Can Notre Dame and Marcus Freeman keep the recruiting momentum that gave them one of the best classes in 2026 into 2027? So far, so good on that front as they're making new progress with 5-star offensive lineman Albert Simien, who is now planning a spring visit to South Bend.
The plans to visit the Fighting Irish on their turf come after Freeman and a couple of his assistants went and talked to Simien. The group saw the Louisiana prospect at his Sam Houston High School, and back then, the blue-chip star made it clear what the coaches said resonated with him.
"It just spoke a lot to me and my family," Simien told Irish Sports Daily. "How Notre Dame really wants us there and really takes my recruitment seriously."
Notre Dame football makes progress as Albert Simien schedules a spring visit
"Not many head coaches will go out and see an offensive lineman," he added. "Most of the time those guys are going to see receivers and skill dudes. It’s just something that’s not really common."
Simien is the No. 3 player in the state of Louisiana, the No. 2 interior offensive lineman, and the No. 15 overall player according to Rivals' Industry Rankings. 247Sports doesn't have the 6-foot-3, 275-pound prospect ranked much lower, as that site considers him the No. 7 IOL and No. 34 player in the class. The talent in the state that doesn't have him at the top of Louisiana also goes a long way in showing how good he really is.
Albert Simien has a ton of power offers, and Notre Dame is far from winning the recruiting battle, but the Irish have a foot in the door and will get him on campus. That's one heck of an opening salvo in a battle that could last until December.