Notre Dame Just Got Some CONCERNING Recruiting News...

AtoZ Sports

Ryan Roberts talks about the latest updates from Elijah Golden, the last big recruit that Notre Dame is going after in the 2026 recruiting class.

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00:00Elijah Golden is the last remaining priority piece for the 2026 Notre Dame recruiting class.

00:05We have an update. Let's talk about the latest on Golden and where things stand for the Fighting Irish.

00:13Ryan Roberts from A to Z Sports breaking down everything Notre Dame football.

00:16Folks, the 2026 recruiting class has a chance to be a truly elite one under head coach Marcus Freeman,

00:22who has obviously made his recruiting imprint and footprint on this Fighting Irish program

00:27since he arrived as a defensive coordinator in the 2021 season.

00:32It has only expanded as he has taken over as the head coach the last three years,

00:36and the 2026 group has a chance to be his best by a legitimate margin.

00:40And we sit here in July, and the 2026 group is almost solidified,

00:45but there is one priority recruit that remains, and that is 2026 Sarasota, Florida,

00:51Cardinal Mooney, defensive tackle Elijah Golden.

00:536'3", 275 pounds, projected as a three technique on the next level,

00:58and a dynamic player potentially on the next level.

01:01Now, Golden was originally set to make his commitment on July 26th.

01:06He was going to be picking between the Fighting Irish, Alabama, Oklahoma, and Virginia Tech,

01:10and Notre Dame was viewed as the favorites.

01:12Well, there has been a little bit of an update in this recruitment.

01:15Golden has pushed back his recruitment date.

01:17His commitment date is no longer July 26th.

01:20He will now be committing on August 9th.

01:23Now, initial impulse, and this is where things get a little tricky here.

01:27When you are the assumed leader for a big-time player,

01:31and there's not much time left until a commitment date has been set,

01:36you feel really good about your standing, obviously, especially if you're Notre Dame.

01:39The vibes have been great for the Fighting Irish in this recruitment over the last few weeks.

01:44But when you push a commitment date back, what does that offer?

01:47Offers chances for someone to potentially unseat Notre Dame as that leader,

01:51whether that is Alabama, Oklahoma, or Virginia Tech.

01:54Alabama has been the team that has been most high on Elijah Golden's list outside of the Fighting Irish.

02:00So this now gives Alabama, Oklahoma, and Virginia Tech a couple more weeks to make their final pitch,

02:05whether that is monetarily, whether that is verbal, whether that is promises,

02:10whatever that entails.

02:11This gives them more time to potentially persuade Elijah Golden to move away from the Fighting Irish.

02:18As of today, Notre Dame still feels good about their chances.

02:21But the longer opportunity these teams have to potentially make their case

02:26and to pressure an Elijah Golden in a different direction,

02:29it does get slightly unsettling as a Fighting Irish fan.

02:32So I want people to put into the chat right now,

02:34how confident are you with the Elijah Golden recruitment and Notre Dame standing?

02:39I'm about an 8 out of 10, still in favor of the Irish,

02:42still feel good about where they are,

02:43but the time does make things a little bit trickier.

02:46But put your thoughts.

02:47Does he end up with Notre Dame?

02:48If he doesn't end up with Notre Dame, where do you think he ends up?

02:50Make sure to hit that like button and subscribe on your way out.

02:53And as always, go Irish!

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