Under head coach Marcus Freeman, the Notre Dame Fighting Irish are thriving at an exponential rate. In a recent interview with JD PicKell on On3, recruiting insider Steve Wiltfong declared Notre Dame to be “well-oiled in the NIL space,” pointing towards the growth that the program has witnessed in recent years.
But how did Freeman manage to push the program this far? Let’s take a look at how Freeman built a recruiting powerhouse in South Bend, Indiana.
Marcus Freeman’s Push To Take Notre Dame To College Football’s Peak
Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman’s approach to recruiting new players has been a masterclass so far. On3 recruiting insider Steve Wiltfong voiced his opinion on Notre Dame and how they have improved in the recruiting sphere.
Unlike coaches who shy away from Notre Dame’s challenges, such as rigorous academic standards and dorm life alongside non-athletes, Freeman not only tries not to cover them up, but also uses them for his pitch.
“The academic standards, having to live with people that aren’t football players, those are things Marcus Freeman thinks are important,” Wiltfong noted. He sells recruits on the value of a Notre Dame degree, which boasts a 98% graduation rate, and the potential to share a room with future Fortune 500 leaders.
This formula of turning perceived hurdles into selling points has successfully given him results.
Other than his clever pitch, Freeman’s relatability also sets him apart. A former Ohio State linebacker, he connects with recruits as a coach who’s walked their path. Wiltfong highlighted Freeman’s habit of spending hours in genuine conversation with high school coaches, building trust and camaraderie in the sport’s space.
In the interview, Wiltfong pointed out how Freeman’s visibility during Notre Dame’s 2024 national title game run boosted his stature. According to him, his in-game interviews against powerhouses like Georgia and Penn State left parents and prospects thinking, “I want to play for that guy.”
Notre Dame’s NIL infrastructure has also proven very effective for the program. The Friends of the University of Notre Dame (FUND) collective, with involvement from former quarterback Brady Quinn, has modernized the program’s approach.
Despite fierce competition, this enabled the Irish to land high-profile transfers like QBs Sam Hartman and Riley Leonard.
The 2026 class is a showcase of Freeman’s recruiting skills. Notre Dame features one of the nation’s top offensive line classes, headlined by top-10 offensive tackle Merrill and four-star Gregory Patrick, and a formidable defensive line group, anchored by four-star Tiki Hola.
The secondary, coached by Mike Mickens, who Wiltfong praised as an elite recruiter, continues to impress fans and experts. Recruits flock to their program, which develops NFL-ready defensive backs. Recent commitments from LB Kobe Clapper (No. 372 overall) and RB Javian Osborne (No. 106) have solidified Notre Dame’s top ranking.
In the end, Freeman’s staff excels at evaluation and development, particularly in the secondary, where sophomore Leonard Moore emerged as a freshman All-American in 2024.
Such stories present further substance for Notre Dame’s pitch: come here, grow, and compete for championships. With six of 16 commitments in the 2026 class secured since April, the Irish are on pace for a phenomenal run this season.
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