Coach Talks 2026 Notre Dame DE Target Dre Quinn

Dre Quinn‍ has dozens of scholarship offers, but Notre Dame was one offer that caught the 2026 Georgia edge defender’s attention. 

“It was a week or 10 days or whatever after the national championship game,” Greater Atlanta Christian School head coach Tim Hardy told Irish Sports Daily.

“It's crazy how little sometimes high school students know about the history of the game. Recent relevance really, really matters sometimes, maybe disproportionately, but really cool and that meant a lot because of that.”

Hardy said Marcus Freeman’s presence is another reason the Irish have Quinn’s attention.

“I think Coach Freeman and the way he presents and represents himself and the University is very appealing to a lot of players and a lot of parents,” the coach said. “That offer definitely meant a lot.”

Hardy isn’t surprised that Notre Dame and schools like Georgia, Alabama, Auburn, Florida State, LSU, Tennessee, Texas, Texas A&M, Ohio State and USC among several others have offered his 6-foot-4, 228-pound standout.

“Dre's a talented young man,” Hardy said. “He's long and athletic on the physical side, which obviously there's not that many, many guys that have the length and speed like that. These guys who are rushers become highly coveted and highly recruited players. A lot of physical talent.

“And this sounds like a cliche, but he's a good young man. He wants to do right. He wants to do it the right way for the team. He wants to execute his assignment as described by his coaches. He wants to work hard to improve. A really down to earth family, a down to earth kid, I think those qualities blend well with having the opportunity to succeed as an athlete. A lot of positives there.”

Hardy says it’s “foundational” to have one of his star players doing everything the right way.

“It's a daggone problem if it's the opposite, I can tell you that,” he says. “But if your best players are the hardest workers and engaged, it really, really makes a difference. Dre, like any 16-year-old, is learning to maximize himself and what that looks like. But a good young man with a lot of potential.”

Hardy wouldn’t be shocked to see Quinn get to South Bend at some point.

“He definitely needs to start narrowing some things down. They've been very purposeful in getting to places. Places that have interest in them, they've worked hard to go to places so they can see people and meet folks and whatnot. I don't know if there's specific plans for Notre Dame, but I do know there was excitement when he received the offer and interest in that. We'll see how that lays out here in this next little window.”

Want the latest scoop on the Fighting Irish? Sign up for our newsletter and become an ISD Premium Subscriber: Sign Up for ISD

Under Armour Navy Notre Dame Fighting Irish Playoff Chest Stripe Performance Polo