Notre Dame Fighting Irish Make Major Move for Dynamic Ole Miss Football Target

Brentwood Academy (Tenn.) four-star linebacker Kenneth Simon II continues navigating a pivotal offseason in his recruitment process with contenders emerging for the fast-rising defender.

Mar. 17, 2026 at 10:04pm

Kenneth Simon II, a four-star linebacker from Brentwood Academy in Tennessee, has received scholarship offers from several top college football programs, including Ole Miss, Alabama, Texas A&M, Tennessee, Notre Dame, and Florida. The 6-foot-2, 190-pound prospect is considered a versatile player who can excel in both run and pass defense. With his recruitment heating up, the Notre Dame Fighting Irish have now entered the mix, and Simon plans to visit the school this spring.

Why it matters

The recruitment of Kenneth Simon II is significant because he is a highly-touted prospect who has the potential to make an immediate impact at the college level. His decision will have implications for the programs involved, as landing a player of his caliber can boost a team's recruiting class and provide a boost to their defense. The competition for Simon's commitment also highlights the ongoing battle among top college football programs to secure the best talent.

The details

Simon is ranked as the No. 7 linebacker in the 2027 recruiting class by 247Sports. He has been praised for his athleticism, physicality, and awareness, with the ability to play all three downs. Simon began his prep career as a safety but has since transitioned to more of a linebacker role, showcasing his versatility. With his impressive downhill thrust, change of direction skills, and blitzing ability, Simon has drawn the attention of numerous Power Five programs.

  • Simon received scholarship offers from several top programs, including Ole Miss, Alabama, Texas A&M, Tennessee, Notre Dame, and Florida.
  • The Notre Dame Fighting Irish have now entered the mix for Simon's commitment and he plans to visit the school this spring.

The players

Kenneth Simon II

A four-star linebacker from Brentwood Academy in Tennessee, ranked as the No. 7 linebacker in the 2027 recruiting class by 247Sports.

Pete Golding

The defensive coordinator for the Ole Miss Rebels, who is leading the charge in the recruitment of Kenneth Simon II.

Notre Dame Fighting Irish

The college football program that has recently entered the race for Kenneth Simon II's commitment and is set to host him for a visit this spring.

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What’s next

Elite linebacker Kenneth Simon II tells me that he will visit @NDFootball this spring.Big development for the Fighting Irish.

The takeaway

The recruitment of Kenneth Simon II is a significant development in the college football landscape, as the highly-touted linebacker prospect continues to garner attention from top programs. With the Notre Dame Fighting Irish now entering the mix, the competition for Simon's commitment has intensified, showcasing the ongoing battle among elite programs to secure the best talent.