After a run that culminated in an appearance in the College Football Playoff National Championship Game, Notre Dame continues to surprise rival schools in the recruiting arena. Along with sizable NIL deals, high schoolers want to play for a winner.
Never known for a boisterous recruiting style, the Fighting Irish chose to attack the recruiting process a bit differently, thanks to their recent success in the postseason. The result? A powerful Irish recruiting push that has returned a great class.
Marcus Freeman, Notre Dame Parlaying Postseason Success into Recruiting Gold
Notre Dame HC Marcus Freeman does not mind the cameras but does not actively pursue them, preferring to focus on his team. The quiet approach usually does not work, as the in-your-face schools tend to receive more attention and, therefore, the spotlight. As a result, that gives those institutions a leg up on the reserved Notre Dame approach.
Now, with recent success in their collective back pocket, Notre Dame started to land Top 100 recruits left and right. On3 writer Mike Singer joined host Josh Newberg on “The Inside Scoop” to discuss the Irish’s recent recruiting bounty.
“Notre Dame is just racking it up right now,” Singer said. “That national championship appearance is kind of showing proof is in the pudding with Marcus Freeman. Like, thinking back to last year, Notre Dame would have a lot of top targets on campus, unable to get some of those guys last year.”
“This is just a different level than what we are used to seeing at Notre Dame,” he revealed.
According to multiple recruiting services, Notre Dame currently ranks in the top five nationally in the Class of 2026. The Irish hold positions ranging from No. 2 to No. 4 across different platforms, ahead of recent traditional powers like Georgia and Clemson. If you look at the commit list, a couple of observations should readily come to mind.
First, the diverse positions of their commits. On one hand, the school signed Rodney Dunham, an edge rusher from Charlotte, N.C. On the other hand, players like Joey O’Brien, a safety from Wyndmoor, PA, and Khary Adams, a corner from Towson, MD, wrap up the school’s top three signings to this point.
Outside of the national championship appearance and money, what changed perception? The head coach, upon taking the job, exuded the vibe of wanting to stay in South Bend long term. Freeman, from every interview, displays his affinity for the school and program through his words.
WATCH: Joey O’Brien Vows ‘Whatever It Takes to Win’ Before Choosing Notre Dame
Additionally, Freeman continues to excel in recruiting sons of NFL legends who can actually play, which also raises program visibility.
Pro Football Hall of Fame linebackers Brian Urlacher, Jerome Bettis, and Bryant Young all visited Indiana recently for parents’ weekend to see their sons play.
Freeman has successfully built relationships with NFL families, understanding that former players value both football development and the importance of a Notre Dame degree that lasts beyond their playing careers. As one recruiting insider noted, these fathers “understand better than anybody that football doesn’t last forever, so the importance of a Notre Dame degree is something that you can’t really get from anywhere else.”
The Irish currently have multiple sons of former NFL stars on their roster, including Bryce Young (son of Bryant Young), Jerome Bettis Jr. (son of Jerome Bettis), and recently committed Thomas Davis Jr. (son of Thomas Davis Sr.). This trend has become a significant recruiting advantage for Freeman, who has made connecting with NFL families a cornerstone of his approach.
Right now, Notre Dame continues to ride the wave created by their postseason run. The Irish reached the College Football Playoff National Championship Game for the first time since 2012, finishing with a 14-2 record that marked the most wins in a single season in program history.
Can the talent infusion get them over the hump? Freeman’s 2026 class currently features 16 commitments with multiple four-star prospects, representing a significant upgrade in talent acquisition.
The success on the recruiting trail suggests that Notre Dame’s championship game appearance was not a fluke but rather the beginning of sustained excellence under Freeman’s leadership.
