Notre Dame is included in 2026 California 4-star wide receiver’s top group

The Irish are a contender for one of the nation’s best prospects

It was quite an exciting Monday for Notre Dame football recruiting, as they flipped two prospects in offensive lineman Cameron Herron and quarterback Blake Hebert.

The additions to the 2025 class shouldn’t overshadow some other Irish recruiting news, as 2026 California wide receiver [autotag]Vance Spafford[/autotag] trimmed his list down to eight schools with Notre Dame squarely in the mix.

As the nation’s No. 97 overall prospect according to the 247Sports Composite Rankings, is a prospect that many schools would love to add to their class. The Irish will have to battle Georgia, Ole Miss, Oregon, Nebraska, Arizona, Washington and TCU for his commitment.

Notre Dame has put themselves in a very good position in that cycle, with two commits already in quarterback Noah Grubbs and wide receiver Dylan Faison. More will eventually join the pair, and the hope is that Spafford is one of those that will be there in the end.

COLLEGE STATION, TEXAS – AUGUST 31: Head Coach Marcus Freeman of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish looks on prior to the game against the Texas A&M Aggies Kyle Field on August 31, 2024 in College Station, Texas. (Photo by Jack Gorman/Getty Images)

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