He’s 6-foot-4, has the range of a center fielder, and somehow catches touchdowns just as easily as he intercepts them. If you follow high school recruiting at all, you’ve definitely heard the name. Joey O’Brien is basically the prototype of what a modern "unicorn" athlete looks like in the 2026 class.
Ever since Joey O'Brien 247 rankings hit that five-star status, the buzz has been inescapable. We’re talking about a kid from La Salle College High School in Pennsylvania who didn't just meet expectations—he absolutely shattered them. Recruiters aren't just looking at his height; they’re looking at a guy who can erase an entire side of the field.
The Meteoric Rise of Joey O'Brien 247 Rankings
Most recruits have a slow burn. They start as a three-star, maybe pick up a few MAC offers, and eventually climb the ladder. Joey? He was a loud "ping" on the radar almost immediately. 247Sports recently pushed him into that elite top-30 overall prospect territory, and honestly, it’s hard to argue with the move.
The numbers are kinda ridiculous. As a junior, he was hauling in 68 passes for over 1,000 yards on offense. But here’s the kicker: he was also a PCL Red Division MVP on defense. Most kids are tired by the fourth quarter if they’re playing both ways. O’Brien seems to get faster.
He’s currently ranked as the No. 1 player in Pennsylvania and the No. 2 safety in the country by 247Sports. When you see him standing next to other high school DBs, he looks like he belongs in a different zip code. That length allows him to shade passing windows that other safeties can’t even reach.
Why the Scouting Reports Are Calling Him a "Unicorn"
Andrew Ivins and the crew at 247Sports don't throw around the "unicorn" label for fun. To be a unicorn, you have to do things that shouldn't be physically possible at your size. O’Brien fits the bill.
- Ball Skills: Because he plays wide receiver at a high level, his hands are elite. If he touches the ball, it’s his.
- Frame: He’s pushing 6-foot-4 with a massive wingspan. It’s a nightmare for quarterbacks trying to loft balls over the top.
- Versatility: He can play single-high safety, come down into the box, or even line up at corner in certain packages.
- Basketball Background: You can see the hoops influence in how he tracks the ball in the air. He’s an All-Catholic second-team basketball player for a reason.
He’s been compared to NFL Pro Bowler Justin Simmons, and you can see the vision. He has that same "lanky perimeter playmaker" vibe where he just glides across the grass.
The Notre Dame Commitment: A Massive Win for Marcus Freeman
The recruitment process was a total circus. Oregon was pushing hard. Clemson was in the mix. Penn State—the local powerhouse—basically told him they wouldn't let him leave the state.
But on June 20, 2025, Joey O'Brien sat in his high school gym and picked the Fighting Irish.
Why Notre Dame? A lot of it comes down to Mike Mickens. Mickens has a track record of taking guys with unique frames and turning them into Sunday players. Also, O'Brien is a 3.8 GPA student. The "40-year decision" thing actually matters to a kid like this. Plus, his teammate, offensive tackle Grayson McKeogh, had committed just days before. It just felt like the right fit.
What Most People Get Wrong About His Game
Some critics—if you can even call them that—point to his "lack of verified speed." People see a 6-foot-4 frame and assume he’s a "build-a-player" who might be stiff.
That’s a mistake.
If you watch the OT7 circuit or his 7-on-7 highlights, his acceleration is actually pretty smooth. He might not be a 4.3 burner, but his play speed is exceptional. He understands angles. He doesn't need to be the fastest guy on the field when he's already three steps ahead of the play mentally.
What’s Next for the 5-Star Safety?
Now that he’s officially signed (as of December 2025), the focus shifts to South Bend. He’s already been named a MaxPreps All-American and the Pennsylvania Gatorade Player of the Year. He helped lead La Salle to a PIAA 6A State Championship, finishing his senior year with 18 touchdowns and four interceptions.
The big question now is whether Notre Dame will actually let him play both ways. Marcus Freeman has hinted at using him in specific offensive packages. Imagine a 6-foot-4 safety who also lines up as a red-zone threat at receiver. That's a headache for any defensive coordinator in the Blue-Gold game, let alone the Big Ten or ACC.
Actionable Takeaways for Following His Career
If you’re tracking Joey O’Brien’s transition to the college level, keep an eye on these specific markers:
- Weight Room Progress: He’s currently around 185-190 lbs. To hold up in run support against college-level tight ends, he’ll need to hit that 205-210 range without losing his twitch.
- Early Enrollment: Watch for how he handles spring ball. If he's as smart as his 3.8 GPA suggests, he could be a Day 1 contributor on special teams or in sub-packages.
- The "Safety or WR" Debate: While he's signed as a safety, his offensive ceiling is so high that he might become a situational weapon. Watch for his name in "athlete" packages during his freshman year.
Joey O'Brien isn't just another name on a spreadsheet. He's a legitimate game-changer who represents the new wave of positionless football. Whether he's picking off a deep post or catching a fade in the corner of the end zone, you're going to see him on Saturdays very soon.