A theme
The Notre Dame Football recruiting machine (I think we’re allowed to call it that now) keeps rolling. On Tuesday, 3-Star offensive lineman Charlie Thom gave his public commitment to Marcus Freeman and the 2026 Irish recruiting class.
God, Country, Notre Dame! #GoIrish @NDFootball @CoachJoeRudolph @CoachDelaney52 @AOF_Football @JonathanWholley @DHSBWfootball @john_carlozzi @CarringtonBeck pic.twitter.com/mCZoypmttU
— Charlie Thom (@CharlieThom43) June 24, 2025
The 6’6” 275 pounder from Avon Old Farms High School from Avon, Connecticut, chose the Irish over an impressive offer list that included the Penn State Nittany Lions, Boston College Eagles, Michigan State Spartans, and more. Thom played for Darien high School last season, but has since reclassified from the 2027 class to 2027 and transfered to Avon Old Farms.
There’s a long list of converted tight ends who have converted to offensive tackle and it’s worked out very well. Notre Dame fans just saw Joe Alt do it as successfully as anyone has and fellow 2026 commit Grayson McKeogh is another one who was previously a tight end and who is making that transition as well.
Rudolph coached the offensive line at Wisconsin from 2015 to 2021. During that time he developed David Edwards, who played quarterback in high school and was recruited to play tight end. He gained a significant amount of weight and moved to the offensive line where he became a multi-year starter and an all-conference player in multiple seasons then a 5th round selection in the NFL Draft. Rudolph has had experience and success taking someone with little to no experience and developing them at the position and that adds the right context as to why they want Thom in the class.
Thom is the 21st commitment for Notre Dame’s 2026 recruiting class and the first one fron the state of Connecticut — a state which sent three players to Notre Dame in the 2025 cycle. Nptre Dame’s recruiting class is currently ranked #2 in the nation according to the 247 Team Composite Rankings.
Notre Dame is really stacking it deep with six offensive linemen in this class. I do wonder if the number feels obsolete anymore given the new roster limits, the nature of linemen to sit for a couple of years (usually), and the fact that Thom reclassified.
Once you find out that Thom is a converted TE, all you can really think about is the comparisons to another former 3-Star — Joe Alt. That in itself is reason to be hopeful and excited.