Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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BLUEGOLDONLINE.COM PRESEASON 2025 59 BY KYLE KELLY The Notre Dame football program won a head-to-head recruiting battle with Penn State for another Pennsylva- nia offensive lineman yet again. On June 18, Wyndmoor (Pa.) La Salle College High four-star offensive tackle Grayson McKeogh announced his verbal commitment to the Fighting Irish. The 6-foot-7½, 280-pounder is one of the nation's top recruits, with Rivals rank- ing him as the No. 1 player in Pennsyl- vania, and the No. 4 offensive tackle and No. 13 overall player nationally. Penn State hosted McKeogh for an official visit the weekend of June 6. That marked his fourth trip to Happy Valley, two more than he made to Notre Dame. Yet, McKeogh found South Bend to be the best fit. "You are who you surround yourself with," McKeogh told Blue & Gold Il- lustrated. "I feel that Notre Dame was the best fit." In addition to Penn State, McKeogh also considered Texas. However, he can- celed his trip to Austin, Texas, following his Notre Dame commitment. He had previously received scholarship offers from 22 other Power Four programs, in- cluding Alabama, Florida, Ohio State, Tennessee and Wisconsin. McKeogh became the second Key- stone State product to join Notre Dame's 2026 recruiting class. Mechanicsburg (Pa.) Cumberland Valley three-star of- fensive lineman Tyler Merrill was the first, committing to the Irish Jan. 30. Rivals rates the 6-5, 330-pound Merrill as Pennsylvania's No. 14 player and the No. 31 interior offensive lineman in the country. Two days later, McKeogh's teammate — four-star safety Joey O'Brien — gave the Irish another high-profile com- mitment. Rivals ranks O'Brien as the No. 3 prospect in Pennsylvania, and the No. 3 safety and No. 47 overall player in America. He picked the Irish over Penn State, Oregon and Clemson. McKeogh and O'Brien's decisions were welcome news for Merrill, who had his recruiting hat on during their official visit the weekend of June 13. "I try to get on those guys and let them know, 'Hey, we want you here. This is a spot that is not like anywhere else,'" Merrill told Blue & Gold Illus- trated. "I make sure they hear it from me because I'm a PA guy. But all the other guys reach out to them, too." McKeogh played primarily at left tackle for the La Salle College Explor- ers, who finished 10-1 last season before losing to Philadelphia St. Joseph's Prep in the Philadelphia Catholic League Championship. Initially recruited as a defensive line- man, McKeogh recorded 20 tackles, 10 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks during his sophomore year. Last season, he con- tributed on defense with 4 tackles and an interception while thriving on the offensive line. Before his junior year, McKeogh held offers only from Duke and Syracuse. His remarkable physical transformation, combined with a standout junior season that earned first-team all-state honors, rapidly elevated his profile. By November, Penn State had of- fered, followed by 14 other Power Four programs. Notre Dame joined later but quickly drew a compelling comparison between McKeogh and former Irish of- fensive tackle Joe Alt. Like Alt, McKeogh was a late bloomer. Initially a 240-pound high school tight end, Alt transitioned into an elite offen- sive lineman and became the No. 5 over- all pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. During McKeogh's Notre Dame visit April 16, Irish offensive line coach Joe Rudolph noted the similarities. "They think I can turn out similar to someone like Joe Alt," McKeogh said. "They found parallels between me and him coming into his freshman year. They could really develop me. They think I have a really high upside. "They told me how he came in as a tight end. He wasn't the heaviest, but he was definitely taller than most. It was the idea of switching positions growing up, finding that spot on the O-line and getting stronger and heavier, but be- ing able to maintain that athletic ability while you're there." Off the field, McKeogh boasts a 4.14 GPA and is a member of La Salle's var- sity basketball team. ✦ COMMITMENT PROFILE GRAYSON MCKEOGH McKeogh, the No. 4 offensive tackle and No. 13 overall prospect in the country per Rivals, became the third Keystone State product to join the Irish's 2026 class. PHOTO BY KYLE KELLY Fighting Irish Beat Penn State For Pennsylvania's No. 1 Prospect, Top Offensive Lineman FILM ANALYSIS "Grayson McKeogh's upside is as high as any offensive tackle in the cycle. He has elite movement skills and is a guy we've kept a close eye on for the last six or seven months. He made the conversion to offensive tackle from playing tight end, and we love how he moves. McKeogh is a fluid mover, quick in his pass set and has a great frame as well. "One thing that was encouraging for us was learning that he added 30 pounds to his frame. He played at around 250 pounds as a junior. We wanted to see him add good mass during the offseason, and he did that. We're excited to see what he does as a senior. "He's a huge get for Notre Dame. His progression is similar to what [Joe] Alt had, and McKeogh put together very encouraging film. He has a basketball background as well. He's a really fluid, functional athlete, which is so important at the position, and he has the frame to get even bigger and stronger." — Rivals director of scouting and rankings Charles Power