Thoughts on Marcus Freeman’s mid-portal window press conference

NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos...

Notre Dame football head coach Marcus Freeman finally got back in front of reporters on Wednesday afternoon, as he spoke on a variety of topics.

The Irish leader had multiple NFL teams after him, but he has turned them away for another shot with the Irish. With the transfer portal additions, it’s looking like Notre Dame will once again be a top contender for a spot in the College Football Playoff.

Find out below some of my takeaways from what Freeman said on Wednesday, as the Irish look to finish off their roster and prepare for the 2026 season.

Notre Dame’s new transfer portal approach

“We had strategic intentional conversations with admissions of understanding that the landscape of college football has changed…. There’s gonna be some student-athletes that we have to get admitted into Notre Dame that maybe haven’t graduated… When you look at the guys we signed, not all are graduates like in previous years they have been, I think it’s a credit to our admissions.”

The process was intentional as Freeman stated above, and it would be a sign for things to come for the future. Notre Dame no longer will just look at graduates, and as we saw during this window, could bear lots of fruit.

Freeman on landing Mylan Graham and Quincy Porter

The Irish recruited both of the Ohio State receivers out of high school, as Freeman stated that Tae Johnson’s relationship with Graham helped. As for Porter, there is a relationship between his high school of Bergen Catholic in New Jersey, and knew a lot about both of them due to the previous relationship. Having recruited both of them helped big time in landing them when they entered the portal.

Marcus Freeman still reeling about College Football Playoff snub

“It’s our responsibility to leave no doubt,” said Freeman, as there is still a sting from being left out. You have to believe that watching it all play out, Notre Dame would have had a legit shot at returning to the championship game. The snub will fuel the Irish’s fire this coming season and beyond.

On Notre Dame potentially bringing in a transfer quarterback

It was something that the staff had a conversation about, “but the reality is that we didn’t find that person” who knew they’d have to be CJ Carr’s backup. Freeman did mention that if they were to bring in a transfer quarterback he’d have to battle with the current players on the roster to be QB2. It’s pretty clear the Irish didn’t find that fit.

Marcus Freeman and the NFL

Freeman was asked about his future and he responded very succinctly, “head coach at Notre Dame.” He went on to say that the NFL interest is a reflection of team success and where the program is. He’s used some of the conversations with NFL executives and applied them to the Irish. Freeman knows where his focus is, on Notre Dame. He was later asked if this was going to be an annual concern, as he said “the future is uncertain,” but did say that “everything I want and everything that I need personally can be achieved here as the head coach of this program.” Freeman did say that he hopes it’s something that he has to go through every year, as it’s a reflection of the success that the Irish are having. He didn’t close the door on the NFL, but at the moment, his sole focus is on Notre Dame.

On what took Notre Dame so long to add a transfer

Freeman leaned on Mike Martin, as he told him, “let’s run our race,” and the trust took over. He knew that there was noise that Notre Dame wasn’t doing anything. His top goal was roster retention, as multiple players entered the portal, but none of them being significant contributors. That kept them from being aggressive early, and then having patience on waiting on the second wave of entrants. There were certain guys that didn’t fit what the Irish were looking for academically, but if you haven’t noticed, it all worked out very well for Notre Dame.

On injured linebackers Drayk Bowen and Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa

Freeman expects KVA ready for the fall, as it’s hard to say when a player will return from an ACL injury. As for Bowen, there’s a chance that he’s ready to participate in the spring, but it’s pretty clear the Irish won’t need to push him to get back on the field. It’s a nice luxury to have with a veteran presence at linebacker in Bowen.

Freeman isn’t second-guessing the bowl opt out

Proud of the captains to make the decision, as he didn’t want them to regret their choice. There was some angst watching the first few rounds of the CFP, and most likely will be when the championship game is played on Monday. Freeman wasn’t concerned about the Pop Tarts Bowl, as that wasn’t the goal for the Irish.

Freeman on bringing back Keon Keeley

Freeman always felt like he was a Notre Dame kid, and his famous saying of delayed gratification showed up. “He fits here perfectly,” and he’s very excited about finally getting on his roster. Keeley has tons of untapped potential, and should play a huge role for the Irish going forward.

Notre Dame will still focus on high school recruiting

Freeman was asked about the new portal rules, and said that it’s ever changing and adjustments have been made. “We are going to major in high school recruiting and supplement in the portal,” and this makes perfect sense. Getting elite high school recruits keeps the program humming, then adding in certain positions through the portal to compliment the roster. Safe to say, mission accomplished.

Freeman on USC not continuing the rivalry

“That rivalry is important for college football,” and he think that the rivalry will come back. Freeman knows that both schools administration are working on a solution, and noted that playing USC in Week 0 wasn’t best for the program. He said he’d take some of the blame, but knows the bigger goal is making the playoff.

On Notre Dame’s early season issues

“It’s my job to make sure we are ready,” as Freeman said they weren’t ready in Week 1 this year. They’ve gone back to figure out what the issues are, and have to be intentional about the changes that were made. There is potential that they won’t play as many guys in the coming seasons during the first game, and the hope is that the issues have been fixed going forward.

Contact/Follow us @IrishWireND on X (Formerly Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Notre Dame news, notes, and opinions.

Follow Mike on X: @MikeFChen

This article originally appeared on Fighting Irish Wire: Thoughts on Marcus Freeman’s mid-portal press conference

More at NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos