Four-star LB Ellis McGaskin decommits from Notre Dame

In the 2026 recruiting class, the Notre Dame football program achieved a major milestone by finishing the cycle without any decommitments. That won’t be the case in the 2027 class.

On Friday, Rivals national recruiting reporter Hayes Fawcett reported that Mobile (Ala.) Williamson four-star linebacker Ellis McGaskin has backed off his Notre Dame commitment. The 5-foot-11, 210-pounder from the Yellowhammer State initially pledged to the Irish on June 30 after visiting campus for the first time earlier that month.

According to the Rivals Industry Ranking, McGaskin is the No. 254 overall player, No. 14 linebacker nationally and No. 8 prospect in Alabama in the 2027 class. When he committed to the Irish, Max Bullough was the linebackers coach. However, in December, Bullough left the program for an elevated role with alma mater, Michigan State.

McGaskin’s decision to reopen his recruitment is a complete change of course from his comments to UGASports reporter Jed May on Tuesday. After Georgia offered McGaskin, he told May that “you would have to move a mountain to get me to change” his commitment status. That mountain was apparently moved three days later.

Yet, the timing might not be entirely coincidental.

On Wednesday, Rivals national recruiting analyst Sam Spiegelman reported that McGaskin was set to unofficially visit Florida this weekend. Blue & Gold recruiting insider Mike Singer inquired with McGaskin about the upcoming visit, but he did not respond. Meanwhile, Singer reported Thursday night that the Florida side was still expecting McGaskin in Gainesville.

Despite his initial Notre Dame commitment, McGaskin has had his eyes on other SEC schools. Last football season, he visited LSU and Mississippi State in addition to two trips to South Bend. His visits elsewhere were hardly a surprise, considering he told Singer when he committed in June that he would still be open to seeing other schools … with a caveat.

“I’m sure I will visit some more schools,” McGaskin said, “but Notre Dame is home.”

Now, McGaskin will be looking for another home. And he is expected to have suitors. Even after his Notre Dame commitment, he announced offers from Oklahoma and Colorado. Over 20 other Power Four schools have offered him, including two schools he visited frequently in the past, Auburn and Florida State.

The Irish will not have to search long to add another linebacker to the 2027 commit list. They already have one in Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy four-star Amarri Irvin, the No. 212 overall player and No. 12 linebacker in the class. They’ve offered 16 other high school junior linebackers, including five who have unofficially visited campus before.

Even with McGaskin’s decommitment, the Irish still have seven verbal commits in 2027, and the class ranks No. 5 nationally. Only Oklahoma, Texas A&M and Ohio State have more pledges in the class. After finishing with the No. 2 class in 2026, Notre Dame won’t have any trouble adding more in 2027.