Notre Dame Lands 2028 QB Tagliaferri Over Iowa Hawkeyes

Notre Dame football secured a commitment from 2028 quarterback Trey Tagliaferri on Thursday, beating out the Iowa Hawkeyes and over two dozen other major programs. The Oradell, New Jersey, standout threw for 29 touchdowns as a sophomore and gives the Fighting Irish an early foundational piece for their 2028 class. For Iowa fans, the commitment highlights the intense national competition for top quarterback talent.

Who is 2028 Quarterback Trey Tagliaferri?

Trey Tagliaferri is a 6-foot-1, 190-pound signal caller from Bergen Catholic High School in Oradell, New Jersey. He currently stands as a 4-star prospect on the 247Sports Composite, ranking as the No. 204 overall player and the No. 14 quarterback in the 2028 class. Rivals rates him even higher, placing him at No. 110 nationally.

While rankings offer one perspective, Tagliaferri's offer sheet proves his national appeal. He held scholarship offers from Georgia, Ohio State, Alabama, Florida, Oklahoma, Penn State, and the University of Iowa. He also held offers from Indiana, Auburn, Missouri, South Carolina, Kentucky, Vanderbilt, Illinois, Arkansas, Maryland, Mississippi State, North Carolina, Virginia, Boston College, Stanford, Wake Forest, Syracuse, and Rutgers. That extensive list shows exactly how the college football world views his potential on the field.

How Did Tagliaferri Perform on the Field?

Tagliaferri put together a tremendous sophomore season in 2025. He threw for 2,215 yards and 29 touchdown passes across 11 games, adding another score on the ground. Most importantly for coaches who value discipline and smart play, he threw only three interceptions. That kind of ball security and decision-making is exactly what programs covet in a young quarterback.

What Does the Tagliaferri Commitment Mean for Iowa Football?

For the Iowa Hawkeyes, missing on Tagliaferri is a setback in their early 2028 recruiting efforts. Iowa clearly identified him as a priority target, extending an offer to the New Jersey native. The Hawkeyes will now have to pivot to other options on their quarterback board for the 2028 cycle.

Head coach Kirk Ferentz and his staff typically prioritize developing in-state talent and building a physical, disciplined roster. When competing against national brands like Notre Dame for out-of-state prospects, the challenge is always steep. The Fighting Irish have built a strong recruiting machine under Marcus Freeman, and losing a shared target to them underscores the reality of modern college football recruiting. Iowa must continue to find players who fit their specific system rather than engaging in bidding wars for national stars.

Why Does Notre Dame's New Jersey Pipeline Matter?

This commitment continues Notre Dame's aggressive and successful push in the Garden State. The Fighting Irish landed multiple New Jersey prospects in their 2027 class, including Aidan O'Neil, Olu Olubobola, and Jackson Vaughn. Tagliaferri adds to that presence. It reinforces Marcus Freeman's ability to recruit the area at a high level and build a geographical pipeline that pays dividends over multiple cycles.

What is Notre Dame's Track Record with Quarterbacks?

Notre Dame has recruited the quarterback position at an elite level recently. The program has added names like Kenny Minchey, CJ Carr, Blake Hebert, Teddy Jarrard, Noah Grubbs, and Champ Monds in the 2027 class alone. Tagliaferri quickly became the priority target for the 2028 group. Getting a quarterback committed early acts as a catalyst for the rest of the class, as other top players want to play with elite passers.

There are some areas for Tagliaferri to develop. At 6-foot-1 and 190 pounds, he will need to add weight and strength to his frame. Fortunately, he has two full seasons of high school football remaining to develop physically. The baseline traits, however, are clearly there. He's shown he can make smart decisions and protect the football, which is the foundation for any successful quarterback.

Where is Trey Tagliaferri ranked nationally?

Tagliaferri is ranked as the No. 204 overall player and the No. 14 quarterback in the 2028 class by 247Sports Composite. Rivals rates him as the No. 110 overall player nationally.

Did the Iowa Hawkeyes offer Trey Tagliaferri a scholarship?

Yes, the Iowa Hawkeyes were one of more than two dozen programs to offer Tagliaferri a scholarship, but he ultimately chose to commit to Notre Dame.

How many touchdowns did Tagliaferri throw in 2025?

As a sophomore in 2025, Trey Tagliaferri threw for 29 touchdowns and only three interceptions in 11 games at Bergen Catholic.