The Notre Dame football team is officially on a roll. For the third time this month, the Fighting Irish have landed a commit. More than that though, they landed a very talented commit.
It’s not just about breaking a cold streak in a big way either. Gregory Patrick joins defensive linemen Ebenezer Ewetade and Rodney Dunham as a member of the Golden Domers’ 2026 class.
Only he joins the Notre Dame football team on the other side of the ball. Patrick is yet another offensive lineman who will call South Bend home next year. Always assuming of course that he stays in the boat until signing day. So why is this one such a massive pickup for the Fighting Irish?
Home 🍀 https://t.co/6goJDaivdd
— Gregory Patrick (@gregpatrick75) April 13, 2025
Notre Dame football has quite the pipeline to Michigan
Patrick hails from Portage, Michigan. That he comes from longtime rival Michigan Wolverines’ backyard is just part of why it’s so fun to see him commit to Notre Dame. It’s about more than just bragging rights over a hated rival. It’s also about pulling talented players from a state that has plenty of talent.
Patrick is the third offensive lineman from Michigan in the Irish’s 2026 recruiting class. He joins Sullivan Garvin and Ben Nichols. As an added bonus, his 4-stars has him as the highest rated player of the three according to 247Sports.
Massive boost to the recruiting class
There was a time when people wondered if the Irish might actually finish outside the Top 20 in recruiting classes this year. That’s how bad things were going. Suddenly, after adding two four-stars and a five-star they’re salvaging their reputation.
The addition of Gregory Patrick has boosted Marcus Freeman’s squad up to No. 5 in the On3 rankings and No. 6 in Rivals’ rankings. They also jumped two spots to No. 6 in 247Sports Rankings meaning they are either inside or on the cusp of being in the Top 5 for the first time in the 2026 cycle.
Post playing days were key
It’s something that most guys who commit to the Notre Dame football team say right around the time they give their pledge. It’s not just about their playing days. It’s about after their playing days are done. That’s a maturity that not everyone possesses. Gregory Patrick does though.
“It really came down to the type of people that they have in their program; all the coaches, all the players, they're all really, really great people and they have ambitions outside of football,” Patrick told Irish Sports Daily after his commitment.
Notre Dame football got a good one. And one that understands the demands of football and going to school in South Bend.