Notre Dame to Host Top 2027 Prospect During Blue & Gold Game

5-star safety Honor Fa'alave Johnson will visit South Bend for the annual spring showcase.

Feb. 10, 2026 at 1:07pm

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Notre Dame football has landed a major recruiting win, with 5-star safety prospect Honor Fa'alave Johnson announcing he will visit South Bend for the program's annual Blue & Gold spring game. Johnson, ranked the No. 16 overall player in the 2027 class, will get a firsthand look at the game day atmosphere as the Irish look to seal the deal on his commitment.

Why it matters

Hosting top recruits during spring games is a crucial part of the recruiting calendar, as it allows prospects to experience the energy and excitement of a Notre Dame home game. Landing a visit from a 5-star like Johnson is a significant coup, as the Irish look to build on their recent recruiting momentum and continue stocking their roster with elite talent.

The details

Johnson, a California native, will be making several visits to top college football programs this spring. But the trip to Notre Dame comes at the end of his schedule, potentially leaving a lasting impression on the highly touted safety. Head coach Marcus Freeman personally visited Johnson last month, underscoring the importance the Irish staff places on securing his commitment for the 2027 class.

  • Johnson will visit Notre Dame during the weekend of the annual Blue & Gold spring game.

The players

Honor Fa'alave Johnson

A 5-star safety prospect ranked the No. 16 overall player in the 2027 recruiting class according to the 247Sports Composite.

Marcus Freeman

The head coach of the Notre Dame football team, who personally visited Johnson last month to recruit him.

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What they’re saying

“It's always a recruiting win to bring in a prospect during the spring, but Notre Dame football hit a home run with one of the top 2027 prospects on Tuesday.”

— Michael Chen, Author

What’s next

The Irish will look to impress Johnson during his visit and secure a commitment from the 5-star safety prospect for their 2027 recruiting class.

The takeaway

Notre Dame's ability to host top-tier recruits like Honor Fa'alave Johnson during the spring game showcases the program's continued appeal to elite prospects. Securing commitments from 5-star talents is crucial to the Irish's long-term success, and this visit represents an important step in that process.