Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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BLUEGOLDONLINE.COM PRESEASON 2026 55 BY KYLE KELLY All it took was one trip to Notre Dame for five-star offensive tackle Oluwase- milore Olubobola to buy into Marcus Freeman's program. On May 12, Olubobola, Rivals' No. 3 offensive tackle and No. 19 overall player nationally in the 2027 class, announced his verbal commitment to the Irish. The Jersey City (N.J.) St. Peter's Prep rising senior's decision came just 16 days after he visited campus for the first time. "They have a strong culture and coaching staff," the 2025 New Jersey first-team all-state selection told Blue & Gold Illustrated, explaining the deci- sion to commit to Notre Dame. "They check all the boxes for me. The head coach is a leader of men, the position coach can develop offensive linemen to be the best they can be, and the strength program is legitimate." The 6-foot-6, 295-pounder was one of the hottest commodities in the 2027 class with an offer sheet that included opportunities from 38 Power Four pro- grams. He ultimately chose Notre Dame over Miami and Texas A&M, but other top programs also recruited him, in- cluding LSU, Penn State, Florida, Ohio State, Oregon, Texas and Michigan. Offensive line coach Joe Rudolph only offered Olubobola less than two months before his declaration, with the No. 1 player in New Jersey announcing his chance to play for the Irish March 19. But the timing did not matter. Rudolph quickly cultivated a relationship, and their connection flourished because of his coaching style. The fourth-year Irish assistant re- inforced that impression during a trip to New Jersey to see Olubobola during the spring. "He's a good teacher," Olubobola said. "When he came to visit, we were on the board, and he broke down plays that I would be good at and all that type of stuff. He's really good at communication. … He likes my athleticism, my length and my aggression. He thinks he can develop me to be the best tackle I can be." Rudolph wasn't the only Irish coach who played a part in Olubobola's deci- sion. He also credited Freeman and gen- eral manager Mike Martin with having major roles. "They came on really strong after the visit," he said. "They kept being persis- tent. My family and everybody around me loved the idea. And I love the idea, too." Olubobola's agent, Latish Kinsler of Life- Style Sports Agency, is also a big believer in Freeman. In addition to Olubobola, Kinsler also represents Irish soph- omore wide receiver Q u i n cy Po r te r, wh o transferred to Notre Dame from Ohio State this offseason. "How they care about the players is very mean- i n g f u l ," K i n s l e r to l d Blue & Gold Illustrated. "Football is a business, but to be able to have that personal side and to personally guarantee that you're going to make sure each young man is successful in life speaks volumes." Olubobola is the fourth St. Peter's Prep prospect to commit to the Irish within the last 13 years. The all-male Jesuit prep school in New Jersey has also produced quar- terback Brandon Wimbush, defensive linemen Justin Ademilola and Jayson Ademilola and linebacker Shayne Si- mon. Current Notre Dame defensive analyst Chase Jones is also from St. Pe- ter's Prep. During his Notre Dame visit, Olu- bobola connected with the Ademilolas and Simon while they were on campus for the Blue-Gold Game. Spending time with former St. Peter's Prep players gave him a clearer picture of how he would fit in at Notre Dame. "They just showed me it will be very similar to what I'm already going through here at Prep," he said. "The transition from high school to college will be very smooth for me. … St. Peter's and Notre Dame share similar values." Olubobola's Notre Dame recruitment might have moved fast, but nothing could beat the package the Irish could offer. "It's just the standard they hold all their players to," Olubobola said. "Great education, great football, great coach- ing, great culture, all of that." ✦ COMMITMENT PROFILE OLUWASEMILORE OLUBOBOLA FILM ANALYSIS "Oluwasemilore Olubobola's frame, length, burgeoning power and movement skills remind us of Ronnie Stanley. Like Stanley, Olubobola is a high-upside, developmental offensive tackle prospect with high-end traits for the position. Both have similar frames, with Olubobola being more filled out at the same stage. Olubobola also shows more power, while Stanley was more of a smooth mover with his basketball background. "Olubobola has outstanding physicality. He's a nasty run blocker and improved his overall flexibility and pad level. He's a tall tackle, and you wanted to see him play with more leverage, and you saw that on his junior film. What he put on his junior tape was really encouraging with his combination of move- ment skills to go with his length. He added play strength as well. "There's so much to like here. Olu has the look of an ascending prospect and one who has inched up the rankings the more we've gotten into his junior season. This is a huge get for Notre Dame. They've obviously done a great job of stacking talent on the offensive line. They've really added some high- upside, projectable offensive tackles." — Rivals director of scouting and rankings Charles Power Notre Dame Checks All The Boxes For Five-Star Offensive Tackle Olubobola, Rivals' No. 3 offensive tackle and No 19 overall player, com- mitted to Notre Dame over Miami and Texas A&M May 12. PHOTO BY KYLE KELLY