluate where his skill set fits best and whether he could eventually become a contributor on either side of the football.

Camden Noe — Athlete, Portage Central (Michigan)

Noe is another geographically important visitor. Notre Dame has always placed significant emphasis on recruiting the Midwest, and maintaining strong relationships with Michigan high school programs is a major part of that strategy.

Where Notre Dame appears to stand with its top targets

Having a talented group of prospects visit campus is one thing. Turning those visits into commitments is another.

There are a few names who deserve particular attention based on their rankings, reported interest, and recruiting timelines.

Kellan Hall is the biggest immediate opportunity. His January 3 commitment date gives Notre Dame a relatively defined recruiting window. The Irish have already earned enough interest to get him to South Bend, and the Miami game gives Freeman another chance to make a major impression.

Kameron McGee is another priority. His proximity to Notre Dame and status as a five-star defensive end make him a particularly attractive target. The Irish have an opportunity to build a relationship with a player who could become a foundational piece of their 2028 defensive class.

Jaylen Addai is a more difficult recruit geographically. Notre Dame will have to compete with Texas-area programs and other national powers. A successful visit could help the Irish establish themselves as a legitimate contender, but there is not enough verified information to label Notre Dame the favorite.

Kamieon Compton-Nero is a prospect worth monitoring closely. His versatility and national ranking make him an intriguing addition to the visitor group. Notre Dame needs to continue developing that relationship before his recruitment reaches its most important stages.

I would not label any of these players a Notre Dame lean based solely on a scheduled visit. Recruiting predictions, crystal balls, and actual school preferences are different things, particularly this early in the 2028 cycle.

Why the Miami game matters so much for Marcus Freeman

There is a reason Notre Dame wants to host this many prospects for the Miami game.

The atmosphere surrounding a matchup between Notre Dame and Miami is different from an ordinary home game. There is history, national attention, and an opportunity for the program to showcase everything that makes playing in South Bend unique.

Freeman understands the importance of those weekends.

Recruiting is about relationships, but it is also about creating experiences that prospects remember. A major home game provides an opportunity to bring recruits together, introduce them to the coaching staff, allow them to experience the atmosphere, and show them what the program looks like when the stakes are high.

There are several ways Notre Dame can benefit.

1. Showing prospects what playing in South Bend actually feels like

The atmosphere inside Notre Dame Stadium is one of the program’s greatest recruiting tools.

For prospects who have never experienced a major Notre Dame home game, the Miami matchup offers an opportunity to see the energy surrounding the program firsthand.

Freeman can talk about the history, tradition, and expectations of Notre Dame. The game-day experience allows recruits to see those things for themselves.

2. Giving 2028 prospects an opportunity to connect with one another

One underrated part of major recruiting weekends is the opportunity for prospects to develop relationships with other recruits.

When players from different states and positions are on campus together, they get a chance to discuss the program, compare experiences, and potentially develop friendships.

That can become particularly important with prospects such as Hall and McGee.

If Notre Dame can get multiple elite defensive players excited about the possibility of playing together, the recruiting pitch becomes much stronger.

3. Showing recruits the direction of the program

Notre Dame needs to demonstrate that it is building toward sustained national championship contention.

Freeman can sell the program’s development, facilities, academic opportunities, and NFL pipeline. But the most important part of the weekend will be what prospects see on the field.

A strong performance against Miami would provide a major boost to the recruiting atmosphere.

4. Building relationships before the competition intensifies

The 2028 recruiting cycle still has plenty of time to develop, but that is exactly why this weekend matters.

Notre Dame doesn’t need every prospect to make an immediate decision. It needs to establish itself as a serious option before other programs gain too much ground.

The Irish have an opportunity to make a lasting impression on a group of players who could eventually become the foundation of the program’s next major recruiting class.

Notre Dame has an opportunity to make November 7 about more than Miami

The rivalry with Miami will understandably dominate the conversation leading into November 7. For Notre Dame, however, there is another important competition taking place that weekend.

Freeman and his staff will have an opportunity to strengthen their position with several of the most talented players in the 2028 recruiting class. The defensive line group is particularly impressive, and the presence of Hall and McGee gives the Irish a chance to make significant progress with two elite prospects.

Addai, Hartsfield, and Compton-Nero provide additional opportunities to strengthen the offensive side of the class.

There is no guarantee that a great visit will result in a commitment. Recruiting is a long process, and Notre Dame will have to continue building relationships after the prospects leave campus.

Still, this is the type of weekend that can help shape a recruiting class.

Freeman has made recruiting elite talent a priority throughout his time in South Bend. Hosting this many highly regarded prospects for one of the biggest games on the schedule gives him another opportunity to demonstrate why Notre Dame should remain one of the most attractive destinations in college football.

The Fighting Irish have to take care of business against Miami on the field. But behind the scenes, November 7 could also become an important day for the future of the program.