2026 OL Tyler Merrill Enjoys Latest Trip To Notre Dame

Tyler Merrill‍ came into his trip to Notre Dame earlier this month with high expectations and they were met.

“It went great,” the 2026 Pennsylvania offensive lineman said of his trip to South Bend for the Irish’s game against USC. “It was awesome. Great environment.

“The recruiting staff was just amazing to us. The catering was awesome. Everyone was so nice. It was just really a great experience and I got to talk to some of the commits. They were really great guys. Overall, it just felt like a welcoming place.”

Merrill’s relationship with Irish offensive line coach Joe Rudolph goes back to Rudolph’s days at Virginia Tech. The two had a chance to reconnect quickly before the game.

“He just asked me how my season was going and those kinds of things; how's the fam and my family was there with me, just small talk,” Merrill said of Rudolph. “That's what we chatted about and then he had to get back to coaching.”

Merrill was impressed with Notre Dame’s performance in the win over the Trojans and the 6-foot-5, 300-pounder paid particularly close attention to the offensive line.

“Everyone looks coordinated,” he said. “The run game was amazing. The pass game was amazing. It was just really cool to see that in person.

“I like to pride myself on my run blocking ability and seeing that as well as the passing game, everything comes together. It looks like it works really well, and I feel like I could fit into that scheme very well.”

Merrill’s offer sheet already includes schools like Penn State, Michigan, Ohio State, Nebraska, South Carolina, Pitt and Syracuse among others. He goes to Ohio State in a couple weeks, which may complete his visits for the fall.

He isn’t sure what’s next for him and Notre Dame, but does want to return to South Bend.

“I definitely do want to get back down and get more of a lay of the land and just see everything,” he said. “I want to see everything about it, know everything about it. That's not just Notre Dame, that's every school, so I can thoroughly make a decision. When I commit, I want to be able to know that my commitment is a full commitment and I don't have to rethink any of my decisions.”

The Irish may not have jumped up very far on Merrill’s list with the visit, but only because they were already so high.

“It's just an awesome place. Definitely want to see more. I love the coaches, love the program, and I can't wait to see what happens next.”

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