Takeaways from Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman's post-spring press conference

USA Today

24-04-2025

AI-assisted summary
Notre Dame HC Marcus Freeman highlighted the team's adaptable, player-driven approach, emphasizing tailoring systems to the players' strengths rather than forcing a specific scheme.
The biggest news on Wednesday for Notre Dame football was head coach Marcus Freeman letting everyone know that the quarterback race will continue through the fall.
However, that wasn't all that the Irish coach discussed during his time with the media, as he touched on multiple different topics regarding Notre Dame football. It seemed like it was a very successful spring in the eyes of Freeman, as they come out relatively healthy with a team that should once again contend for a spot in the College Football Playoff.
Find out below my biggest takeaways from Freeman's final spring press conference.
Notre Dame fans brought it during Blue-Gold game
It was the first thing Freeman mentioned, thanking the fans for coming out to the spring game. While it didn't set any attendance records, it was still a solid crown that came out. The fans help drive excitement around the program, and you are doing a great job of that.
Three main goals
There were three main goals that Freeman wanted to accomplish in the spring: chasing potential, building trust between the coaches and players, and understanding there is delayed gratification in the spring. Wanting players to be the best they can be is difficult in the spring, has he mentioned it was an internal battle that is hard to measure against your teammates.
As for the trust, he knows how important this can be. Freeman noted that 'great teams have a trust amongst each other,' and we sure saw that last year. Good programs have this every once in a while, while great programs replicate it every year. And finally, the rewards coming later, like chasing potential, is hard to judge in limited spring practices. Wisely, Freeman said 'the greatest things in life take time,' and that is very true with spring football.
Pleased with sports performance staff
It wasn't a normal season for Notre Dame, having played the max games a team could with the new College Football Playoff format. That presented a unique challenge for the sports performance staff, and Freeman has been very happy with their work. They guided the team to recovering while returning to play, which included limiting certain players activities or pulling them out all together. The Irish are playing for another long season, and this plays a major part into it.
Tailoring systems and philosophies to what players do well
This part of his session was my favorite, as I love to hear when coaches aren't married to a certain system and try to force a square peg into a round hole. It's a player-driven program, and this is another factor that pushes this ideology. Freeman said that 'you have to tailor what you believe in to the talent that you have.' It also goes to show that the Irish have a deep playbook, and will continue to tinker with their schemes to best fit the team.
Spring injury report
There wasn't really any bad injury news for Notre Dame this spring, but some players are still on the mend. Freeman said that defensive end Brenan Vernon should be back in July from an MCL injury, while other ends Boubacar Traore and Jordan Botelho, along with linebacker Kahanu Kia and center Ashton Craig will be full go in the summer. Tight end Cooper Flanigan is the only one that won't be ready for the fall, as Freeman said his recovery will take a bit longer.
It's not about replacing guys, its about replacing production
Every year you see players leaving, and replacing them is a difficult challenge. Specifically on the defensive line, Rylie Mills and Howard Cross III are now moving on. Freeman doesn't believe the team needs to replace the individual, more so the production. He thinks it will take a group effort to get this done, not trying to rely on one player at each position to take the mantle. However, there are young players like Bryce Young who could make the jump to stardom and fill in for one the departed pair.
On Notre Dame's returning offensive line
Freeman mentioned a group of five lineman, which you have to expect are going to be the starting five we see against Miami. Billy Schrauth, Aamil Wagner, Ashton Craig, Charles Jagusah and Anthonie Knapp were the handful that he named as having 'big game, big moment experience, they're all really talented football players, high ceiling guys.' He's very excited about what this group can be, also adding that there is considerable depth in the group as well.
Chris Ash is building the trust with the defense
Freeman likes the fact that he's seeing results on the field, lots of production, but the biggest factor has been the trust that Ash has been building with the defensive staff and players. There was plenty of turnover on this side of the ball, and the spring has been very important with the changes. The progression has been impressive with Ash now in the building, and hopefully don't miss a beat from the success that Al Golden had.