Notre Dame bolsters its 2025 recruiting class with a key addition—landing a 4-star offensive lineman to strengthen the Fighting Irish front.

With conference realignment being such a prevalent topic in college football over the last few years, Notre Dame has been an interesting discussion. With their independence considered, many have wanted the Fighting Irish to join a conference to potentially establish some level of equality.

Tyler Merrill is a four-star recruit according to 247 Sports. He is the #61 player in the 2026 recruiting class, the #5 IOL and the #2 player in the state of Pennsylvania. Merrill currently attends Cumberland Valley High School in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania.

The Irish Illustrated team has its finger on the pulse of Notre Dame transfer portal news, recruiting, coaching staff moves and more after the Irish lost to Ohio State in the CFP National Championship

Why is Notre Dame not in a conference for college football? Here's what to know as the Irish are set to compete in the CFP championship game on Monday:

The Notre Dame Fighting Irish are fresh off the program's third season under head coach Marcus Freeman.  Freeman and the Fighting Irish finished the season as the national championship runner-ups, falling to the Ohio State Buckeyes in the final game of the College Football Playoff.

"I knew I fit in the place ever since I visited for the first time. I really just want to get a great education and be around great people that I know can make me better."

Notre Dame fell to Ohio State in the national championship on Monday night. Here are the highlights from the Fighting Irish's loss:

After a 24-player haul at the early signing date on Dec. 4, led by Canadian offensive tackle Will Black, Chicago defensive end Christopher Burgess Jr. and California linebacker Madden Faraimo, Notre Dame's Class of 2025 has held steady ahead National Signing Day on Feb. 5.

The assistant head coach of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team is Deland McCullough, who also serves as the running backs coach and running game coordinator. McCullough joined the Notre ...

With the 2024-25 football season officially over it means its time to turn the page next year for Notre Dame. That's just the way things go as several players