Notre Dame Football has landed a significant commitment for its 2026 recruiting class: wide receiver Devin fitzgerald. The son of legendary NFL wideout Larry Fitzgerald, Devin announced his decision on Saturday, July 5th, opting to play his college football for the Fighting Irish. This commitment adds another high-profile name to Notre Dame’s impressive incoming group and continues a notable trend for the program under head coach Marcus Freeman.
A New Fitzgerald Takes the Field
Devin Fitzgerald is a promising wide receiver prospect in the 2026 cycle. He plays high school football at Brophy College Preparatory in Phoenix, Arizona. This is the same city where his father spent his entire illustrious NFL career with the Arizona Cardinals.
As a junior at Brophy Prep, Devin showcased his potential. He finished the season with 52 receptions for 720 yards and scored nine touchdowns over 13 games. His performance contributed to his team reaching the state semifinals.
Scouting reports highlight his impressive physical development. Listed at 6-foot-2 and potentially reaching over 200 pounds, he possesses a strong, athletic frame. Evaluators have noted significant improvements in his athleticism, including increased twitch and explosiveness.
Devin Fitzgerald’s Recruitment Journey and Profile
Devin Fitzgerald ranks as a three-star prospect by multiple recruiting services. According to the 247Sports Composite rankings, he is the No. 453 overall player nationally. He is also rated as the No. 72 wide receiver in the 2026 class by the same composite.
Other services like Rivals have him slightly higher, giving him a low four-star grade. On3 places him at No. 150 among 2026 wideouts. Experts suggest his rankings could potentially improve as he continues to develop and after strong performances like being named 7on7 MVP at the OT7 tournament.
Before choosing Notre Dame, Fitzgerald considered several other prominent programs. His list of finalists included Stanford, Clemson, and UCLA, all of which he took official visits to. He also held scholarship offers from schools like Pittsburgh (his father’s alma mater), Michigan, Florida State, Arizona, and Arizona State.
Arizona State made a strong push for Fitzgerald. ASU coach Kenny Dillingham publicly expressed admiration for Larry Fitzgerald’s character and career. Larry Fitzgerald, in turn, praised Dillingham and the ASU program as “truly on the rise.” However, Devin ultimately chose to head to South Bend, Indiana. This decision, along with other receiver misses, presents a challenge for ASU’s 2026 recruiting class.
Following a Legendary Path
Devin’s commitment naturally draws comparisons to his father, Larry Fitzgerald. Larry Fitzgerald remains one of the most respected players in recent NFL history. He had a stellar college career at the University of Pittsburgh. In his remarkable 2003 season, he won the Biletnikoff Award and finished as the Heisman Trophy runner-up. That year, he caught 92 passes for 1,672 yards and 22 touchdowns. His two seasons at Pitt saw him total 161 catches for 2,677 yards and a school-record 34 touchdowns.
Larry Fitzgerald was the No. 3 overall pick in the 2004 NFL Draft. He went on to an illustrious career with the Arizona Cardinals. He retired with the second-most receptions in NFL history (1,432), trailing only Jerry Rice. His career totals include 17,492 receiving yards and 121 touchdowns.
While Devin is forging his own path, growing up around such a prominent football figure provides a unique foundation. Scouting reports mention his polished route running and ball skills. These traits are often seen in receivers with excellent technical training, unsurprising given his lineage.
The Notre Dame Connection
Devin Fitzgerald’s commitment reinforces a notable trend at Notre Dame under Coach Marcus Freeman: recruiting prospects with NFL parentage. The 2026 class now includes multiple sons of former professional stars. Kaydon Finley, son of former NFL tight end Jermichael Finley, also committed to Notre Dame the same weekend. Four-star linebacker Thomas Davis Jr., son of long-time NFL linebacker Thomas Davis Sr., is another legacy commit in the class.
The Fighting Irish have already featured several sons of former NFL players on recent rosters. This includes names like Jordan Clark (son of Ryan Clark), Kennedy Urlacher (son of Brian Urlacher), Bryce Young (son of Bryant Young), and Benjamin Morrison (son of Darryl Morrison). Devin’s commitment continues this pattern.
Notre Dame targeted Devin Fitzgerald deliberately. The coaching staff, including receivers coach Mike Brown and offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock, scouted him thoroughly. The Irish have sought to add depth at the wide receiver position.
Fitzgerald becomes the fourth receiver commitment for Notre Dame’s 2026 class. He joins Kaydon Finley, Bubba Frazier, and Dylan Faison. The program may still add a fifth receiver to the group. This focus indicates the priority Notre Dame is placing on rebuilding its receiving corps through this cycle.
Why Notre Dame? Relationships and Opportunity
Fitzgerald cited several key factors in his decision to commit to Notre Dame. Relationships played a central role. He connected with current players like Thomas Davis Jr. and his former Brophy Prep teammate, cornerback Cree Thomas. He also built strong rapport with the coaching staff, including Coach Freeman, Coach Brown, and General Manager Mike Martin. The existing pipeline from Brophy Prep to Notre Dame, previously established by players like Cree Thomas and Benjamin Morrison, also appealed to him.
The unique combination of elite academics and a top-tier football program was a major draw. Fitzgerald called this blend “pretty hard to compete with.” He also felt a strong sense of camaraderie with other recruits in the class. He noted that they share similar goals on and off the field, which he believes will help push him.
Coach Mike Brown, the wide receivers coach, was particularly influential. Fitzgerald had a long-standing connection with Brown through his father. He felt Brown was actively recruiting him since June of the previous year, even though his official offer came more recently in May.
Fitzgerald sees himself fitting well into Coach Brown and Coach Denbrock’s offense. He envisions playing multiple receiver spots and being a valuable “50/50 jump-ball guy.” He believes this is an area where the team needs depth.
Expert Perspective and Future Outlook
Scouting reports offer a positive outlook on Devin Fitzgerald’s potential. Greg Biggins of 247Sports described him as a “legitimate high major, NFL prospect in his own right.” Biggins believes he has the skills to be an “immediate impact player” in college.
Beyond his physical tools and improved athleticism, Fitzgerald’s technical skills are praised. His polished route running and big hands make him effective catching the ball through contact and winning contested catches. While some scouts note he may lack elite top-end speed, his technical ability is seen as compensating effectively.
Fitzgerald feels optimistic about Notre Dame’s future under Coach Freeman. He is excited about potentially playing with quarterback CJ Carr. He is also hopeful that Offensive Coordinator Mike Denbrock will bring a dynamic passing game similar to his success at LSU.
Notre Dame’s 2026 class currently ranks among the top nationally, sitting at No. 3 or No. 4 depending on the service. Fitzgerald’s commitment strengthens this group. His decision continues the program’s success in attracting talented prospects, particularly those with strong football backgrounds. He believes the combination of Notre Dame’s historical strengths, solid defense, and potential offensive improvements could position the team to compete for a national championship.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Devin Fitzgerald’s rankings and stats as a recruit?
Devin Fitzgerald is a three-star wide receiver prospect in the 2026 class. According to the 247Sports Composite, he is ranked the No. 453 player nationally and the No. 72 receiver. Rivals gives him a low four-star rating. Playing for Brophy Prep in Phoenix, Arizona, he recorded 52 receptions for 720 yards and nine touchdowns during his junior season.
Which other schools did Devin Fitzgerald consider before committing to Notre Dame?
Before committing to the Fighting Irish, Devin Fitzgerald took official visits to and considered Stanford, Clemson, and UCLA as his finalists. He also received scholarship offers from other prominent college football programs across the country, including Pitt (his father’s alma mater), Michigan, Florida State, Arizona, and Arizona State.
What kind of player is Devin Fitzgerald, according to scouting reports?
Scouting reports describe Devin Fitzgerald as a wide receiver with a strong, athletic frame (6-foot-2, over 185 lbs). He has shown significant improvement in athleticism, displaying better twitch and explosiveness. Experts note his polished route running, strong hands, and ability to win contested catches. One evaluation calls him a “legitimate high major, NFL prospect” with the potential to make an immediate college impact.
Conclusion
Devin Fitzgerald’s commitment marks a significant moment for Notre Dame Football’s 2026 class. As the son of an NFL icon, his name brings immediate recognition, but his recruitment profile and scouting reports indicate he is a talented prospect in his own right. His decision underscores Notre Dame’s appeal, combining rigorous academics with a competitive football environment and a growing trend of attracting high-potential recruits with football lineage. Fitzgerald joins a strong incoming class aiming to build future success in South Bend.
