Irish Breakdown

Notre Dame Target Commits to Coach Prime and Colorado

Notre Dame will have to look elsewhere for a 2026 tight end

Nick Shepkowski

Apr 19, 2025; Boulder, CO, USA; Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders during the spring game at Folsom Field.
Apr 19, 2025; Boulder, CO, USA; Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders during the spring game at Folsom Field. / Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images
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Notre Dame has been on a recent tear on the recruiting trail but did have a commitment go against their wishes on Wednesday. That's when tight end target Gavin Mueller of South Elgin, Ill., announced he would be playing college football for head coach Deion Sanders and the Colorado Buffaloes.

Sanders was a big factor in Mueller's choice to attend Colorado. Per 247Sports. Mueller spoke highly of the Buffaloes' head coach.

"Colorado has made me feel at home. Every player, staff member and even fan has made me feel welcome and I knew it was home."

Notre Dame currently has the second-ranked 2026 recruiting class according to the 247Sports composite team rankings but remains without a tight end. Despite technically being a finalist here, Notre Dame not being chosen hardly came as a surprise to Marcus Freeman or his staff, as the race seemed to be between Colorado and LSU.

Notre Dame didn't land the local commitment has to turn elsewhere for a tight end in 2026 class. Ian Premer (Kansas), Evan Jacobson (Iowa), and Matt Ludwig (Montana) appear to be the most likely to end up as Notre Dame commitments down the road, but none of those appear to be a guarantee, either.

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Nick Shepkowski
NICK SHEPKOWSKI

Managing Editor for Notre Dame On SI. Started covering Chicago sports teams for WSCR the Score, and over the years worked with CBS Radio, Audacy, NBC Sports, and FOX Sports as a contributor before running the Notre Dame wire site for USA TODAY.

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