Marcus Freeman's Notre Dame lands commitment of four-star CB to the Class of 2026

Four-star cornerback Chaston Smith committed to Notre Dame's 2026 class on Sunday. The standout from McCallie School in Chattanooga, Tennessee, picked the Fighting Irish over Clemson, Texas A&M, Indiana and South Carolina.

“It just feels right,” Smith told The Irish Sports Daily about his commitment timeline. “It feels like the right moment to do it. It’s a great opportunity to do it right now.”

The 6-foot-1 cornerback announced his decision shortly after visiting Texas A&M over the weekend. However, it was his visit to South Bend on Nov. 9 that seemed to seal the deal. During that visit, he witnessed Notre Dame's dominant 52-3 victory over Florida State.

Before Smith's announcement on Sunday, Marcus Freeman's program was trending with an 87.5% chance to secure his pledge.

Smith is rated as a four-star prospect by On3 and Rivals, while ESPN and 247Sports have him as a three-star recruit. He is the No. 247 prospect in the nation, the No. 17 cornerback in the 2026 class and the No. 7 recruit in Tennessee.

Notre Dame's coaching staff earns high praise from Chaston Smith

Marcus Freeman and defensive backs coach Mike Mickens have built strong relationships with Chaston Smith throughout his recruitment journey. His commitment marks another recruiting win for Mickens, who is widely recognized for his ability to develop elite defensive backs.

"I can go to the league from Notre Dame, especially at my position," Smith told Rivals. "Coach Mickens develops players, but also Notre Dame will set me up for success after football."

Smith becomes the fourth commitment in Notre Dame’s 2026 recruiting class, joining quarterback Noah Grubbs, linebacker Thomas Davis Jr. and wide receiver Dylan Faison. His pledge follows that of Davis Jr., who committed just three weeks ago. This early momentum in the 2026 cycle has positioned Notre Dame’s class at No. 12 in the nation.

Notre Dame is preparing to shift its recruiting focus fully to the 2026 cycle after the early signing period ends. With an 11-1 record this season, the Irish remain a hot program for recruits, and they are also expected to send out more offers to prospects in the coming weeks.