College football recruiting moves fast, and Notre Dame has added another important piece to its 2026 class. Just 25 days after offering him, Central Catholic (Ohio) tight end Preston Fryzel committed to the Fighting Irish, following two visits in June.
The 6-foot-4, 220-pound Fryzel came away impressed after his initial visit to South Bend, and his return for an official visit this past weekend sealed the deal.
“That was definitely one of my favorite visits,” Fryzel told ISD earlier this month. “I spent a lot of time with Coach (Mike) Denbrock and got to watch practice. I basically got to see everything I wanted.”
So what does the Ohio product bring to the table? A playmaking threat.
“I’d say I’m more of a receiving tight end,” Fryzel explained. “They’ve got guys who can do a bit of everything, but they need someone who can stretch the field — a mismatch on the outside. I can line up like a receiver, but I’m also big enough to block inside and cause problems.”
Central Catholic head coach Greg Dempsey sees Fryzel as a strong fit both athletically and personally.
“His size, athleticism, and ball skills are elite for a modern tight end,” Dempsey said. “He’s a great kid, a top student, a leader — all the intangibles you want.”
Dempsey wasn’t surprised by Fryzel’s decision.
“In this region — and really across the country — Notre Dame is always in the conversation,” he said. “It’s one of the most recognizable names in college football and academics.”
Now, Notre Dame hopes to wrap up its tight end recruiting for 2026 by landing either Evan Jacobson, who visited with Fryzel, or Ian Premer, who was on campus the week before.
