Top 2026 OL Tyler Merrill Fired Up For Notre Dame Return
Tyler Merrill has already been to South Bend multiple times and if Notre Dame has its way, the 2026 Pennsylvania offensive lineman will be returning many more times.
But for now, the Irish know for sure the 6-foot-6, 315-pounder will be back at least one more time when he returns to campus for this Thursday’s Grill And Chill.
Merrill has a lengthy offer sheet that includes schools like Notre Dame, Michigan, Ohio State, Penn State, Wisconsin, Georgia, Alabama and Clemson among several others.
He was in South Bend earlier this spring and visited twice last year.
The communication with the Irish remains consistent.
“I've been talking to Coach (Marcus) Freeman a little bit more than Coach (Joe) Rudolph,” the Cumberland Valley standout told Irish Sports Daily. “They kind of emphasized that they don't want to bug me on a weekly basis like they think a lot of coaches do. They just want me to know that what they think of me is what they think of me and it ain't going to change. That was great to hear.”
Merrill appreciates the Irish’s approach.
“They love you and you love them, and it's not going to change,” he said.
He’s looking forward to furthering those relationships when he returns to campus and beginning to build some new ones.
“I know Noah Grubbs will be there,” Merrill said of Notre Dame’s 2026 quarterback commit. “We've been chatting back and forth for a little bit. We were just introducing ourselves and whatnot over Instagram.”
Merrill said it’s “awesome” that Grubbs is taking the time to get to know him.
“That just kind of fortifies the fact that Notre Dame really cares about me and they really want me to be there,” he said. “It's just an awesome place to be from what I can tell. It's awesome to hear that someone like that is looking out for me. Noah is probably one of the top QBs in the class as well, so it's just great to hear.
“Just continue to build a relationship with him and just getting back to see the place. I haven't been there for a while.”
Following the trip to South Bend, Merrill will stop at Michigan for the Wolverines’ BBQ the next day.
He hasn’t locked in any fall visits yet, but is hoping to make a return to South Bend for a game along with some other schools.
“I'll have to see how my fall schedule looks,” he said. “We haven't planned anything so far yet. It's just looking to see what works and what doesn't.
“I definitely want to check out a game at the Big House in Michigan for sure, and check and see what an SEC game looks like just to really get a feel for everything. As far as now, I don't have anything scheduled so I wouldn't be able to tell you for sure.”
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