2026 LB/S Kaden Gebhardt Fired Up By Notre Dame Offer

There were no hard feelings from Kaden Gebhardt‍ when the 2026 Ohio defender left Notre Dame’s Irish Invasion last summer without an offer.

“Honestly, I didn't think I really camped the best there,” Gebhardt says now. “It was actually my first ever camp in my whole life.

“I don't think I earned it to be honest. I think I could have done a lot better and I think it just pushed me to work even harder after that camp.”

The experience clearly fueled the Olentangy High School standout, who would go on to pick up offers from schools like Ohio State and Penn State and others after more impressive camp performances.

But the Irish didn’t simply write the 6-foot-2, 195-pounder off. In fact, in the last week, Notre Dame linebackers coach Max Bullough ramped up communication and on Monday, extended a scholarship offer to him.

“It's just a great feeling to be honest,” Gebhardt says of the Irish offer. “Just how historically great their defense has always been. 

“I'm offered as a linebacker, just watching their linebackers play, it's fun watching them. (Drayk) Bowen and (Jack) Kiser, it was fun watching them this year when I was watching play on TV and just have an opportunity to play in that defense with Chris Ash too as the DC, it's a great opportunity.”

Gebhardt’s offer sheet also includes schools like Clemson, Wisconsin, Colorado, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Duke, Stanford, USC and UCLA among several others. But, the Irish are the only school recruiting him to play linebacker with all of the other programs seeing him as a safety. 

Gebhardt says he has no preference.

“To be honest, wherever the school wants me to play, I'm going to play,” he says. “I think with my physicality, I can play anywhere in the defense linebacker/safety-wise.”

The Irish “loved” his film, according to Gebhardt.

“I don't think my film lies to coaches,” he says. “Anyone watching can see I play fast and physical.”

Gebhardt plans to return to South Bend soon, probably some time in March.

“Just meet Coach (Marcus) Freeman because I actually have never met him and Coach Ash, meet more of the staff and everything,” he says. “Create better relationships with them. The communication really just kicked on this week because I haven't really talked to him really since camp.

Bullough has made a strong early impression.

“I like him a lot,” Gebhardt says. “He's a good dude. I just can't wait to build this relationship with him.”

Gebhardt also has trips planned to Ohio State, Clemson and Penn State and could add Tennessee to that list as well.

He said he has “no clue” when he’ll make a final decision.

“To be honest, I'm not really sure yet. Just whatever school makes me feel at home and when I feel good about it, I'm going to pull the trigger.”

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