Notre Dame added a major piece to its 2026 recruiting class on Friday when Nick Reddish, a highly coveted safety from Wisconsin, announced his commitment to the Fighting Irish. This decision is a powerful statement—not only because of Reddish’s on-field talent, but also due to the context: stealing a top in-state prospect out of Wisconsin’s backyard, especially one so highly ranked and coveted by multiple Big Ten powers. It was the kind of recruiting win Notre Dame fans have been hoping to see more consistently under Marcus Freeman.
Reddish, a 6-foot-1, 190-pound defensive back from Arrowhead High School in Hartland, Wisconsin, is not just another addition. He’s a foundational piece. Rated among the top safeties in the nation for the class of 2026, Reddish brings athleticism, intelligence, and physicality to the secondary. He has the type of instincts and playmaking ability that Notre Dame has been eager to add on the back end of its defense.
His recruitment was heavily contested. Wisconsin pushed hard to keep him home. Michigan and Ohio State were both in pursuit. SEC programs had started to circle. But it was Notre Dame that closed. It was Notre Dame that sold him on the long-term vision—not only for football, but for development as a student and person. That matters in the modern recruiting age, even as NIL and flash dominate headlines.
This commitment can’t be looked at as an isolated win. It reflects several broader trends and shifts in Notre Dame’s recruiting approach—most importantly, it shows that the Irish can still beat top programs in head-to-head battles for elite talent, especially in the Midwest. Under Marcus Freeman, the staff has made secondary recruiting a priority, recognizing the gap that has existed between Notre Dame and elite teams when it comes to speed and coverage ability at the safety and corner positions.
With Reddish, Notre Dame gets a player who can line up deep, cover tight ends and slot receivers, and step into the box as a run-support enforcer. His junior season film shows a defender who diagnoses plays quickly and hits with purpose. He covers ground fluidly and appears comfortable both in man and zone coverage. This is not a project. Reddish has the tools to compete early in his college career, and with the right development, he could grow into a multi-year starter and a future NFL Draft pick.
The commitment is also an early example of what the Irish are hoping becomes the new standard in defensive recruiting under Al Golden and Chris O’Leary. Reddish’s relationship with O’Leary, Notre Dame’s safeties coach, was cited as a key factor in his decision. The staff’s ability to form real, lasting connections with recruits—ones based on substance, not just hype—continues to pay dividends.
It’s worth acknowledging what this means for Wisconsin. Losing a top-100 in-state prospect is always a blow, but it stings even more when it’s to a traditional power like Notre Dame. For years, Wisconsin was able to lock down its top homegrown talent, especially in the defensive backfield. But as recruiting becomes more national—and as Notre Dame expands its recruiting footprint deeper into Big Ten territory—regional battles like this will only become more intense.
For Notre Dame fans, Reddish’s commitment is a welcome burst of momentum in the 2026 cycle, which is still in its early stages. His pledge gives the Irish a blue-chip anchor around whom the rest of the defensive class can be built. It also sends a message to other elite Midwest prospects that Notre Dame isn’t waiting to make a splash—it’s doing it now.
This is the kind of recruiting win that builds both credibility and confidence. For too long, Notre Dame has had to fight the narrative that it can’t land elite defensive backs, especially safeties with speed and range. Reddish doesn’t just buck that trend—he helps reverse it. And if the Irish can stack a few more wins like this in the 2026 class, they’ll be well-positioned to close the gap with the true elites in college football.
Moreover, Reddish fits the kind of player Notre Dame has historically built success around. He’s smart, coachable, and driven—not just a highlight reel athlete, but a grinder who studies the game. In interviews, he speaks with maturity and focus. In camp settings, he’s been known to absorb coaching quickly and adjust on the fly. In a game increasingly defined by versatility and adaptability, those traits matter as much as 40-yard dash times.
The domino effect of Reddish’s commitment could also be significant. Top players tend to attract top players. If Reddish remains vocal in his support of Notre Dame and actively works to bring other blue-chippers with him, the Irish could suddenly find themselves with traction in battles that previously felt like long shots. In recruiting, momentum is everything—and Reddish might be the spark.
This development also highlights Notre Dame’s ability to maintain relevance in an increasingly chaotic recruiting environment. Despite the challenges presented by NIL structures, shifting conference alliances, and increased pressure from the transfer portal, the Irish continue to emphasize relationships, development, and long-term value. It’s not always a flashy approach, but when it hits, it hits big.
And let’s not forget the timing. Reddish’s early commitment gives the Irish staff time to build around him. Rather than having to sweat it out until late in the cycle, they now have a firm foundation—and a top-100 commitment—to build on. That stability allows them to be more aggressive in targeting complementary pieces, especially at cornerback, linebacker, and hybrid safety/rover positions.
The narrative around Notre Dame’s recruiting has often been inconsistent. One year, they’re applauded for building elite offensive line classes; the next, they’re questioned for missing out on elite wide receivers or struggling to land dynamic defensive backs. Reddish’s commitment is a reminder that the staff is fully aware of those gaps—and is actively trying to address them.
For Notre Dame fans who’ve watched elite safety prospects flirt with South Bend only to end up elsewhere, this one feels different. It feels decisive. It feels like a shift in tone. And more importantly, it feels earned. Not because of flash or NIL promises, but because of substance, vision, and a relentless recruiting effort that began early and never let up.
If Notre Dame is to get back to the College Football Playoff—and this time compete rather than simply appear—it will need more players like Nick Reddish. Players who can elevate the defense. Players who can make plays when it matters most. Players who choose Notre Dame for the right reasons, but who are also athletic enough to hold their own against the Alabamas and Georgias of the world.
Reddish might not be a household name yet outside of recruiting circles, but make no mistake—he has the potential to become one. And if his time in South Bend lives up to the early promise, this will be remembered as more than just a win over Wisconsin. It will be remembered as one of the moments that helped define Notre Dame’s next era of football.
