Notre Dame Fighting Irish in fierce battle for top 2026 WR prospect

The Notre Dame Fighting Irish have had a big of an up and down record when it comes to wide receiver recruiting. Their 2024 class was one of the best in the country. However, they’re having some problems reeling guys in for the 2025 cycle.

It appears the struggles this past year has not deterred the Irish from going after some of the best of the bunch when it comes to the 2026 class. That’s why Connor Salmin appears to be right at the top of the list of guys Marcus Freeman and company are zeroing in on.

The battle to get Salmin isn’t going to be an easy one though. In addition to the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, the 4-star wide receiver out of Woodgrove High in Virginia, also has offers from LSU, Tennessee, Ohio State, Florida State, Texas A&M, Georgia, Indiana, Syracuse and others. All of those offers have come in recent weeks.

Notre Dame Fighting Irish impressed top 2026 WR target

The first step to landing someone like Salmin was to get him to campus. With that box checked, what did he think about what he saw in South Bend?

“It was my first time seeing campus; it’s really impressive,” he told Rivals “The facilities are also awesome, and it’s exciting that they are building a new football facility.”

When Salmin was in town, it was really the first time he got to meet any of the coaches. It was the first time he met Marcus Freeman or receivers coach Mike Brown. But by all accounts, he hit it off well with the guys who could be coaching him in college.

The next step is going to be making sure he keeps the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at the front of his mind. And get him back to South Bend this fall for a game.