Few prospects made it to Notre Dame’s 2026 Recruiting Board earlier than Elijah Golden.
So, in a way, it’s fitting that the Florida defensive lineman could represent the final piece of the Irish’s 2026 recruiting puzzle.
Golden just announced his commitment to Notre Dame, giving the Irish 27 verbal commits in the Class of 2026.
At least for the moment, Irish Sports Daily doesn’t have any uncommitted prospects on our 2026 Target List now that Golden has pledged to Notre Dame. That could change during the Fall.
Golden gives the Irish four defensive line commits in the class, joining Edge rushers Rodney Dunham and Ebenezer Ewetade as well as defensive tackle Tiki Hola. The 6-foot-4, 275-pound Golden could be that swing guy who provides versatility.
The Cardinal Mooney High School star chose the Irish over his other finalists; Oklahoma, Alabama and Virginia Tech. He took officials to each of his final four and by the time he took his last trip to South Bend, it was obvious the Irish were in the driver’s seat.
Still, Notre Dame had to sweat a bit. Initially, he was scheduled to make his announcement last month, but delayed it by a couple weeks until Saturday.
It was the combination of academics and athletics that had the Irish near the top of his list for so long and ultimately at the end.
“A Notre Dame degree can hold a lot, lot, lot of weight,” said Golden. “And not just their degree. Their football is second to none.
“Academics are very big for me. The classroom setting is not as big as you would think. Of course you have a few classes that are big sizes, but the setting is not as big.”
Golden first reported to South Bend way back in June of 2023, when he attended a Prospect Evaluation Camp. At the time, he had a handful of offers from schools like Duke, Virginia and Virginia Tech among others, but the mutual interest between Golden and Notre Dame was obvious.
He picked up his offer from the Irish several months later during the 2024 Pot of Gold Day push and would make multiple trips to South Bend afterward.
His connections with Irish head coach Marcus Freeman, assistant defensive line coach Nick Sebastian and especially defensive line coach Al Washington, were crucial to his final decision.
“We have a great relationship,” Golden said of Washington. “I've known him ever since I came my freshman-sophomore year to camp.
“It's very important. I feel like going to the next level and having a good relationship with not only your position coach, but other coaches is good to have.
“I feel like that is key.”
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