Notre Dame Football’s Focus Shifts to “Can’t Miss” DL Target Elijah Griffin After Disappointing Few Days for Interior Line

The Notre Dame Fighting Irish have long prided themselves on their ability to build competitive defenses from the inside out. For decades, dominant interior linemen have set the tone for some of South Bend’s most formidable units. However, the past few days have dealt a pair of stinging blows to Notre Dame’s 2025 recruiting cycle, particularly in the trenches. And now, the Irish coaching staff must recalibrate — not with despair, but with renewed focus. Enter Elijah Griffin, the nation’s No. 1 defensive line prospect and the new “can’t miss” target for Notre Dame football.

A product of Savannah Christian Prep in Georgia, Griffin stands at a chiseled 6-foot-5 and 285 pounds, blending elite athleticism with brute power and polished technique rare for a high school player. His offer sheet is as extensive as it is impressive, including Georgia, Alabama, Florida State, USC, and Ohio State, to name just a few. And now, he’s vaulted from one of many elite defensive line prospects on Notre Dame’s board to the defensive line prospect the Irish cannot afford to miss.

This development follows a turbulent week in Notre Dame’s defensive line recruiting efforts. First, top-100 interior lineman Maxwell Roy committed to Penn State, a tough regional loss considering the effort Notre Dame had poured into his recruitment over the past few months. Shortly after, another priority target, Michael Carroll, trimmed his list and did not include Notre Dame, despite repeated visits and strong prior interest. These two setbacks have left the Fighting Irish’s 2025 defensive tackle board looking thinner than expected — especially considering the defensive identity Marcus Freeman wants to preserve and strengthen.

Griffin’s appeal goes beyond rankings. What separates him is the blend of physical traits, technique, and mental acuity. On tape, he’s more than just a disruptor — he’s a game wrecker. He shows an uncanny ability to shoot gaps, diagnose plays quickly, and convert speed to power in an instant. Coaches and analysts alike have likened his movement skills to those of a much lighter edge rusher, but with the anchor and mass of a true interior defender. In the modern college game, that versatility is invaluable.

But make no mistake, winning Griffin’s commitment will be a battle. Right now, Georgia is seen as the frontrunner. The Bulldogs have the in-state advantage and a recent track record of developing elite defensive linemen into NFL first-round picks. Florida State has also made a strong push, pitching Griffin on being the focal point of its defense in a way that might not be possible at a talent-rich powerhouse like Georgia or Alabama. Meanwhile, programs like USC and Ohio State offer elite branding and development pitches, hoping to appeal to Griffin’s aspirations beyond college.

Still, there’s reason for optimism in South Bend. Notre Dame defensive line coach Al Washington has taken a personal lead in Griffin’s recruitment, and the Irish have been relentless in their messaging. They’ve highlighted their track record of developing defensive linemen, particularly under Freeman and former defensive coordinator Mike Elston. And Notre Dame continues to sell the big-picture pitch: academics, national brand recognition, NFL development, and — most importantly — opportunity.

That last point could prove to be a tipping factor. Unlike some of the programs on Griffin’s shortlist, Notre Dame doesn’t have a logjam of five-star linemen ahead of him. If Griffin were to choose the Irish, he’d have a real shot at early playing time, especially with how fluid Notre Dame’s depth chart is expected to be following the 2024 season. Multiple current interior linemen are likely NFL-bound or aging out, leaving a vacuum in the middle that a talent like Griffin could step into quickly.

Moreover, there’s a growing sentiment that Griffin is open to carving his own path. Despite his Georgia roots, he hasn’t shied away from considering out-of-region programs. Notre Dame, with its unique blend of tradition, exposure, and elite education, represents a compelling alternative. That’s a door the Irish are hoping to wedge wide open with a strong June official visit push. Sources indicate Griffin is expected to be on campus before the end of the month — and the coaching staff is preparing to roll out the red carpet.

The Irish will have to capitalize not only on the visit, but also on the personal relationships they’ve been cultivating. Players in Griffin’s position don’t commit on a whim — they trust staffs that have made consistent, genuine efforts. Freeman’s leadership and recruiting prowess have often been praised, and this recruitment offers another moment for him to flex both his personal charisma and vision for Notre Dame’s defensive future.

Another factor working in Notre Dame’s favor: the recent emergence of its NIL program. For a long time, the Irish lagged behind in the NIL space, but those gaps have narrowed significantly over the last 18 months. And while Notre Dame may never be a “pay-for-play” school in the mold of some SEC powerhouses, it can now offer legitimate, competitive packages — especially for top-tier talent like Griffin. That could help neutralize the in-state pressure he’ll surely face to stay close to home.

There’s also the broader context of the 2025 defensive tackle class. After Griffin, there’s a steep drop-off in top-tier national prospects. Combine that with the Irish missing out on Roy and Carroll, and it becomes clear just how important this recruitment is to the shape of the entire 2025 defensive front. Notre Dame can’t afford to go 0-for-3 on its elite interior targets — not if it hopes to continue building a defense capable of winning College Football Playoff matchups.

Recruiting in this era is as much about narrative and timing as it is about scheme and need. Right now, Notre Dame can present a compelling story: You, Elijah Griffin, can be the face of our next great defensive unit. You can be the centerpiece of a reload, not a rebuild. You can blaze a trail to the NFL in a program that develops both the body and the mind. And you can do it while earning a degree that will matter long after football.

The challenge, of course, is making that pitch land against a chorus of other powerful recruiting voices. But Notre Dame has been here before. And with Freeman at the helm, the Irish have never backed away from a high-profile recruiting battle — especially when the target is as impactful as Elijah Griffin.

In many ways, Griffin now represents more than just a recruiting goal. He’s a litmus test for where Notre Dame stands in the modern NIL-fueled, transfer-portal-heavy college football landscape. Landing him would send a message: that Notre Dame can win in the trenches not just on Saturdays, but on the recruiting trail as well. Missing out — especially following recent disappointments — could raise larger questions about how Notre Dame can consistently compete for top-10 classes while maintaining its academic and institutional principles.

There’s still time. Griffin isn’t expected to make a decision before the fall, and he’s indicated that he wants to take his official visits before narrowing down his choices. For Notre Dame, that’s both a challenge and an opportunity. There’s more work to do — but there’s also more time to build, more time to sell, and more time to make sure that when Elijah Griffin finally makes his choice, South Bend is not just in the conversation, but at the center of it.

Notre Dame football has always been defined by its resilience, its clarity of purpose, and its belief in the power of recruiting the right kind of players. In Elijah Griffin, they see not just a need, but a fit. And in the wake of recent setbacks, his importance has only grown.

Now the chase begins in earnest. For Marcus Freeman and the Irish, it’s all eyes on Griffin — the “can’t miss” target they absolutely must not miss.