Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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42 NOV. 22, 2025 BLUE & GOLD ILLUSTRATED BY KYLE KELLY L ast May, Notre Dame football's search for a tight end in the 2026 recruiting cycle expanded to two Ohio prospects: Toledo Central Catholic's Preston Fryzel and Lexington High's Brayden Fogle, Rivals' Nos. 10 and 13 players in the Buckeye State. Within weeks, it became clear which one was better suited for South Bend. After two spring visits to Notre Dame, Fryzel emerged as the program's pre- ferred target. By June 23, Marcus Free- man and the coaching staff got their guy when the 6-foot-4, 215-pound Fryzel announced his verbal commitment to Freeman's program. When Fryzel revealed his decision, Rivals ranked him as the No. 19 tight end nationally in the 2026 class. All he has done the last 19 weeks is validate Notre Dame's evaluation — showcasing his exceptional skills every Friday night. Rivals has noticed, moving him up to No. 11 among tight ends and No. 195 overall in the class. On Nov. 7, Fryzel strengthened Notre Dame's stance by helping Central Cath- olic cruise past Lexington, 49-18, in the Ohio Division III regional quarterfi- nal. He finished with just 1 catch for 29 yards, yet in a game featuring Fogle and two other Power Four-bound re- cruits — three-star tight end Joey Cau- dill (Michigan State) and four-star cor- nerback Victor Singleton (Texas A&M) — Fryzel's presence was impossible to miss. "His length, athleticism, football IQ [are impressive]," Central Catholic coach Greg Dempsey told Blue & Gold Illustrated. "And the physicality he has added this year has been huge. We move him all around: as a second tight end, a primary tight end, split out wide. Then when a drive doesn't work, he punts — and does a great job there, too." Dempsey needed Fryzel's leg strength earlier than expected. On Central Cath- olic's opening drive, Lexington's de- fense stifled any rhythm and forced a punt. Caudill — Rivals' No. 32 player in Ohio and No. 31 tight end nationally — lined up at quarterback and used his scrambling ability to guide Lexington to an early 3-0 lead. The home team had all the momen- tum until Fryzel swung it back. He beat Caudill in coverage for a 29-yard grab that set Central Catholic up on the 1-yard line. That catch sparked a run of three unanswered touchdowns and a 21-3 lead. "I think it was huge, because their quarterback was doing a great job," Dempsey said. "They stopped us, and they get the ball back, and then it turns into 3-0 with the defense holding them. If we don't score on that second drive, when Preston makes that play, who knows what happens in that first half, and the momentum just builds." Every Friday night, Fryzel draws ex- tra defensive attention. Whether it be bracket coverage, double teams or a de- fense's best cover player, he has seen it all. That doesn't always boost his stat line, but it opens up opportunities for his teammates. "He makes big plays," Dempsey said. "We dial a few things up, and that de- pends on what the defense does. People are going to double him. People are go- ing to take him away. That can be an advantage to the offense in other ways, as you saw tonight." Although Fryzel hasn't caught more than 3 passes in a game this season, his production remains impressive: 25 receptions for 658 yards and 7 touch- downs — an average of 26.3 yards per catch. His receiving skills first caught Notre Dame's attention, but his physical growth as a blocker has helped him be- come a more complete player. "The catching passes, Notre Dame knew he could do that," he said. "The physicality of his game on offense that he's amped up this year has just been phenomenal. He's just that type of player. He doesn't care — well, he's a competitor, he wants to ball every play. But he's just a great football player do- ing whatever it takes to help the team win. … "It's tenacious. On the perimeter and inside. We try to give him a break inside, but there are a couple of times we put him in there tonight." That included a few matchups against Fogle, who also saw defensive reps. Outside of his acrobatic 16-yard touch- down catch over Singleton — Rivals' No. 3 player in Ohio and No. 10 cor- nerback nationally — Central Catholic largely neutralized him. Though Notre Dame once recruited Fogle, Rivals' No. 8 tight end and No. 171 overall player in the class, it worked out well for all involved. The 6-4, 235-pounder committed to Georgia. After the regional quarterfinal loss, his focus will turn to preparing for Athens. Fryzel's focus, meanwhile, is locked into helping lead Central Catholic to its fourth consecutive trip to the regional final and third state championship in four years. "He's just a great football player," Dempsey said. ✦ F O O T B A L L RECRUITING Preston Fryzel Impresses In Playoff Battle With Power Four Talent Fryzel, who has ascended to the No. 11 tight end and No. 195 overall player in Rivals' rankings, had 25 receptions for 658 yards (26.3 yards per catch) and 7 touchdowns through Nov. 7 this season. PHOTO BY KYLE KELLY