2021 In-State DE Rodney McGraw Expecting Notre Dame Visit

Notre Dame is waiting on one final piece to the 2020 defensive line puzzle as Mike Elston and the staff have one of the nation’s top defensive line classes in the country. The early success has allowed them to start working even harder on the 2021 class and Elkhart Central (Ind.) defensive end Rodney McGraw‍ is a name to watch. 

Elston will stop by Elkhart Central on Friday and it will cap off a big week for McGraw as he received an offer from Indiana on Monday.

“I was very shocked,” McGraw said of the Hoosiers offering. “I thought I was going to have to wait another year to get a Big Ten offer. They came in and offered.” 

It wasn’t the first offer from the 6-foot-6, 225-pounder as Ball State, Central Michigan, Toledo and Western Michigan had already offered, but it was his first offer from a Power Five conference. 

“I was excited,” stated McGraw. “I didn’t have anything to say because I was at a loss for words.” 

McGraw is very familiar with Notre Dame as it’s a short drive away. 

“I know it’s very hard to get into Notre Dame with the academics,” said McGraw. “I’m smart enough and I have a good GPA. I’ve been down there for games before too.” 

Despite living 30 minutes away from South Bend, McGraw admits he didn’t grow up a Notre Dame fan, but rather a fan of another elite program in college football.

“I grew up an Alabama fan,” laughed McGraw. “Things change. I’m still an Alabama fan, but I have other teams.” 

When it comes to his recruitment, McGraw has visited two programs, but will get on the road at the end of the spring to see several programs.

“I have visited Iowa and Western Michigan,” McGraw stated. “A lot of schools want me to come visit, but I’m in school right now, so I haven’t had enough time to go visit. I plan on getting out on some visits at the end of the school year.

“I was trying to find out what I liked about the colleges. I liked how hype the football practices were. At both schools, they worked out before they went to practice and I liked that. I want to meet great coaches. Some coaches you meet, they aren’t as nice as you would think they would be.”

Alabama, Miami, Notre Dame and Ohio State are a few of the programs McGraw hopes to see, but he’s excited to work out at camp for the Irish in June. 

“I hope to get an offer out of it, but I’m hoping to learn something new and something I can use next season,” said McGraw. “I want to learn my strengths and weaknesses because I’ll be playing against some of the top players. I won’t be playing against average players when I go to this camp.” 

If Notre Dame does offer, it’s safe to say McGraw would be blown away. 

“It would be one of the greatest things in my life.”