Offensive Tackle Ekene Ogboko Set For First Notre Dame Trip

2026 offensive tackle Ekene Ogboko previews trip to Notre Dame for their game against Ohio State

Notre Dame is set to host an incredible list of recruits this weekend for their battle against Ohio State. Those recruits aren’t exclusive to the 2024 and 2025 recruiting classes. The Irish will also be hosting Durham (N.C.) South Garner offensive tackle Ekene Ogboko, who is one of the top recruits in the 2026 class.

Being a 2026 recruit, communication is obviously very limited. It’s early on in that recruiting process but Notre Dame has still had a presence. They are clearly doing their homework on Ogboko.

"My contact with Notre Dame has been good,” Ogboko explained. "One of their recruiters has come to our school to ask about me and my brother and their latest contact has been with my coaches. They seem like really nice people.”

The North Carolina native heads into his first trip to South Bend with a lot of optimism. The Notre Dame brand brings a lot to the table. He’s excited to experience it all.

"I’m excited to see their facility and what they have to offer,” he said. "I really also get to see their coaches as well and players and how they run their program.

"Notre Dame has a great reputation,” Ogboko continued. "Their campus is just a place that anyone would want to see.”

So far, Ogboko has been hearing from a long list of impressive schools. It’s early in the process but he is already well received from that perspective.

"Recruiting has been going good recently,” he said. "I've been to two college games so far and got the chance to talk to coaches and see how they prepare and how they coach on the field, and also see how they talk to their players after the game.”

Notre Dame does not often extend offers to a ton of 2026 recruits. It wouldn’t be shocking if one was extended to Ogboko this weekend, who is a tremendous talent.

Ogboko is considered a four-star recruit by On3, 247Sports and Rivals. 247Sports is especially high on the North Carolina standout, ranking him as the No. 22 overall player and No. 5 offensive tackle in the 2026 recruiting class. On the On3 Industry ranking, Ogboko is currently pegged as the No. 24 overall player in the class, forecasting a potentially elite level recruit.

The 6-6, 270-pound offensive tackle already boasts a tremendous offer list. Some of the premier programs who have offered thus far include Georgia, Florida, Penn State, Maryland, Virginia Tech, NC State, Duke and Rutgers among several others.

Ogboko’s older brother, Nnamdi Ogboko, is committed to the University of Georgia as a defensive tackle. 

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