Notre Dame Targets Top 2027 Running Back Kemon Spell Despite Penn State Commitment

In a major move for their 2027 recruiting class, Notre Dame has received a commitment from quarterback Teddy Jarrard. Now, the Fighting Irish are setting their sights on one of the top running backs in the nation, Kemon Spell, who is currently committed to Penn State.

Spell, a five-star recruit and the ninth-ranked player in the 2027 class, plans to visit Notre Dame this fall despite his existing commitment to the Nittany Lions. He will also take trips to Florida State and Alabama, as well as return to Penn State. The timing of Spell's visit to Notre Dame coincides with the Fighting Irish's home game against Texas A&M.

Notre Dame has established itself as one of the premier programs for developing and recruiting top-tier running backs in recent years. The school is poised to have one of the nation's best backfields in 2025, further bolstering their appeal to elite prospects like Spell.

The recruitment of Spell is the latest chapter in the long-standing rivalry between Notre Dame and Penn State. The two storied programs met annually from 1981 to 1992, but the series was halted when Penn State joined the Big Ten. The teams faced off in last season's Orange Bowl, their first meeting since 2007, and the rivalry has only intensified since then.

Penn State head coach James Franklin has been vocal about Notre Dame, and the Fighting Irish have emerged victorious in several recent head-to-head recruiting battles with the Nittany Lions. Spell's recruitment, with the running back hailing from the heart of Penn State territory, will be another high-profile clash between the two programs.