The Notre Dame football team has been on the kind of recruiting roll that Fighting Irish fans used to only be able to dream about. Marcus Freeman and company have in fact been so red hot on the recruiting trail there have been all kinds of guesses as to why the streak is ongoing.
Freeman met with local media on Thursday afternoon and the Irish coach has his own opinions on just why he’s having so much success. It should surprise no one that he believes at least part of the cause can be pinned directly on the success his squad had on the field in 2024.
Marcus Freeman thinks the 2024 CFP run made Notre Dame suddenly irresistible to blue-chip recruits
"I think people are, young people, are interested in those games (College Football Playoff)," the Irish head coach said.
"We all think that's a crazy statement. Who wouldn't be interested in football? But some of the young people, before we made this championship (game) run, probably were just, 'Hey, I'm just not interested in Notre Dame football."
Freeman was then asked whether this especially was a factor in landing players from an area of the country that is normally dominated by the SEC:
"Exactly. Exactly. And so now the brand, the faces, it is recognizable for all those guys and they want to at least hear about Notre Dame football. Now, it's just a part of the piece, right?”
“You're interested in listening. Now, how do we get the young person to believe in what the entire package of Notre Dame football can truly offer you?”
Considering that the Notre Dame football team is expected to have even more success and return to the College Football Playoff in 2025, things could be very bright indeed on the recruiting front for the Fighting Irish for years to come.