Notre Dame bolsters its 2025 recruiting class with a key addition—landing a 4-star offensive lineman to strengthen the Fighting Irish front.

Tyler Merrill is a four-star recruit according to 247 Sports. He is the #61 player in the 2026 recruiting class, the #5 IOL and the #2 player in the state of Pennsylvania. Merrill currently attends Cumberland Valley High School in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania.

Freeman made an extended run to snag Blanchard away from Texas Tech before the Red Raiders at the time awarded Blanchard with one of college football's top dea

“Notre Dame is targeting Texas Tech’s James Blanchard for its new general manager position, sources tell me and @TomLoy247 for @CBSSports/@247Sports,” Matt Zenitz said in a post. “At Texas Tech, Blanchard has become of the nation’s most respected college front office figures.”