Incoming Notre Dame OL Grayson McKeogh Ready To Go

Grayson McKeogh‍ is just days away from beginning his Notre Dame career, and the reality of enrolling early is starting to set in for the 2026 offensive line signee from Pennsylvania.

“It’s really starting to hit me,” McKeogh told Irish Sports Daily before departing for South Bend on Friday.

“I’ve kind of been pushing it off for a while and these last couple of days it’s really been hitting me, just kind of enjoying everything for the last time.”

That mix of excitement and reflection defined his final stretch before the move to South Bend.

“100 percent,” McKeogh said when asked if the moment feels bittersweet. “Because I’m so excited and I can’t wait to get out there, but at the same time, I mean, I’m going to miss a lot of stuff here.”

The 6-foot-8, 285-pounder was more intentional about soaking in time with the people around him as the days wound down.

“I think the biggest thing is just friends and family,” he said. “I’ve been with the same amount of people every day and kind of just seeing them.

“If I was with the same people a week ago, I would’ve thought nothing different of it. But I saw a bunch of people (this week) and I really told myself that this is probably the last time I’ve seen them for a while.”

Despite the emotions tied to leaving, McKeogh is confident in the decision to enroll early and believes it will pay dividends long term.

“I think it’s definitely going to help my improvement in the long run,” he said. “Getting that extra six months of work, getting that time to get stronger and quicker. So when that time comes in the offseason, I can just hit the ground running.”

The messaging from Notre Dame’s staff has focused on preparation and embracing the workload that comes with arriving ahead of schedule.

“They’ve just said to keep your head on straight,” McKeogh said. “They’re going to throw a lot at you. But at the same time, you’re here earlier, so they have more time to work with you and go through the fundamentals a little slower.

“But we’re really going to work and hit the ground running as soon as I get there.”

McKeogh expected that work to begin immediately.

“I think I have a lift the day I get there,” he said.

He will also be part of a large group of early enrollees, something McKeogh views as a major benefit as everyone adjusts together.

“They’ve done a really good job bringing all the guys together,” he said. “I think I’ve met in person probably almost every one of the other recruits. That’s a huge benefit, being able to go through everything with people who are similar to you, doing the same things as you, right by your side the whole time.”

McKeogh will not be making that transition alone. He was set to arrive in South Bend alongside Joey O'Brien‍, his longtime teammate at La Salle College High School and a fellow 2026 Notre Dame signee at safety.

“I think that’s going to be really cool,” McKeogh said. “Everything’s going to be new. I’m meeting a lot of new people and seeing a lot of new faces every day, but it’ll be cool to see Joey every day. Somebody I’ve seen for the last four years of my life and another four ahead.”

For McKeogh, that familiarity adds a sense of balance as he prepares to take the next step.

“I think the best way to describe it is grounding. It gives you a sense of where you came from and who you grew up with.”

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