Notre Dame football's recruiting success came at a cost few expected

Notre Dame football consistently has a top-15 recruiting class in college football, but the Fighting Irish just had their best recruiting class since 2013, with 23 commitments ranking No. 5 in the nation, according to 247Sports. Notre Dame’s 2026 recruiting class is once again a top-five recruiting class in the nation, as Marcus Freeman and company secured four 5-star commitments, 20 4-star commitments, and 30 commitments in total.

The Irish’s 2026 recruiting class is just one of many reasons that prove why this program is in no rush to join a conference. While the whole nation is begging Notre Dame to join a conference, Freeman and his staff just dominated the 2026 recruiting class, landing the No. 5-ranked class in the country.

However, the Fighting Irish's recruiting success caught many eyes, and it ended up costing them two key defensive coaches, but more importantly, two elite recruiters.

Notre Dame football recruiting success pays the price

On3/Rivals Vice President, National College Football Recruiting and Transfer Portal analyst, Steve Wiltfong, recently put out his top 10 recruiters for the 2026 recruiting class, and while Fighting Irish fans notice they earned high praise, it was quickly overshadowed by the fact that their two elite recruiters, Mike Mickens and Al Washington, are no longer with the program.

Of the ten names listed, Wiltfong shone a bright light on the Irish former defensive backs coach, ranking him at the top of his list after securing two 5-star defensive backs in Khary Adams and Joey O’Brien, and multiple 4-stars like Ayden Pouncey and Chaston Smith.

Losing Mickens was a gut-wrenching blow to the Irish, and not many expected it. Many fans wanted him promoted to DC after the Irish lost Al Golden to the Bengals, however, after five seasons with the Irish and helping develop this secondary into one of the best in the nation, he departed for the NFL as the Ravens' new defensive passing game coordinator and defensive backs coach.

As for Washington, he was the Irish Linebackers Coach/Defensive Run Game Coordinator, and, similarly to Mickens, after landing elite defenders like 5-star Rodney Dunham, who ranks No. 7 in the 2026 class, and 4-star linebacker Thomas Davis Jr., he comes in ranked No. 9 on Wiltfong’s rankings. Washington was scooped up by the Miami Dolphins as their new Linebackers Coach.

The Irish lost two key recruiters, Mickens and Washington, and it will be hard to replace them. Notre Dame has already landed Aaron Henry to replace Mickens and is trending toward Brian Jean-Mary to replace Washington. While both have impressive resumes, they will have big shoes to fill.