When it comes to building Notre Dame football into a genuine national power in this new era of college sports, Marcus Freeman has forged a path through a jungle that even Lou Holtz never had to navigate. The SEC and the Big Ten are the kings and queens of this era. To knock them off their thrones, contenders for the crown have to do more than beat them on the field. Freeman understands this. And with the commitment of Ellis McGaskin on Monday, he's making a strong push.
It's not good enough that Freeman and Notre Dame knocked off two SEC teams on their way to the National Title game. It's not sufficient that they toppled Texas A&M in College Station to open the season and then overwhelmed the Georgia Bulldogs in the Sugar Bowl. They need to beat down SEC squads in multiple ways all at once, including on the recruiting front.
The Notre Dame football team's scoring McGaskin is bigger than most Irish fans realize. The Blue and Gold don't go into SEC country, or Alabama specifically, and grab Blue Chip recruits.
Ellis McGaskin commitment proves Notre Dame football can out-recruit the SEC in its own backyard
The last time Notre Dame signed a position player from the state was back in 2003. The last player they signed was a punter (Jay Bramblett), and even that was six years ago.
Some pessimists may point to the Irish getting a commit from EDGE C.J. May last year, only to see him go to Louisville by the time the smoke cleared on the 2025 class. However, that flip felt like it was coming almost from the day May gave his pledge to Notre Dame.
McGaskin feels different. It feels more solid. The Mobile, Alabama, prospect wasn't any kind of "out of nowhere" commitment that May's announcement did.
Consider what Williamson High's linebacker coach said after McGaskin announced his decision:
"He went on a visit up there and loved it. He came back and had nothing but great things to say about it ... Notre Dame just blew his mind. Ever since he got back, he's been all Notre Dame. It's huge for him. I think he'll fit in great there."
Ellis McGaskin's commitment is a mammoth get for the Notre Dame football team, not just because it beefs up the Irish recruiting class. But because it makes a statement that Marcus Freeman can go into SEC country and steal players away, while also beating them on the field. Marcus Freeman has made his program a real contender for the throne.