🏈 The Big News Announcement & Profile
On June 18, 2025, 6’7″, 285‑pound offensive tackle Grayson McKeogh, a 4‑star recruit from La Salle College High School (Glenside, PA), publicly committed to Notre Dame for the 2026 class .
Top-Tier Offers
McKeogh chose the Irish over heavy hitters like Penn State, Texas, Alabama, and Ohio State .
Notre Dame’s Recruiting Boost
He marks ND’s 17th overall commitment in 2026 and the fifth offensive lineman, propelling their class into national elite territory .
What Makes McKeogh Stand Out
💪 Physicality & Upside
Rare Physical Tools — At nearly 6’8″ with a long, athletic frame, he excelled in track as well, notably performing a now-viral backflip — unusual for an OT .
Still Developing — Coaches see room for 30‑40 pounds of added mass in college .
🛡️ Technique & Comparison
Solid Work Ethic — Showcases impressive pad level and movement-footwork for his size; technical refinement (hand placement, replicability of footwork) is coachable .
Ceiling vs History — Though early comparisons swirl around Joe Alt, ND insiders liken McKeogh’s trajectory more to former Pitt OT Brian O’Neil, who developed into an ACC stalwart and second-round NFL pick .
Recruiting & Rankings Breakdown
⭐ Recruiting Grade
Service Star Rating National Rank OT Rank
Rivals 4⭐ #210 #23
On3 4⭐ #181 #16
247Sports 3⭐ — #31
ESPN Scout 79 — #43
Ranked within Rivals’ 250, top‑5 in PA and top‑25 at OT nationally .
🏟️ Recruitment Timeline
Visited Penn State (June 6–8) and Notre Dame (June 13–15), canceled Texas visit planned for June 20–22 after committing .
Impact on Notre Dame
📈 Team Rankings Surge
ND’s 2026 class climbed into the top 3 nationally (247 Composite Rankings) thanks in part to McKeogh .
According to On3’s Industry model, his pledge was instrumental in improving ND’s class score to #2 nationally .
🔧 Offensive Line Depth
Now ND boasts five OL commits: McKeogh joins Sullivan Garvin (MI), Tyler Merrill (PA), Ben Nichols (MI), and Gregory Patrick (MI) — a mix of tackle and interior line prospects .
Coaches, led by OL coach Joe Rudolph, have built a versatile, high‑ceiling unit. McKeogh adds unique left‑tackle potential to that mix .
Player Profile: Strengths & Development Areas
Strengths
Extreme Athleticism: Combines size with nimble footwork; ideal for move blocks and tracking second-level defenders .
Powerful Play Style: Plays with energy and violence — physical traits are “can’t teach” qualities .
Areas to Polish
Technique Needs Work: Foot placement and consistent hand use remain somewhat raw — but staff views these as fixable.
Strength & Frame Growth: Still filling out, transition to college training expected to add mass .
Why This Matters for Notre Dame
Recruiting Rivalries Won: Landing McKeogh deals a blow to Penn State, with local media noting ND beat PSU “in‑state favorite” status .
Continuous OL Pipeline: ND has developed a reputation for consistently signing top OL talent — McKeogh helps affirm that narrative .
Strategic Class Building: With already strong depth across positions, this OL addition boosts guard depth and tackle potential — essential for Marcus Freeman’s competitive roster.
Looking Ahead for McKeogh
Development Path: Coaches expect to mold him into either a starting left tackle or a versatile starter via strength gains and technique grind.
Future Outlook: If progression continues, McKeogh could be a multi-year starter and potential NFL prospect — his ceiling mirrors top-tier OL success stories.
Final Word
Grayson McKeogh’s commitment is a huge recruiting win for Notre Dame:
It gives the Irish a prototypical athletic tackle with massive room for improvement — an ideal fit in ND’s elite OL farm system.
The pledge strengthens class rankings, intensifies recruiting rivalries, and showcases Notre Dame’s sustained ability to secure top national talent.
With McKeogh now part of the 2026 mix, the Fighting Irish are further bolstering their future in the trenches — a foundation that might pay massive dividends on the field in the years to come.