Notre Dame Secures Key Commitment to Kick Off Crucial Recruiting Weekend
Marcus Freeman and the Notre Dame football program started a pivotal recruiting weekend on a high note with a major commitment on Friday.
Following a successful April in which they secured several commitments, Notre Dame continued the momentum into May by landing a verbal commitment from four-star linebacker Jakobe Clapper, a standout from Cincinnati’s St. Xavier High School. Clapper’s decision could signal the first of multiple commitments for the Fighting Irish over the weekend, but first, here’s more on Clapper.
BREAKING: Four-Star LB Jakobe Clapper has Committed to Notre Dame, he tells me for @on3recruits
The 6’2 215 LB from Cincinnati, OH chose the Fighting Irish over Oregon, Michigan, Louisville, & Ohio State
“I’m home. Go Irish!”https://t.co/UYqmX5VOYK pic.twitter.com/RYe9rtaqwC
— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) May 2, 2025
Clapper, who recently visited Oregon and had over 20 scholarship offers, stands 6’1″ and weighs 215 pounds. He’s ranked as the nation’s 22nd-best linebacker prospect for the 2026 class by 247Sports. In addition to Oregon, Clapper had received offers from powerhouse programs like Michigan, Ohio State, and Penn State. His commitment to Notre Dame marks the 13th for the Fighting Irish in this class, and he’s the second linebacker to commit, joining Thomas Davis, Jr.
A Big Weekend Ahead for Notre Dame Recruiting
While Clapper’s commitment is a big win for Notre Dame, the weekend could get even better. Texas running back Javian Osborne, ranked as the nation’s sixth-best running back and a top-100 overall recruit by 247Sports, is set to announce his commitment on Saturday afternoon. Notre Dame is among his finalists, alongside Michigan.
If Notre Dame secures a commitment from Osborne, it would cap off what is already a successful weekend and potentially elevate it to a fantastic one.
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