In the world of recruiting, Marcus Freeman and Notre Dame Football are on a roll, holding the title for the nation’s second-ranked class for 2026.
In the hypercompetitive world of college football recruiting, where programs fight tooth and nail for every five-star prospect, Marcus Freeman and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish are delivering one of the most impressive runs in the nation. As of late May 2025, Notre Dame holds the No. 2 ranked recruiting class for 2026—a feat that underscores the strategic genius and unshakable culture Freeman has instilled in South Bend.
Just three years into his head coaching tenure, Freeman has not only weathered the transitional turbulence left behind by Brian Kelly’s departure but has redefined Notre Dame’s place in modern recruiting. He’s brought a unique blend of NFL-caliber defensive knowledge, elite communication skills, and genuine authenticity to a program historically known for its prestige but often lacking the recruiting flash of SEC giants.
Now, that perception is changing rapidly—and the results speak for themselves.
For decades, Notre Dame’s rich legacy, storied rivalries, and gold helmets were enough to keep them in the recruiting conversation. But in recent years, elite prospects have increasingly gravitated toward SEC and Big Ten schools with flashier facilities, massive NIL collectives, and back-to-back playoff appearances. Freeman, however, has flipped the narrative.
Rather than leaning solely on Notre Dame’s academic and historical pedigree, Freeman has modernized the recruiting approach. He’s fostered a player-first environment, launched innovative social media campaigns, and connected deeply with high school coaches across the country.
Under Freeman, Notre Dame is no longer viewed as a place of old-school values alone—it’s now seen as a launching pad for NFL aspirations.
Notre Dame’s 2026 class is loaded across the board. It features elite talent at key positions, high-upside prospects with NFL measurables, and, perhaps most importantly, a cohesive group of players that reflects Freeman’s vision for the program.
As of now, the Irish have landed four five-star recruits and ten four-stars, giving them the second-best class in the country behind only Georgia. With several more high-profile prospects leaning toward South Bend, there’s a realistic shot Notre Dame could finish with the No. 1 class by signing day.
Some of the headliners include:
-
Jackson Thomas (QB) – The five-star gunslinger out of California is being dubbed “the next Sam Hartman with a faster release and bigger arm.” His commitment sent shockwaves across the country.
-
Kamal Wright (CB) – A lockdown corner from Florida who turned down Alabama and Florida State to play in Freeman’s defensive system.
-
Elijah Boone (OL) – The 6’6″, 310-pound lineman is a prototypical mauler who fits perfectly into Notre Dame’s tradition of producing elite offensive linemen.
These players aren’t just choosing Notre Dame for the logo. They’re coming because they believe in the staff, the system, and the mission.
When Freeman was hired, skeptics questioned whether a first-time head coach could lead a program of Notre Dame’s magnitude. Today, he’s silenced virtually every critic.
Freeman has proven to be a relentless recruiter—more approachable than the old-guard coaches and more relatable than many of his contemporaries. He speaks the language of today’s athletes: authenticity, opportunity, and vision. And recruits listen.
Unlike some coaches who delegate most of the recruiting grind to assistants, Freeman is directly involved in nearly every big-name recruitment. Whether it’s flying across the country to meet with a five-star mom or hosting a multi-day unofficial visit to show off the culture, Freeman is the face of the pitch.
“He doesn’t just sell you a dream,” said 2026 linebacker commit Malachi Rivers. “He shows you the path. He tells you how you’ll develop, how they’ll win, and how you’ll grow as a man.”
While Freeman sets the tone, his staff is playing a major role in closing the gap with the Alabamas and Georgias of the world. Offensive line coach Joe Rudolph continues to attract top trench talent, wide receivers coach Chansi Stuckey has become one of the best positional recruiters in the country, and defensive coordinator Al Golden is earning major points with top-tier defensive prospects.
Notre Dame’s staff has clearly bought into Freeman’s approach—part CEO, part motivator, part peer recruiter. That cohesion is a key reason why this 2026 class has built momentum few schools can match.
One of the biggest criticisms Notre Dame faced in the early NIL era was that they weren’t aggressive enough. But Freeman and athletic director Jack Swarbrick (and now Pete Bevacqua) have wisely embraced a balanced NIL strategy that emphasizes development and long-term value over quick cash grabs.
Rather than offering the biggest bag, Notre Dame’s NIL pitch highlights partnerships with alumni, media training, post-football career support, and national brand exposure. For players and families thinking beyond just their first paycheck, it’s a compelling sell.
With the Irish Collective gaining traction and more local and national brands partnering with players, Notre Dame is proving that it can compete in the NIL world while staying true to its institutional values.
One of the most impressive aspects of this 2026 group isn’t just the talent—it’s the leadership.
Several commits have taken it upon themselves to help recruit other elite players, creating a brotherhood before they even arrive in South Bend. There’s real chemistry between these future teammates, and it reflects a deeper understanding of what Freeman has been preaching since day one: culture over hype.
Recruits aren’t just picking Notre Dame to wear the gold helmet on NBC. They’re picking it because they believe in the locker room, the coaching staff, and the accountability being built behind closed doors.
Notre Dame’s success in 2026 isn’t happening in a vacuum. It’s beginning to change how national analysts, rival coaches, and even current college players view the program.
The idea that Notre Dame “can’t win big games,” “doesn’t develop speed,” or “won’t land elite Southern athletes” is quickly being disproven.
In fact, over half of the 2026 class hails from SEC or ACC territory—Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, and Texas. Freeman is no longer just defending Midwest turf; he’s attacking deep into enemy territory and winning.
This recruiting hot streak is not just good for Notre Dame—it’s a signal that the Irish are poised to be perennial contenders for the College Football Playoff, especially with an expanded 12-team format giving more room for power programs to earn their shot
The final piece of the puzzle will be whether Freeman can hold this top-tier class through National Signing Day. As always, other programs will push late with massive NIL offers, negative recruiting, or promises of early playing time.
But if Freeman’s track record holds, Notre Dame fans should feel confident. He’s already flipped players from powerhouse programs, retained key commits despite heavy poaching, and built a recruiting machine based on relationships—not gimmicks.
If anything, it feels like this is just the beginning.
Notre Dame’s 2026 class is more than a set of blue-chip rankings on paper—it’s a testament to the vision Marcus Freeman brought to South Bend and the way he’s executed it with relentless consistency.
In just a few seasons, Freeman has turned Notre Dame into one of the hottest recruiting destinations in the country. And as the Irish inch closer to matching on-field dominance with off-field momentum, it’s clear that a national championship window is not just possible—it’s opening wider than it has in decades.
The Fighting Irish are no longer chasing the top. They’re charging toward it—and bringing the next generation of stars with them.
