2026 DL Damari Simeon Talks Notre Dame, What's Next

After gathering more than three dozen scholarship offers, Damari Simeon‍ has cut the list down to 10.

On Sunday, the 2026 New Jersey defensive lineman released a list of finalists that includes Notre Dame, Ohio State, Duke, Texas A&M, Syracuse, Michigan, Tennessee, Penn State, Wisconsin and Texas.

The St. Augustine Prep standout made a couple trips to Notre Dame last year, one for the Irish’s Grill And Chill in July and again for their win over Stanford in October.

“It was pretty good,” Simeon says of the gameday trip. “I had a good experience. The atmosphere, it was really cool experiencing that. The on-field product was really good. It was a blowout, so I had a good time overall. The only thing I could complain about was the weather delay that game, but everything else was good.”

He’s remained in consistent contact with the coaches since.

“They've been talking to me a lot, really trying to build that relationship,” says Simeon. “I like the coaches on the staff, especially Al Washington, so it's been good.

“They're just trying to get me to buy into the school. They want me to focus on my academics and the school itself, not just football, so they're just trying to sell me that stuff as well as athletics. They're doing really good right now.”

Washington has made a strong impression.

“I like his energy,” Simeon says. “I've seen some videos from his coaching. He's hands-on, brings the energy on and off the field, so it's pretty cool, pretty good relationship. His mind's like a book. He can teach you anything pretty much on the spot. We just talk game all the time. He gives me a bunch of tips about my film and everything. It's pretty cool.”

Simeon doesn’t have any other visits set at the moment. Instead, he’s focusing on training, but does intend to return to South Bend when he hits the road again. 

“Definitely,” he says. “I know about most of the stuff. If I were out there, going out there when the players are there because when I went to July the players weren't there. And then gameday visits, you don't get to talk to them that much. 

“Interacting with players, see their viewpoints, really see that connection with the athletes and what they think about the program. But besides that, most of the boxes are checked off.”

Simeon hopes to hit several other schools as well before making a decision this summer.

“I want to get it over by June or July at the latest.”

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