“FAMILY TIES AND FIGHTING IRISH: Devin Fitzgerald, Son of NFL Legend Larry Fitzgerald, Commits to Notre Dame Over UCLA in Legacy-Building Move”
In a decision that reverberated through both the college football world and NFL circles, three-star wide receiver Devin Fitzgerald, the son of legendary Arizona Cardinals wideout Larry Fitzgerald, has committed to the University of Notre Dame. Choosing the Fighting Irish over UCLA and several other major programs, Devin’s announcement not only added another promising talent to Notre Dame’s ever-growing 2025 class, but also extended a lineage of NFL greatness into one of college football’s most iconic institutions. The commitment underscores the enduring appeal of Notre Dame’s combination of elite athletics, academic rigor, and rich history, as it continues to be a preferred destination for the sons of NFL stars seeking to write their own legacies.
Devin Fitzgerald, ranked as a three-star recruit by most major scouting services, has demonstrated steady development and high upside during his high school career. At 6-foot-1 and 185 pounds, he’s shown flashes of the physicality, route discipline, and high-point catching ability that defined his father’s Hall of Fame career. Though Devin hasn’t yet reached the elite five-star stratosphere, recruiting insiders have noted that his pedigree, work ethic, and late-blooming athleticism make him a potentially high-impact player at the collegiate level. His commitment to Notre Dame also signifies more than a football move—it is a statement about culture, legacy, and the future direction of the Fighting Irish receiving corps.
The weight of carrying the Fitzgerald name into South Bend is not lost on anyone. Larry Fitzgerald carved out a 17-season career with the Arizona Cardinals that included 11 Pro Bowl appearances, nearly 17,500 receiving yards, and a reputation for class, consistency, and competitiveness. While Devin has often spoken with admiration about his father’s career, he’s also been clear in interviews that he is intent on forging his own path. That determination was evident in his recruitment process, where he approached each visit and evaluation with a quiet professionalism reminiscent of his father but maintained a focus on finding the right fit for his own journey.
Notre Dame ultimately offered Devin something unique: a storied program with a national platform, a commitment to developing complete student-athletes, and a recent track record of sending wide receivers to the next level. The Irish coaching staff, led by Marcus Freeman, emphasized player development, academic balance, and long-term growth in their pitch to Devin. While UCLA provided the allure of Los Angeles and proximity to NFL scouting infrastructure, Notre Dame presented a broader vision—one that would prepare Devin not only for the NFL but for leadership well beyond the field.
The decision also continues a growing trend of Notre Dame attracting the sons of NFL legends. In recent years, the Irish have landed commitments from recruits with NFL bloodlines—prospects whose fathers once thrilled Sunday crowds and who now entrust Notre Dame to mold their children into the next generation of stars. That trust speaks volumes about Notre Dame’s reputation among NFL veterans, who understand what it takes to build a football career and see South Bend as fertile ground for character and talent cultivation. Devin’s commitment further validates that perception, reinforcing the university’s place in the elite tier of programs that combine gridiron excellence with academic prestige.
From a football perspective, Devin fills a key need for Notre Dame’s offense. The Irish have been working to reestablish a dominant passing attack to complement their traditionally strong run game and stout defense. While the program has produced capable receivers over the past decade, it has sometimes lacked game-breaking threats on the outside. Devin brings a toolbox that suggests long-term potential as both a possession receiver and a red-zone target. His crisp route-running, reliable hands, and football IQ—developed over years of watching his father prepare and compete—position him as a future leader in Notre Dame’s receiver room.
Beyond his physical traits, Devin is known for his high character and maturity, qualities Notre Dame prizes in its recruits. He’s been described by coaches and scouts as coachable, detail-oriented, and humble—attributes that reflect both his upbringing and his desire to earn success rather than be handed it. Teammates note that Devin leads by example and is rarely seen without his playbook or training gear. This relentless focus on improvement has made him a favorite among coaches, and it played a major role in Notre Dame’s pursuit of him despite stiff competition from Pac-12 and Big Ten schools.
Larry Fitzgerald’s influence on his son is unmistakable, even if Devin is determined to step out of his shadow. The elder Fitzgerald has often emphasized the importance of education, discipline, and faith—values that align closely with Notre Dame’s ethos. Devin has spoken about the long conversations with his father during the recruiting process and how those discussions helped him focus on long-term goals rather than immediate hype. Ultimately, Notre Dame’s tradition of blending football excellence with intellectual and moral growth resonated with both father and son.
The commitment also comes at a time when Notre Dame is looking to cement itself among the elite in college football’s new landscape. With conference realignments, NIL developments, and the expanded College Football Playoff, programs are under pressure to adapt without losing their identity. Notre Dame, long an independent in football, continues to walk that line with grace. Adding players like Devin Fitzgerald signals that the Irish are not only keeping pace with the times but are doing so in a way that honors their traditions. By attracting both elite talent and high-character individuals, Notre Dame is positioning itself for sustainable success in the modern era.
Reactions to Devin’s commitment have been widespread and overwhelmingly positive. Social media lit up with praise from Notre Dame fans, alumni, and analysts alike. Many lauded the move as a “home run” for Marcus Freeman’s staff, while others focused on the narrative weight of the Fitzgerald name joining forces with Notre Dame’s legacy. Some fans noted the potential for Devin to become a national breakout star in an offense designed to highlight his skillset. Others looked ahead with excitement to the possibility of seeing Devin in big-time matchups against powerhouse programs under the bright lights of NBC’s Saturday night broadcasts.
For UCLA, Devin’s decision represents a near miss in a recruiting cycle where the Bruins have been working hard to secure skill position talent. While UCLA offered a compelling package—including the appeal of sunny Southern California and the chance to be a featured target in their offense—the Bruins couldn’t quite match the comprehensive allure of Notre Dame’s program. Still, recruiting insiders suggest that UCLA made a strong impression and could remain in the mix for other legacy recruits in the future.
As for Devin Fitzgerald, the road ahead will be challenging but filled with promise. He enters a program that demands excellence and offers unparalleled opportunities for development. He will compete with other talented receivers, face elite defenses, and be tested in every facet of his game. But he also joins a fraternity of players who understand the responsibility of wearing the gold helmet and who embrace the challenge of representing a program that stands for more than just football.
In the end, Devin’s commitment is about more than rankings or headlines. It is about legacy—not just the one his father built in the NFL, but the one he is now beginning to write for himself in South Bend. It is about choosing a path of integrity, ambition, and service. And it is about becoming part of something larger than oneself, a team and a tradition that stretches back more than a century and continues to inspire young men to reach their full potential.
Notre Dame fans can now look forward to seeing the next Fitzgerald take the field—not in Arizona red, but in Irish blue and gold. And while the comparisons to his father will surely persist, it won’t be long before Devin Fitzgerald begins to make a name all his own. With a name steeped in NFL lore and a future pointed toward greatness, Devin’s journey is just beginning—and Notre Dame will be the stage where the next chapter unfolds.
