Notre Dame Could Be One Offer Away From Serious Momentum With Cincy OT

Patrick O'Brien doesn't have a Notre Dame offer yet, but says the Irish would rise near the top if they did.

Apr. 11, 2026 at 3:28pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A fragmented, geometric painting depicting the intense physical struggle of an offensive line, with sharp planes of navy blue, gold, and white colliding in a dynamic composition.A cubist interpretation of the high-stakes battle in the trenches as Notre Dame looks to bolster its offensive line with a potential new recruit.Cincinnati Today

Offensive lineman Patrick O'Brien, a 3-star prospect from Archbishop Moeller High School in Cincinnati, Ohio, doesn't currently hold an offer from Notre Dame. However, O'Brien says that if the Irish were to offer, they would immediately jump near the top of the schools he's considering.

Why it matters

As Notre Dame looks to close out its 2027 recruiting class, securing top offensive line talent is a priority. O'Brien is an under-the-radar prospect who has drawn interest from several Big Ten programs in the Midwest region, making him a potential target for the Irish as they aim to build a dominant offensive front.

The details

O'Brien currently holds offers from schools like Northwestern, Purdue, Kentucky, and Virginia Tech, but a recent offer from Michigan State shows that more Big Ten teams are taking notice of the Cincinnati-area prospect. Notre Dame had O'Brien on campus for a visit earlier this spring, indicating that offensive line coach Joe Rudolph is close to potentially extending an offer.

  • O'Brien visited Notre Dame earlier this spring.
  • Michigan State recently offered O'Brien, showing increased Big Ten interest.

The players

Patrick O'Brien

A 3-star offensive tackle prospect from Archbishop Moeller High School in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Marcus Freeman

The head coach of the Notre Dame football team.

Joe Rudolph

The offensive line coach for the Notre Dame football team.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“If Notre Dame offers me, they'd definitely rise near the top.”

— Patrick O'Brien, Offensive Lineman

What’s next

If Notre Dame decides to offer Patrick O'Brien in the coming weeks, it could give the Irish a major boost in his recruitment and help them secure a key offensive line prospect for their 2027 class.

The takeaway

Notre Dame's pursuit of Patrick O'Brien highlights the program's focus on building a dominant offensive line, a critical component of their efforts to remain among the nation's elite college football teams.