Notre Dame is making significant strides in its pursuit of highly touted 2026 EDGE prospect Zavion Griffin-Haynes. The Fighting Irish have been gaining momentum in recent recruiting cycles, consistently positioning themselves among the finalists for top-tier talent. However, securing a commitment from Griffin-Haynes will be no easy task, as they face stiff competition from some of college football’s powerhouse programs.
The 6-foot-6, 235-pound pass rusher from Rolesville, North Carolina, recently narrowed his recruitment to 11 programs, with Notre Dame making the cut. The Irish are joined by Georgia, North Carolina, Texas, Miami, Florida, Alabama, NC State, LSU, Ohio State, and Florida State in the battle for the four-star defender’s commitment.
Griffin-Haynes, rated a 5.9 prospect by Rivals, is ranked as the No. 95 overall player in the 2026 class, the No. 6 player in North Carolina, and the No. 8 EDGE nationally. His junior season at Rolesville High School showcased his ability to disrupt offenses, as he tallied 37 total tackles, 11 solo tackles, and 16 quarterback hurries in just eight games. His size, athleticism, and raw pass-rushing talent make him one of the most coveted defensive prospects in the nation.
The recruitment of Griffin-Haynes has been particularly intriguing. He initially committed to North Carolina last fall but reopened his recruitment around Thanksgiving, leaving his future destination uncertain. When Mack Brown was still leading the Tar Heels, he was widely considered a strong lean toward staying in-state. However, since decommitting, his recruitment has become more unpredictable, making the battle for his signature even more competitive.
Notre Dame has positioned itself as a legitimate contender, but according to On3’s Recruiting Prediction Machine (RPM), the Irish still have considerable work to do. Griffin-Haynes has already scheduled two official visits—one to Georgia on June 6 and another to Florida on June 13. The Irish will look to secure one of his remaining visits to strengthen their case and make a lasting impression.
Head coach Marcus Freeman and his staff have made it a priority to land elite defensive talent, and adding a dynamic pass rusher like Griffin-Haynes would be a significant win. While they have established themselves in the mix, they will need to out-recruit some of the nation’s premier programs to secure his commitment.
With his recruitment heating up, Notre Dame will look to capitalize on its recent recruiting momentum and convince Griffin-Haynes that South Bend is the right place for him to develop into a dominant collegiate EDGE rusher.
