Notre Dame football predicted to land the finishing touch to an elite 2026 recruiting class over SEC foes
Notre Dame predicted to land priority recruiting target.
Head coach Marcus Freeman and the Notre Dame football program had quite the offseason on the recruiting trail. The 2026 recruiting class is already the top rated overall cycle under Coach Freeman, and it has a chance to become even better here soon. There is one missing piece to creating a tremendous overall group.
That player, and it is no secret, is 2026 Sarasota (Fla.) Cardinal Mooney defensive tackle Elijah Golden. The Florida standout was originally set to make his college commitment on July 26th, but instead opted to postpone until August 9th. The Fighting Irish, who were considered to be his top team at the time, were forced to weather the storm.
With fellow finalists Alabama, Oklahoma, and Virginia Tech all in heavy pursuit, it appears they have done just that. Rivals vice president of recruiting Steve Wiltfong put in an expert prediction for Golden to land with Notre Dame heading into his announcement this Saturday.
The magnitude of Notre Dame potentially finishing this one out can’t be understated. Beating out a program like Alabama (who finished second) is monumental. You also added the missing piece for a really, really good defensive line class. That is now a very well balanced and deep overall group in 2026.
Golden is currently rated as the No. 112 overall player and No. 16 defensive lineman in the 2026 recruiting class according to the 247Sports rating. That ranking also has Golden rated as the No. 13 player in the state of Florida, a hotbed for talent each and every year. The 247Sports Composite ranking also has him pegged as the No. 162 overall player and No. 23 defensive lineman in the class.
After playing high school football for IMG Academy in 2023, Golden played at Cardinal Mooney as a junior this past season. In 11 games that the Virginia native played, he managed to collect 61 total tackles, 29 tackles for loss, and 10 sacks. Golden also had eight more quarterback hurries and a pass breakup for the defense.
The recruiting rankings are impressive for Golden, as is his offer list, and production. At 6-3 and 270 pounds, Golden also has the prototype frame to eventually develop into a playmaking three technique on the next level. His combination of an outstanding frame, movement skills, and upside is truly impressive.
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