Notre Dame Makes Bold Move to Flip Elite 2026 Speedster Kohen Brown From Bitter Rival USC in High-Stakes Recruiting Battle at Key Position of Need
In a move that has set the college football recruiting world buzzing, the Notre Dame Fighting Irish have officially offered a scholarship to 2026 4-star wide receiver Kohen Brown—an elite prospect currently committed to their long-standing rival, the USC Trojans. The offer comes at a critical time, as Notre Dame seeks to fortify its wide receiver corps with explosive playmakers who can change the game at any moment.
Brown, a dynamic 6-foot-1, 180-pound athlete from Waxahachie High School in Texas, has been a standout on the national recruiting circuit thanks to his electrifying speed, crisp route running, and ability to make defenders miss in space. He recorded over 1,200 receiving yards and 15 touchdowns in his junior season, turning heads across the country and climbing the rankings to become one of the most coveted wide receivers in the 2026 class.
Notre Dame’s offer, which Brown publicly acknowledged on social media earlier this week, represents more than just a standard recruiting gesture. It’s a calculated and aggressive move by head coach Marcus Freeman and his staff to address a glaring need at the wide receiver position, especially after key departures and depth concerns exposed the lack of explosive options on the outside last season.
“Blessed to receive an offer from the University of Notre Dame,” Brown posted on X (formerly Twitter), adding a photo of himself in Irish gear with the iconic golden helmet emoji. The post quickly went viral among fans and recruiting analysts alike.
The Fighting Irish are hoping to capitalize on momentum as they continue to build an identity around speed, athleticism, and versatility—attributes Brown has in abundance. While flipping a USC commit is no easy task, Notre Dame appears to be pushing all the right buttons: highlighting its academic prestige, rich football history, and a chance to be a cornerstone of an evolving offense led by a young and dynamic coaching staff.
Adding another layer of intrigue to the battle is the bitter rivalry between Notre Dame and USC. Over the decades, the two programs have waged war on the field—and increasingly, on the recruiting trail. Stealing Brown from the Trojans would not only be a major talent acquisition for the Irish, but also a symbolic victory in the ongoing power struggle between two of college football’s most storied programs.
Sources close to the situation indicate that Brown is at least open to exploring his options, with a potential official visit to South Bend being discussed for the summer. While he remains verbally committed to USC for now, Notre Dame’s offer has “caught his attention,” according to a report by 247Sports.
Notre Dame wide receivers coach Mike Brown (no relation) has taken the lead in recruiting Kohen, building a strong relationship with both the player and his family. The staff is emphasizing early playing time, a pro-style offense that showcases wideouts, and a clear development pathway to the NFL.
With several months remaining before National Signing Day 2026, the battle for Kohen Brown is far from over. But Notre Dame has made its move, and in doing so, turned this into one of the most fascinating recruiting storylines to watch.
If the Irish can ultimately convince Brown to flip, it would be one of the biggest recruiting coups of the Freeman era—and a message to USC and the rest of college football that Notre Dame is no longer just knocking on the door of elite talent. They’re ready to kick it down.
