If you’ve spent any time on social media lately, you’ve probably seen the frantic rumors about Marcus Freeman and the NFL. It’s basically become a tradition in South Bend. Every time a high-profile pro job opens up—like the Steelers vacancy after Mike Tomlin stepped down—the internet decides Freeman is already packing his bags for the AFC North.
But honestly? The latest Notre Dame football news tells a completely different story.
While the clickbait headlines focus on coaching carousels, the real work is happening in the trenches. The Irish are currently navigating one of the most transformative January windows in recent memory. We aren't just talking about a few new names on the depth chart. We’re talking about a fundamental shift in how the University of Notre Dame actually functions as a football program.
The Portal Wall Just Came Down
For years, Notre Dame fans have lived with a frustrating reality. If a talented player wasn't a graduate transfer, they probably weren't coming to South Bend. The admissions office was the toughest opponent on the schedule.
That just changed.
In a move that’s kinda flown under the radar for casual fans, Marcus Freeman and the university have aligned on a new admissions approach. This month, Notre Dame signed eight players from the NCAA Transfer Portal. Every single one of them is an undergraduate transfer.
"I think we had strategic, intentional conversations with admissions of understanding the landscape of college football has changed," Freeman said recently.
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This isn't just about getting better players; it's about survival. By allowing "undergrad" transfers, the Irish just blew the doors off their available talent pool. You can see the results in the massive addition of former Oregon Ducks defensive tackle Tionne Gray. At 6-foot-6 and 336 pounds, he’s the kind of interior monster that usually wouldn't have cleared the academic hurdles mid-career. Now? He’s expected to anchor a defensive line that looks terrifying on paper.
The Coaching Shuffle You Didn't Expect
It’s not just the roster that’s getting a makeover. The coaching staff is playing musical chairs, but for once, it feels like a promotion rather than a panic move.
Al Washington is moving.
After Max Bullough bolted for Michigan State to join Pat Fitzgerald’s staff, a hole opened up in the linebackers room. Instead of a national search, Freeman moved Washington from the defensive line to the linebackers. It’s a smart play. Washington has coached LBs at Ohio State and Michigan, and this move keeps one of the program's best recruiters happy while giving him a path to a future Defensive Coordinator role.
To fill Washington's old spot, the Irish went big. They snagged Charlie Partridge.
Partridge is widely considered one of the best defensive line developers in the country. He’s coming straight from the Indianapolis Colts, bringing that NFL pedigree that recruits absolutely crave. When you pair Partridge’s development skills with a guy like Keon Keeley—the former five-star who just transferred in from Alabama—you start to see why the 2026 hype train is already leaving the station.
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The 2026 Recruiting Class is Historically Deep
Recruiting rankings are usually just "projection porn" for fans, but the 2026 cycle is hitting differently.
The Irish are currently sitting with a consensus top-five class. Some outlets, like On3, have even pegged them at No. 1 or No. 2 nationally at various points this month. It’s the highest-ranked haul in the modern era for this program.
- Ian Premer: The No. 1 tight end in the country. He’s 6-foot-5 and was the Kansas Gatorade Player of the Year. Basically a walking mismatch.
- Ben Nichols: A 335-pound mauler from Michigan. He had offers from Alabama and Ohio State but chose South Bend because of the "culture."
- Madden Faraimo: A five-star linebacker who already flashed as a true freshman in 2025 and is expected to be a cornerstone of the 2026 defense.
The variety in this class is wild. They have signees from 12 different states. Freeman is no longer just winning the Midwest; he’s taking players out of the SEC’s backyard and beating USC for West Coast stars.
What About the "NFL Interest" in Freeman?
Let’s address the elephant in the room. Adam Schefter reported that multiple NFL teams have checked in on Freeman. Of course they have. He’s 39, he’s 43-12 over four seasons, and he just took the Irish to a CFP National Championship appearance last year.
But here is what most people get wrong.
Freeman signed an "enhanced contract" last month. Athletic Director Pete Bevacqua has been vocal about making sure Freeman is in the "top, top, top tier" of coaching compensation. More importantly, Freeman himself has been shutting it down. On December 29, he posted a simple "2026 run it back Go Irish" on social media.
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While the New York Giants or the Steelers might keep calling, all signs point to Freeman staying put. He finally has the administrative support he needs—exemplified by the upcoming opening of the Jack and Kathy Shields Family Hall, which is 50% larger than the old Gug.
Looking Ahead: The 2026 Schedule
The 2026 slate isn't for the faint of heart. It starts with a massive Sunday night clash against Wisconsin at Lambeau Field on September 6.
Then you’ve got Michigan State and Purdue back-to-back. The back half of the schedule is a gauntlet, featuring Miami, Florida State, and a trip to Foxborough to play Navy. It’s a schedule designed to impress the CFP committee, provided the Irish can navigate the early hurdles.
Actionable Insights for Fans
If you're trying to keep up with the latest Notre Dame football news, don't just look at the scoreboard. Watch these three things over the next month:
- The Remaining Portal Window: While the winter window is closing, keep an eye on "Scrap" Richardson. The former Irish speedster is likely heading to Auburn. How the Irish fill that depth at WR will be telling.
- Spring Practice Dates: The team returns to the field on March 26. There will be 15 practices total, culminating in the Blue-Gold Game on April 19. This is where we’ll see if the Tionne Gray/Francis Brewu interior duo is as real as advertised.
- The "Shields Hall" Impact: When the new facility opens, watch for a spike in 2027 recruiting commitments. Being able to show recruits a modern locker room—instead of just a rendering—is a massive "closer" in the NIL era.
The bottom line? Notre Dame is no longer acting like an outsider in the modern college football world. They are spending money, relaxing outdated admissions rules, and hiring NFL talent. For the first time in a long time, the "Notre Dame way" isn't a handicap; it’s a recruiting pitch.
The 2026 season is already being built. And for once, the foundation looks like it’s made of more than just history and tradition. It’s made of elite talent and a university that finally decided it actually wants to win it all.