Devin <a href="https://news.quantosei.com/2025/07/05/wr-kaydon-finley-chooses-notre-dame-over-fathers-alma-mater-texas/” title=”Breaking: Kaydon Finley Picks Notre Dame Over Texas Legacy”>fitzgerald, a highly sought-after wide receiver in the class of 2026 and the son of legendary NFL wideout Larry Fitzgerald, has announced his verbal commitment to the University of Notre Dame football program. This significant pledge solidifies Notre Dame’s burgeoning 2026 recruiting class, adding another layer of talent and pedigree to the Fighting Irish roster. The announcement came on Saturday, July 5th, concluding a recruitment process where Notre Dame emerged as a clear favorite.
Fitzgerald’s interest in the South Bend campus was apparent well before he received his official scholarship offer from the Irish coaching staff. That pivotal offer arrived in May, immediately positioning Notre Dame as a serious contender for the talented Arizona native. He quickly adjusted his busy official visit schedule to include a trip to South Bend, demonstrating the university’s strong pull while strategically maintaining his pre-planned July 5th announcement date. His decision ultimately came down to Notre Dame over other prominent finalists, including UCLA, Stanford, and Clemson.
The Path to South Bend: Building Connections
Fitzgerald’s journey to this commitment involved multiple visits to Notre Dame over the past year, even before he officially received the scholarship offer. These early trips were crucial, allowing him to forge meaningful connections with members of the 2026 recruiting class who would eventually become his future teammates. The camaraderie and shared vision among the recruits during these visits played a significant role in his decision-making process.
His recruiting profile saw steady growth throughout the early months of 2025, culminating in the Notre Dame offer in May. Before that offer, he had already locked in official visits to Clemson, Stanford, and North Carolina and had completed a visit to UCLA. The Irish offer prompted a swift change of plans, as he arranged an official visit to South Bend for the weekend of June 13th.
A “Great Experience” Seals the Deal
The June 13th visit proved decisive. Fitzgerald described the trip as “a great experience,” specifically highlighting how well he connected with the other Notre Dame commits present on campus during that weekend. This connection to the existing class, combined with strong relationships with the coaching staff, ultimately solidified his choice. Notably, the Irish have seen a wave of commitments from uncommitted visitors who attended that same June 13th weekend, with six of the nine choosing Notre Dame shortly thereafter.
Central to Fitzgerald’s recruitment was his long-standing connection with Notre Dame wide receivers coach Mike Brown. Their relationship reportedly began through his father about a decade ago, and Coach Brown actively recruited Devin since June 2023, well before the May offer. Fitzgerald sees himself as a versatile fit in Coach Brown’s offense, envisioning a role similar to current player Jaden Greathouse, capable of playing both outside and in the slot. The coaching staff specifically expressed a need for a “50/50 jump-ball guy,” a role Fitzgerald believes he can fill effectively with his size and receiving ability.
Physical Profile and On-Field Production
Devin Fitzgerald possesses an impressive physical build for a young receiver, listed at 6-foot-2 and weighing between 195 and 205 pounds. This size gives him a natural advantage in contested catch situations, aligning with the coaching staff’s noted need for a player with his skills.
During his junior season at Brophy College Preparatory in Phoenix, Arizona, Fitzgerald was a major impact player. Playing over 13 games, he recorded 52 receptions for 720 yards and hauled in nine touchdowns. His strong performance contributed to Brophy’s successful season, which saw them earn the No. 1 seed in the state 6A bracket and reach the semifinals. He earned second-team All-Central Region honors for his efforts. According to 247Sports analyst Greg Biggins, Fitzgerald is considered a “legitimate high major, NFL prospect in his own right,” possessing the tools to be an “immediate impact player at the next level.”
Development and Brophy Prep Connection
Brophy Prep head coach Jason Jewell has observed Fitzgerald’s significant development firsthand. Coach Jewell described him as a “big receiver” who has made “tremendous progress in the last year.” He noted that Fitzgerald dramatically “changed his body” and evolved from a “spot player” as a sophomore to an “impact player” during his junior year. While Coach Jewell deliberately avoids comparisons to Devin’s famous father, he praised Devin’s “phenomenal hands,” “great size,” and highlighted his “awesome spring,” stating that his current high level of recruitment is not surprising given his recent strides.
The commitment also continues a strong pipeline from Brophy Prep to Notre Dame. Fitzgerald hails from the same high school program that produced former Irish star cornerback Ben Morrison and currently features incoming freshman cornerback Cree Thomas. This existing connection provides a familiar face and environment as Fitzgerald prepares to transition to college football.
A Class of Legacies and Growing Talent
Devin Fitzgerald’s commitment is the 24th verbal pledge for Notre Dame’s impressive Class of 2026. He is the fourth wide receiver to join the class, aligning himself with fellow pass-catching commits Kaydon Finley (son of former NFL tight end Jermichael Finley, who committed just the day before), Dylan Faison, and Bubba Frazier. The Irish staff appears poised to potentially add a fifth receiver in the near future, with Texas prospect Brayden Robinson expected to announce his decision soon.
This 2026 class is quickly gaining a reputation for its collection of NFL legacies. In addition to Fitzgerald and Finley, the class also includes four-star linebacker Thomas Davis Jr., son of longtime NFL linebacker Thomas Davis Sr. This trend highlights Notre Dame’s success in attracting top talent with significant football bloodlines.
As of his commitment, Fitzgerald holds a three-star rating from 247Sports Composite, where he is ranked as the No. 453 player nationally and the No. 72 receiver in his class. On3/Rivals similarly rates him as a three-star prospect, ranking him No. 14 in Arizona and No. 150 among 2026 wide receivers, with expectations for his ranking to improve. The Class of 2026 is currently ranked No. 4 nationally by 247Sports Composite, a testament to the quality of commits like Fitzgerald that Notre Dame is attracting.
The Larry Fitzgerald Legacy
Adding immense context to Devin’s commitment is his lineage. He is the son of Larry Fitzgerald, a future Pro Football Hall of Famer and one of the greatest wide receivers in NFL history. Larry Fitzgerald’s collegiate career at Pittsburgh was brief but legendary, earning him a spot in the College Football Hall of Fame after just two seasons. He finished his college career with record-breaking stats and was a Heisman Trophy runner-up. His 17-season NFL career, all with the Arizona Cardinals, saw him become an 11-time Pro Bowler and finish second all-time in NFL receiving yards. Devin inherits a significant football pedigree, bringing a well-known name and high expectations with him to Notre Dame.
Interestingly, the Arizona State University program, led by coach Kenny Dillingham, had extended an offer to Devin in January. His father, Larry Fitzgerald, had publicly expressed praise for Dillingham and the direction of the ASU program at the time, calling them “truly on the rise.” However, Devin ultimately did not include ASU among his final four schools, representing a “missed opportunity” for the local program, particularly given their recent challenges in securing 2026 wide receiver commits.
Fitzgerald himself expressed optimism about Notre Dame’s future trajectory. He is confident in potential starting quarterback CJ Carr’s abilities and looks forward to playing in offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock’s scheme, hoping for an offense that utilizes the pass frequently, similar to Denbrock’s success at LSU. While acknowledging Notre Dame’s consistently strong defense provides a solid foundation for winning, Fitzgerald is eager to contribute offensively and believes the program is on the path to competing for a national championship.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of player is Devin Fitzgerald and what role might he play at Notre Dame?
Devin Fitzgerald is a 6-foot-2, 195-205 pound wide receiver from Phoenix, Arizona. He had a productive junior season at Brophy Prep with 52 catches for 720 yards and 9 touchdowns. Coaches and analysts describe him as a “big receiver” with “phenomenal hands” and the potential to be an “immediate impact player.” Notre Dame coaches envision him as a versatile receiver capable of playing both outside and in the slot, mentioning a need for a “50/50 jump-ball guy” that fits his physical profile and skill set.
Who are the other wide receivers committed to Notre Dame in the 2026 class?
Devin Fitzgerald is the fourth wide receiver to commit to Notre Dame’s Class of 2026. He joins Kaydon Finley from Texas, Dylan Faison from Florida, and Bubba Frazier from Georgia. Kaydon Finley is also the son of a former NFL player, Jermichael Finley. The Irish are potentially looking to add a fifth receiver to this talented group as well.
What is Devin Fitzgerald’s connection to NFL star Larry Fitzgerald?
Devin Fitzgerald is the son of Pro Football Hall of Fame wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald. His father had a storied college career at Pittsburgh before playing 17 seasons in the NFL, all with the Arizona Cardinals, where he became one of the league’s all-time leaders in receiving yards and touchdowns. Devin’s commitment brings a significant football pedigree to the Notre Dame program.
In committing to Notre Dame, Devin Fitzgerald brings not only his own promising talent but also a renowned legacy to South Bend. His strong relationships with the coaching staff and fellow commits, coupled with the university’s blend of academics and high-level football, proved to be the winning combination. As the 24th commit in a highly-ranked 2026 class, Fitzgerald is set to be a key piece of the Fighting Irish’s future offensive plans.
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