4-star QB Kamden Lopati receives 'dream' offer from Notre Dame

Lopati, who has been committed to Illinois, is now attracting attention from elite programs like Notre Dame.

Feb. 26, 2026 at 10:15pm

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Kamden Lopati, a 4-star quarterback from Salt Lake City, has received an offer from Notre Dame, which he calls a "dream come true." Lopati, who has been committed to Illinois since last July, is now being recruited by several top programs including Michigan, Michigan State, Cal, and Duke. He recently participated in the Under Armour All-America Game and impressed with his performance.

Why it matters

Notre Dame is looking to add a top quarterback to its 2027 recruiting class, and Lopati is one of the top names they have been pursuing. This offer from the Fighting Irish could be a game-changer for Lopati's recruitment, as he now has to decide whether to stick with his Illinois commitment or potentially switch to his "dream" school of Notre Dame.

The details

Lopati tells Irish Sports Daily that the Notre Dame offer is "one of those offers that I don't really know how to explain." He has already visited Notre Dame for a camp and has developed a relationship with quarterbacks coach Gino Guidugli. Lopati recently received offers from Michigan and Michigan State as well, so he will have to make some tough decisions on which schools to take official visits to.

  • Lopati committed to Illinois in July 2025.
  • Lopati received the Notre Dame offer in February 2026.
  • Lopati participated in the Under Armour All-America Game last month.

The players

Kamden Lopati

A 4-star quarterback recruit from Salt Lake City who has been committed to Illinois since July 2025, but is now attracting interest from elite programs like Notre Dame.

Marcus Freeman

The head coach of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team, who is leading the recruitment of Lopati.

Gino Guidugli

The quarterbacks coach at Notre Dame, who has developed a relationship with Lopati.

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What they’re saying

“It was a blessing. It was definitely like a dream come true. It was one of those offers that I don't really know how to explain.”

— Kamden Lopati

What’s next

Lopati will have to decide whether to stick with his Illinois commitment or potentially switch to Notre Dame, which he calls his "dream" school. He will likely take official visits to several top programs in the coming months to help make his decision.

The takeaway

Lopati's recruitment has taken an exciting turn with the unexpected offer from Notre Dame, one of the elite programs in college football. This offer could be a game-changer for the 4-star quarterback as he weighs his options and decides on the best fit for his future.