Notre Dame football had its first fall practice on Thursday, and by all accounts it went very well.
The Irish have plenty of returning talent, but according to offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock, a true freshman stood out. Tight end Ian Premer entered the program with extremely high expectations, as the No. 21 overall player in the 247Sports Composite, he arrived with a 5-star designation.
Unlike many of his classmates, Premer didn’t enroll early, instead waiting until June to arrive on campus. Thursday’s practice caught the eye of Denbrock, as he said “he’s an athletic freak and tough as nails.” Listed as 6-foot, 6-inch and 245-pounds, Premer already has the frame to contribute at this level.
While it’s just one practice, it’s a great start to
what could be a very promising career for the true freshman tight end. Most likely we’ll see Premer get a few opportunities this fall before challenging for a starting spot next year.
Offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock on freshman tight end Ian Premer:
— Pete Sampson (@PeteSampson_) August 6, 2026
“He's an athletic freak and tough as nails.”
I’m not sure how quickly he gets on the field this season … but hard to imagine him not getting in at some point.
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This article originally appeared on Fighting Irish Wire: Notre Dame OC Mike Denbrock praises true freshman after first practice
