Marcus Freeman deserves all the appreciation that comes his way. In just four years of him taking the reins at Notre Dame, he’s managed to have an 8+ winning record every season. And he’s only gotten better at the job. He took over when Brian Kelly left before the 2021 bowl game, which the Fighting Irish eventually lost. But, now, look at the man. He finished 2024 with an attempt at clinching the National Championship and a beyond-impressive record of 14-2.

After playing collegiate football, Freeman reached the NFL. However, a problematic diagnosis ended his time there prematurely. It seemed like college football was where Freeman thrived best. At Cincinnati, Freeman built one of the best defenses of the AAC throughout all the years he’d been there. Before his move to Notre Dame, programs knew what he was worth. He refused offers from the Tennessee Titans, Ohio State, and Michigan State. If Kelly hadn’t left when he did, we wouldn’t see what Notre Dame football has become today. 9-4, 10-3, 14-2—that’s what you call true development. All of that has come by way of Freeman.

On3’s J.D. PicKell also thinks Freeman is set for more highs in the future as Notre Dame HC. “I respect Marcus Freeman. I think he’s turning towards being a top-five coach in the sport. If you think he’s a top-five coach in the sport right now, I wouldn’t push back too much on that. The thing that I appreciate about him is he’s not just winning on the roster-building side and the development side, though they have done that. I mean, Notre Dame, eight players at the combine this year. Arguably two of the top ten players in college football next year. They got dudes.”

PicKell is right about that. Their roster looks impeccably strong as they step into the 2025 season. Returning players include star WR Jeremiyah Love, and they could also bank on Malachi Fields and Will Pauling.

PicKell wants to end all conversation that Notre Dame is a program that still holds itself back from greatness. Contrarily, it’s already there.  “[T]hey are killing the yap that Notre Dame is a place that has some kind of glass ceiling on it. Shards everywhere. I mean, you got stained glass all over the place here […] because of what you did last year.”

Their only loss in the regular season came against Northern Illinois. They went unbeaten the rest of the season but unfortunately fell to the Buckeyes in the National Championship game.

Spring practice is in full swing at the Bend, with a mix of new and old players prepping to make 2025 a better season. Freeman seems to have things under control for now and has some new additions to his staff as well. Well, mostly under control because the Fighting Irish’s QB battle is going to be far more distinct than those at other programs.

Marcus Freeman doesn’t want to name his QB1 right away

On3’s Sam Gillenwater wrote that Notre Dame could see the longest QB battle among all programs. When asked about where they are about naming their starting QB, Freeman put the ball in the players’ court. According to him, it’s their job to tell him who’s going to take up the role. The HC said, “I don’t know when it’s going to be. [I]t’ll be when they kind of determine decisions need to be made. I’ve always said, like, I don’t truly believe that coaches put a timeline. I think the players kind of decide when decisions need to be made.” That should put contenders CJ Carr and Steve Angeli in overdrive to bag the spot vacated by Riley Leonard.

Angeli has the experience card, having played in some important games for Notre Dame. In his two years with the team, he’s jacked 772 passing yards and 10 touchdowns. He was behind the CFP semi-final win last season. Angeli has a quick release and great arm strength.

Then, there’s freshman CJ Carr, who carries the legacy of Lloyd Carr. According to On3, Carr is the no. 12 prospect overall and No. 6 in the QB group of the 2024 class. He played just one game and is a clear rookie as he steps into the QB battle this season. His arm strength is also one to look out for. We’re looking at an inexperienced talent pool but one with great potential. And don’t forget that there’s also Kenny Minchey.

This is one QB fight everyone will be looking at to see who emerges as the winner. Leonard’s departure is giving a level playing field for the contenders to prove their worth to Freeman. At practice, all the QBs seemed to be getting a fair share of reps, and even Kenny Minchey seemed to be a promising competitor. The HC knows what each of them is capable of and what they’d bring to the table, but he’ll delay his decision as far as possible to choose the right guy for the position.