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Newsstand: Larry Fitzgerald comments on son Devin's Notre Dame football commitment

Kyle Kellyby: Kyle Kelly07/07/25ByKyleKelly
devin fitzgerald larry fitzgerald
Notre Dame target Devin Fitzgerald and his dad, NFL legend Larry Fitzgerald. (Photo courtesy of Devin Fitzgerald/IG)

On Saturday, the Notre Dame football program landed arguably its most notable NFL legacy recruit to date under Marcus Freeman, as 2026 wide receiver Devin Fitzgerald — the son of 11-time NFL Pro Bowl wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald — announced his commitment to the Fighting Irish.

Fitzgerald, a senior at Phoenix Brophy College Prep, revealed his decision live on CBS Sports HQ. Afterward, his father spoke about the choice to play college football in South Bend, offering a ringing endorsement of Freeman’s program.

“The reason he chose Notre Dame is because of the connection he had with Coach Freeman and the staff,” the elder Fitzgerald said. “The university is a really special place. Coach Freeman has done a really good job of bringing Notre Dame back to prominence. I’m really looking forward to watching my son and so many other young players go there and excel.”

Fitzgerald is the third NFL legacy recruit to join Notre Dame’s 2026 class, following four-star linebacker Thomas Davis Jr. — the son of three-time Pro Bowler Thomas Davis Sr. — and four-star wide receiver Kaydon Finley, whose father is former Green Bay Packers tight end and Super Bowl XLV champion Jermichael Finley.

Current Irish players with NFL bloodlines include Jerome Bettis Jr. (Jerome Bettis), Elijah Burress (Plaxico Burress), James Flanigan (Jim Flanigan) and Bryce Young (Bryant Young).

Fitzgerald chose Notre Dame over Clemson, Stanford, UCLA and offers from 15 other Power Four programs. As a junior, he caught 52 passes for 720 yards and 9 touchdowns in 12 games.

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Adam Schefter is a senior NFL insider for ESPN.

Derek Young is the publisher of K-State Online on the On3 network.

Finley committed to the Irish on Friday.

Notre Dame Quote of the Weekend

“I’m just looking forward to being a part of that and contributing to definitely winning a natty.”

— Devin Fitzgerald on his excitement for being a part of the future of Notre Dame football. 

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