4-star safety has Notre Dame battling Miami earlier than normal

Zayden Gamble, a top 2027 recruit, has both programs in his final four schools.

Apr. 2, 2026 at 8:03pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A cubist, geometric painting depicting a football game or match between Notre Dame and Miami, with the players and field broken down into sharp, overlapping planes of color and shape.The intense recruiting rivalry between Notre Dame and Miami is reflected in the fragmented, geometric depiction of their on-field matchup.South Bend Today

Notre Dame and Miami have been long-time rivals in college football, and it seems that rivalry is spilling over into recruiting as well. Four-star safety Zayden Gamble, ranked 16th in the 2027 class, has narrowed his top choices down to the Irish, Hurricanes, Florida, and Ohio State. Gamble has official visits set with each of the four schools, with Notre Dame being the final stop.

Why it matters

The battle between Notre Dame and Miami for top recruits like Gamble highlights the ongoing rivalry between the two programs. Both teams are looking to land elite talent to bolster their rosters, and Gamble's recruitment shows how fiercely they are competing, even outside of the regular season matchup.

The details

Gamble is considered one of the top safety prospects in the 2027 class, and his decision will be a major recruiting victory for whichever school lands him. Notre Dame currently has the 5th-ranked 2027 recruiting class according to 247Sports, with 9 commits already, including 5 four-star recruits. Head coach Marcus Freeman is working hard to build on that class and add Gamble as the program's first five-star recruit in 2027.

  • Gamble has official visits scheduled with each of his top four schools.
  • Notre Dame and Miami are set to square off during the 2026 season in November.

The players

Zayden Gamble

A four-star safety prospect ranked 16th in the Class of 2027, Gamble has narrowed his top choices down to Notre Dame, Miami, Florida, and Ohio State.

Marcus Freeman

The head coach of the Notre Dame football team, Freeman has worked hard to build the program's 2027 recruiting class, which is currently ranked 5th nationally.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What’s next

Gamble will take his official visits to his top four schools in the coming months, with Notre Dame being the final stop. His commitment decision will be a major recruiting victory for whichever program he chooses.

The takeaway

The ongoing recruiting battle between Notre Dame and Miami for top prospects like Zayden Gamble highlights the fierce rivalry between the two programs. Both teams are looking to land elite talent to bolster their rosters, and Gamble's recruitment shows how fiercely they are competing, even outside of their regular season matchup.