Notre Dame football eyes 2027 sensation as future quarterback

The Notre Dame football team has Riley Leonard as its quarterback for this season, but beyond that, head coach Marcus Freeman and company are working hard to lay the groundwork for the future. As part of that effort, the Irish are working on the next great quarterback as he’s come to South Bend several times.

CJ Carr is set to be the quarterback of the future in 2025. Then there’s Blake Hebert who will be signing with the 2025 class. And Noah Grubbs is on board for the 2026 class. So it’s officially time fo the Blue and Gold to look into 2027 and that’s where Jackson Smith comes in.

Smith was in South Bend last weekend and that marked what he claims was at least his 10th visit to town. “Maybe even more than 10,” the 2027 quarterback prospect told Irish Sports Daily. “It's just the environment and the experience. Nothing anywhere else compares to Notre Dame. I've been to a lot of schools and that experience alone is something that no other school has. It's just a family feel.”

Notre Dame football working hard on 2027 QB, Jackson Smith

It also sounds like he’ll be in town for at least an 11th trip. He’s planning visits to Miami-Ohio and possibly Louisville this season. At that point, he’s probably wrapped up his trips for the fall and winter. But then South Bend is at the top of the list for a visit when the calendar turns to 2025.

“For sure, maybe for a spring practice,” he added. “That will probably be the first place I go to just because it's one of my priorities.”

The Lakota West, Ohio quarterback has just one official offer from the Kentucky Wildcats. But he’s getting a ton of attention from Power 4 programs. When it comes to the programs getting the most attention from Jackson Smith, the Notre Dame football team stands out.