2026 LB/S Kaden Gebhardt Locks In Notre Dame Visit

Kaden Gebhardt‍ wasn’t kidding when he said he was fired up about getting offered by Notre Dame last month.

“It just means a lot,” he says. “Just to earn an offer from Notre Dame, not many people get it, so it's just a blessing to have. It just means a lot. Their defense is pretty dang good.

“One of the best defenses in college football. I like where they see me in the defense. I know they’re one of the schools that is recruiting me as a linebacker, but just the way their backers play, physically, I think it fits me really well. They've definitely emerged as one of my top schools.”

Gebhardt had released a Top Four of Ohio State, Wisconsin, Penn State and Clemson in January, but that list has expanded by one now.

“I did narrow it down to a Top Four, but with Notre Dame coming in, I have a Top Five now,” he says. 

The Ohio defender has locked in a visit to South Bend to see a spring practice on March 22nd.

“Just meeting Coach (Chris) Ash,” he says of what he hopes to do on the visit. “I know he's a really good DC and I'm excited to meet him just talk to him in person.

“Seeing their defensive scheme and a little bit of film, sit down with Coach, I think that'll help a lot. I haven't met Coach (Marcus) Freeman yet. I've only been texting him, so it'll be nice to meet him.”

The communication has ramped up in a big way beginning just before the offer and Gebhardt remains in touch with linebackers coach Max Bullough regularly.

“He's a great dude to talk to,” he says of Bullough. “I can't wait to see him again on the 22nd just to talk some more, but it's been great being in contact with Notre Dame and all their staff.”

The 6-foot-2, 195-pounder is being recruited by the other schools at safety, but is intrigued about the linebacker position with the Irish. 

“I think my game's similar to a lot of the linebackers they have like (Jack) Kiser and (Drayk) Bowen,” he says. “I think they play physically downhill and that's how I play, so I think that really fits me.”

He has some other trips locked in as well.

“I'm going to Clemson this Friday and Saturday,” he says. “I'm going to visit Ohio State the 17th and Notre Dame the 22nd and then Penn State April 2nd or 3rd. That's really all I've got.”

That’s all he’s got for now, although he notes he could lock in an official visit with Notre Dame soon. 

That would be important for the Irish given Gebhardt’s timeline.

“I'll have a decision either before OVs or during OVs.”

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