Notre Dame football a player for 'angry human' of an offensive lineman

St. Patrick’s Day, or Pot of Gold Day around the Notre Dame football program was an active one yet again. It appears the program has decided to ramp things up in the pursuit of members of the 2026 class.

Among those players that the Fighting Irish have taken aim at, is offensive lineman Tyler Merrill. The 4-star interior offensive lineman who is considered the top two or three players in the state of Pennsylvania is one of those who was lucky enough to get a Pot of Gold offer last Sunday.

Since that offer, it appears the Notre Dame football has made some serious ground up, despite not being anywhere near the first team to come calling. According to Rivals’ Charleston Bowles, the Irish are officially “in the mix” for the big man.

While Merrill hasn’t pulled the trigger on a commitment from that Pot of Gold offer, it seems as though Marcus Freeman and company are rising up the ranks. That’s an especially good thing considering that Merrill, a 6-foot-5, 310 pound monster of a blocker from Cumberland appears to be something of a different breed as a player.

Notre Dame football has an ‘angry human’ in its sights

Merrill’s high school head coach Josh Oswalt recently talked to Bowles in a long interview. What stuck out the most was that Oswalt believes Merrill has set himself apart from other players of his size.

“Usually I get a big man and he's soft,” Oswalt reportedly said. “He's just a big old teddy bear. Tyler is that but he's not that on the field. He's an aggressive, angry human being out there on the field."

With that kind of review, it’s not wonder that Notre Dame football has come calling. The Irish have struggled a bit up front of late. They’re clearly looking to build up some strength and aggressiveness there.

Of course, in order to woo Tyler Merrill, they’re going to need to keep standing out. The lineman has offers from the likes of Alabama, Penn State, Texas A&M, Michigan and Ohio State, among many others.