Many of us did a double-take earlier this year when whispers started circulating about Vinny Freeman’s recruitment. The son of Notre Dame Fighting Irish head football coach Marcus Freeman, a former Ohio State LB, was being courted by none other than the Michigan Wolverines…for wrestling. That alone was enough to send shockwaves through both the Notre Dame and Buckeyes faithful. A Freeman at Michigan? It sounded almost sacrilegious. The thought of the Notre Dame coach’s own flesh and blood donning maize and blue, competing in Ann Arbor, had fans from South Bend to Columbus questioning the balance of the universe.

But put down the pitchforks, because that chapter has officially closed. On Wednesday, Vinny Freeman announced his commitment—not to Michigan, but to Cornell University. And his father couldn’t have been prouder. Marcus Freeman took to Instagram, reposting his son’s announcement with an enthusiastic message that simply read, “Proud of you! Can’t wait to see what’s next! #VinnysDad.” To top it off, he threw in Lil Baby’s “All In” as the soundtrack, a fitting choice for a moment that capped years of relentless effort on the mat and in the classroom.

If there was ever a question about how Marcus Freeman felt about his son’s recruitment process, his reaction made it clear—this wasn’t about football rivalries, but about a father celebrating a major milestone in his son’s life. And what a milestone it is. Earning a spot at an Ivy League school isn’t just about athletic ability—it’s a testament to Vinny’s dedication in all aspects of his development.

The 175-pound wrestling standout has spent years carving out his own path, and his resume speaks for itself. His junior season ended with a third-place finish in the IHSAA state wrestling tournament, an accomplishment that only fueled his hunger for more. With a 37-3 overall record last season, he proved he could go toe-to-toe with the best in the country. One of those three losses came in the state semifinals, but he bounced back to win the consolation bracket, showing resilience that any coach, football or wrestling, would admire.

His numbers over the years tell the full story. Vinny has compiled a career record of 101-17, a level of consistency that separates elite wrestlers from the pack. But it wasn’t just about wins and losses—it was the way he finished. He won 16 of his last 17 matches to close out the season, demonstrating a level of grit and determination that should translate well at the collegiate level. The decision to take his talents to Cornell ensures he’ll continue competing at a high level, while also earning an education that will serve him well beyond his athletic career.

That’s why this commitment is about more than just sports. For ‘Vinny’s dad’ and his wife, this is a proud parenting moment, the culmination of years spent guiding their son toward excellence. College decisions in sports families always carry a unique weight, but this one was different. Michigan was a tempting option, and a decision to join the Wolverines would have been a headline-making shocker. But in the end, it wasn’t about that. This was about Vinny’s future, his aspirations, and his ability to write his own story.

So while the Notre Dame-Michigan rivalry will continue on the gridiron, it won’t extend to the wrestling mats.

What’s next for Vinny’s dad? Marcus Freeman

Coach MD took Notre Dame on a magical ride in 2024, but now comes the hard part: running it back and finishing the job. As son will wrestle on the Cornell mats, Freeman Sr. won’t be just trying to repeat last year’s success—he’ll try to take that “final step” and win a national championship. And he knows last season can’t define them.

“Your past experience can create an arrogance that makes you lose the humility you must have to prepare the way you need to,” Freeman said. “And so we’ve almost put 2024 away.”

Translation? No living in the past. It’s time to go to work. Notre Dame has plenty of new challenges ahead—a quarterback battle, a roster with fresh faces, and the never-ending grind of closing the talent gap with college football’s elite. But Freeman isn’t just selling five-star recruits on football. His pitch is bigger.

He’s focused on “closing the gap with the top programs in terms of talent” while still offering what makes Notre Dame unique: a world-class education and a culture built on something more than NIL checks.

A new era is unfolding in South Bend, and Freeman is at the center of it. Can he take the Irish all the way? We’re about to find out.