Four-Star Defensive Lineman Returns to Tuscaloosa for Visit

Alabama had another busy week of recruiting, with the Crimson Tide hosting four-star Elijah Golden for the second time in the last month this weekend. The rising senior defensive lineman left Tuscaloosa high on the Crimson Tide, intending to return for an official visit this summer.

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Golden is a 6-foot-3, 260-pound Defensive lineman from Cardinal Mooney in Sarasota, Florida. In his junior season, the four-star prospect racked up 61 tackles (29 TFLs), 10 sacks, 8 QBHs, and a PBU in 11 games. According to his scouting report on 247 Sports, Golden helped lead Cardinal Mooney to the semifinals of Florida's 2A Playoffs.

According to 247 Sports, Golden is the No.107 overall prospect in the 2026 class, the No.14 defensive lineman, and the No.13 overall prospect from the state of Florida in the class. The four-star prospect is high on everyone's boards, with his 247 Scouting report predicting that Golden will be a "Multi-year contributor for a College Football Playoff contender that has a chance to morph into a game-wrecker if it all comes together."

Golden's full 247 Sports Scouting Report by Andrew Ivins: "Green front-line defender with the materials needed to eventually emerge as a force at the point of attack. Might project best as a base end that can play over tackles and set the edge, but could kick further inside or even hang on the outside depending on how the body fills out in coming years. Tends to make the biggest impact with his engine as he will work vigorously to get through obstacles and then build speed in pursuit. Not exactly a precision rusher, but understands how to use his hands and can create an advantage on passing downs with his snap anticipation. Strong relative to his age, but needs to unlock more knockback power as that will help establish leverage more consistently. Finally started to show some signs of life with 10 sacks as a junior after being utilized in more of a reserve role as a sophomore. However, still far from a complete product and is the type of prospect that must keep making developmental strides if he’s ever going to match the player that has turned heads in combine settings. Should be viewed as a future multi-year contributor for a College Football Playoff contender that has a chance to morph into a game-wrecker if it all comes together."

Kalen Deboer and his staff have become quite familiar with Golden over the last month, as the four-star defensive lineman has made two separate trips to Tuscaloosa in the past two weeks. Golden's first visit to Alabama's campus occurred on March 22nd when the Crimson Tide had their second Junior Day, which included a star-studded guest list of only the top prospects from the 2026 class. Golden departed thrilled by the way the Crimson Tide's coaches conduct practices and how much everyone competes at practice, telling Touchdown Alabama's Justin Smith after his March 22 visit that "This practice was unique... Intensity and energy stayed at 10 the entire time, and I really loved that."

Golden left his most recent visit to Alabama in the same mood he left his previous visit on March 22. The four-star prospect posted pictures from his visit on his X profile, with Golden thanking the Tide for allowing him to come down to visit, and the Florida native shared that he had an "awesome time in Tuscaloosa" this past weekend. Golden is expected to make a return to Alabama's campus this upcoming Summer with the four-star defensive lineman's Official Visit to the Crimson Tide set for June 13 according to the On3 Visit Center.

Alabama is currently among the favorites to land the No.107 prospect in the 2026 class, with On3's Recruiting Prediction Meter (RPM) predicting that Notre Dame and Alabama have the best chance of landing the four-star prospect, with the Fighting Irish currently sitting as favorites, with On3's RPM giving Notre Dame a 28.2% chance of landing Golden compared to Alabama's 20.6% chance of landing the defensive lineman.

Golden is set to make an Official Visit to South Bend on June 20, one week after visiting Alabama on June 13. Despite Notre Dame being the current favorite, DeBoer and his staff appear to be making headway in the defensive lineman's recruitment, as seen by Golden's return for two different visits this spring.

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