Notre Dame In Strong Shape With 2026 TE Evan Jacobson Following Official

An unofficial visit in April led to Notre Dame scoring an official visit from Evan Jacobson‍ in June.

That visit took place this weekend and put the Irish in an even stronger position with the 2026 Iowa tight end.

“The visit was great,” Jacobson told Irish Sports Daily afterward. “It was a really cool visit, just being around quite a few of the commits and recruits who they obviously want to get there and the staff was great, so it was an awesome visit.”

The commits on campus were consistently in Jacobson’s ear about joining the group.

“All those guys were on me pretty hard to join the family and be a part of what the Irish are building,” he laughed. “That was super cool just to see that and know that I'm wanted there.”

The 6-foot-7, 220-pounder said he “definitely” felt like he fit in with the players in South Bend.

“I think we were all super alike and got along quite a bit,” he said. “I got to know a good amount of them and that was good.”

The Waukee High School star appreciated the opportunity to reconnect with offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock and assistant tight ends coach Harris Bivin.

“They were great,” said Jacobson. “I think I've built great relationships with both of them, just getting to know them. Coach Denbrock made it very clear to me that there's an opportunity to play there early and I'll be developed. It's Tight End U, so it's really exciting.”

The opportunity to play early and be developed is something that Jacobson cannot ignore.

“It's huge to go to a place like Notre Dame and have the opportunity to play early,” he said. “To be developed by a guy who's put 10 of the 28 Notre Dame tight ends in the NFL. I think he has 18 or something like that. What he does at the tight end position is amazing.”

Jacobson was also impressed with head coach Marcus Freeman.

“Coach Freeman was great,” he said. “He was just like, 'It's your process. You've got to figure it out for you and take your time, but obviously we want you here. We need you to be a part of this thing. You're huge for our '26 class.' 

“It was just really cool to hear all that type of stuff from him.”

Jacobson will take his final official visit of the process to Iowa State on Tuesday. He already took officials to Texas A&M, Missouri and Stanford. 

His current plan is to decide sometime next month, but he doesn’t have anything set.

The Irish do seem set as one of the final schools he’ll choose from when that time comes.

“I feel like Notre Dame's at the top or right near the top, if not number one. I feel really good with them.”

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 Notre Dame Fighting Irish ND Gold Rush Rival Raglan Pullover Hoodie