Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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BLUEGOLDONLINE.COM MARCH 2026 73 2026 FOOTBALL RECRUITING ISSUE "For me, it wasn't super difficult so far," Premer said. "I think it came with the added mass and blocking guys that are a lot smaller than me, which makes it easier. I really focused on leverage, made sure I'm positioning myself in a good spot to win the block and then be- ing relentless and just trying to drive dudes into the dirt and just keep power- ing through them." Premer plans to bring that same physicality with him when he joins the Notre Dame program in June. If his blocking skills translate, so should his play-making abilities. "I'm going to be going up against and blocking players that are probably big- ger than me," Premer said. "I need to go in with the mindset that I can do it, and I'm going to hit them in the mouth and be super physical throughout the whole play. "Then on the route side of it, be super crisp and don't waste any movements. I'm a fast dude, but some of those DBs, especially those corners and safeties are really twitchy and can move. I just need to make sure I don't waste any move- ments in my routes, and then use my bigger body against them to my advan- tage." Notre Dame will head into the 2026 season looking for a new No. 1 tight end after Eli Raridon exhausted his eligibil- ity last season. Raridon, who should get drafted in April, was Notre Dame's most well-rounded tight end on the roster. The Irish have four tight ends returning from last year, but it's uncertain who may rise to the top of the depth chart. The most experienced options — red- shirt senior Ty Washington and red- shirt junior Cooper Flanagan — could be more complementary options than true No. 1 tight ends. If that's the case, the door will be open for Premer to find a way to contribute during his freshman season. As head coach Marcus Freeman has pointed out in the past, you don't need to be an early enrollee to make an impact as a fresh- man. Just look at cornerbacks Leonard Moore, Dallas Golden and Mark Zack- ery IV as recent examples. "I'm biased, but I'll be shocked if he doesn't make an immediate impact," Beck said. "I truly believe you're just not going to find a kid that's more invested and more focused. And then talent- wise, that's what got the people in the door. And then I think they were blown away." ✦ IAN PREMER TIGHT END 6-6 · 235 GREAT BEND H.S. GREAT BEND, KAN. RANKINGS STARS NAT. POS. STATE Industry ✪✪✪✪✪ 25 3 1 Rivals ✪✪✪✪✪ 27 1 1 247Sports ✪✪✪✪✪ 26 1 1 ESPN ✪✪✪✪ 38 3 1 STATISTICS • Made a major impact in the receiving and run- ning game as a senior in 2025, catching 40 passes for 734 yards and 14 touchdowns while adding 56 carries for 620 yards and 14 scores on the ground. He also was a difference-maker on defense, re- cording 68 tackles (35 solo), 5 stops for loss, 1 sack, 6 interceptions (2 returned for a touchdown), 1 forced fumble, 1 fumble recovery and 1 field goal block, while helping Great Bend reach the final four in Kansas 5A. • Collected 30 catches for 541 yards and 8 touch- downs as a junior in 2024, while also carrying the ball 37 times for 260 yards and 2 scores. On defense, he had 50 tackles (21 solo) and 3 inter- ceptions. • As a sophomore in 2023, he had 32 receptions for 538 yards and 9 touchdowns on offense. On defense, he recorded 64 tackles (25 solo), 1 stop for loss, 4 interceptions and 1 fumble recovery. NOTABLE • Named the Gatorade Player of the Year in Kansas in 2025. • Invited to participate in the Navy All-American Bowl. • Selected to the Kansas Football Coaches As- sociation all-state all classes team on offense in 2025. Also made the all-state senior team in 5A on defense in 2025. • Was the first player in Western Athletic Confer- ence history to earn both Offensive and Defensive Player of the Year in 2025. Was also the offensive player of the year in 2024. • Earned first-team all-state honors in basketball as a junior in 2024-25 and second-team all-state as a sophomore in 2022-24. • Was chosen as the Western Athletic Confer- ence Player of the Year in basketball as a junior in 2024-25, after average 24.4 points and 11.5 rebounds per game. • Also was a first-team all-state in baseball as a junior first baseman in 2025. He had a .413 aver- age with 11 extra base hits — including 1 home run — and 21 RBI. RECRUITMENT • Committed to the Fighting Irish on June 26, 2025. • Will enroll at Notre Dame in June. • Chose the Irish over Iowa State, Kansas and Kansas State. • Recruited by offensive coordinator Mike Den- brock and assistant tight ends coach Hunter Bivin. • Visited Notre Dame four times, including his official visit on June 17, 2025. 2026 PROJECTION • Premer has the chance to become an offense contributor, especially in the receiving game, and eventually grow into a key blocker. THEY SAID IT Rivals director of scouting and rankings Charles Power: "His production was extremely impressive. He truly does everything for his high school pro- gram. At a verified 6-foot-4½, 230 pounds, he's a complete freak athletically, and his athletic ability isn't limited to the football field. He's a dominant hooper who is a relentless dunker. And on the base- ball field, he hit over .400 on the year as a junior. "When we look at recent draft trends at the tight end position, it's one that is moving towards lighter, yet more athletic pass catchers with multi- sport backgrounds who played multiple positions in high school. Premer fits the bill to a T. He has the body type, movement and receiving skills and the ability after the catch to be a monster at the next level and beyond." Premer is the first Rivals Industry Ranking five- star tight end to sign with the Irish. Kyle Rudolph and Michael Mayer were ranked as five-star recruits by 247Sports. However, neither cracked the top 32 in the Rivals Industry Rankings. PHOTO BY KYLE KELLY