On Wednesday, the recruiting realm sent out some really good news as 4-Star running back, Lathan Whisenton, gave his public commitment to Marcus Freeman and the 2027 class for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish.
The 6’0” 200 pound running back from Waco Midway High School in Waco, Texas, chose the Irish over the Florida Gators, SMU Mustangs, Texas Tech Red Raiders, Texas Longhorns, Michigan Wolverines, Oklahoma Sooners, and many others.
– Well-built running back who handles a higher volume and provides big-play punch.
– Encouraging year-over-year YPC increases, including 9.1 as a junior.
– Thrives as a north-south runner with downhill strength and build-up speed.
– Capable of one-cut explosion into the second level.
– Terrific testing numbers in a combine setting, as well as 10.54 100-meter speed in Feb. 2026.
– Can improve pass-catching ability, which has been limited in-season (23 catches in 22 games as SO-JR).
– Work in progress on speed-changing nuance and lateral suddenness.
– Tough tackling assignment when the pads are square with a head of steam and regularly gains yards after contact.
– Projects to the P4 level as a potential high-major option who can give you plenty of volume as an in-the-box hole puncher with open-field juice.
Lathan is the 9th commitment for Notre Dame’s 2027 football recruiting class, and his is the lone running back commitment so far for this cycle. The class is currently ranked #4 according to the 247 Team Composite Rankings and #7 according to the On3/Rival Industry Rankings.
| POSITION | PLAYER | STATE | HT | WT | RIVALS | RIVALS INDUSTRY | 247 SPORTS | 247 COMPOSITE | ESPN | COMMIT DATE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LS | Sean Craft | NC | 6’4″ | 215 | ⭐️⭐️⭐️ | ⭐️⭐️⭐️ | ⭐️⭐️⭐️ | ⭐️⭐️⭐️ | ⭐️ | 6/24/25 |
| DL | Richie Flanigan | WI | 6’3″ | 263 | ⭐️⭐️⭐️ | ⭐️⭐️⭐️ | ⭐️⭐️⭐️ | ⭐️⭐️⭐️ | ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | 9/25/25 |
| OL | James Halter | PA | 6’5″ | 268 | ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | 10/22/25 |
| S | Khalil Terry | CA | 6’0″ | 185 | ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | 11/12/25 |
| LB | Amarri Irvin | FL | 6’0″ | 220 | ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | 11/26/25 |
| CB | Ace Alston | OH | 5’11” | 175 | ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | 12/9/25 |
| CB | Xavier Hasan | NC | 5’11” | 195 | ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | 12/15/25 |
| RB | Lathan Whisenton | TX | 6’0″ | 200 | ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | ⭐️⭐️⭐️ | ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | ⭐️⭐️⭐️ | 3/25/26 |
Notre Dame has cast a very wide net this cycle at running back. The Irish currently have 17 offers out there, and with minus the Whisenton commitment and recruits committed elsewhere, there are still 11 players on the big board — and I still expect a second RB in this class.
Lathan is a big get for Notre Dame, and brings everything the Irish need and look for in a running back in this system.