Notre Dame Poised To Land 2026 Four-Star Wide Receiver Devin Fitzgerald, Son Of Former NFL Player, In Huge July Commitment

Notre Dame Poised To Land 2026 Four-Star Wide Receiver Devin Fitzgerald, Son Of Former NFL Player, In Huge July Commitment

Notre Dame football continues to make waves on the recruiting trail, and all signs point toward another major addition in the 2026 class. The Irish could be adding the son of a former NFL player to their roster soon, as four-star wide receiver Devin Fitzgerald out of Arizona is set to make his college decision on July 5th. For a program already building serious momentum under Marcus Freeman, this potential commitment could further solidify Notre Dame’s standing as a national recruiting force.

Devin Fitzgerald, a dynamic wide receiver from the state of Arizona, is the son of former NFL defensive back Gerald Alexander. Though Gerald made his name on the other side of the ball, Devin has carved out his own legacy with blazing speed, elite body control, and advanced route-running for a prospect his age. Rated as one of the top wide receivers in the 2026 class, Fitzgerald has caught the attention of top programs across the country. Still, Notre Dame has steadily positioned itself as the favorite heading into his Independence Day announcement.

What makes Fitzgerald’s recruitment so intriguing is the combination of his NFL pedigree, on-field production, and alignment with Notre Dame’s vision for the future. Standing at 6-foot-1 and weighing around 180 pounds, Fitzgerald offers an ideal frame for a modern wideout. He thrives in space, understands how to manipulate defenders with head fakes and leverage, and has a natural feel for finding open zones in coverage. His highlight tape is filled with contested catches, sharp route breaks, and the kind of after-catch acceleration that turns short gains into long touchdowns.

Notre Dame wide receivers coach Chansi Stuckey has been instrumental in this recruitment. Stuckey, who himself played in the NFL, understands the mindset of prospects who grew up around professional football. He’s built a strong relationship with both Devin and his father, focusing not just on football development but also on the holistic Notre Dame experience. Fitzgerald’s family values academics, personal growth, and a structured environment—three areas where Notre Dame has always stood out.

The timing of Fitzgerald’s announcement is important as well. July is traditionally a big month for commitments, with many top prospects choosing to make their decisions before the school year and senior seasons begin. For Notre Dame, landing Fitzgerald would be an early cornerstone for the 2026 class. While it’s still relatively early in the recruiting cycle for that year, a commitment from a high-profile wide receiver could help attract other offensive weapons—and potentially open doors in the Southwest, a region Notre Dame has been increasingly aggressive in targeting.

Fitzgerald has already made multiple visits to South Bend, including a crucial stop in June. That visit reportedly went extremely well, with Fitzgerald getting to spend time with the coaching staff, tour the campus, and get a feel for the team culture. According to sources close to the recruitment, the visit “checked every box” for Fitzgerald and left a strong impression. His family was equally impressed by the academic presentation and the personal attention given to their visit—something not every program can consistently deliver.

Notre Dame’s offensive trajectory also plays a huge role in Fitzgerald’s consideration. Under Marcus Freeman and offensive coordinator Gerad Parker, the Irish are moving toward a more explosive, wide-open offensive scheme. The addition of top quarterback Deuce Knight in the 2025 class was a huge signal to wide receivers that South Bend will be a place where they can shine in the passing game. Devin Fitzgerald’s style—shifty, agile, and capable of playing outside or in the slot—would fit perfectly in that evolving system.

It’s not just about scheme, though. Notre Dame has made a clear pitch to Fitzgerald about player development and NFL preparation. The staff has pointed to players like Chase Claypool, Will Fuller, and Michael Floyd as examples of Notre Dame receivers who thrived in college and moved on to productive NFL careers. With Fitzgerald’s family understanding what it takes to reach that level, the credibility of Notre Dame’s developmental path has clearly resonated.

While other programs like Oregon, USC, and Michigan have also pursued Fitzgerald, Notre Dame has maintained a steady lead in the recruitment. The Irish have made him a priority from the beginning, and their message has remained consistent throughout the process: come to Notre Dame, and you’ll receive elite football coaching, national exposure, and the kind of all-around support that ensures success beyond the gridiron.

Landing a player like Fitzgerald also matters in the context of perception. In today’s recruiting world, optics matter. When top-100 recruits commit to a program like Notre Dame, it signals to other recruits—especially skill-position players—that South Bend is a place where they can achieve their goals. Fitzgerald’s commitment could potentially open the door for other blue-chip athletes, including several West Coast and Arizona-based prospects Notre Dame is actively pursuing in both the 2025 and 2026 classes.

Marcus Freeman has made it clear that his vision for Notre Dame involves being aggressive and fearless on the recruiting trail. The Irish are no longer satisfied with top-10 classes—they’re aiming for top-five, and more importantly, for rosters that can go toe-to-toe with the likes of Georgia, Alabama, and Ohio State. That starts with stacking elite talent year after year, particularly at positions like wide receiver, where explosive playmakers can tilt the outcome of a game with just one touch.

Fitzgerald’s recruitment also speaks to a broader trend within Notre Dame’s strategy: targeting legacy-type players who understand the demands of college football at the highest level. Recruits with NFL bloodlines often enter college better prepared mentally and physically for the transition, and that’s something the Irish staff has leaned into. Just in recent years, Notre Dame has pursued and landed players with strong football pedigrees, understanding that those backgrounds often translate to leadership and maturity.

Devin Fitzgerald checks every box for Notre Dame. He’s talented, coachable, disciplined, and media-savvy. He carries himself like a future team captain, and his understanding of the game is years ahead of most players his age. His ability to grasp advanced concepts and adapt to different coverages makes him an ideal fit for the kind of offense Notre Dame is building—one that relies on timing, trust, and precise execution.

As Fitzgerald prepares to make his decision on July 5th, the anticipation is growing. Notre Dame fans are watching closely, and the staff is quietly optimistic. While no decision is final until it’s made public, the signs all point toward the Irish being in prime position to secure another marquee commitment. If it happens, it will be another major step toward building a national title-contending roster.

Recruiting, as always, is a long game, and there are no guarantees until a signature hits the dotted line. But momentum matters, and Notre Dame has plenty of it. The possible addition of Devin Fitzgerald would not only boost the Irish’s 2026 class ranking—it would send a loud and clear message to the college football world that Notre Dame is here to compete, not just in the classroom and on tradition, but on speed, talent, and game-breaking ability.

As July 5th approaches, all eyes are on Devin Fitzgerald. And if things go the way many expect, Notre Dame may soon be celebrating another win—not just on the trail, but for the future of an offense ready to take flight.