The Notre Dame football program beat out Penn State for another Pennsylvania offensive lineman yet again.
On Wednesday, Wyndmoor (Pa.) La Salle College offensive tackle Grayson McKeogh announced his verbal commitment to the Fighting Irish. The four-star recruit decided to move up his July 1 decision date by nearly two weeks, committing after his official visit to South Bend last weekend. The 6-foot-7, 280-pound McKeogh ranks as the No. 8 player in Pennsylvania and the No. 21 offensive tackle nationally, according to the On3 Industry Ranking.
Penn State, a finalist, hosted McKeogh for an official visit the weekend of June 6. That marked his fourth trip to Happy Valley, two more than he made to Notre Dame. Yet, the nation’s No. 278 overall player found South Bend to be the best fit.You are who you surround yourself with,” McKeogh told Blue & Gold before publicizing his decision. “I feel that Notre Dame was the best fit.”
Initially slated to visit Texas this weekend, McKeogh canceled that trip following his commitment. He had previously received scholarship offers from 22 other Power Four programs, including Alabama, Florida, Ohio State, Tennessee and Wisconsin. McKeogh is viewed more favorably in On3’s rankings, slotting as the No. 181 overall player, No. 16 offensive tackle nationally and No. 5 player in Pennsylvania in the class.
McKeogh becomes the second Keystone State product to join Notre Dame’s 2026 recruiting class. Mechanicsburg (Pa.) Cumberland Valley four-star offensive lineman Tyler Merrill was the first, committing to the Irish on Jan. 30. The 6-5, 330-pound Merrill, ranked as Pennsylvania’s No. 3 player, is also the No. 128 overall prospect and No. 4 interior offensive lineman in the class.
Notre Dame may not be done recruiting in Pennsylvania in the 2026 cycle, either. McKeogh’s teammate, four-star safety Joey O’Brien, also officially visited South Bend last weekend. O’Brien, a top-40 national recruit, is set to announce his decision Friday. Both McKeogh and O’Brien had Merrill’s attention during their visit.
