"They are in pole position": Recruiting Insider names CFP National Championship finalists as the top spot for 4-star linebacker target

National championship finalists, the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, have been projected as a top contender to secure four-star linebacker Tank King’s commitment. The projection was made by On3’s Steve Wiltfong on the show Wiltfong Whiparound on Jan. 13. The recruiting insider said:

“Let’s pivot to Tank King, four-star linebacker out of Port Arthur Texas Memorial High. Talked to him right after the game on Thursday night, and he said Notre Dame is as top as it can be in his recruitment. He was at Texas A&M over the weekend. Those are the two programs that I view at the top but Notre Dame looks like they are in pole position for Tank King” (11:07).

Tank King is a four-star linebacker from Memorial High School in Port Arthur, Texas. He stands at 6-ft-2 and weighs 205 pounds. He is the No. 21 linebacker in his class, per the On3 Industry Ranking, while the 247Sports Composite places him at No. 12. He is one of the most in-demand prospects at his position, with 27 college offers on his table, according to 247Sports.

The standout linebacker holds offers from top programs, including Alabama, Florida, Michigan, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, TCU and SMU. Notre Dame is one of the favorite spots for King to land, according to the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine. Other programs in contention are the Texas Longhorns and the Texas A&M Aggies.

How becoming national championship finalists affects Notre Dame’s recruitment drive

The Notre Dame Fighting Irish’s path to becoming national championship finalists this season has an exciting journey. After starting the season with a disappointing loss against Northern Illinois on Sep. 7, the Irish bounced back, winning the rest of their regular-season games.

This included wins against ranked opponents like Louisville, Navy and Army. Now, the Irish are heading into the national championship game against a much-favored Ohio State. The game is set to be played at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Jan. 21.

Regardless of the outcome, the Irish have already made a significant statement by reaching the national championship game in the inaugural 12-team playoff format. With $20 million in revenue from this achievement, the program has ample funds to invest in its development and recruitment.

Ultimately, the program's resurgence as a national powerhouse would be cemented if they defeat the Buckeyes at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Jan. 21.