Notre Dame Looking to Close on Top Defensive Lineman Elijah Golden
Star defensive lineman Elijah Golden has a visit set to Notre Dame in April
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Notre Dame Looking to Close on Top Defensive Lineman Elijah Golden
Star defensive lineman Elijah Golden has a visit set to Notre Dame in April
Nick KremerApr 9, 2025 10:15 AM EDT
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Notre Dame is swinging for the fences in the 2026 class, battling to land some of the nation’s best prospects. One of the biggest names left on Notre Dame’s defensive line board for the 2026 class is Elijah Golden. The Sarasota (Fla.) Cardinal Mooney star is among the top prospects in the country and has been a priority for the Irish staff for years. With a big spring ahead, Golden has set up visits to multiple programs, including Clemson, Virginia Tech, and Alabama—where he’ll make two stops. But for Notre Dame, April 17th is set for Golden to visit South Bend.
The Irish have long been considered the leader in Golden’s recruitment, but this is the part of the process where relationships and fit matter more than ever. Notre Dame has put in the work to get to this point, and now, it’s about sealing the deal.
Defensive line coach Al Washington and the rest of the Notre Dame staff have been recruiting Golden since he first started high school, building a very strong relationship over the years.
“My relationship with the staff is great,” Golden said. “They’ve been recruiting me since I was a freshman.”
That level of consistency and commitment has kept the Irish in the thick of his recruitment, but competition remains fierce for the elite defensive lineman. Alabama, Oklahoma, Stanford, Florida, and Virginia Tech are all pushing hard as well.
Golden’s upcoming visit to Notre Dame is crucial, and there’s one thing in particular he’s looking forward to.
“I am hoping to tune in to the practice. I really want to see that,” Golden said.
For a prospect of his caliber, seeing how the Irish operate on the field and in the meeting rooms could play a big role in his final decision. He’s not just looking at the coaching; he’s evaluating the culture, the energy, and how he’d fit into the defensive scheme.
Despite the push from other top programs, Notre Dame remains right in the thick of things.
“They are in there with my other top schools,” Golden said when asked where the Irish stand compared to the rest.
That’s good news for Notre Dame, but it also means there’s still work to do. This visit needs to reaffirm why South Bend could be his future home.
Notre Dame has done a great job in this recruitment, but the competition isn’t backing down. When asked which schools are pushing the hardest, Golden mentioned several powerhouse programs.
“Notre Dame, Alabama, Oklahoma, Stanford, Florida, Virginia Tech,” he said.
Golden is one of the most important targets left on Notre Dame’s board, and April 17th could be a defining moment in this recruitment. The Irish have the relationships, the track record, and the need for a player like Golden. Now, it’s about proving that South Bend is the right place for him to take his game to the next level.
Golden is rated as four-star and the No. 107 player in the nation by 247 Sports. He holds offers from Notre Dame, Alabama, Florida, Michigan, Ohio State, Oregon, Oklahoma, Ole Miss, Penn State, Auburn, Clemson, Georgia, Florida State, Duke, Texas, Texas A&M, Washington, Virginia Tech, Virginia, Georgia Tech, Illinois, Indiana, Louisville, Michigan State, Maryland, NC State, North Carolina, Pittsburgh, South Carolina, Stanford, Syracuse, Vanderbilt, Wake Forest, and West Virginia.
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