2026 DL Malik Brooks Talks Notre Dame, Visit Plans

It’s early, but in terms of what Malik Brooks‍ is looking for, the Irish would appear to check some of those boxes.

The 2026 California defensive lineman landed an offer from Irish defensive line coach Al Washington earlier this week.

“He said he liked my film,” Brooks said of Washington. “It was kind of surprising because I never thought a school like Notre Dame would come this far West.

“I always knew that Notre Dame was very good at developing defensive players since I was young. That's one thing I've always looked at when it comes to Notre Dame. I always realized that they're good at developing defensive players.”

Washington let the St. Pius X-St. Matthias Academy star know that he wants him to get to Notre Dame for a visit. It’s something Brooks intends to do.

“Of course,” Brooks said. “I'd love to come to South Bend.

“Sometime this summer in June or July, but for sure in that time period.”

Brooks, who also has offers from schools like USC, UCLA, Georgia and Alabama, is looking forward to experiencing Notre Dame.

“I just want to see a lot of hospitality from the coaches,” he said. “I just want to see how they try to take me in.”

His interactions with Washington thus far have been encouraging.

“Coach Washington, he carries himself with a lot of hospitality to other people and that's what I really like about him,” said Brooks.

The 6-foot-5, 320-pounder has already made a couple recent visits and has a couple more in mind.

“I've got plans to go to Oregon and back to Georgia,” he said. “I've already been to USC and UCLA already. They were amazing. Great schools.”

Brooks said location won’t be a factor in his final decision.

“It really won't play any role for me,” he said. “Whatever school really opens my eyes is where I'm going to end up going.

“I'm really looking at the depth chart and not only the depth chart, but the defensive scheme too.”

But Brooks admits he isn’t quite sure what scheme would be best for him at this point.

“I really can't say too much yet because I'm still developing at the same time.”

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