Four-star OT Grayson McKeogh commits to Notre Dame football over Penn State

In a decisive move that reverberated through college football, four-star offensive tackle Grayson McKeogh pledged his commitment to the Notre Dame Fighting Irish on June 18, 2025. The 6-foot-7, 285-pound lineman out of La Salle College High School in Glenside, Pennsylvania chose the Irish over several blue-chip programs, including Penn State, Texas, Alabama, and Ohio State. McKeogh’s commitment marks Notre Dame’s 17th for the Class of 2026 and the second from Pennsylvania, significantly bolstering a class ranked No. 3 nationally in the 247Sports Team Composite Rankings .

McKeogh’s recruitment traced an intriguing arc. Penn State, a natural favorite given his Pennsylvania roots, first extended an offer in November 2024 and hosted him multiple times. By spring 2025, Texas had entered late but made rapid inroads with an official visit set for June . In mid-April, Notre Dame stepped into the mix with a scholarship offer and an unofficial visit in mid-April, featuring intimate engagements with offensive line coach Joe Rudolph and head coach Marcus Freeman. McKeogh described the experience as “awesome,” praising the personalization of the visit from the football staff .

The relationship deepened when Notre Dame coaches—including Rudolph, defensive backs coach Mike Mickens, and director of recruiting Carter Auman—reached out personally. Joe Rudolph even traveled to McKeogh’s high school to solidify the connection . Notre Dame’s approach clearly stood out. According to McKeogh, “All the meetings were just me and my family … They think I’m that guy and can turn out similar to someone like Joe Alt,” referencing the recent Notre Dame first-round tackle turned pro .

This tailored approach contrasted with Penn State, where McKeogh described a strong culture but implied Notre Dame offered something more meaningful and unique in how they treated him and his family .

McKeogh’s official visit schedule underscored the late-season drama. Penn State was first, over the weekend of June 6–8; Notre Dame followed June 13–15; and Texas closed out June 20–22 . That timetable was significant—revealing how closely McKeogh weighed each program in succession, allowing the lessons from each visit to influence the next.

It was widely speculated that McKeogh would set his commitment date for July 1, giving him space to reflect post-visit before announcing publicly . Yet, his decision came two weeks earlier—June 18—highlighting how Notre Dame’s recruiting presentation struck a chord.

Irish head coach Marcus Freeman and staff have placed a premium on the offensive line. With commitments from interior linemen Sullivan Garvin, Ben Nichols, Tyler Merrill, and Gregory Patrick, the staff was clearly looking for a bookend tackle to anchor the unit . McKeogh fits that mold: a massive frame still full of room for growth—around a 6‑7 physical profile with weight projection to another 30–40 pounds, according to evaluators—combined with polished footwork and athleticism on par with former Notre Dame tackle Joe Alt and Pitt’s Brian O’Neil .

Recruiting analysts highlight that McKeogh’s ceiling is immense. Irish Sports Daily quotes ISD’s Jaime Uyeyama comparing him to Brian O’Neil, noting his developmental “trajectory” that included footwork refinement leading to all‑conference and NFL draft success . Notre Dame clearly sees McKeogh as a high-upside project—they’ve repeatedly referred to his athleticism and frame as reminiscent of Joe Alt .

By locking in McKeogh, Notre Dame not only answers the need at left tackle but also reinforces a recruiting ethos that values polish, athletic upside, and a familial, close-knit approach.

McKeogh’s decision adds another chapter to the Ohio State–Penn State–Notre Dame recruiting triangle. Penn State’s early read on him stemmed from geography and program fit; he was raised as a Penn State fan, spoke warmly of their culture and coaching staff, and had visited multiple times . However, Notre Dame’s late yet assertive push—marked by personal visits, home trips by coaches, and tailored touchpoints—flipped the script.

Now, Penn State must pivot and look to other prospects in the region, while Notre Dame solidifies its fuel in a recruiting war that grows ever more national.

Strategically, McKeogh’s commitment locks down a critical position in a class already ranked among the nation’s best. Notre Dame’s 2026 class sits at No. 3 nationally with five offensive line commits (three interior, two tackles), signaling one of the most formidable O-line hauls in the country .

McKeogh’s physical traits—a towering 6‑7, 285-pound frame still with growth room—lend themselves well to developing into a dominant left tackle. He enters a program with a recent track record: Joe Alt, a former first-round NFL pick, and Andrew Kristofic, another standout under Freeman’s regimen.

Notre Dame’s developmental model, which emphasizes athleticism, technique, and adaptability, positions McKeogh to thrive. His raw tools align perfectly with the Irish’s offensive line philosophy.

From McKeogh’s standpoint, Notre Dame provided more than football appeal. Academically, he cited Notre Dame’s prestige, noted its strong business and law curriculum, and valued living within reach of home—a driveable distance versus a cross-country flight .

Moreover, his experience on campus was intimate and relational. Seeded by personal dinners with coaches and their families, McKeogh described Notre Dame as “personal” and “genuine.” He specifically recounted enjoying quality time in the locker room, in meetings, and seeing how coaches and players interacted—and said it stood out more than anything he’d experienced elsewhere .

For McKeogh, the fit ran deep. He appreciated football, academics, culture, and closeness. That formula gave Notre Dame the edge.

Even as McKeogh chose Notre Dame, Penn State’s pitch retained multiple strengths: family proximity, Big Ten football intensity, and an offensive line program known for toughness and NFL pipeline . But Notre Dame’s narrative—premium academics, tailored development, and community bonds—spoke louder.

In the competitive collegiate landscape, Penn State’s chances likely hinged on deepening relationships or presenting a contrasting experience. While McKeogh acknowledged Penn State’s energy and culture, Notre Dame’s treatment resonated more personally .

McKeogh joins Notre Dame with substantial upside. Scouts emphasize his large frame and room for additional strength—anticipating another 30–40 pounds over his career . His athleticism and footwork suggest a natural fit at left tackle, and Notre Dame’s coaches have publicly likened his skill set to Joe Alt’s, referencing his blend of mobility and size .

Yet, McKeogh remains a project. Analysts warn he needs to polish technique, refine leverage, and learn the ins-and-outs of elite-level blocking. But that’s precisely Notre Dame’s strength: coaching developmental O‑line talent.

McKeogh’s signed commitment promises not just immediate depth but the possibility of a future star—one molded by elite coaching, academic rigor, and a community-first atmosphere.

This commitment strengthens Notre Dame’s northern pipeline, tied with its preference for linemen from Michigan and Pennsylvania . It adds geographic diversity, temperament, and profile to a class already lauded for balance and talent.

Future recruits will take note: McKeogh’s choice shows Notre Dame’s ability to close against top-tier competition on the national stage, reinforcing its brand as a place that develops players fully—not just athletically, but intellectually and socially.

Grayson McKeogh’s commitment to Notre Dame is a recruiting win with wide-reaching implications. On the field, he delivers a high-ceiling left tackle to anchor a dominant front five. Off the field, he represents Notre Dame’s successful blend of academics, community, and coaching. For a program vying to return to national championship contention, adding a high-ceiling lineman like McKeogh is a statement.

With the Class of 2026 already brimming with talent and pedigree on the offensive line, McKeogh’s addition might turn ambitious potential into a tangible strength. If he evolves as expected, his narrative may parallel that of Joe Alt and Brian O’Neil—emerging as a cornerstone of Notre Dame’s next great line, and perhaps as the next great Irish offensive line builder.