Four Key Insights from February in Notre Dame Football Recruiting

Notre Dame football’s recruiting landscape is always fascinating, with every month contributing to the story of the team’s future. February is a pivotal month in the recruiting process, where momentum builds for the following seasons. The program’s approach in early 2025 shows both challenges and progress as Notre Dame football continues to grow its identity under Head Coach Marcus Freeman. As we take a closer look, we can identify four key insights that will shape the Notre Dame football recruiting class for the 2025 cycle and beyond.

1. The Importance of Building Early Relationships with Elite Talent

February is often considered a crucial month for laying the foundation for future recruiting classes, and Notre Dame football’s commitment to nurturing relationships with elite prospects was on full display. Under Freeman’s leadership, the program’s recruiting has shown a much more proactive approach than in years past, as evidenced by the focus on targeting high-profile recruits early in the cycle.

Early Efforts in 2025: Notre Dame’s 2025 recruiting efforts were already well underway by February, with multiple high-profile recruits receiving offers and establishing connections with the coaching staff. This strategy is indicative of Freeman’s long-term vision for the program, as he and his staff understand the significance of early engagement. Top recruits, who may have previously been inclined to wait longer before making a decision, now see Notre Dame as a genuine contender thanks to these early relationships.

Example: One significant example was the recruitment of highly-ranked defensive lineman prospects. Notre Dame, a school historically known for producing elite defensive talent, utilized its defensive pedigree and proximity to top-tier defensive recruits in states like Ohio, Illinois, and Michigan. The staff’s commitment to offering early scholarships and maintaining consistent communication with these top recruits has allowed the Irish to stay at the forefront of these players’ minds.

The focus on elite talent is not just about getting commitments quickly. It’s about building trust and ensuring that by the time the recruiting process heats up, the Notre Dame staff will already be firmly planted in the minds of these recruits. For the 2025 cycle, this strategy may pay off as recruits build an emotional connection to the program.

2. The Ongoing Success of Notre Dame’s National Reach

February of 2025 also confirmed that Notre Dame’s national recruiting footprint is as expansive as ever. While the Irish have historically relied on the Midwest to build a strong foundation, Coach Freeman has made it clear that Notre Dame will cast a wider net for talent. This approach has been crucial in securing commitments from players across the country, and the month of February reinforced this strategy.

Expanding the Geographic Reach: The Midwest will always be vital to Notre Dame’s recruiting efforts, but Coach Freeman’s strategy includes finding hidden gems in states that may not have been historically associated with the program. By targeting high school athletes in southern states such as Texas, Florida, and Georgia, Freeman is tapping into football-rich regions that were previously underexplored by the Irish.

This diversification of talent was clearly visible in February, as Notre Dame offered and subsequently received commitments from players outside its traditional recruiting footprint. For instance, the Irish were able to land commitments from top-tier skill position players in Florida and Texas. Additionally, their increased presence in states like California and Georgia has allowed them to secure interest from prospects who would have once been a long shot for the Irish.

The broader recruiting reach shows that Freeman is willing to challenge tradition in order to adapt to the modern college football landscape. His ability to cast a wide net has already had tangible results, and it appears that this strategy will continue to shape the program for years to come.

Increased Focus on High-Profile States: Notably, February marked the continued success of recruiting in high-profile states like California, where Notre Dame has made significant inroads. While California has always been an important state for recruiting, the emphasis placed on it by Freeman’s staff is pushing Notre Dame to the forefront of conversations in the Golden State. As high school football in California continues to produce top-tier talent, this expansion of reach could be a game-changer for the program.

3. Adjusting to the New Era of NIL and Transfer Portal Recruiting

February 2025 also saw Notre Dame navigating the increasingly complex world of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals and the transfer portal. College football’s recruiting landscape has drastically changed over the past few years, and for a program like Notre Dame, which historically has been more traditional in its approach, this presents both challenges and opportunities.

Notre Dame’s NIL Strategy: The program has continued to adapt to the new NIL era, ensuring that it doesn’t fall behind in this rapidly changing environment. While Notre Dame is not yet competing with the flashier NIL offers found at schools like Miami, USC, or Texas A&M, the Irish have built a strong and sustainable approach to NIL. February was a period where the program refined this strategy by offering recruits a pathway to capitalize on their talents both during their college careers and post-graduation.

Part of what makes Notre Dame unique in the NIL space is its emphasis on academic excellence and personal development. The coaching staff has framed NIL as a way to help student-athletes not just in terms of financial gain, but also through networking opportunities, mentorship, and academic achievements. This approach resonates with athletes who are looking for more than just a lucrative deal — they want a well-rounded experience.

Transfer Portal Considerations: Another crucial aspect of recruiting in February was Notre Dame’s strategic focus on the transfer portal. While some programs aggressively build their rosters through portal acquisitions, Notre Dame has been more selective, aiming to enhance depth rather than immediately reshaping the entire team. This selective strategy positions the Irish to strengthen key areas, such as offensive and defensive line depth, while still preserving the long-term developmental prospects of their recruited players.

The transfer portal is often seen as a quick fix, but for Notre Dame, it’s more of a supplementary tool. February was a reminder that Coach Freeman is looking to build a program that doesn’t rely solely on the portal for success, instead focusing on creating a sustainable, strong recruiting base through traditional high school recruiting.

4. Notre Dame’s Strong Family and Cultural Appeal

Perhaps one of the most telling aspects of Notre Dame’s recruiting efforts in February 2025 was the continued importance of the program’s unique culture. For many recruits, it’s not just about football. It’s about finding a place where they can thrive both on and off the field. Notre Dame has long been recognized for its commitment to academic excellence, community involvement, and strong spiritual values. This cultural appeal is something that continues to set the Fighting Irish apart from other elite programs.

Focus on Character and Leadership: Freeman has consistently made it clear that recruiting athletes with strong character and leadership skills is a priority for him. February was a month where the staff continued to emphasize the importance of not just athletic ability but also the values that a recruit brings to the table. This resonates with families who are looking for more than just a football program — they want an institution that will help shape their son into a well-rounded adult.

Tangible Connections with Players: Notre Dame’s ability to sell its family atmosphere to recruits has been key to its success. February’s recruiting updates showed that the Irish were able to build personal relationships with recruits and their families, making them feel like they were part of something bigger than just football. For many recruits, that sense of belonging is a huge factor when deciding where to commit. The strength of the Notre Dame community, including alumni and players, is something that resonated strongly with recruits during February visits.

The Notre Dame way is about commitment to excellence, and many recruits in February understood that they would not just be joining a football program — they would be becoming part of a long legacy of excellence, integrity, and success. This cultural fit is essential for ensuring recruits will not only excel on the field but also embody the ideals of the institution.

As we reflect on Notre Dame football’s recruiting in February, it’s clear that the program is on the rise under Marcus Freeman. From its focus on early relationships with top talent, to its expanding national reach, to its strategic adjustments to NIL and the transfer portal, Notre Dame is making significant strides in its recruiting efforts. Most importantly, the program’s culture continues to be its backbone, drawing recruits who want to be part of something greater than just football.

The 2025 recruiting cycle may be just getting started, but Notre Dame has already laid a solid foundation. If February is any indication, the Irish will be a force in college football recruiting for years to come, and their future classes promise to be even more competitive, diverse, and successful. As the recruiting journey continues, fans can expect Notre Dame to maintain its commitment to excellence both on and off the field, ensuring that the Fighting Irish remain a staple in the national recruiting landscape.