SOUTH BEND, IN: The Notre Dame Fighting Irish have created significant momentum with their football recruiting efforts this April, catching the attention of elite 2027 linebacker Ellis McGaskin after landing four-star defensive back Ayden Pouncey. McGaskin, one of the nation’s top prospects, expressed interest in the Irish with an eye-catching social media post asking if Notre Dame was “the move.”
McGaskin ranks as the No. 135 player in the 2027 class according to On3’s Industry Rankings, placing him as Alabama’s No. 5 prospect and the No. 9 linebacker nationally. His interest represents a potential breakthrough in Notre Dame’s efforts to continue building elite recruiting classes.
Defensive Star’s Production
The Williamson High School (Mobile, Alabama) standout has been a statistical marvel during his young career, recording 142 tackles and 21 tackles for loss as a freshman before following up with 130 tackles and 13 TFLs in his sophomore campaign. This productivity explains why he’s drawing attention from top programs across the country.
While the Auburn Tigers currently lead in his recruitment, Notre Dame’s recent success landing top defensive talent like Pouncey could shift momentum. The ACC program continues to expand its recruiting footprint into SEC territory, similar to their success landing elite talents such as Marcus Freeman’s 2025 class.
Notre Dame’s Building Momentum
McGaskin’s social media interest comes amid Notre Dame’s aggressive push in the 2027 cycle, where they’ve already offered over 100 prospects. The Irish coaching staff has emphasized defensive playmakers, with linebackers being a particular focus for future classes.
The next step will be getting McGaskin to visit South Bend, where Notre Dame has increasingly impressed top recruits with their blend of academic excellence and championship football aspirations.
For the latest on Ellis McGaskin’s recruitment and other College Football updates, keep following Prospect-Radar.com.
