Elijah Golden to announce college choice

Elijah Golden, a Florida four-star defensive lineman, will announce his college commitment this weekend among four programs.

Elijah Golden selects Notre Dame reshaping the 2026 class

Elijah Golden, a Florida four-star defensive lineman from Cardinal Mooney, is set to announce his college choice this weekend. The decision pits Notre Dame, Alabama, Oklahoma and Virginia Tech after he officially visited all four programs in June. At 6-foot-3.5 and 278 pounds, Golden has broad interest from 35 Power Five programs, with offers from major programs such as Georgia, Clemson, Ohio State, Michigan, Texas, Oregon, Penn State and Texas A&M. Rivals ranks him as the No. 191 overall prospect, No. 19 on the defensive line, and No. 26 in Florida. His path includes a transfer from King George High in Virginia to IMG Academy and then Cardinal Mooney, where he has played for two years under head coach Jared Clark.

Golden’s announcement has drawn particular attention after a June visit circuit left Notre Dame with momentum. On June 29, Blue & Gold reported Golden would reveal his decision on July 26, and RPM predictions leaned Notre Dame’s way. He postponed the date by two weeks on July 17, as Oklahoma surged and Alabama and Virginia Tech stayed in the mix.

Golden will announce his decision on Saturday, Aug. 9, at 3:30 p.m. ET on the CBS Sports College Football YouTube channel, with four hats on the table representing Alabama, Notre Dame, Oklahoma and Virginia Tech. Last season, he posted a strong stat line in 11 games and earned MaxPreps second-team junior All-America honors, underscoring why the recruiting race is so intense for this 6-3, 278-pound defender.

This recruitment shows how a single decision can ripple through a class and a program’s public image. The four-hat ceremony creates a dramatic moment that can sway perception as much as it signals a choice. Predictions from RPM and reporting had Notre Dame in the lead at times, but Oklahoma’s late push and Alabama’s depth kept the outcome uncertain until the final moment. The race also highlights how official visits and timing shape expectations in a crowded field.

If Golden chooses Notre Dame, the Irish would gain a major fill for the 2026 class and improve a national ranking that had Notre Dame around No. 4 at recent checkpoints. For Alabama and Oklahoma, the decision reinforces how every top DL target matters in a class that is already deep at the position. For Virginia Tech, it is a reminder that the hunt for interior defensive line help remains open. The outcome will test both prediction machines and the on-the-ground work done by coaches and recruiters in the months leading to signing day.

Highlights

The decision will echo beyond a single program and shape the Irish 2026 class.