Marcus Freeman is building something special in South Bend-and it’s not just hype. Notre Dame football is operating at a level we haven’t seen in years, and Freeman’s fingerprints are all over it. From elite recruiting to consistent on-field success, the Irish are trending upward in a way that feels both sustainable and significant.
Let’s start with recruiting, because that’s where Freeman has made perhaps his biggest early impact. According to 247Sports, Notre Dame currently holds the No. 4-ranked classes for both 2026 and 2027.
That’s not just good-it’s elite. It’s the kind of momentum that puts you in the national title conversation before the season even kicks off.
And it’s a clear sign that Freeman is connecting with high school talent in a way that few coaches in the country can match right now.
What’s even more impressive is that Freeman is doing it at a place where, not long ago, people questioned whether this kind of recruiting was even possible. Brian Kelly, who led the Irish to multiple Playoff appearances, famously suggested that Notre Dame couldn’t recruit at the same level as the SEC powers.
Then he left for LSU in search of that next tier. But Freeman?
He’s proving that it was never about the program-it was about the person leading it.
And Freeman’s not just winning on the recruiting trail. Since taking over, he’s guided Notre Dame to multiple double-digit win seasons and a return to the National Championship game. The Irish are no longer just knocking on the door-they’re inside the house, sitting at the table, and making themselves comfortable.
College football analyst David Pollack has taken notice. On his podcast See Ball Get Ball, Pollack praised Freeman’s growth and authenticity as a head coach.
“That is Marcus Freeman's personality, that is who he is, that is his swag, and that is his freaking coaching,” Pollack said. “When you watch this dude, he has evolved.
He understands who he is.” That’s not just coach-speak-that’s a former player and analyst recognizing a leader who’s found his stride.
Brent Rollins, joining Pollack on the podcast, echoed the sentiment. Together, they painted a picture of a coach who’s not only building a contender, but doing it in a way that feels true to Notre Dame’s identity.
Freeman isn’t trying to be someone else. He’s not chasing trends or mimicking other programs.
He’s setting a tone-and recruits are buying in.
And here’s the kicker: the path to the College Football Playoff has never been more favorable for the Irish. With the expanded CFP format, a top-12 finish in the final rankings is essentially a golden ticket. Notre Dame, with its national brand and consistently strong schedule, is positioned as well as anyone to punch that ticket year after year.
Pollack made a point to remind fans not to take this moment for granted. Notre Dame has a unique setup-independent in football, with a schedule largely built around ACC opponents, and now with a clearer path to the postseason. Combine that with a head coach who’s recruiting like a powerhouse and winning big games, and you’ve got a formula that every fan base in the country would envy.
The bottom line? Notre Dame is back in the national spotlight-not just because of its storied past, but because of what Marcus Freeman is doing right now. He’s raising the bar, resetting expectations, and reminding everyone that the Irish can still be a force in modern college football.
And if this is just the beginning, the rest of the sport better pay attention.