Well, just a few days back ESPN College GameDay host Kirk Herbstreit said how certain things need to change in college football. Out of them, the ‘pay for play’ structure, that is NIL, never sits well with Hebstreit. So, the analyst called for a change. That’s when Marcus Freeman’s Notre Dame’s NIL scene came to light. And it looks a lot different than most of the college football programs. Thanks to Notre Dame QB Riley Leonard for revealing the secrets of Freeman’s program that often fail to make it to the spotlight. 

We are standing at a time when out of all forces, there is one big force that drives college football. That’s NIL. One of the most successful programs has been Deion Sanders’ Colorado Buffaloes. After all, his QB son Shedeur Sanders tops the NIL valuation list holding a valuation of $6.5 million. Now they have the mighty hands of the Big 12 conference. However, for Freeman’s boys, things are not that easy. After all, they run as an independent program without help from any conference. In 2022, Notre Dame football alum Brady Quinn decided to launch a NIL collective for his school. It is called the Friends of the University of Notre Dame (FUND), a nonprofit. However, Freeman’s program is now forced to go back to the drawing board because of legal realities. But the good things from the collective demands attention. 

Before facing off against the Ohio State Buckeyes for the finale, Freeman’s QB Leonard gave an interview to WBNS 10TV. Well, he knows how NIL often gets the negative light. But, Freeman’s program stands out from the crowd. Even though the Fighting Irish are No.4 or No.5 in the list, they tick off all the boxes. So how is Freeman’s program setting the trend right? Leonard shared, “I think one thing we do really good here is learning financial literacy with NIL we’re going through classes.” It’s obvious that players at such a tender age would require assistance on how to manage their finances. 

For that, Notre Dame has assigned a professor who guides them about taxes. And here comes the biggest flex of Freeman’s NIL structure that is surely going to melt your heart. “A lot of these guys are able to pay for family travels to come to our games where you know in the past these close family members of them haven’t been able to come,” informed Leonard. So, now you know how Freeman’s boys other than having a good times themselves, use the NIL money to give their biggest supporters, their parents, an easy life. Now this was very much important at a time when Leonard’s NIL success was doing rounds. 

How does Riley Leonard make Marcus Freeman proud? 

Now the limelight is only on the two programs. Freeman’s Fighting Irish and Ryan Day’s Ohio State. Other than the game plan of the two programs, their quarterbacks turned fans’ heads. Both Leonard and Buckeyes QB Will Howard reigned the NIL front. According to On3, Freeman’s signal-caller has an NIL valuation of $1.6 million. Leonard has cracked big partnerships with top shots like Rhoback, EA Sports, Great Clips, and Gillette, among others.

NIL suitors are now swarming around him after his gigantic feat this season. With the Fighting Irish, the Duke transfer went 247-for-372 for 2,606 yards. In the game, that sealed the seat for Freeman’s program in the finale, Leonard came up with 15-for-223 for 223 yards along with a touchdown and two interceptions. Forget the stats and his big NIL figure, as it has more to it. Riley Leonard has edged out Buckeyes quarterback Howard when it comes to NIL valuation. The latter holds a valuation of $1.4 million. Now it’s in itself a big win for Marcus Freeman and a huge boost to Notre Dame’s morale just before the National Championship. 

While Riley Leonard is yet to buy anything for himself or his family, he already come up with a bold move. The quarterback earlier had promised to give back to his teammates. “I try to be a servant leader, and what I really want to do is serve others; showing these guys that I’m no better than them,” he committed. With this, Marcus Freeman’s heart must be beaming with pride.