2026 TE Gavin Mueller down to four schools with commitment date set

In just a couple of weeks, South Elgin (Ill.) three-star tight end Gavin Mueller will make his college decision.

On Tuesday, the 6-foot-6, 230-pounder announced that he’s set to commit on May 14. He will choose between a final four of Colorado, LSU, Notre Dame and Wisconsin.

Mueller is the No. 502 overall prospect and No. 22 TE in the 2026 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He’s also the No. 13 player in Illinois.

It’s been a hectic push to the finish line for Mueller. After unofficially visiting Notre Dame earlier this month, he took an official to Wisconsin over the weekend. Up next, he’ll take OVs to Colorado and LSU across the next two weekends in the lead-up to his commitment.

The On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine currently favors Luke Fickell and the Badgers. Wisconsin is less than 100 miles away from South Elgin.

Mueller’s top schools list was previously nine, with Arkansas, NC State, Ole Miss, Purdue and Texas A&M not making Tuesday’s cut. While Notre Dame is a finalist, the Fighting Irish are not receiving an OV from Mueller before he makes his decision. That isn’t ruling out Marcus Freeman and Co. from landing his pledge, however.

“I have an accelerated commitment day in mid-May, and they are not doing any official visits in early May or April. So, we’ll see what happens,” Mueller told Blue and Gold about ND’s chances earlier this month. “It’s definitely a great school, great football team, and all that. So if the pieces fall into place, it could definitely work out.”

LSU offered in March and immediately became a top contender. He visited Baton Rouge this spring and will be back in town just before his commitment date. Tigers tight ends coach Alex Atkins has made an impact on his recruitment.

“He explains things very well not like a normal coach. He’s more articulate,” Mueller said of Atkins when speaking with The Bengal Tiger earlier this month. “They’re definitely high on the list,” he added.

None of Mueller’s four finalists currently have a tight end prospect committed in the 2026 cycle. LSU has the nation’s No. 1 class, according to the On3 Industry Team Recruiting Rankings. Mueller would be the second highest-ranked commit in Wisconsin’s class. Colorado currently has just one pledge in its class, as of April 29.