Tyran Stokes has long been established as an elite basketball prospect. He’s widely regarded as the No. 1 recruit in the 2026 class. It has earned him attention from high major basketball schools across the country.
Kentucky, Kansas, Louisville, USC, Oregon and Gonzaga are all programs that have worked to land a commitment from the 6-foot-7, 225-pound forward.
Friday night all eyes were on Stokes for a different reason.
Stokes made his high school football debut in Week 5 of the season in Southern California. The Notre Dame (Sherman Oaks, Calif.) star strapped on shoulder pads and stepped onto the field against Culver City Friday.
He caught two passes for 57 yards including a 45-yard touchdown with around 6 minutes left in his debut. Stokes nearly had a touchdown catch earlier in the game on a play that was ultimately ruled incomplete.
Still, the catch showcased the athleticism that has made him the top basketball recruit in the class.
Stokes hauls in first touchdown catch
Notre Dame made easy work of Culver City in Friday’s game, 57-14. By the time Stokes made his touchdown catch in the fourth quarter, the game was well in hand. So, all that remained was getting the star basketball player his opportunity to get in the end zone.
You would think it would be difficult to miss the 6-foot-7 player lining up on the outside. Stokes, who is playing wide receiver for his team, however found himself wide open down the field on the scoring play. Quarterback Wyatt Brown unleashed a deep pass down the field to Stokes, who held up a bit to wait for the ball at the 7-yard line.
He then scampered into the end zone for the touchdown.
Football gives Stokes the chance to live full high school experience
There were plenty of questions when Stokes decided earlier this month that he would join football team at Notre Dame. There are the obvious ones such as thoughts about the injury risks involved. It also does seem odd that someone with such a big name would suddenly pick up a new sport.
However, Stokes has been adamant that it is all about fun for him at this stage in his high school career. The senior has had plenty of attention since he stepped on the hardwood at Notre Dame. The decision to play football gives Stokes a chance to play a sport without the concern about being perfect every play.
The entire process came together quickly with Stokes only deciding within the last few weeks that he was going to play this season. He started practicing with the team after the Knights already played four games.
Basketball still the focus for the elite hooper
Football is a fun activity for Stokes, and he showed Friday he can be an impact player. Basketball is where his future lies, however. College programs continue to battle for his commitment. Stokes took recent official visits to USC and Oregon.
Kentucky and Kansas have also established themselves as key players in the process. Louisville is another program in the mix. Recruiting visits will be a little more difficult to take with football now taking up his Friday nights.
Stokes’ Notre Dame squad has five more games in the regular season beginning with a matchup against Loyola (Los Angeles, Calif.) this Friday.