Top 2026 LB Cincere Johnson Enjoys Another Notre Dame Return

After two trips in the spring and a return in the summer, Cincere Johnson‍ was back at Notre Dame this weekend.

“Everything went good,” the 2026 Ohio linebacker told Irish Sports Daily. “I was excited to be back down in South Bend.

“I like being able to be back in South Bend, loving the atmosphere. Being able to watch them play a big game like that against Louisville, it was great to be able to be back down.”

The Glenville High School standout understandably had mixed loyalties during the Irish’s 31-24 victory over Louisville, the team his brother plays for.

“I was able to see them go against him,” Johnson said. “I was also able to see the real atmosphere of the game. It was nuts. It was a packed house. It was just great.

“The student section. It was raining. Everybody was there with no shirts on. It was awesome.”

Johnson has offers from several schools, including Notre Dame, Ohio State, Texas A&M, Florida State, Kentucky and Louisville among several others.

He was able to speak with the Irish coaches prior to the game on Saturday.

“I talked to Coach (Marcus) Freeman, the head coach and Coach (Max) Bullough, the linebackers coach,” he said. 

“They were just telling me that I looked good. I've been playing fast and very physical all year and just to keep it up. And that it was a good time to be down there and watch them play.”

While this was Johnson’s first time watching the Irish play in South Bend, it was his second time watching them this year, having been in College Station for the opener against Texas A&M.

His assessment of the Irish based on the two times he’s seen them this year is simple.

“Great team, great coaches,” he said. 

He plans to return again, but doesn’t know when. 

“Eventually, I'll be back down, but nothing is solidified,” he said. “Possibly another game, but like I said, there's nothing solidified as of right now.”

He doesn’t have any visits to any schools set yet, but does expect he’ll be back on the road soon. 

The Ohio State offer, which came last weekend, was a big one.

“To me, it's a symbol of achievement,” he said. “I was able to achieve something every Ohio kid wants.

“They're major. Ohio State has been recruiting me since I was a freshman, so that's major. Absolutely.”

But the Irish are major players for him too. 

“Just the connections and relationships Notre Dame has to offer with the great football and great school.”

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