Notre Dame Recruiting Roundup with Brian Smith: QB Miss Explained, DL Questions & Big Visit Takeaways

In this crossover episode of Locked On Irish, hosts Tyler Wojak and Ross Jackson are joined by recruiting insider Brian Smith to break down Notre Dame's current recruiting landscape. The discussion begins with the loss of four-star quarterback Camden Lapotti to Michigan, with Smith attributing the flip to playing time concerns and Michigan's early commitment, despite Notre Dame's strong program. The conversation then shifts to Notre Dame's massive official visit weekend, where the Irish made strong impressions on top prospects like Leighton Von Brandt and Julius Jones Jr., with Smith praising the team’s elite offensive line recruiting success. On defense, concerns arise over defensive line commitments, particularly with players like Marcus Fakatu and Makai Lemon trending toward Oregon and USC, but Smith downplays the urgency, calling it 'first world problems' given Notre Dame’s depth. The show also covers linebacker uncertainty due to potential NFL departures, tight end depth, and secondary recruiting, with a focus on the importance of timing and the June 2027 commitment surge. Smith emphasizes that Notre Dame’s strategy is to avoid reaching for low-hanging fruit and instead wait for the right fits, with the real action expected in late June. Key takeaways include: Notre Dame’s quarterback strategy will likely pivot to high-upside, lower-rated prospects or transfers; the Irish remain dominant in offensive line recruiting, especially at tackle; defensive line concerns are overblown given the program’s depth; linebacker recruiting is the most complex due to potential NFL departures; and the real commitment wave will happen in June, not April. The episode concludes with a reminder that Notre Dame’s recruiting success is built on long-term relationships and elite visit experiences, not immediate commitments.