Notre Dame has shown significant interest in Charlotte (N.C.) Myers Park pass rusher Rodney Dunham from the start for their 2026 recruiting class. Now ranked as a five-star prospect by the On3 Consensus, Dunham continues to evaluate the top programs on his list.
On Sunday, Dunham narrowed his choices to five schools, with Notre Dame making the cut alongside Georgia, Tennessee, South Carolina, and Duke. He plans to make a decision by summer.
Despite some recruiting success on the defensive line, Notre Dame’s Al Washington still faces the challenge of signing five-star talent. While Bryce Young was seen as an easier recruit, Dunham presents a more competitive challenge.
Landing Dunham would be a major victory for Notre Dame, as he’s a standout player from a state where the Irish are gaining recruiting momentum. It represents a significant opportunity.
Dunham is rated a consensus four-star recruit by all major platforms, and he is ranked as a Top-50 overall player. 247Sports ranks him highest as the No. 9 overall player and No. 2 EDGE defender in the 2026 class. He is also the No. 2 player in North Carolina, a key recruiting area for Notre Dame.
Several top programs are still in the mix for Dunham. The 6-foot-4, 228-pound defensive end holds offers from Notre Dame, Ohio State, Texas, Alabama, Georgia, LSU, Michigan, Tennessee, Texas A&M, Auburn, and Florida State, among others.
As a junior in 2024, Dunham tallied 29 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, five sacks, 16 quarterback hurries, a forced fumble, and a blocked kick. He is also an exceptional baseball player and is exploring options to play both sports in college.
Leave a Reply