Four-Star LB Ellis McGaskin Decommits from Notre Dame, Eyes SEC Heavyweights
Notre Dame just took a significant hit to its 2027 recruiting class. Four-star linebacker Ellis McGaskin, one of the most highly regarded defenders in his cycle, has officially decommitted from the Fighting Irish. The news dropped Friday, and the timing couldn’t be more telling.
McGaskin, a 6-foot, 205-pound linebacker out of Mobile, Alabama, had been committed to Notre Dame since June. But in recent weeks, the recruiting buzz has grown louder around him-especially from the SEC. Florida and Georgia have turned up the heat, and it’s clear the momentum is shifting.
Earlier this week, Georgia extended an official offer, and Florida has been pushing hard to get McGaskin on campus. Those moves didn’t go unnoticed. With two SEC powerhouses making their pitch-and with McGaskin playing ball right in SEC territory-it’s no surprise the linebacker is keeping his options open.
Let’s be real: this is a tough blow for Notre Dame. The Irish entered the day with the No. 5 recruiting class in the 2027 cycle, according to On3, and McGaskin was a cornerstone of that group. Losing a player of his caliber-especially this early-stings.
And make no mistake, McGaskin isn’t just another name on a rankings list. His on-field instincts are elite.
According to his coach, his ability to diagnose plays in real time allows him to play with a speed that jumps off the tape. “He’s amazing to watch sometimes,” the coach said.
“He’s got a quick first step, so as soon as he sees the hole open up, it’s a tackle for loss every time. There are plays where he body slams kids sometimes.
He’s getting there so fast.”
That kind of explosiveness is exactly what makes McGaskin such a hot commodity. The SEC’s interest isn’t just about geography-it’s about what he brings between the lines.
Now, Notre Dame isn’t likely to just walk away from this one. Marcus Freeman and his staff have built a reputation for fighting to the final whistle in recruiting battles, and there’s still plenty of time before signing day. McGaskin’s decommitment may shift the momentum, but it doesn’t mean the Irish are out of the picture.
Still, when a top-tier linebacker from Alabama starts getting serious attention from the Gators and Bulldogs, it’s hard not to feel the gravitational pull of the SEC. For now, the recruitment of Ellis McGaskin is wide open-and it just became one of the most intriguing storylines in the 2027 cycle.