Noah’s Arc
by George Diaz
An important trait for any good quarterback is not only being able to make quick decisions, but also knowing when to take a more measured approach.
Noah Grubbs checks both boxes.
His resume as a top college prospect, one who recently led Lake Mary’s football team to its first-ever state title, checks the first box. Noah did so in dramatic fashion, with a last-second Hail Mary pass in a driving rainstorm this past December.
And his decision to sift through 31 scholarship offers from prominent college programs around the country checks the second box. In June of 2024, Noah walked out of his bedroom and told his parents he was going to the University of Notre Dame. It was not a frivolous or easy choice, given the fact that he had visited 26 schools and had felt the recruitment squeeze at all those campuses.
His father, Ephraim Grubbs, didn’t try to sway Noah.
“I’m a firm believer that the youth of today need to make their own decisions and then work toward those goals,” says Ephraim. “I was very proud of him.”
And with good reason. Noah, who has been riding an upward trajectory for years, was recently named the 2025 Florida Dairy Farmers Mr. Football.
“The Mr. Football award is probably one of the biggest and best because it’s voted on by the coaches around the state,” says Ephraim. “That acknowledgement really says a lot about a program and the player.”
After completing his high school requirements early and graduating in December, Noah enrolled at Notre Dame in January, giving himself extra time to acclimate to a new environment and a new challenge with the Fighting Irish.
Moments To Remember
Noah is also giving himself room to breathe and enjoy the cherished memories of his senior year at Lake Mary. That includes making the National Honor Society, being recognized as an Honor Graduate, and returning home to walk the stage with his graduating class in May.
“People think it’s pretty overwhelming, but I just took it as is, staying in the moment,” says Noah. “Just live and enjoy my high school years because as people always say, it flies by. I didn’t really realize that until months before I was about to leave.”
Noah’s path to playing college football began even before high school, with the help of his father, coaches, and friends along the way.
Ephraim, as the father of four boys who all played sports, approached the college recruitment game differently with Noah, his youngest. The goal was to get Noah’s name and presence in front of coaches and scouts. Before Noah’s freshman year at Lake Mary, father and son went on road trips to college campuses, often cold-calling coaches.
They had help from extended family, including quarterback training from Tyson Hinshaw, who played for the University of Central Florida, and Baylin Trujillo, who played for the University of South Florida and Webber International University. Noah and his skills did the rest, completing 756 of 1,324 passes for 11,537 yards and 143 touchdowns in his high-school career.
What Lies Ahead
“Noah’s leadership is probably the best I’ve ever seen at the quarterback position,” says Scott Perry, Lake Mary football coach. “He’s a great team leader, two-year captain elected by his peers. He has a great grasp of the game. His game IQ, as well as his leadership abilities are things that set him apart.”
At Notre Dame, there’s not much pressure for Noah to succeed immediately because rising junior CJ Carr is essentially locked in not only as a starter but also as a Heisman Trophy candidate. Even so, Noah is more than ready to take that next step, regardless of the timeline.
“A lot of it has to do with the people here, the people I want to surround myself with,” says Noah. “And then obviously the tradition, the culture, and just everything about this place. There is no other place that can offer what Notre Dame can.”