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Notre Dame football’s 2026 recruiting class features four state championship winners

Kyle Kellyby: Kyle Kelly12/17/25ByKyleKelly

Notre Dame football’s 2026 recruiting class is not just highly rated. It is battle-tested.

Four Fighting Irish pledges closed their senior seasons by winning state championships, delivering decisive performances on the sport’s biggest high school stages. From dominant defensive efforts to late-game heroics, each prospect played a central role in securing a title.

Here is a look at how each one finished their high school careers on top.

DL Elijah Golden: Sarasota (Fla.) Cardinal Mooney 52, Jacksonville (Fla.) The Bolles School 28 — Florida 2A

Golden’s second season playing for former Notre Dame quarterback and tight end Jared Clark could hardly have gone better.

The 6-foot-3½, 278-pound defensive lineman was dominant throughout the year, totaling 76 tackles (39 solo), 39 tackles for loss, 17 sacks and 38 quarterback hurries for the 14-1 Cougars. The No. 22 player in Florida saved one of his best performances for last, finishing the state title game with 9 tackles (6 solo), 5 tackles for loss and 3 sacks.

Cardinal Mooney defeated a loaded 13-2 Bolles team that featured four-star wide receiver Naeem Burroughs, linebacker Simeon Caldwell, Florida State tight end signee Corbyn Fordham, Miami-bound offensive lineman JJ Sparks and a pair of highly regarded 2028 prospects in EDGE Asher Ghioto and running back Xander Edwards.

Golden, the No. 156 overall player and No. 18 defensive lineman nationally, will enroll at Notre Dame next month.

QB Noah Grubbs: Lake Mary (Fla.) High 28, Vero Beach (Fla.) High 27 — Florida 7A

Grubbs finishing his high school career as a state champion still feels surreal.

The No. 55 player in Florida guided an underdog Lake Mary team into the postseason and capped the title run with a dramatic Hail Mary victory over Vero Beach. While that moment will be remembered most, it should not overshadow the season Notre Dame’s future quarterback put together.

In 15 games, the 6-4½, 195-pound Grubbs threw for 3,250 yards and 40 touchdowns while completing 234 of 402 passes with 12 interceptions. He elevated his play in the postseason, completing 98 of 154 throws for 1,403 yards and 17 touchdowns. Grubbs was interception-free throughout the playoffs before throwing 3 in the first half of the championship game.

He responded by regrouping and delivering a state title in Florida’s highest classification. Grubbs, the No. 28 quarterback and 405th player nationally, will arrive in South Bend in January with considerable momentum.

OT Grayson McKeogh and S Joey O’Brien: Wyndmoor (Pa.) La Salle College 34, Pittsburgh Central Catholic 20 — Pennsylvania 6A

O’Brien, a five-star recruit, authored one of the most memorable championship performances of any Notre Dame pledge.

The top-ranked player in Pennsylvania recorded 3 fourth-quarter interceptions, including a 95-yard pick-6 that helped seal the title. He remained a difference-maker on offense as well, catching 10 passes for 98 yards and throwing a 2-yard touchdown pass. Those efforts helped La Salle defeat Notre Dame 2027 offensive line commit James Halter’s team for the second time this season.

On the year, O’Brien totaled 49 tackles (35 solo), 1 tackle for loss, 11 pass breakups, 4 interceptions, 1 fumble recovery and 2 forced fumbles. Offensively, he caught 86 passes for 1,247 yards and 18 touchdowns, with McKeogh anchoring the offensive line at left tackle.

Both O’Brien and McKeogh will enroll at Notre Dame in January. They are the Nos. 31 and 118 overall players in the class and Nos. 3 and 11 prospects at their respective positions.

Notre Dame commits who finished as runners-up

Here is a look at which Irish pledges — in addition to Halter — were state champion runner-ups.