Official Visits to be Set and Announced by Florida 2026 4-Star DE Elijah Golden
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
In three short months, college football coaches made it clear to Elijah Golden that he is a difference maker who can help their team win games. Back in November, Golden (6-5, 275) was holding 21 scholarship opportunities, and now has 36 on his desk. Teams are making ramping up their recruiting efforts with Golden as the four-star 2026 defensive end prepares his official visit list for this summer.
Catching Golden in between Cardinal Mooney (Sarasota, FL) wresting matches and offseason workouts, an update on which schools have stopped by his campus this offseason was given.
“Florida, Alabama, Notre Dame, Texas, Oklahoma… so many have come by,” Golden stated. “Georgia, Oregon, Auburn, Virginia Tech, Stanford, Louisville, NC State, Penn State – all the big schools.”
Once spring ball gets going for the Cougars, Sarasota will again be a hot spot for college coaches.
“Alabama is coming back,” Golden said. “All the schools are coming back in the spring.”
Golden hasn’t made the rounds in 2025 yet, but that is about to change.
“I am trying to get to Alabama, I am going there this spring, NC State, Penn State, and Clemson on March 8,” Golden shared.
Communication between college coaches and Golden have stayed active.
“Alabama, Oklahoma, Penn State, NC State, Virginia Tech, and I am hearing a little from Clemson,” Golden stated.
The bond built with the Crimson Tide staff was updated, “We have a pretty good relationship. They show a lot of love. They are very consistent. Each day they are showing love; I appreciate that. They make me feel like a priority every day.”
The longstanding friendship with Sooners’ co-defensive coordinator and d-tackles coach Todd Bates has built a strong recruiting foundation for Golden.
“We have a great relationship,” Golden said. “Coach Bates over there, he’s a great defensive line coach. He has coached the best of the best. They have a pretty good staff there and a solid team. I know guys there, guys I played with at IMG (Academy – Bradenton, FL).”
The Nittany Lions are trying to close any recruiting gap with the four-star.
“Our relationship is pretty good,” Golden stated. “We are building our relationship now. I’ve been talking to them a lot lately.”
Another SEC team is letting it be known that they want Golden.
“Vanderbilt – I am building a relationship with them,” Golden added. “I talk to them every day.”
On the topic of official visits, Golden shared, “I know some I will OV to, but I haven’t announced it yet.”
Photo credit: Golden family; Elijah Golden and family with Virginia Tech coaches at Cardinal Mooney.