Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1546068
BLUEGOLDONLINE.COM PRESEASON 2026 57 BY KYLE KELLY Abraham Sesay did not see a need to let his recruitment linger any longer. On June 16, Sesay — Rivals' No. 3 player in Pennsylvania, and No. 2 edge and No. 15 overall player in the 2027 class — revealed his pledge to play for Notre Dame just two days after his of‑ ficial visit concluded. The Exton (Pa.) Downingtown East standout also of‑ ficially visited LSU in May. Sesay chose the Irish over 35 schools, including a group of finalists that fea‑ tured Duke and Florida State. He also held offers from programs like Ohio State, Miami, Southern Cal, Oregon, Michigan and Georgia. The Irish won out because of everything they could offer Sesay on and off the field. "I felt like it was the place for me," Se‑ say told Blue & Gold Illustrated. "Notre Dame will maximize my success on and off the field. Being a part of what they're building and what they've already es‑ tablished will benefit me and my family. I'm very excited to get to work." Notre Dame made its move for Se‑ say by offering him Nov. 4 toward the end of his dominant junior season. The 6‑foot‑4½, 225‑pounder self‑reported at least 80 tackles and 13 sacks. He earned first‑team all‑state honors at de‑ fensive end for his efforts. He was also named first‑team all‑league and all‑ county at defensive end and tight end. After Sesay visited campus for the first time for the Syracuse game Nov. 22, he noted that the Irish had established themselves as the frontrunner in his re‑ cruitment. However, it ultimately took two more trips to campus — one in April and another in June — for him to solidify his decision. Getting to spend time with the play‑ ers rather than just watching them was the last box that needed to be checked. "Notre Dame has always been at the forefront of my recruitment," he said. "Hanging out with the players and be‑ ing able to bond with them was amaz‑ ing. I really felt like I fit in." If Sesay maintains his ranking when he signs with the Irish in December, he will become the third five‑star edge Freeman's program has added from the high school ranks. In the 2026 class, the Irish signed Rodney Dunham, Rivals' No. 3 edge and No. 8 overall player nationally. Freeman also added five‑star Bryce Young in the 2025 cycle, the No. 6 edge and No. 24 overall player, according to 247Sports. Dunham and Young both played their high school football in North Carolina and were considered the top prospect in the state in their respective classes. After Sesay's Notre Dame official visit, he revealed to Blue & Gold Illus- trated that the Irish coaching staff com‑ pared him to Young. "They really have me similar to Bryce Young," he said. "To the position he plays and how I am using my length and explo‑ sive closure off the ball to get out there. That's really what they see me as — rush‑ ing the passer, but being able to stop the run. Being able to play all four downs." Sesay is one of three edge players on Notre Dame's 2027 commit list, joining Ramsey (N.J.) Don Bosco Prep four‑star Aidan O'Neil and Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy four‑star Jackson Vaughn. According to Rivals, O'Neil and Vaughn are the 13th‑ and 16th‑ranked prospects at their position, as well as the Nos. 113 and 148 overall players nationally. With a loaded depth chart, Notre Dame will surely see programs try to sway Sesay away. But those attempts are expected to fall short. He remains steadfast in his pledge to the Irish. "I'm not someone to go against my word," he said. "The word commitment is a commitment. I gave them my word and told them I'd be committing to the University of Notre Dame, and I'm go‑ ing to keep my word." ✦ COMMITMENT PROFILE ABRAHAM SESAY Five-Star Edge Saw His Future At Notre Dame FILM ANALYSIS "Abraham Sesay has a good developmental frame for the position, and he's one who will add more good weight to his frame. He's over 6-5 and has good length with 33.5-inch arms and big hands. Physi- cally, he checks the boxes. "We love his natural movement skills. He plays with excellent bend. He can turn the corner and has very good curvilinear movement. From a pure pass rush standpoint, he's one of the more gifted edge prospects in the 2027 cycle. You saw that as a junior with 13 sacks, and the film is very strong. "This is a really big get for Notre Dame. If he continues this rate of improvement, Sesay could push to be the top edge prospect in the cycle. He's going to be in the discussion at the very minimum. They're adding an elite prospect at a premium position. He gives Notre Dame another high-upside pass rusher, and these guys don't grow on trees." — Rivals director of scouting and rankings Charles Power Rivals ranks Sesay as the country's No. 2 edge and No. 15 overall player in the 2027 class. PHOTO BY KYLE KELLY