Marcus Freeman & Co. aren’t just building a team at Notre Dame—they’re building a dynasty, brick by brick, recruit by recruit. With the Fighting Irish pushing toward national title contention, Freeman has locked in on a philosophy that’s working to perfection: develop high school talent, prioritize culture over quick fixes, and make Notre Dame the ultimate destination. That approach was on full display during “Pot of Gold” Day, where the Irish sent out nearly 100 scholarship offers to prospects in the class of 2027. The result? South Bend is buzzing, and Notre Dame is on the verge of landing some of the best talent in the country.

But in today’s landscape, recruiting isn’t just about facilities, tradition, or even winning—it’s about NIL. Marcus Freeman understands that as well as anyone, and he’s made it clear where Notre Dame stands. “The reality is that the players will be getting paid. And they should,” Freeman told Adam Brenneman. “What I don’t want to see is players making decisions based on how much money they’re going to get. But if you focus on being a great player, you should be paid according to your value.” That philosophy isn’t just talk—it’s the foundation of Notre Dame’s NIL approach. Freeman isn’t selling short-term paydays; he’s selling a future where the best players maximize their value on and off the field. “Like you guys are going to have that conversation and get paid accordingly to your works,” he continued. “But at the end of the day, we need you to commit to be the best version of yourself, to be the best teammate you can be, and that’s where your focus should be.”

That message is clearly resonating because Notre Dame is closing in on a monumental recruiting haul. First up is Rodney Dunham Jr., a five-star talent and the No. 1 player in North Carolina, who also ranks as the No. 3 EDGE rusher and the No. 7 overall player in the class of 2025, per On3. Steve Wiltfong contributed on On3 Recruits that Dunham had an “amazing” visit to South Bend, where he connected with defensive line coach Al Washington and, of course, Freeman himself. “Great school with great people,” Dunham said, highlighting the Irish’s combination of elite academics and football tradition. Freeman’s hands-on approach with top recruits is making a difference, and Dunham’s visit could be the first domino to fall in what would be a massive commitment for Notre Dame’s defense.

The recruiting momentum doesn’t stop there. The Irish are also pushing hard for Ian Premer, a towering 6-foot-5, four-star TE who visited Miami and Michigan over spring break. He’s high on local programs like Kansas, Kansas State, Missouri, and Oklahoma, but Wiltfong made it clear: “Notre Dame is right there pushing for Ian Premer.” The Irish have a long history of churning out elite tight ends—Kyle Rudolph, Tyler Eifert, Michael Mayer—and Freeman is selling Premer on the idea that he could be next in line. Given how Notre Dame has utilized its tight ends in recent years, it’s not hard to see why that pitch is working.

The defensive backfield isn’t being neglected either, as Freeman and his staff are making serious headway with two elite prospects. Jordan Thomas, a four-star cornerback out of Bergen Catholic in New Jersey, was back on campus and left with a glowing review. “It was amazing,” Thomas said after his visit, adding that he and his family enjoyed meeting the coaching staff, including Mike Mickens. The last time Thomas was at Notre Dame, he wasn’t even a recruit—now, he’s a priority.

Then there’s last but definitely, not the least, Aiden Pouncey, a four-star safety from Florida, who has also drawn heavy interest from LSU and Georgia. Despite strong competition, Pouncey left South Bend raving about Notre Dame’s tradition and culture. “He talked about Coach Freeman being a former player at Ohio State, the big games he played in, and said he was one of his favorite head coaches,” Wiltfong reported. That’s the Freeman effect—he’s not just selling Notre Dame; he’s selling himself, and the recruits are buying in.

It’s not every day a program stands on the verge of a recruiting jackpot, but Notre Dame is staring down exactly that.

Marcus Freeman Making a Play for Florida State Commit

The Fighting Irish keep on making moves—and this time, their sights are set on flipping a Florida State Seminoles commit.

Karon Maycock, a standout linebacker from Miami Central High School, has been pledged to Florida State’s 2026 recruiting class for barely a month. But if Marcus Freeman and company have anything to say about it, that commitment might not last much longer.

Notre Dame wasted no time after extending Maycock an official offer less than a week ago—and already, he’s made the trip to South Bend for a visit. That’s a big sign of interest from both sides. Maycock’s recruiting profile is an interesting case of rankings vs. reality. Across major outlets, he’s listed as a three-star prospect. But look at the schools that have offered him: Florida State, Penn State, Miami, and Alabama, just to name a few. Clearly, some of the best programs in the country see something the rankings might not fully capture.

As we said last but definitely not the least!