4-Star Pennsylvania OL Grayson McKeogh commits to Notre Dame

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“4-Star Pennsylvania OL Grayson McKeogh commits to Notre Dame.”

4-Star Pennsylvania OL Grayson McKeogh Commits to Notre Dame

Notre Dame’s recruiting momentum continues to surge as Marcus Freeman and his staff have secured the commitment of 2026 four-star offensive lineman Grayson McKeogh, a powerful and athletic prospect out of Malvern Prep in Malvern, Pennsylvania. The 6-foot-5, 290-pound interior lineman announced his commitment to the Fighting Irish on Tuesday evening, choosing Notre Dame over finalists Penn State, Michigan, and Tennessee.

McKeogh becomes the latest blue-chip addition to a 2026 Notre Dame class that is beginning to take shape as one of the program’s most promising groups in recent memory. Widely regarded as one of the top offensive line prospects in the Northeast, McKeogh ranks as the No. 8 interior offensive lineman and the No. 147 overall player nationally according to the 247Sports composite rankings.

“Notre Dame is where I feel I belong,” McKeogh said in a video posted to social media, standing in front of his family, teammates, and coaches. “It’s the combination of elite football, elite academics, and elite people. Coach Rudolph and Coach Freeman made it clear: this is a place for offensive linemen who want to be great—and I want to be great.”

McKeogh visited South Bend twice over the past year, including a key unofficial visit in March and a return trip for the Irish Invasion camp in June. During that visit, he had extended one-on-one time with offensive line coach Joe Rudolph, who emphasized McKeogh’s fit in Notre Dame’s physical, balanced offensive scheme. Sources inside the program say McKeogh’s blend of toughness, quick feet, and high football IQ made him a “top-of-the-board” priority early in the cycle.

“Coach Rudolph told me from the beginning I reminded him of some of the greats who came through there,” McKeogh said. “He didn’t sugarcoat anything. He told me what I needed to improve. That kind of honesty stood out. I knew he was serious about building something.”

A three-sport athlete who also competes in wrestling and track & field (shot put/discus), McKeogh brings an edge to his game that Notre Dame coaches love. As a junior, he anchored a Malvern Prep offensive line that averaged over 230 rushing yards per game and allowed just three sacks all season. He’s been praised by scouts for his tenacity, pad level, and ability to finish blocks in space—attributes that make him an ideal fit for Notre Dame’s interior line future.

“He plays angry and he plays smart,” said Malvern Prep head coach Dave Gueriera. “Grayson is the kind of lineman who sets the tone for a locker room. He doesn’t say much—he just dominates. But he’s also a team-first guy, a student leader, and someone who’s only scratched the surface of what he can become.”

Notre Dame’s offensive line tradition is as rich as any program in the country, producing recent NFL stars such as Quenton Nelson, Zack Martin, Ronnie Stanley, Mike McGlinchey, and Joe Alt, who was selected in the top ten of the 2025 NFL Draft by the New York Jets. That pedigree was not lost on McKeogh or his family.

“We’ve followed Notre Dame for years,” said Grayson’s father, Patrick McKeogh. “When we visited, it felt like home. The way they treat their offensive linemen, the resources they invest in development—it’s second to none. It was clear this wasn’t just a football decision. This was a life decision.”

The addition of McKeogh further cements Notre Dame’s strategy of building elite offensive line classes by blending national talent with regional fit. Though Pennsylvania isn’t a traditional Irish pipeline compared to Indiana, Ohio, or Illinois, Freeman’s staff has pushed aggressively into the Northeast. The 2024 and 2025 classes have already seen key additions from New Jersey and Massachusetts, and McKeogh marks a continuation of that geographic reach.

“He’s physical, polished, and coachable—everything you want in a high-level guard or center,” said Rivals national recruiting analyst Adam Friedman. “Notre Dame got a really smart player here, one who could be a three-year starter if he keeps developing.”

The Irish staff has reportedly discussed the potential of McKeogh starting his college career at center, given his wrestling background and cerebral nature. With Zeke Correll now in the NFL and a pipeline of young guards already in the program, McKeogh could find a path to early playing time through versatility and mastery of the playbook.

Recruiting insiders say that while McKeogh was heavily pursued by in-state Penn State, Notre Dame’s early and consistent attention—along with its academic strength—ultimately swung the tide. Michigan and Tennessee made strong pushes in recent weeks, and both were scheduled for summer visits, but McKeogh canceled those trips after his final visit to South Bend.

“He knew where his heart was after that last visit,” said one source familiar with the recruitment. “Notre Dame checked every box. And he’s wired like a Notre Dame kid.”

McKeogh becomes the third offensive line commit in Notre Dame’s 2026 class, joining Indiana tackle Camden Davis and Florida guard Jamal Burnett. The trio has already begun bonding via group chats and social media, and sources indicate the staff hopes to add at least one more lineman to the class by the end of the fall.

“Grayson is a tone-setter,” one assistant coach said. “Guys want to play with him. He’s got that edge.”

His commitment also brings Notre Dame’s 2026 class to 11 total pledges, including recent commitments from four-star Texas linebacker Austin James and elite cornerback Tyler Greene. Recruiting analysts now project the Irish to rise into the top five nationally once the rankings are updated to reflect McKeogh’s addition.

“I want to be part of a group that wins championships—and does it the right way,” McKeogh said. “Notre Dame builds champions on and off the field. That’s why I’m all in.”

The commitment was celebrated across Notre Dame social media platforms, with offensive line coach Joe Rudolph posting a cryptic “Let’s Work!” tweet moments before McKeogh’s public announcement. Quarterback commit Ryder Sullivan, one of the leaders of the 2026 class, also reposted McKeogh’s video with the caption: “Let’s build a wall ☘️.”

As for McKeogh, his next step is to focus on his senior season at Malvern Prep. With the recruiting process behind him, he says his only goal now is to dominate every Friday night, prepare for early enrollment, and continue to build relationships with his future Irish teammates.

“I’m done with visits. I’m locked in,” he said. “Now it’s about proving I’m worth it—and getting ready to bring that Philly toughness to South Bend.”

Notre Dame fans will get their first in-person glimpse of McKeogh when he returns to campus for the home opener this fall. Until then, the Irish can celebrate yet another key win in the trenches—a commitment that speaks volumes about where Marcus Freeman is taking the program and how Notre Dame continues to position itself as one of college football’s most formidable forces in recruiting and development.