Irish Breakdown

Notre Dame to Host Multiple Mt. Carmel (Chicago) Stars This Fall

Notre Dame's connections to Illinois football powerhouse Mt. Carmel are deep
Nick Shepkowski|
Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman greets his players during a Notre Dame football spring practice at Irish Athletic Center on Wednesday, March 19, 2025, in South Bend.
Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman greets his players during a Notre Dame football spring practice at Irish Athletic Center on Wednesday, March 19, 2025, in South Bend. | MICHAEL CLUBB/SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

In this story:

Notre Dame Fighting Irish

Notre Dame football's history of recruiting Catholic high schools nationwide is extensive, but few high school programs nationally have provided as much talent to Notre Dame historically as Mt. Carmel on Chicago's South Side.

Recent NFL stars from the school include Donovan McNabb and Simeon Rice, but several other Caravan helped build Notre Dame football over the years.

Terry Brennan immediately comes to mind as the Mt. Carmel product who coached the Caravan to three city championships before returning to Notre Dame as a freshman coach and ultimately replacing the legendary Frank Leahy.

And now Marcus Freeman and the Fighting Irish are big game hunting for more talent from the school.

Mount Carmel's Insane Current Talent

Mount Carmel's 16 IHSA state championships are the most in Illinois high school football history, and the Caravan is amid a three-peat. With the talent on hand, another seems more than possible in 2025 under the direction of head coach and former Heisman Trophy finalist Jordan Lynch.

It's led by top talent that Notre Dame and plenty of other top college programs are in hot pursuit of.

Cornerback Tavares Harrington

At 6-3, 175 pounds, junior Tavares Harrington has the size Notre Dame loves in defensive backs. Harrington is rated as the nation's 83rd overall prospect in the 2027 recruiting cycle and 11th overall cornerback. Harrington has received 28 offers from universities across the country, including Alabama, Auburn, Miami, Michigan, Ohio State, and others. Earlier this week, Harrington made news as he announced his fall visits. Among them is a trip to Notre Dame for the Texas A&M game on Sept. 13.

Wide Receiver Quentin Burrell

Burrell is essentially the wide receiver twin of Harrington, checking in at 6-3, 175 pounds as well. Burrell hauled in 75 receptions for 1,257 yards as a sophomore, scoring 18 touchdowns. A five-star talent according to the 247Sports composite ratings, Burrell has offers galore, including from most of the powerhouses like Alabama, Georgia, Michigan, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Ole Miss, Penn State, and others. Burrell will also be at Notre Dame for the Texas A&M showdown on Sept. 13.

Linebacker Roman Igwebuike

Although Notre Dame has yet to offer star Mt. Carmel linebacker Roman Igwebuike, plenty of national powers have. The four-star talent is rated as a top 10 player at his position according to the 247Sports composite and has nearly 40 scholarship offers. At 6-3, 220 pounds, he'll make whoever he ends up with better.

Defensive Lineman Caleb Tucker

Unlike those listed above, Caleb Tucker is only entering his sophomore year but is perhaps the biggest 2028 prospect nationally.

Literally.

Listed at 6-5, 355 pounds, Tucker is already a force on the defensive front and has seen scholarship offers pour in from nearly 20 programs, including Illinois, Michigan, Missouri, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Ole Miss, Oregon, USC, and others. Tucker will almost certainly be among the top recruits nationally in the 2028 cycle.

Followers of not only Notre Dame recruiting but college football recruiting as a whole will keep a close eye on Mt. Carmel this fall.

The 2025 Caravan football season gets underway against another Midwest Catholic powerhouse with Notre Dame ties, Moeller High School of Cincinnati on Aug. 30.

Published | Modified
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.

Home/Football