Notre Dame football searching for more clarity after hosting another dynamic pass rusher this week
Notre Dame football is on quite the roll recruiting the defensive end position in the 2026 recruiting class. Al Washington and the Fighting Irish staff have put themselves in a very good spot with five-star Rodney Dunham, Ebenezer Ewetade, and McHale Blade. Closing time is on the horizon, but the staff isn’t done yet. On […]
Notre Dame football is on quite the roll recruiting the defensive end position in the 2026 recruiting class. Al Washington and the Fighting Irish staff have put themselves in a very good spot with five-star Rodney Dunham, Ebenezer Ewetade, and McHale Blade. Closing time is on the horizon, but the staff isn’t done yet.
On Wednesday, Notre Dame will be hosting dynamic Rolesville (N.C.) High School pass rusher Zavion Griffin-Haynes. The 6-6, 235-pound defensive end is one of the more interesting defensive end prospects in the 2026 class, and where things stand between the sides remains a little unclear. Clarity should be gained after this Wednesday visit.
The 6-6, 235-pound pass rusher is considered a four-star recruit on the 247Sports Composite ranking. Griffin-Haynes currently sits as the No. 228 overall player, No. 22 EDGE, and No. 14 player in the state of North Carolina on that ranking. He is rated similarly on the On3 Industry ranking, currently pegged as the No. 235 overall player in the 2026 class.
Pass rushers are always very valuable. It isn’t overly surprising to see that Griffin-Haynes is being pursued by such a long list of impressive suitors. Some of the top programs that have offered him include the Fighting Irish, Georgia, Alabama, Ohio State, Texas, Michigan, Tennessee, Ole Miss, LSU, Miami, Nebraska, Florida, Florida State, Auburn, Missouri, Arkansas, Michigan State, Louisville, Maryland, Kentucky, Mississippi State, NC State, Georgia Tech, Illinois, and Duke among many others.
As a junior, Griffin-Haynes put together a dynamic campaign. In 10 games, he collected 48 total tackles, 12.5 tackles for loss, and 10 sacks. Griffin-Haynes has also recorded 20 quarterback hurries and one pass breakup.
As of today, it is highly unlikely that Griffin-Haynes ends up in the class for Notre Dame. The North Carolina star does also have an official visit to South Bend on June 10th, so they do have multiple opportunities to continue pursuing him. Just how interested Griffin-Haynes is will begin to show itself this week, and it could also give insight into where things could go from here.
Notre Dame football set for epic recruiting battle against hated rival for elite playmaker from a priority area
Notre Dame in heated recruiting battle
