News Summary

Tyran Stokes, the top basketball prospect for the 2026 recruiting cycle, is shifting gears to join the Notre Dame Knights football team as a wide receiver. Known for his impressive height and athleticism, Stokes is embracing this new challenge amid a robust basketball career. His coaches and teammates are eager to see how this transition unfolds, signaling an exciting time for the Knights as they prepare for their upcoming games. Fans are buzzing about Stokes’ potential impact on the football field and what this means for his future in sports.

Louisville Star Tyran Stokes Makes Waves as He Joins Notre Dame Football Team

Exciting news is stirring in the city of Louisville! Tyran Stokes, the towering senior from Notre Dame in Sherman Oaks, California, is taking a thrilling leap into the world of football. Known as the No. 1 overall basketball prospect for the 2026 recruiting cycle, Stokes is set to don a new jersey and hit the field as a wide receiver for the Notre Dame Knights football team!

This unexpected change comes as Stokes prepares for his first football practice with the Knights today. Standing at an impressive height of 6-foot-7 and weighing around 225 pounds (though some say he’s closer to 6-foot-8 and 245 pounds), Stokes’s physical attributes make him an exciting addition to the Knights’ roster. But make no mistake, this transition to football is a fresh and surprising twist in the teenager’s already impressive sports career.

Knights Football Team Update

The Notre Dame Knights football team, currently recording a 2-2 season so far, has had quite the rollercoaster. After a tough loss to Downey, the Knights bounced back with wins against Bishop Alemany and St. Francis. However, they faced another loss against Servite, a team ranked No. 11 in the state according to Massey Ratings. Fortunately, the Knights get a chance to regroup during their bye week before taking on Culver City on September 26.

A Basketball Prodigy Takes on Football

21 points, 9.3 rebounds, and 3.9 assists per game during his junior year. His talent didn’t go unnoticed—he was named to the All-Mission League as well as earning spots on both the High School On SI All-SoCal and All-State selections. With an eye-catching recruitment record of 24 college scholarship offers, top contenders including USC, Kentucky, Kansas, and his hometown school Louisville are in the mix. Stokes has already taken official visits to some of these institutions and plans to explore options at Oregon and Gonzaga. He seeks a college that values him for more than just athletics and where he feels at home.

Being one of only two five-star recruits in the 2026 class according to Rivals adds to the pressure, yet Stokes’s football venture seems like a welcome reprieve. Football offers him a unique opportunity to enjoy being a teenager while balancing sports—something that can get overwhelming, especially with the extensive travel and the rigorous game schedule basketball demands.

Support From Coaches and New Beginnings

Stokes’s basketball coach, Matt Sargeant, is fully behind his decision to give football a shot, allowing the young athlete to try out for the sport without hindering his basketball career. The football program requires athletes to participate in 10 padded practices before they are eligible to play in games, setting the stage for Stokes to demonstrate his agility and skills in a whole new light.

On his first day of practice, he was spotted sporting full pads and a helmet, full of enthusiasm for this new endeavor. For a star player like Stokes, jumping from basketball courts to football fields may be a significant shift, but it’s a chance to decompress and experience the sports world in a refreshing new way!

What’s Next for Stokes?

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