Notre Dame football looks shut out of top target’s race after rival enters

There was a time when the Notre Dame football team looked like it was about to land a very talented defensive line prospect in IMG Academy’s Elijah Golden. Considering that the 4-star recruit recently called an offer from Michigan his “dream offer” it certainly doesn’t seem as though Marcus Freeman and company should be considered the front runner.

That the Wolverines stand out when you consider that the elite 6-foot-4, 260-pounder has landed well over double-digit offers in his recruitment, it’s even worse.

He’s made no mistake that he was hoping to add another from the defending national champions. Now that it’s come, Notre Dame football is probably better off looking to move on. Of course, that’s even more annoying because of who could be potentially chasing them off.

Notre Dame football looks shut out of top target’s race after old rival enters the picture

It’s not just that Elijah Golden was hoping to get an offer from Michigan. It’s not just a dream offer. It’s his dream school. He really didn’t hide that at all when he talked about the Wolverines coming calling to 247Sports.

"That was the dream offer growing up! I like everything about them. They have a good system over there. Everything about Michigan I like!"

Golden, who received an offer from Notre Dame football on Pot of Gold Day (of all days) had been seemingly leaning towards the Irish as recently as last month. However, even before the old rival came calling, it appeared that North Carolina was jumping into the lead.