Notre Dame is projected to land 2026 4-star Illinois edge rusher

The Irish won plenty this weekend

Not only was Notre Dame football successful on the field this weekend, they were a big hit with recruits.

As the biggest remaining home game left on the schedule, it made plenty of sense to bring in multiple prospects to see South Bend and witness what it’s like for a primetime game in Notre Dame Stadium.

The atmosphere and visit was enough for On3’s Steve Wiltfong to project 2026 Illinois defensive lineman [autotag]McHale Blade[/autotag] to eventually commit to the Irish. The 6-foot, 4-inch and 230-pound edge is ranked as the nation’s No. 124 overall prospect and 13th at his position according to the 247Sports Composite Rankings.

Notre Dame has long been recruiting Blade, as they offered him a scholarship in March of this year. They also have done a great job in the state of Illinois, as there are three committed to the Irish in 2025 from the state.

At the moment, Notre Dame has two commitments in the 2026 cycle, quarterback Noah Grubbs and wide receiver Dylan Faison.

Nov 9, 2024; South Bend, Indiana, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish head coach Marcus Freeman stands with his players for the Notre Dame Alma Mater after defeating the Florida State Seminoles at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-Imagn Images

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Tennessee offers 2026 edge prospect McHale Blade

Tennessee football offers a scholarship to 2026 edge prospect McHale Blade.

Tennessee offered a scholarship to 2026 edge prospect McHale Blade.

“Blessed to receive an offer from the University of Tennessee,” Blade said.

The 6-foot-4, 230-pound four-star edge rusher is from Hillcrest High School in Country Club Hills, Illinois.

Blade ranks as the No. 159 overall player in the class of 2026. He ranks as the No. 17 defensive lineman and No. 4  player in Illinois, according to 247Sports.

Tennessee is the third Southeastern Conference school to offer a scholarship to Blade.

He has scholarship offers from Tennessee, Michigan, Texas A&M, Marshall, Northwestern, Louisville, Purdue, Notre Dame, Illinois, Boston College, Toledo, Indiana, Nebraska, Miami, Florida and Cincinnati.

Cincinnati was the first school to offer Blade a scholarship on Dec. 18, 2023.

Spartans offer 2026 Illinois DE McHale Blade

Michigan State football has extended an offer to an edge rusher from Illinois

Michigan State football has extended an offer to an edge rusher from Illinois.

McHale Blade of Country Club Hills, Ill. announced on Wednesday that he’s received an offer from the Spartans. Blade is an edge rusher in the 2026 class.

Blade is yet to be ranked on 247Sports.

Michigan State is one of more than 10 schools to extend an offer to Blade, according to 247Sports. Other notable schools to offer Blade includes Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Miami (FL), Nebraska, Notre Dame, Purdue and Cincinnati.

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