Notre Dame freshman safety Joey O’Brien is becoming quite the star, even before he plays a down for the Fighting Irish. What’s even more interesting is that O’Brien is considered among the best newcomers to the sport, despite doubt still surrounding the defender’s ability to be ready for the start of fall practice.
Billy Tucker of ESPN recently put together an article detailing the sport’s top 100 newcomers for the 2026 season. These newcomers mean both for the sport in general and for their teams through the Transfer Portal. This makes O’Brien’s inclusion even more impressive.
The Notre Dame freshman, who suffered an injury during the team’s Blue-Gold Game, is listed as the No. 58 player in the top 100. The freshman is also listed as the No. 6 safety in this group, showing that while there are plenty of high hopes for the young defender in South Bend, there are also many outside the city who believe he could be an impressive game-changer in his first season.
“Even though Jalen Stroman turned pro, defensive back wasn't a glaring need for the Fighting Irish,” Tucker wrote. “That should give O'Brien, a top-50 recruit, time to get acclimated as the potential No. 3 safety for the Irish. He is comparable to former Notre Dame safety Kyle Hamilton and should add depth early and develop into an impactful member of the defensive backs rotation by season's end.”
Joey O’Brien’s ESPN praise gives Notre Dame football another secondary storyline
While Tucker ignores that there is a real question as to whether O’Brien will be ready to start playing when the 2026 season kicks off, it’s clear the defensive back’s talent has impressed onlookers. The analyst laid out why he thinks the freshman could have quite an impact in the coming season. If not right away, then not long after things get rolling.
“A 2025 Under Armour All-American, O'Brien brings a rare combination of length and fluidity for a safety. He's instinctive with outstanding ball skills, and playing the ball in the air is his greatest strength.”
“O'Brien also uses those instincts to play the run well and take good angles to the ball. An injury ended his spring early, but O'Brien is expected to return this season and break into Notre Dame's two-deep as a versatile impact defender with length. With continued physical development, he should be a force to be reckoned with in the Notre Dame secondary for several seasons.”
Before coming to the Irish, the safety was rated a 5-star recruit by On3/Rivals and 247Sports Composite. He was also ranked the top-ranked recruit in Pennsylvania and the second-ranked safety overall by 247Sports Composite. Outside fo the recruiting services, he earned plaudits as both the 2025 Gatorade Player of the Year for Pennsylvania
and the 2025 MaxPreps Pennsylvania Player of the Year.
O’Brien showed the athletic ability that has analysts believing he can have an immediate impact on both offense and defense. In his final high school season before coming to Notre Dame, he tallied 85 catches for 1,250 yards and 18 touchdowns on offense while adding 49 tackles, four interceptions, 12 passes defended, a sack, and a fumble recovery on defense.
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