Notre Dame football has had quite a handful of NFL veterans commit to the Irish across the years, but this one Irish 2026 commitment dad just earned high praise by earning a spot in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Notre Dame went on to have a historic 2026 recruiting class as Marcus Freeman and company landed four 5-stars and 20 4-stars, ranking as high as the second-best recruiting class in college football. Notre Dame landed elite playmakers on both sides of the field, including the No. 7 overall recruit, Rodney Dunham.
One commitment who has an incredibly high ceiling is Devin Fitzgerald, and while the Phoenix native has made a name for himself, his father set the bar even higher after etching his name in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Larry Fitzgerald named to Pro Football Hall of Fame
Larry Fitzgerald was officially inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame earlier this week as part of the 2026 Hall of Fame Class. Joining Fitzgerald in the class are quarterback Drew Brees, linebacker Luke Kuechly, kicker Adam Vinatieri, and running back Roger Craig.
The 2026 @ProFootballHOF Class! @Novartis | #NFLHonors pic.twitter.com/mS899W2rE6
— NFL (@NFL) February 6, 2026
Fitzgerald was one of the best wide receivers not only of this generation, but of all time. The Pitt alum played 17 seasons in the NFL after being selected No. 3 overall by the Arizona Cardinals. Fitzgerald was nearly unguardable in the NFL as he secured the second-most catches in NFL history with 1,432 receptions, and his 17,492 receiving yards also mark the second-most in NFL history. His 121 receiving touchdowns rank No. 6 in the league's history as well.
Fitzgerald was one of the best wide receivers of all time, and his announcement to the 2026 class comes as no surprise. Now, Notre Dame fans hope Devin can become a wide receiver star just like his dad, as he is part of the Irish’s dominant 2026 recruiting class.
Devin ranked as high as No. 217 overall and No. 28 among wide receivers in the 2026 recruiting class. He is the second-best prospect out of Arizona after he tied Brophy College Preparatory’s school record with his impressive 149 career catches. He also tied the program's record for total catches and touchdowns in a single game.
Fitzgerald ranks No. 2 in the school's history for single-season receptions, receiving yards, and touchdowns. As for his career, he ranks second in career yards and touchdowns, with 2,125 yards and 26 touchdowns.
While no one is expecting Devin to go on and be a top-five wide receiver in NFL history, he has proven he is an elite playmaker on the outside, and he has quite a high ceiling after his dad made the Hall of Fame.