College football recruiting’s always changing, and it’s gotten even wilder since NIL deals kicked in back in July 2021. Notre Dame’s head coach, Marcus Freeman, isn’t exactly playing by the same rules as everyone else.
Instead of chasing after the flashiest NIL offers, Freeman puts the spotlight on the bigger picture—the whole Fighting Irish experience, both on and off the field. He wants recruits who care about more than just the money.
It’s a bold move, honestly. With recruiting costs skyrocketing, Freeman’s pitch feels almost old-school in the NIL era, but it definitely stands out.
The Impact of NIL on College Football Recruiting
NIL changed everything. Suddenly, student-athletes can cash in on their name, image, and likeness, and that added a whole new twist to recruiting.
June 2021 was apparently the priciest recruiting month ever, according to On3’s Pete Nakos. Freeman, though, keeps saying money shouldn’t be the main reason to pick a school.
Notre Dame’s Unique Selling Proposition
Freeman thinks Notre Dame’s got something special that money can’t buy. Sure, they can put together competitive NIL packages if they need to, but that’s not what he wants to lead with.
He’d rather talk about the school’s legacy, the education, and what it’s actually like to live in South Bend. It’s a different kind of pitch.
Freeman’s Personal Experience
Freeman gets it—he was recruited by Notre Dame himself before he picked Ohio State. Back then, he knew the football side, but not much else about the school.
Now, heading into his fifth year as head coach, he wants today’s recruits to see the full picture. There’s more to Notre Dame than just football, and he doesn’t want anyone to miss that.
Notre Dame’s Recent Recruiting Success
So, is this strategy actually working? Looks like it.
Notre Dame’s landed the No. 2 recruiting class for 2026, according to the Rivals Industry Team Recruiting Ranking. They’re also sitting at No. 2 for 2027 right now.
Emphasizing Education and Personal Growth
Freeman talks a lot about education and growing as a person, not just as a player. He tells recruits to think past the quick NIL payouts and consider what a Notre Dame degree can do for them down the road.
Academic excellence and personal development are a big part of his message, and honestly, it’s hard to argue with that.
Building a Strong Team Culture
Team culture? That’s a big deal for Freeman too. He believes the connections players make at Notre Dame—on the field and off—are worth a lot.
That sense of community isn’t something every program can offer, and Freeman doesn’t shy away from saying so.
Challenges and Opportunities in the NIL Era
Of course, it’s not all smooth sailing. NIL deals can be pretty tempting, and sometimes Notre Dame has to work extra hard to compete with other top programs.
Still, Freeman seems pretty optimistic. He thinks his approach will click with the right players.
Adapting to the Changing Landscape
The NIL landscape keeps shifting, and Freeman’s staff is always tweaking their strategy. They know money matters, but it’s not everything.
By focusing on what makes Notre Dame unique, Freeman hopes to draw in recruits who want more than just a big payday. It’s a gamble, but maybe that’s what makes it interesting.
Looking Ahead
Notre Dame’s recent recruiting hot streak has set the stage for Marcus Freeman’s methods to really get tested. College football recruiting never sits still—it’s always shifting, always a bit unpredictable.
Still, Freeman seems pretty determined to show recruits there’s more to Notre Dame than just football. He keeps coming back to the bigger picture, talking about the value of the experience here, not just the sport.
If you’re curious about how Freeman’s handling things in the NIL era, there’s a pretty solid breakdown over at On3.
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