Marcus Freeman and Notre Dame eyeing another Tennessee Vols legacy

The Notre Dame football team has its 2026 class locked up, and that's allowed the staff to move onto the 2027 cycle in a big way. The moves they're making in that regard have been impressive, both to onlookers and the recruits they're pursuing. That includes one of the most recent offers, a legacy prospect in Kenneth Simon II.

Simon's father, Kevin Simon, is a former Tennessee football player and scout who spent 10 years in the NFL with stops at the Atlanta Falcons and Dallas Cowboys. While that resume might scream that his son will absolutely be a Volunteer, the 4-star safety might have other plans.

Notre Dame football contact from Max Bullough elevates the Irish in Kenneth Simon II’s recruitment

"I have a couple of big ones," Simon recently told Rivals' Kyle Kelly. "But this is by far the biggest one I’ve had." Fans of the SEC power have to be a little uneasy that he thinks the Notre Dame football team is the "biggest" offer he's got if he's already got offers from Tennessee, Florida, and Auburn, among many, many others.

"Coach Bullough called me and we talked for a little bit and then he gave it to me at the end of the call," the 6-foot-2, 195-pounder told Irish Sports Daily. That's linebackers coach Max Bullough, who also helps Mike Mickens with the defensive backs.

"If I can go play at Notre Dame, I can go play at a Georgia or an Ohio State," Simon added. "It was a good feeling to have knowing that I had schools like that to come get me."

The question now is whether the Notre Dame football team is a competitor for the Brentwood Academy (Brentwood, TN) safety or whether the Irish offer was more of an ego boost as he goes about his recruitment. The key now will be following up on the conversations Kenneth Simon II has had with Bullough and getting him to campus. From there, it's all about showing him what a fit South Bend can be for him.