2026 DB Alchino Blakely Talks Notre Dame Camp, Possible Return

Alchino Blakely‍ showed what he can do at last weekend’s Under Armour Next Camp at Hackensack High School in New Jersey.

The 2026 defensive back stood out in individual drills and one-on-ones. 

Not a huge surprise, considering the Pleasantville (N.J.) High School standout already has several scholarship offers from schools like Michigan, Pittsburgh, West Virginia, UConn and others. 

“I just keep my head down,” he said. “I just grind every day and pray a lot and just try to get better every day. I really want to be the best athlete in my class honestly.”

The 5-foot-11, 189-pounder has already made multiple visits, including stops at West Virginia, Pitt and Michigan. 

He camped at Notre Dame last summer and is hoping to return to South Bend.

“I definitely want to come back up there to camp again,” he said. 

“It was amazing. I want to come back.”

Blakely said he’s kept in some contact with Irish defensive coordinator Al Golden and was thoroughly impressed by his first trip.

“Just the atmosphere on the campus was cool,” he said. “The football field was different. 

“The facilities and the relationships with the coaches, just the way it was, just the way the program is run. The program is run awesome.”

Blakely has plenty of time before he needs to make a decision, but says trust will be a major factor.

“Just an honest bond,” he said of what he’s looking for in a college.

“I just want a genuine relationship with the coaching staff and I want to feel like home. And also education.”

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