The Notre Dame football team is considered one of the best contenders for the College Football Playoff in 2026, but ESPN has detailed exactly why they're so respected. Craig Haubert recently wrote a column, breaking down the 12 teams that helped themselves prepare for the 2026 CFP through their high school recruiting and Transfer Portal work.
According to Haubert, the Irish finished the high school class ranked No. 4 in the country. There's a bonus that many of the signees in that class will be early arrivals and ready to practice in the spring. He also claimed that Marcus Freeman's crew had the No. 15 Transfer Portal class.
"After missing the College Football Playoff field in 2025, Notre Dame has stocked its 2026 roster like a program intent on making sure that doesn't happen again. Help is on the way at virtually every position," Haubert wrote.
Why ESPN ranked Notre Dame’s 2026 recruiting and portal work so highly
The ESPN analyst also detailed one of the top offensive weapons he thinks will help the Irish mow down opponents on their way to the CFP.
"Receiver Quincy Porter could be viewed as a valuable long-term portal add but more immediately can also be a big target who can win contested matchups and help strengthen Notre Dame's depth in 2026 by giving CJ Carr another target."
Haubert is one of the only people who has really talked in depth about Notre Dame's recruiting being a big reason why they will be one of the best teams in the country in 2026. Add that recruiting class and Transfer portal class to the guys coming back, and it's hard not to think that Marcus Freeman has a dominant squad on his hands.