2026 LB Tristan Phillips Talks "Amazing" Notre Dame Visit

Tristan Phillips‍ came into Wednesday’s visit to Notre Dame with high expectations.

They were met…and then some.

“It went great,” the 2026 California linebacker told Irish Sports Daily afterward. “It was amazing. It was more than amazing. I was very blown away with what I saw and got to experience today.”

The Ventura High School star was able to take in team and position meetings before checking out the Irish’s practice. 

“I took away how they break things down and how they get better as a position group and how close the guys are to each other,” Phillips said of the pre-practice meetings. “Everyone in the room who's playing together is there for each other and there to help each other.

“Today's practice was actually very entertaining to watch. I think they had a very good practice. They're very organized and very efficient with what they're doing.”

After practice, Phillips and his family had brunch before going on a campus tour.

“It was just really mind blowing,” he said. “You walk into the Golden Dome, you walk into some of these places and you just get a crazy feeling. I was just blown away by what I saw.”

Phillips, who was offered by the Irish on St. Patrick’s Day, also had individual meetings with head coach Marcus Freeman, defensive coordinator Al Golden and linebackers coach Max Bullough.

“Obviously, we talked a little bit about football, but in the big scheme of things that they all really preached to me is what Notre Dame has to offer when it comes to education and outside of football,” the 6-foot-4, 210-pounder said. “They really preached that once your football career eventually comes to an end - which happens to everyone - very, very, very few guys can end their football career in the NFL and have enough money just to keep living without getting a job or anything. 

“So they really preach that Notre Dame has a lot to offer for success off the field when it comes to getting a job or something like that after your football career is over.”

Phillips, who also has offers from Arizona, Arizona State and Washington among others, plans on staying in touch with the Irish. 

“They told me that either Coach Golden or Coach Bullough will be out this spring at my high school to come see me,” he said. “They said they definitely want me to come back out.

“I think I'll definitely be back out here for sure.”

He’ll head to Arizona State on Thursday before visiting Arizona on Friday. Later this month, he’ll visit UCLA and San Diego State while he’ll be at Washington’s spring game next month.

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