Irish Land Blue-Chip Prospect
Highly-Ranked Edge Rusher Darieon Prescott Commits to Notre Dame for 2028 Class
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Key Points
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ESPN ranks Prescott as the No. 7 edge rusher in the 2028 class and the No. 36 recruit in ESPN's Junior 300, with 65 tackles (14 for loss), 26 pressures and five sacks as a sophomore.
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Rivals lists Prescott as the No. 18 overall player and No. 5 edge rusher in 2028, and identifies him as the top Illinois recruit (No. 1 from Illinois) at 6'4", ~255 pounds.
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247Sports' composite ranking also places Prescott as a five-star-level talent: No. 18 overall and No. 5 edge rusher in the 2028 class.
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Prescott's recruitment timeline includes his Illinois offer in January 2025 and Notre Dame offering in June 2025, with him highlighting Notre Dame's culture, environment and coaching staff as key factors; he also developed a quick connection with Notre Dame DL coach Charlie Partridge.
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Prescott is Notre Dame's third commit in the 2028 class, joining Andre Jones and Owen Davies as the Irish build toward Freeman's cycle.
Darieon Prescott, a 6-foot-4, 255-pound edge rusher from Bolingbrook, Illinois, committed to Notre Dame on Tuesday, choosing the Irish over Oregon and Texas A&M. He announced his decision live on The Pat McAfee Show, making him Notre Dame's third commit in the 2028 recruiting class. SI reported that Prescott told the show his goal was to "set the tone" for Notre Dame's upcoming class.
Prescott is a five-star prospect ranked No. 18 overall and No. 5 edge rusher in the 2028 class by both Rivals and the 247Sports Composite, according to Fighting Irish Wire. ESPN slots him at No. 7 among edge rushers and No. 36 overall in its Junior 300.
Prescott's Numbers Back Up the Five-Star Hype
As a sophomore at Bolingbrook High School, Prescott racked up 65 tackles, 14 of which came for a loss. He also recorded 26 pressures and five sacks. Those numbers helped him earn top rankings across every major recruiting service.
Rivals lists Prescott as the No. 1 recruit from Illinois in the 2028 class. At 6-foot-4 and roughly 255 pounds, he projects as a premier college defensive lineman. SI noted that Notre Dame has now landed another elite defensive line prospect from the Chicago area, a region the Irish have mined for talent in recent cycles.
Notre Dame's Coaching Staff Sealed the Deal
Notre Dame offered Prescott in June 2025, just months after Illinois extended an offer in January 2025. The quick timeline shows how fast the Irish moved once they zeroed in on him. According to Fighting Irish Wire, Prescott pointed to Notre Dame's culture, environment and coaching staff as the key factors in his decision.
Prescott developed a fast connection with Notre Dame defensive line coach Charlie Partridge. That relationship pushed the Irish ahead of Oregon, which stayed in pursuit until the end. A campus visit to South Bend helped close things out, giving Prescott a feel for the program in person.
Irish Build Early Momentum in the 2028 Cycle
Prescott joins Andre Jones and Owen Davies as Notre Dame's three commits in the 2028 class. Head coach Marcus Freeman's staff has moved quickly in this cycle, landing blue-chip prospects well ahead of the traditional recruiting calendar. SI called the Prescott commitment a win for Notre Dame that "checks two important boxes" — elite local talent and defensive line depth.
The 2028 class is still three-plus years away from signing day. But landing a top-20 national prospect this early sends a signal. Notre Dame used a similar early approach in the 2027 cycle and built strong momentum with several key commitments, according to Fighting Irish Wire.
Oregon Still Recruiting, But Prescott's Mind Is Made Up
Oregon was Prescott's main competition for Notre Dame right up until his announcement. The Ducks have been aggressive in the 2028 cycle and are not expected to stop recruiting the class. But Prescott made clear on The Pat McAfee Show that his choice is final.
"I want to set the tone," Prescott said of his commitment, per SI. For Notre Dame, that attitude is exactly what Freeman's staff is building toward — players who want to lead, not just follow. Prescott's size, production and mindset make him one of the most coveted defensive prospects in the country at this stage.
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