Aug. 21, 2026, 7:31 a.m. ET
- While he isn’t anticipated to start out the season opener, he may earn a beginning function later in the season.
- The defensive again has been in comparison with two-time Pro Bowler Justin Simmons.
The Notre Dame 2026 recruiting class has been exhibiting that lots of them are able to play, particularly contemplating the majority of them enrolled early.
One of these gamers was former 247Sports composite 5-star safety Joey O’Brien, who look good in the spring however suffered an harm throughout the Blue and Gold recreation. It would gradual him down a bit, but it surely’s trying like he’ll be able to go when the season begins.
Notre Dame shared a clip of Thursday’s observe, as Pete Sampson pointed out throughout cornerback DJ McKinney’s interception, that O’Brien was getting a rep with the first team defense. He’s been compared by Andrew Ivins to Justin Simmons of the Denver Broncos, who was a two-time Pro Bowler and made the second-team All-Pro 4 instances.
O’Brien has an opportunity to have an amazing Irish profession, one that might see an impression early. While he almost definitely received’t get the begin in the season opener in opposition to Wisconsin, he definitely has a shot to start out down the street. Injuries occur, ineffective play, or O’Brien is so good that he must be on the area. Regardless of when, it very a lot appears like the former 5-star will probably be beginning for Notre Dame in the close to future.
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