Notre Dame QB Commit Teddy Jarrard Praises Big Ten Squad: Is He on Flip Watch?

The Fighting Irish landed four-star quarterback Teddy Jarrard back in July - but he just complimented Illinois on X. Should the Fighting Irish be worried?

Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman looks on during a football practice at Irish Athletic Center on Friday, Aug. 15, 2025, in South Bend. | MICHAEL CLUBB/SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Notre Dame may have had this week off, but its recruits were quite active, not only on the gridiron themselves, but also on social media – especially four-star quarterback commit Teddy Jarrard. 

The 6-foot-3 class of 2027 prospect, who has been committed to the Fighting Irish since late July, took to X to congratulate a Big Ten squad on its big-time win. 

Jarrard compliments Bret Bielema and Illinois

Aug 29, 2025; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini head coach Bret Bielema leads his team during the Illini Walk before an NCAA football game against the Western Illinois Leathernecks at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images | Ron Johnson-Imagn Images

Illinois, which traveled to Duke for a game many expected would be extremely competitive and ultimately came away with a 45-19 win, has a head coach in Bret Bielema that loves social media. Few coaches in the country are more active on X than Bielema, and that held true following his squad’s dominant win on Saturday. 

He was on X, trolling Illinois’ non-believers, and his response to a post drew a reply from Jarrard, who simply said: “Nice win coach.”

Nice win coach https://t.co/aAjBmVoImx

— Teddy Jarrard (@JarrardTeddy) September 6, 2025

What does it mean for Notre Dame?

Aug 31, 2025; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish head coach Marcus Freeman reacts during the second quarter at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images | Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

Naturally, one can only wonder if that makes Jarrard a flip candidate – and if the Illini would be the favorite to steal him from the Fighting Irish. But, in reality, Jarrard’s comment doesn’t mean much. 

Assuming committed players aren’t being actively recruited by other programs in today’s era of college football is simply foolish. Jarrard has likely been in contact with Illinois – which offered him in January of this year – since he pledged to Notre Dame, and even if he hasn’t, he’s almost surely had other programs reach out to him. 

At the end of the day, that’s the status quo in recruiting nowadays – there’s no getting around it. But there’s a reason Jarrard committed to Marcus Freeman and his staff in the first place: the Fighting Irish are the reigning national championship runner-ups and one of the most historical programs in all of college football. 

To top it off, no school produces NFL talent at a higher rate, and there’s no place that Jarrard – who surely has aspirations to make it to the highest level – would have more tools at his disposal to develop his game than in South Bend. 

Second touchdown pass of the night for Notre Dame 2027 QB commit Teddy Jarrard ‼️☘️

Jarrard and North Cobb trail Cass 21-14 at halftime.https://t.co/yHBLV3hP74 pic.twitter.com/Iirm7LUDrV

— Mike Singer (@MikeTSinger) September 6, 2025

And although the Illini may have just crept up to No. 9 in the latest AP Poll (just one spot behind Notre Dame at No. 8), there are different tiers in college football, and the Fighting Irish are at the highest one. Moral of the story: there’s no reason to believe Notre Dame is in any jeopardy of losing Jarrard.