Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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80 MARCH 2026 BLUE & GOLD ILLUSTRATED 2026 FOOTBALL RECRUITING ISSUE BY KYLE KELLY AND MIKE SINGER N otre Dame football's 2026 recruit- ing class is not just highly rated. It is battle-tested. Four Fighting Irish pledges closed their senior seasons by winning state championships, delivering decisive per- formances on the sport's biggest high school stages. From dominant defensive efforts to late-game heroics, each pros- pect played a central role in securing a title. Here is a look at how each one fin- ished their high school careers on top. DL ELIJAH GOLDEN — FLORIDA 2A Sarasota (Fla.) Cardinal Mooney 52, Jacksonville (Fla.) The Bolles School 28 Golden's second season playing for former Notre Dame quarterback and tight end Jared Clark could hardly have gone better. The 6-foot-4, 275-pound defensive lineman saved one of his best perfor- mances for last, finishing the state title game with 9 tackles (6 solo), 5 stops 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. QB NOAH GRUBBS — FLORIDA 7A Lake Mary (Fla.) High 28, Vero Beach (Fla.) High 27 Grubbs finishing his high school career as a state champion still feels surreal. He 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. Grubbs was outstanding in the postseason, con- necting on 98 of 154 throws for 1,403 yards with 17 touchdowns. Grubbs was interception-free throughout the playoffs until he threw 3 picks in the first half of the championship game, which contributed to the Rams trailing 21-3 at halftime. However, he responded by regrouping and deliver- ing a state title in Florida's highest classification. With 12 seconds left in the fourth quarter and the ball on the Vero Beach 43-yard line, Lake Mary trailed 27-21 when Grubbs dropped back for one final heave and connected with receiver Barrett Schulz, who was several yards short of the end zone. As he fought off several Vero Beach tacklers, Schulz turned and handed the ball off to teammate Tavarius Brundidge Jr., who found paydirt for the game-winning touchdown and Lake Mary's first state championship in school history. OT GRAYSON MCKEOGH AND S JOEY O'BRIEN — PENNSYLVANIA 6A Wyndmoor (Pa.) La Salle College 34, Pittsburgh Central Catholic 20 O'Brien, a five-star recruit, authored one of the most memorable championship performances of any Notre Dame pledge. He recorded 3 fourth-quarter interceptions, in- cluding a 95-yard pick six 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. O'Brien's efforts, along with McKeogh anchoring the offensive line at left tackle, helped La Salle defeat Notre Dame 2027 offensive line commit James Halter's team for the second time this season. — Kyle Kelly IRISH SIGNEES SHINE IN UNDER ARMOUR ALL-AMERICA GAME Notre Dame had four future players in the Under Armour All-America Game Jan. 3, with Team Roses knocking off Team Pearls 23-9. Team Roses featured 2026 quarterback commit Teddy Jar- rard and 2027 linebacker pledge Amarri Irvin, while Team Pearls included safety signee Joey O'Brien and offensive line- man Ben Nichols, both 2026 signees. Jarrard appeared in four series and completed 7 of 10 passes for 103 yards with 1 touchdown and 1 interception. His passing score was incredible; he extended the play, threw the ball 50 yards down- field off platform and 2027 Texas receiver commit Easton Royal hauled the pinpoint pass in with one hand. The 42-yard score was the most impressive play of the game. On Team Roses' next drive, Jarrard was back in at quarterback and took another deep shot. Defenses in the Under Armour Game have to play man coverage with a single high safety, and Jarrard threw it into harm's way. While Jarrard showed off his strong arm with the ball going about 55 yards in the air, it was easily picked off by his future teammate — Joey O'Brien. O'Brien had 1 tackle on the night, which was also on a big Jarrard play. The future Irish signal-caller evaded pressure and found 2027 athlete Braylon Calais for a 30-yard gain. O'Brien made the stop. The five-star safety was named Ri- vals' No. 6 overall performer during Un- der Armour All-America week. "Joey O'Brien lived up to his reputa- tion as one of the most instinctive play- ers in the 2026 cycle during the Under Armour All-America Game," Rivals di- rector of scouting and rankings Charles Power noted. "After a solid week of practice, O'Brien made his presence felt during Saturday's game, making an ar- ray of plays from his safety post. "O'Brien showcased his elite ball skills on his interception, tracking the football almost directly over his head, before re- versing field and sparking a long return where he pitched the ball to a teammate." Irvin had a strong showing and was arguably the best linebacker in the game. He had 3 solo tackles and forced quarterback pressures on numerous oc- casions. He would have liked to finish those plays with sacks, but it was still a strong overall performance. Nichols started for Team Pearls at right guard. — Mike Singer THREE IRISH SIGNEES NAMED RIVALS ALL-AMERICANS Three Notre Dame football signees added national honors to their résumés before officially joining the program. Cornerback Khary Adams, defensive lineman Elijah Golden and safety Joey O'Brien were named to the Rivals High 2026 Class Features Four State Championship Winners Irish quarterback signee Noah Grubbs connected on a Hail Mary to give Lake Mary (Fla.) High a 28-27 win over Vero Beach (Fla.) High for its first state championship in school history. PHOTO COURTESY NOAH GRUBBS