Marcus Freeman putting ‘scary’ Notre Dame team together with new recruits.
When Marcus Freeman was officially introduced as the 30th head coach of Notre Dame football in December 2021, many applauded the decision. A former Buckeye, a rising star in the coaching ranks, and a defensive mind with charisma and a modern approach — Freeman was viewed as the kind of leader who could connect with today’s players while honoring Notre Dame’s long-standing tradition. But few anticipated just how quickly Freeman would turn Notre Dame into one of the most “scary” and complete programs in the nation.
Now, entering the 2025 season, the tone has shifted. Freeman is no longer the promising rookie. He’s a recruiting force and a program architect who’s building something that has college football on alert. With back-to-back elite recruiting classes, transformative use of the transfer portal, and a culture shift from tradition to swagger, Marcus Freeman is assembling a Notre Dame team that’s no longer satisfied with top-10 finishes — they want it all.
Recruiting: The Engine of the Freeman Era
From day one, Freeman emphasized that recruiting would be the backbone of his program. But not just any recruiting — relentless, strategic, relationship-first recruiting. In pressers, he’s made it clear: “If I haven’t spoken to a recruit, I don’t expect them to commit. They need to know I’m all in on them, and I expect the same in return.”
This approach led to a major shakeup in Notre Dame’s recruiting infrastructure. Under Freeman, the recruiting staff has expanded, scouting has become more analytical, and the program is no longer relying solely on its storied brand to bring in talent. It’s about hustle, communication, and precision.
The results? Staggering.
In 2023, Freeman secured a class featuring future standouts like linebacker Drayk Bowen, wide receiver Jaden Greathouse, and safety Adon Shuler. In 2024, he doubled down, landing quarterback C.J. Carr — grandson of former Michigan coach Lloyd Carr — along with wide receiver Cam Williams, defensive end Bryce Young, and top-100 recruits across the board.
And now? The 2025 class is being labeled as Notre Dame’s best since the Lou Holtz era.
Deuce Knight: A Game-Changer at QB
Among all the new additions, no name stands out more than Deuce Knight — the five-star quarterback from Mississippi who turned down offers from SEC heavyweights to lead Freeman’s Irish.
At 6’4″ and 200 pounds, Knight brings the dual-threat capability Notre Dame hasn’t seen at quarterback in decades. His arm talent is elite, his mobility is dangerous, and his leadership traits are already resonating in the locker room.
“He’s the kind of guy who can shift a program,” one Notre Dame staffer said. “He walks into a room and you know he’s the alpha.”
Knight isn’t just a flashy recruit; he’s already being treated like the future face of the program. Enrolled early, he’s been impressive in spring practice, showing command over the offense and a maturity well beyond his years. And with the weapons Freeman is surrounding him with, it’s no surprise that ESPN’s Tom Luginbill recently said, “Notre Dame could be fielding a national title team by 2026 — maybe even sooner.”
Building a Wall: The Offensive Line Reload
While most headlines focus on flashy skill players, Freeman hasn’t ignored the trenches — a place where Notre Dame has historically excelled. The 2025 class is bringing in Will Black, one of the top offensive tackles in the country, alongside power interior linemen like Owen Strebig and Styles Prescod.
It’s a unit that already features veterans like Blake Fisher and promising sophomores from the 2023 and 2024 classes. The goal is simple: protect the quarterback and dominate the run game. Under new offensive line coach Joe Rudolph, the Irish are returning to that physical brand of football, but with the speed and spacing of modern offenses.
A Speed-Heavy Defense with NFL Talent
Freeman’s fingerprints are all over the defense, and the recruiting reflects that. From explosive linebackers like Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa to defensive backs like Leonard Moore and Brauntae Johnson, Notre Dame is now fielding a defense built on speed, versatility, and violence.
The 2024 and 2025 classes include several ESPN 300 defenders who can run, hit, and cover in space. With the addition of transfers who bring in-game experience, the Irish now have one of the deepest and most athletic defenses in the country.
The defensive line, in particular, has seen a surge with the commitments of high-motor ends and 300-pound interior linemen who fit Freeman’s multiple-front system. With the added mentorship of Al Golden — a former NFL coordinator who stayed on board as defensive play-caller — the Irish defense is evolving into one of the fastest and smartest in the country.
The Transfer Portal: Smart, Not Desperate
In the era of the transfer portal, it’s easy to get reckless. But Freeman has approached it with discipline and vision. Rather than grabbing talent for headlines, he’s filled very specific needs with players who buy into the culture.
In 2024, that meant adding an experienced wideout, a corner with elite cover skills, and a depth quarterback. Each of them made immediate impacts, but more importantly, each fit seamlessly into the locker room.
That’s a key part of Freeman’s philosophy: culture before ego.
He wants competition, but he doesn’t want chaos. That means vetting transfers not just for talent, but for character. “We’re building something special,” Freeman said. “I won’t bring in anyone who’s not fully bought in.”
A Cultural Shift: Swagger Meets Structure
One of the biggest transformations under Freeman has been the culture.
Gone is the conservative, “business-first” identity that sometimes defined past Irish teams. In its place? Swagger. Belief. Brotherhood.
Players talk about the vibe in the locker room changing. Music at practice. Open dialogue in film rooms. Leadership groups. Team bonding events that feel more like a brotherhood than a roster.
And it’s all intentional.
“We can’t just be Notre Dame,” Freeman has said. “We have to be a new Notre Dame. One that honors the past but isn’t trapped by it.”
That mentality has helped Freeman connect with recruits and players in ways few Notre Dame coaches have. In an era where NIL, social media, and brand awareness are part of the game, Freeman understands that authenticity matters more than perfection.
The Scary Part? They’re Not Done Yet.
It’s not just the recruiting or the player development that has analysts calling this Notre Dame team “scary.” It’s the arc — the upward trajectory.
Notre Dame went 11-1 in 2024, including dominant wins over USC, Clemson, and a Sugar Bowl win that felt like a true coming-out party. And that was with several freshmen and sophomores playing major roles.
Now, those young stars are veterans. The new blood coming in is even more talented. And the coaching staff has finally settled into a rhythm.
That’s why people are whispering — or shouting — that Notre Dame could break through. Not just make the College Football Playoff, but win it.
With programs like Alabama undergoing coaching changes, and the Big Ten and SEC realignment still finding its footing, Notre Dame may be in the perfect window. The combination of elite recruits, stability, experience, and Freeman’s leadership is positioning them for something special.
Freeman’s Vision: Championship or Bust
“We’re not here to be close,” Freeman said after the 2024 bowl win. “Notre Dame doesn’t hang banners for making it interesting. We’re chasing championships. Period.”
That mindset is being felt everywhere — from the recruits on social media to the donors funding facility upgrades to the fans who suddenly believe this could finally be the year.
Freeman isn’t interested in gimmicks. He’s not trying to be the next Nick Saban or the next Dabo Swinney. He’s trying to be the first Marcus Freeman — a head coach who does it his own way, with his own team, and writes a new chapter in Notre Dame’s proud history.
And if the current momentum holds, that chapter may include a College Football Playoff win. Maybe even a national title. The scariest thing about Marcus Freeman’s Notre Dame? They’re just getting started.
With elite recruiting, smart portal moves, and a cultural revolution happening behind the walls of the Gug (Notre Dame’s football complex), this team isn’t just trying to be relevant. They’re trying to be remembered.
And in South Bend, it finally feels like the wait might be over.
