In a move that has left many in the college football world scratching their heads, four-star defensive lineman Gordy Sulfsted has officially committed to Notre Dame, choosing the Fighting Irish over several powerhouse programs. The Cincinnati (Ohio) St. Xavier standout had been heavily recruited by Ohio State, Michigan, Alabama, and LSU, making his decision to head to South Bend both surprising and controversial.
While Notre Dame remains one of college football’s most storied programs, Sulfsted’s commitment raises a few pressing questions: Why did he choose the Fighting Irish? Does Notre Dame truly offer him the best path to development and the NFL? Or is this a case of a talented prospect making an emotional decision rather than a strategic one?
A Recruiting Battle Nobody Saw Coming
Throughout his recruitment, many insiders believed that Sulfsted was a near-lock for Ohio State. As a Cincinnati native, the Buckeyes were considered the hometown team, and defensive line coach Larry Johnson has a long history of developing elite pass rushers. Meanwhile, Michigan and Alabama both made aggressive pushes late in the cycle, with LSU also positioning itself as a dark horse contender.
However, Notre Dame managed to sway Sulfsted with a mix of academics, culture, and defensive scheme fit. Head coach Marcus Freeman, a former Ohio State linebacker with deep Ohio ties, played a key role in sealing the deal. But was it the right move for Sulfsted?
Does Notre Dame Offer the Best Development Path?
There’s no denying Notre Dame’s history of sending players to the NFL, but when it comes to elite defensive linemen, the numbers don’t favor the Irish.
- Notre Dame has produced just two first-round defensive linemen in the last 20 years—Jerry Tillery (2019, Chargers) and Stephon Tuitt (2014, Steelers).
- Meanwhile, Ohio State, Alabama, and Michigan have developed multiple first-round defensive linemen in the last five years alone.
- The Fighting Irish have struggled to develop dominant edge rushers under recent regimes, often relying on well-coached but less dynamic talent.
If Sulfsted has aspirations of becoming a high NFL Draft pick, history suggests that choosing a program like Ohio State or Alabama would have been a safer bet.
Will Sulfsted Thrive in Notre Dame’s System?
Marcus Freeman and defensive coordinator Al Golden have built a solid defensive scheme, but it has yet to prove it can churn out top-tier pass rushers at the same rate as the sport’s elite programs.
Notre Dame’s 2024 recruiting class featured promising defensive linemen, but the scheme has traditionally relied on disciplined, assignment-based play rather than aggressive pass-rushing dominance. This raises the question: Will Sulfsted’s skillset be fully maximized in South Bend?
The 6-foot-5, 265-pound lineman is known for his explosiveness, technique, and motor, but without elite development, he could plateau instead of reaching his full potential.
The Academic Factor: A Justified Decision?
One major advantage Notre Dame has over nearly every other program is its academic prestige. Many recruits, especially those with aspirations beyond football, consider this a major factor. If Sulfsted values a world-class education alongside his athletic career, then Notre Dame makes perfect sense.
However, is an elite education worth sacrificing NFL draft stock? Some argue that Sulfsted could have had both by choosing Ohio State, Alabama, or Michigan—programs that balance strong academics with elite football development.
A Future Regret or a Legacy in the Making?
Sulfsted’s decision to commit to Notre Dame will be scrutinized in the coming years. If he thrives under Marcus Freeman and helps lead the Irish back to College Football Playoff contention, he will prove the doubters wrong. But if he struggles to develop into an elite NFL prospect while watching Ohio State, Alabama, and Michigan defensive linemen go in the first round of the draft, his commitment could be seen as a major miscalculation.
For now, Sulfsted is all in on the Fighting Irish, but the college football world will be watching closely to see if this was the right choice—or a massive mistake.