His players feel it. And if Marcus Freeman keeps pushing Notre Dame forward, the Fighting Irish won’t just be playoff contenders—they’ll be a program others try to emulate.

Freeman has always had his believers, but when Paul Finebaum throws his weight behind a head coach, it’s worth taking notice. The longtime ESPN analyst is known for his sharp critiques and unfiltered opinions, rarely handing out praise without good reason. But after watching what Freeman has built in South Bend—culminating in a national championship appearance in 2024—even Finebaum had to come around. As the expanded playoff era dawns, Notre Dame’s head coach is garnering credibility in unexpected quarters.

Finebaum’s recent conversation with Greg McElroy on ESPN’s Always College Football made one thing clear. He sees Freeman as a special kind of leader. “I think Marcus Freeman is just that dynamic coach that, quite frankly, I didn’t see coming,” Finebaum admitted. “I mean, he’s charismatic to me, but I didn’t know how translateable that would be, but it is. I think they are the exception. They can continue under their current status.” His words reinforced what many in college football have started to realize—Marcus Freeman isn’t just another young coach riding a wave of momentum. He’s a culture-shifter, someone capable of keeping Notre Dame relevant despite modern recruiting disadvantages.

That message has resonated deeply within his locker room, especially with one of his standout newcomers, four-star wide receiver Micah Gilbert. The Charlotte (N.C.) Christian product has wasted no time making an impact on and off the field, using his social media presence to voice admiration for his new coach. “Every day, I gain more respect for our head coach—not just for his leadership on the field, but also for the lessons that he strives to teach us as men,” Gilbert wrote in an Instagram post, giving the world an inside look at the profound influence Freeman has on his players.

But Gilbert’s words went beyond just football. He spoke about what it means to see a black head coach thrive in a sport where diversity in leadership is still lacking. “As a Black male, seeing Coach Freeman succeed at this level is particularly inspiring,” he continued. “Black head coaches are still underrepresented in our sport, and his journey proves that with hard work, resilience, and the right network we can break through barriers and create opportunities for ourselves and others.” And deservedly so. Freeman etched his name in CFB history as the first Black-Asian HC to play in the national championship final.

It’s rare to see a young recruit speak so candidly about representation. But Gilbert’s words hit on something bigger than just Notre Dame’s success—they spoke to the changing landscape of college football and Freeman’s role in it. Freeman, the resilient former Ohio State linebacker, was drafted by the Chicago Bears but never made an NFL appearance.

While Gilbert is a key part of the 2025 class, Notre Dame’s recruiting crown jewel is five-star offensive tackle Will Black from Wallingford (Conn.) Choate Rosemary Hall, the No. 17 overall player in the nation per On3. While Notre Dame signed a 25-man class in the 2025 cycle with just one five-star commit, the Freeman 25′ class was ranked 12th best by On3. Even as Freeman builds on his success with talents like Black and Gilbert, his ability to connect with his players and inspire beyond the Xs and Os is what’s gonna make the biggest difference. And Finebaum sees it.

Marcus Freeman’s biggest impact recruits of 2025

No offense to four-star Gilbert’s abilities. But coach Freeman’s receiving corps hasn’t been as strong as quarterback and running back. Marcus Freeman has been stacking talent in South Bend, and his 2025 recruiting class is shaping up to be a game-changer. According to Athlon Sports, Notre Dame’s receiving room earned a ‘B’ grade, which isn’t that bad. But there’s room for improvement. In 2024, Cam Williams was a top-25 talent with five-star upside, so there’s potential for this unit to level up.

Quarterback–Grade: A

This is where the Irish have really upped their game. Athlon Sports gave Freeman an ‘A’ for back-to-back years of elite QB recruiting. CJ Carr (2024) was a top-25 guy with a 5.0 upside, and Blake Hebert (2025) is no slouch either—ranked in the top 150 with 4.5-star potential.

Running Back–Grade: A

Notre Dame’s backfield is looking stacked. Kedren Young (2024), a top-100 talent, brings a 5.0 upside, while Aneyas Williams and Nolan James add depth and versatility. Freeman is building an elite ground game, and it’s paying off.