Tight End U added the 2025 class’s first such player today when Preston Fryzel announced his commitment to the Irish. The 6’4″, 220-pound Ohioan was one of seven then-uncommitted prospects who took an official visit to Notre Dame two weekends ago. Of those seven the Irish have since landed Fryzel, Joey O’Brien, Khary Adams, and Grayson McKeogh; the three who remain uncommitted are WR Kaydon Finley, TE Evan Jacobson, and WR Devin Fitzgerald, and there’s a reasonable possibility that Notre Dame will sweep all three. That’s elite work product from the staff and arguably the most productive official visit weekend in memory.

Fryzel’s ranking is underwhelming at the moment, as you’ll see in a bit, but ISD’s Jamie Uyeyama loves him and he was Iowa’s primary target at the position, which tells you plenty. Irish fans like to claim the Tight End U title and can make a reasonable argument to do so going back to the early 2000s, but if you narrow the focus to the last decade it’s hard to argue that anyone other than Iowa deserves it. Kirk Ferentz might not know how to put a functional offense on the field, but when his track record at identifying and developing tight ends over that time frame includes George Kittle, TJ Hockenson, Noah Fant, and Sam LaPorta… Well, he’s figured one thing out at least. And Fryzel was the guy he wanted.

And the most important thing to discuss… Sadly, I had a whole pile of Magic School Bus jokes that I won’t get to use, because as it turns out his last name is pronounced Fry-zell, not Frizzle. Sigh.

Recruiting Service Rankings

247Sports Composite — 3 star (.8781 rating), #646  overall, #33 TE, #28 in OH

On3 Consensus — 3 star (86.85 rating), #745 overall, #40 TE, #30 in OH

The 247 Composite and On3 Consensus both combine 247, On3, Rivals, and ESPN rankings.

247Sports — 3 star (88 rating), NR overall, #23 CB, #24 in OH

On3 — 3 star (89 rating), NR overall, #17 TE, #19 in OH

Rivals — 3 star (5.6 rating), NR overall, NR TE, #29 in OH

ESPN — Not rated

Irish Sports Daily — 4 star (92 rating)

Note: Jamie does the recruit evaluations for ISD, and we trust his evals as much as anyone’s; while the 247 Composite and the On3 Consensus don’t factor in ISD evals, we put a lot of weight on them ourselves. ISD only ranks the top 50 prospects in each class, and hasn’t ranked 2026 yet. Based on past classes a 95 rating would be the bottom end of their top 50.

Cohort

In addition to Notre Dame and Iowa, Fryzel holds offers from Auburn, Duke, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisville, Miami, Michigan State, Minnesota, North Carolina, West Virginia, and Wisconsin, among others.

Highlights

I know Fryzel isn’t huge, but even so, for someone with some size he moves really well. He has a very good burst – several times here I was surprised at how well he hit a seam after the catch – and decent speed in the open field. I really like his ability to track the ball and how he catches it out away from his body as well. He’s completely fearless catching the ball in traffic and does a great job picking his way through the mess after the catch. With a head of steam he’s a load to bring down.

As a blocker I think he probably has some work to do, given how heavily he’s used on the outside by his high school. The want-to is definitely there though; I counted 16 blocks on this highlight reel and 11 pancakes, which doesn’t happen by accident. He doesn’t need to be Tommy Tremble or Michael Mayer as a blocker either, just needs to be good enough to get the job done. With the athleticism and attitude here I see that as the floor for him as a blocker, which is good news for the Irish.

Impact

Cooper Flanagan is eligible through at least 2027, Jack Larsen through at least 2028, and James Flanigan through at least 2029. Arkansas transfer Tyus Washington will probably be a blocking specialist, but will have eligibility through 2026. Eli Raridon could come back for 2026 as well, although you have to think that with a big year there’s a solid chance he’ll go pro. Regardless, there are a number of bodies ahead of Fryzel already and there’s a strong likelihood that the Irish will take one more tight end in this class. He’ll have his work cut out for him early, which is good because I think he’ll need some time to transition from being a jumbo wide receiver to being a true tight end. I see a lot of good tools here though and could definitely see Fryzel working his way into the rotation or even a starting role within a couple of seasons.

Welcome to the Irish family, Preston!