Notre Dame football may have just gotten a somewhat unforeseen bump to its 2027 recruiting class. This one comes in an elite package.
Head coach Marcus Freeman and Notre Dame football are busy putting together a tremendous 2027 recruiting class . There is a new name that Fighting Irish fans need to be aware of in terms of key targets. That talented player is Oradell (NJ) Bergen Catholic defensive end Jackson Vaughn .
For folks who follow recruiting closely, Vaughn is probably a familiar name, but for the 2028 recruiting class. News broke this week that the New Jersey native has decided to reclassify to the 2027 recruiting class. This was news that was expected, and it could provide the Fighting Irish with a huge boost to their 2027 defensive line recruiting efforts.
Notre Dame is in a great spot with elite defensive end Abraham Sesay , but besides him, the defensive end board is a bit in question. The Irish staff is in a strong spot with Vaughn and is considered to be the frontrunner for him right now. Other programs listed included Alabama , Texas , Tennessee , Texas A&M , Miami, South Carolina , Auburn, and Cal. There will certainly be demand for him.
As of today, I like Notre Dame's chances to finish the deal with Vaughn. They have been on him for a very long time and have made him feel like a priority since the beginning. This could be a huge boost for the Irish with defensive line coach Charlie Partridge putting together his first class.
Despite reclassifying recently into the 2027 recruiting class, Vaughn is considered to be a four-star player by each of the major recruiting platforms. On the 247 Sports Composite ranking, he currently ranks as the No. 202 overall player, the No. 22 EDGE, and the No. 5 player from the state of New Jersey for the class. That rating promises to increase heading into a big 2026 season.
If the rankings don't get you excited, then Vaughn's offer list sure would, now holding 50 offers to his name. Some of his top offers include the Fighting Irish, Georgia, Alabama, Ohio State , Oregon , Michigan , Florida, LSU , Ole Miss, Texas, Tennessee, Texas A&M, Miami, Florida State , USC, Auburn, South Carolina, Missouri , Nebraska , Washington, Louisville , Maryland , Kentucky , Vanderbilt, Colorado, Pitt, Virginia Tech , Virginia, West Virginia , SMU, NC State, Georgia Tech , UNC, UCF , Illinois , Boston College , Syracuse, Duke, Cal, Rutgers, and Purdue , among others.
As a sophomore in 2025, Vaughn put together a tremendous season. The 6-4, 225-pound pass rusher managed to collect 40 total tackles, 12 tackles for loss, and eight sacks. Vaughn also broke up three passes for one of the better defenses in all of high school football.
