2026 DL Marcus Almada Talks Notre Dame Offer & What's Next
On a day mostly reserved for targets in the Class of 2027, Notre Dame made what could turn out to be a pivotal move for its 2026 recruiting class.
In the midst of the Irish offering dozens of 2027 prospects on Pot of Gold Day, they also extended an offer to 2026 Massachusetts defensive lineman Marcus Almada.
Defensive line coach Al Washington spoke to the Tabor Academy standout on Monday.
“He just said he saw my film, he loved the way I moved for my size, the way I can move with my frame and how quick my feet are,” the 6-foot-4, 280-pounder told Irish Sports Daily. “They love the way I play, but also they're looking for people that embody what the school I go to embodies; being able to do stuff on your own, having to take responsibilities.
“I go to a school where I have to live on my own and face those things. They're looking for people that embody that image. He was just saying that I'd be a great fit for Notre Dame and they'd like to offer me.”
Almada has seen his recruitment take off in recent weeks, adding offers from schools like Kentucky, West Virginia, Oklahoma State, Clemson and Minnesota. After picking up the offer from the Irish on Monday, he added Penn State as well.
The Notre Dame offer clearly caught his attention.
“I'm still stunned,” he said. “I can't even believe it. A school like Notre Dame, it's amazing. I'm just fully embracing it right now. I'm still kind of in this feeling of amazement.
“The culture. How the program is built, what they've been moving forward toward and what they stand for. The reputation they hold. Everything that Notre Dame has that makes it such a great organization and program.”
Washington is working quickly to get Almada to South Bend, possibly for multiple trips.
“Coach Washington said that he's going to try to send me over some dates to try to make it up to campus,” Almada said. “I'm definitely going to try to come down for an official visit, but for right now, just kind of move forward, get on campus and see everything and see how I like it.”
He already has official visits set to Kentucky, Oklahoma State and Syracuse. He knows what he’s looking for in a school.
“Definitely how the program is run, the connections between the coaches and players. That's a big thing for me. Education, how well academically the school is, and then the culture around the school. How they embody themselves, what they stand for, and the overall atmosphere.”
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