What Marcus Freeman and Notre Dame have been able to get done out on the recruiting trail this season has been nothing short of sensational. Currently with the No. 3 recruiting class in the country, it looks like Freeman is about to get even more good news, this time from four-star linebacker Roman Igwebuike.
On July 11, the touted 'backer is all set to shut down his recruitment, with Notre Dame, Clemson, Indiana, Missouri and Tennessee still in the mix. However, per the On3 predictions, all three from Steve Wiltfong, Greg Smith and Mike Singer are in favor of the Irish. Does this mean the Illinois product is about to pick the Irish over the Hoosiers and others?
𝐁𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐊𝐈𝐍𝐆: 4🌟 LB Roman Igwebuike (123 Natl. 9 Pos.) has announced his commitment date for July 11th at 4:15 PM EST.
— The Irish Tribune (@theirishtribune) July 5, 2026
Roman's Top 5 include Notre Dame, Clemson, Indiana, Missouri, & Tennessee. He will be announcing his school choice on CBS Sports, and is a major target for… pic.twitter.com/LKAFSo1Qps
4-star LB Roman Igwebuike is announcing soon, and Notre Dame is a big favorite
At this point, it's going to feel like a total shocker if Igwebuike doesn't pick the Irish. On the On3 RPM, he's been set at 91 percent to commit to ND, which is pretty dang telling. And if the 6-3, 220-pounder does give Freeman his verbal pledge, it'll add to what's already an incredible 2027 haul for the entire coaching staff - Notre Dame has been on fire in landing top talent.
Throughout his recruitment thus far this cycle, Igwebuike has picked up a mind-blowing 46 scholarship offers. He's also one of the top linebackers in the country, ranked four stars and the No. 9 LB by the 247Sports Composite. He's also the No. 123 player overall for the 2027 class, which adds even more excitement around his future in the college ranks.
In looking at his finalists, too, there's no question that potentially landing a bit of a jab on Cignetti is going to feel great for the Notre Dame fanbase as a whole. Cignetti has turned everything around for the Hoosiers, of course, highlighted by leading the former lowly program to the national title last season. Fernando Mendoza also won the Heisman and was the No. 1 overall pick by the Raiders.
Because of that, Indiana has suddenly become a major powerhouse, and some might argue they're even the top college team in the state. Let's go ahead and hold the phone on things there. Notre Dame is still Notre Dame, and Freeman has the future looking electric. After missing out on the CFP last season, CJ Carr and Co. are hungrier than ever to silence the haters.
Off the field, Freeman has been doing just that, as the '27 haul is up to 21 total commits, with it ranked No. 3 by 247Sports. Freeman finishing with a Top 5 class would be sensational, and adding Igwebuike to the mix is only going to help out with those efforts. Come July 11, everyone will find out where the youngster will be headed, but again, countless signs are pointing to South Bend for him. And if that does happen, it will serve as a reminder to Cignetti that Freeman still packs a powerful recruiting punch for him to worry about.
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