The Notre Dame Fighting Irish have added a notable recruit to their roster: Devin Fitzgerald, the son of NFL legend Larry Fitzgerald. Devin announced his commitment on a recent Saturday, choosing Notre Dame over UCLA. This decision adds to the lineage of former NFL stars within the team, as he is currently ranked as the 55th-best receiver in the 2026 class by 247Sports.com. Hailing from Brophy Prep in Arizona, Devin is recognized as a three-star prospect. His commitment underscores the trend of elite college programs recruiting the next generation of talent from the families of established players.
Devin will be joining a talented receiving corps that includes several sons of past NFL stars. Among them are Jerome Bettis Jr., the son of Steelers legend Jerome Bettis, as well as Elijah Burress, whose father is Super Bowl champion Plaxico Burress, and Kaydon Finley, son of Green Bay Packers champion Jermichael Finley. Furthermore, on the defensive side, Thomas Davis Jr., the son of former Panthers All-Pro Thomas Davis, also plans to play at Notre Dame in 2026. This influx of next-generation talent contributes to a unique atmosphere at Notre Dame, where familial legacies intertwine with aspirations for individual greatness.
Fitzgerald’s journey to Notre Dame took a pivotal turn when he received a scholarship offer from the Fighting Irish in May, after a productive junior season in which he notched 52 receptions for 720 yards and nine touchdowns. His relationship with Coach Mike Brown has been particularly significant, as they have known each other since Devin was five years old. With Brown’s guidance, Fitzgerald has seen himself evolve into a more capable player and believes he can make an immediate impact on the field when he arrives in South Bend.
Larry Fitzgerald’s own remarkable career adds another layer of expectation for Devin as he embarks on his collegiate football journey. Larry made headlines as a college star at the University of Pittsburgh, where he earned the Biletnikoff Award in 2003 as a sophomore. He amassed more than 1,000 receiving yards in each of his two seasons before declaring for the NFL Draft, where he was selected third overall by the Arizona Cardinals. Over a storied 17-year career, Larry accumulated 1,432 catches, 17,492 yards, and 121 touchdowns, along with winning the prestigious Walter Payton Man of the Year Award in 2016.
Devin Fitzgerald acknowledges the invaluable support and insight his father provides throughout his recruiting journey. He believes Larry’s experiences and knowledge of the football landscape help guide him in making informed decisions. “Having my dad there to help me throughout the recruiting process has been great,” he reflected, emphasizing the importance of his father’s understanding of what it takes to succeed at the next level.
As Devin Fitzgerald looks ahead to his future at Notre Dame, he joins a significant movement within college football where legacies of past NFL players influence new generations. With the combination of family pedigree and personal talent, he is poised to forge his path in the sport while contributing to the Fighting Irish’s storied program. The presence of other players, whose fathers are also NFL greats, may create a supportive environment for these young athletes as they navigate the pressures and challenges of collegiate athletics.
