The recruiting trail just dealt Steve Sarkisian a hit he didn’t see coming—or maybe one he hoped to dodge. Notre Dame’s Marcus Freeman has entered the Lone Star State and might be walking out with one of Texas’ most electric backfield talents. It’s a classic recruiting tug-of-war between two national brands, and while Sark has planted his flag firmly across the state of Texas. This particular chase may be slipping away to South Bend. Two respected recruiting insiders from On3 have thrown their chips in, and both are betting on the Irish to win the sweepstakes for one of 2026’s most coveted backs.
That back is a 4-star out of Forney High School, Javian Osborne. A compact 5-foot-10, 195-pound force of nature. The kind of blend of vision and explosion that makes him a future Sunday player. Ranked as the No. 8 running back in the country and the No. 14 overall player in Texas, Osborne isn’t just another regional target. He’s the kind of back who turns 3rd-and-medium into a guaranteed chain-mover. With two years still left in high school, he’s already a high-volume workhorse with elite production and creativity in the first 10–20 yards of space. When Osborne narrowed things down to a top two, it felt like a showdown was brewing. But there’s now a real sense this may be over before it gets there.
On3’s Kyle Kelly shared insight on why he logged his prediction for the Irish, and his answer told the full story: “Yeah, just talking to Javian after his Notre Dame unofficial visit, third week of March—that was his first trip up to campus—and he gave a pretty glowing review to Blue and Gold. Called it the best and most thorough visit he’s ever been on.” Kelly wasn’t just reading the tea leaves; he saw a prospect fall for the full Notre Dame experience in real-time. “I thought if he ever got up to Notre Dame, they would make a pretty big move with him just because he fits that profile as a Notre Dame kid,” Kelly added. “So was not too surprised to see that Notre Dame, you know, captured a bunch of momentum once he got to South Bend.”
That visit lit the spark, but it was Notre Dame’s new running backs coach who might’ve sealed the deal. “Especially with new Notre Dame running backs coach Ja’Juan Seider, who’s got a pretty strong pedigree on the recruiting trail,” Kelly said. Meanwhile, Steve Wiltfong followed up with his own prediction, cementing the Irish’s momentum with Osborne. This isn’t your standard commit watch—this is the kind of momentum that flips regional power dynamics. According to On3’s RPM, Notre Dame now holds a 60% chance to land Javian Osborne.
On3’s @SWiltfong_ has logged an expert prediction for Notre Dame to land 4-star RB Javian Osborne
Read: https://t.co/2A1xbMVeLp pic.twitter.com/5EulYY6Awf
— On3 Recruits (@On3Recruits) April 4, 2025
TX talent and Steve Sarkisian’s Texas Longhorns are not in the mix? Blasphemy. “Top two was legit and I’d much rather battle Michigan for a Texas kid than Texas or Texas A&M,” Mike Singer quipped. It’s a subtle but strong sign of just how competitive this recruitment has been. Texas was seen as the early frontrunner, but a shift at the RB coaching position and a recalibration of their recruiting board may have left Osborne feeling like a better fit elsewhere. “They got a couple other guys higher on the board,” Kelly noted, hinting that Freeman was quick to make Osborne feel like a priority—something that matters deeply to elite high school prospects navigating the recruiting chaos.
And the Irish aren’t stopping there. If Notre Dame gets Osborne, they may be building a pipeline out of Texas with more elite talent in their sights. On3 also predicts they’re trending with pass rushers Rodney Dunham Jr. and Ebenezer Ewetade. The latter is locked in for an official visit on June 20.
That’s the kind of strategic scheduling that suggests the Irish are serious about making their 2026 class one of the most balanced and physically dominant groups. Meanwhile, Wiltfong also believes the Irish have a strong shot at landing WR Kaydon Finley—another top-100 talent.
For Sarkisian, this one stings. Sark has had more wins than losses on the trail, especially in-state. But when a Texas kid calls South Bend his “best and most thorough visit,” that’s a win the Fighting Irish will wear like a badge of honor.
The 2nd best in Javian Osborne’s list
The Michigan Wolverines are in the thick of the race for elite 2026 running back Javian Osborne. They’re currently sitting at No. 2 with Notre Dame leading the charge. Looks like the Wolverines might be falling just short in this recruiting tug-of-war.
Osborne isn’t just your average blue-chip prospect. He’s courted by CFB royalty, with offers rolling in from heavy hitters like Texas, Georgia, Ohio State, Alabama, and Texas A&M, to name a few. Basically, if you’ve got a logo and a legacy, you’ve likely tried to get this kid.
As for what he brings to the field? Just look at his junior season numbers. In only nine games at Forney HS, Osborne racked up 1,085 rushing yards and 21 touchdowns, while averaging seven yards per carry. That’s video game stuff.
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