The future is very bright in the QB room at Notre Dame, and it continued to get even brighter when c/o 2026 4 Star QB Noah Grubbs committed to play for the Fighting Irish on June 1st, 2024.
Photo via Noah Grubbs, Instagram (@noahgrubbs13)
The 6’4” 205lbs Junior is a pro style QB for Lake Mary High School in Lake Mary, Florida. In 12 games as a sophomore, Grubbs threw for 3,670yds along with 49 touchdowns. He completed 58% of his passes on 354 attempts, and amassed QB rating of 122.1 for the season. He is the 11th ranked QB in the country, and the 112th ranked player in the country by 24/7 Sports Composite rankings. During his recruitment, he was highly sought after by many of the top programs in the country, including Ohio State, Michigan, Penn State, Oklahoma, and of course, Notre Dame. So, it came as no surprise that Fighting Irish fans were thrilled to learn that he has decided to continue his football career at the University of Notre Dame. I recently had the opportunity to do an in depth interview with Noah about
his journey from his recruitment, to his commitment, and what he has planned for the future.
For many recruits, the recruiting process can be a long and drawn out one - but for Noah, that wasn’t the case at all. With help from his family and his trainer, Baylin Trujillo, it turned out be an easy decision for him.
“The recruitment process was exciting, informative, lots of traveling to really cool places, and I was able to see a lot of really unique universities. Both of my parents and QB Trainer, Baylin Trujillo, were able to be with me through this process. That is a big reason why I was able to make a decision early on with my commitment to Notre Dame, because I already saw and communicated with my top schools, and nothing compared to that feeling being in South Bend.”
With the decision coming so easy for Noah, you’d have to imagine that his trips to Notre Dame were special. But what made Notre Dame feel like home? Coach Marcus Freeman and Coach Gino Guidugli played a big role in that.
“I’ve been to Notre Dame several times now, and each time feels more and more special. The fact that they chose me to be their guy is an honor in itself. Every time I’m there, the coaches make me feel like their top priority regardless of whoever else is on campus. The first time I was there last summer, they offered me a scholarship and I wasn’t expecting it. The second time I was there was for the Ohio State game, and I was the only 2026 recruit invited, so I knew they really valued me as a player. Then, before the game, Coach Freeman skipped all the recruits, came up to my QB trainer and I and said, “Glad we got you here, now let’s keep you here.” That statement, combined with my QB Trainer's relationship with Coach Gino, it made my experience at Notre Dame that much better than anywhere else I’ve been.”
There can be many reasons why a recruit will choose to play for any given university, but for Noah, it was about the history and tradition at Notre Dame, as well as nationally televised games and development for playing at the next level.
“The reasons I chose Notre Dame are it’s historically one of college footballs premiere programs; from championships, to tradition, putting people into the NFL, and it has one of the best degrees any student could ever hold as a graduate. On top of all that, they are the only program to have a TV deal where they are nationally televised every game no matter what, so my family, friends, coaches, trainers, former teammates and whoever else wants to watch me play every week, will have the opportunity to do so if they can’t make it in person. My QB Trainer Baylin has a really great relationship with the coaches at Notre Dame, so in the period where I couldn’t communicate with them, he did and would keep me updated on where I stood on their board, and from day one, confirmed I was number one and always told me to make sure I was to wherever I commit to. Notre Dame is a place where you bet on yourself to be the best in all aspects of life as a man, both on and off the field.”
A big part of success for any program starts with the coaches, and specifically the relationships they have with the players they are recruiting. Noah points out just how much it means to him that the coaches take the time to check in on him.
“My relationship with the Notre Dame coaches are great! Coach Gino, Coach Bowden, Coach Freeman, they all communicate with me weekly and FaceTime me on the weekends and it’s been awesome! I love those guys, and they are first class people, I can’t wait to play under them in 17 months!”
Noah looks forward to his return to campus for the Florida State game this year. For this trip, it’s personal for him, as his brother attends FSU and he’s looking for the Irish to send his brother’s team home with a loss.
“The next time I’ll be at Notre Dame will be with my family and QB trainer at the Florida State game on November 9th. My brother goes to FSU, so I know he will be there as well, and it’s a great opportunity to watch two top programs play and have the bragging rights next year, because I know Notre Dame is going to win.”
Noah has many influences in his life, including his parents, his faith, his coaches, and his siblings among others. He explained to me that all the people around him played a big factor in his growth spiritually, and his identity of who he is as a person.
“My biggest influences are both my parents because they have taught me that my identity isn’t in what I do, it’s in who I do it for, which is my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. My dad has taught me discipline, dedication, responsibility, leadership, accountability, and respect. My mom has taught me confidence, humility and what it means to love people. All these traits come from being in a Christian household with three older brothers, Lieph, Adam, and Eli, who also I look up to. My coaches at Lake Mary are a huge reason I am where I am at today, and they gave a lanky 6’4” freshman an opportunity to start on varsity, and that has turned into me holding seven different single game and all-time Lake Mary single season records. All that success goes to my teammates. Lastly, my QB trainer. Baylin has development me from scratch, and has become more than just a QB trainer. He is my mentor outside of my parents and brothers. He is my coach, teaching me coverages and film study. He is my friend, I can call him about any and everything for advice. He is my recruiter, and a big reason why I was in contact with coaches who offered me scholarships to play at the next level. He is also a spiritual leader, who encourages me to stay in my Bible.”
Humility is one of the greatest qualities of a leader, and Noah exhibits this greatly when talking about what he really wants to achieve this season at Lake Mary.
“The one thing I’m hoping to achieve this season at Lake Mary is to win a state championship. Single player accolades and records are great, and I fell short of the all-time single season passing touchdown record by only 7 TDs last year, but honestly, that means nothing compared to winning a championship with my teammates and coaches. It’s about us, not about me.”
What is Noah looking forward to when he gets to Notre Dame? His answer will be music to all ND fan's ears.
“When I get to Notre Dame, I’m looking forward to competing and leading Notre Dame to a National Championship.”
If you were ever wondering just how locked in Noah is with Notre Dame, he was more than happy to answer that.
“When I committed to Notre Dame on June 1st, that’s what it meant, COMMITTED and ALL IN. I will be in South Bend, Indiana, January of 2026.”
As you can see there, is a lot to be excited about for Irish fans when it comes to Noah Grubbs. Noah is a very talented, humble, and faithful young man who knows exactly what he wants to achieve in life, and on the football field. His arrival can't come soon enough! We wish Noah the best of luck as he continues an excellent career at Lake Mary.
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