Here’s the full breakdown on Notre Dame’s commitment of 3-star tight end Preston Fryzel to their Class of 2026—a move that’s generating excitement:
- Who: Preston Fryzel, a 6’4″, ~220 lb tight end from Central Catholic High, Toledo, OH.
- When: Official commitment announced June 23, 2025, during the early stages of ND’s recruiting spike .
- What ND Prioritized: Michigan DC/GM Mike Martin and offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock saw Fryzel as a “receiving guy,” someone who could stretch the field—what ND is looking for
- Early Offers & Visits:
- Originally held Top 5 offers from Mississippi Powerhouses like Iowa, Pitt, Duke, Minnesota, Cincinnati; also Michigan State and Wisconsin
- Picked up additional ones from Miami and Indiana after his June Central Catholic showcase
- Notre Dame’s Involvement:
- ND extended an offer in late May 2025, surprising many (he’d unofficially visited South Bend in early May) .
- Official visit occurred June 20–22, 2025, his second trip after the initial May visit .
- Underrated but High Ceiling: Experts like Jaime Uyeyama see him as undervalued—comparing him to Eli Raridon, who made a big jump pre-senior year; predicts Fryzel may follow a similar trajectory
- Game Comparison: Analysts liken him to former Iowa tight end Sam LaPorta—good receiver, route runner, eventual NFL prospect (onefootdown.com).
- Offensive Fit: ND’s offense often uses tight ends as mismatches in the seam; Fryzel’s skill set fits well .
- Visiting Coach Praise: Central Catholic coach and ND staff fame highlight his “top‑notch” skills and clear excitement for his potential ).
- Strategic Move: Fryzel is their first TE commitment in the 2026 cycle and 20th total commit, helping secure their spot at #3 in the national class ranking
- Still Open?: ND reportedly wants two tight ends and is still courting other top TE targets—like Evan Jacobson (Iowa), Ian Premer (KS), Brayden Fogle (OH) (on3.com).
- Ohio Pipeline: Fryzel represents the program’s ongoing success recruiting in Ohio—he’s the second Ohioan in the class
- Depth & Versatility Boost: Adds a dynamic skill-set TE to ND’s offense—someone who can move in space and pose matchup dilemmas.
- Potential for Growth: If he mirrors the progression of past talents like Raridon or LaPorta, he could emerge as a high-ceiling player in college and beyond.
- Recruiting Momentum: As their first TE commit, Fryzel gives ND a foothold at the position. Additional TE commits would strengthen depth and competition.
Notre Dame’s recruitment of Preston Fryzel is a thoughtful strategic move—a receiving-tight-end prospect with room to grow and a skilled fit in their offensive identity. While only a 3-star now, there’s belief he may become a breakout performer. And with ND still eyeing another TE, Fryzel may soon have teammates pushing even higher ceilings. As one of Ohio’s top TEs, and given the Notre Dame pedigree, his commitment signals game‑changing promise.Want to dive deeper? I can track his early-season usage, follow-up commits, or compare him to past ND TE standouts. Just let me know!
