Notre Dame football has found a special group, and they owe it all to Marcus Freeman
When you talk about Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman, and the best things that he brings to the table, recruiting prowess is one of the first things that people mention. There was a lot of buzz over his first 2023 recruiting class, which looked very strong on paper at the time. If you watched […]
When you talk about Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman, and the best things that he brings to the table, recruiting prowess is one of the first things that people mention. There was a lot of buzz over his first 2023 recruiting class, which looked very strong on paper at the time. If you watched the Irish’s 31-13 victory over the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets, you got the full scope of just how good that group can be. You also saw it on both sides of the football.
On offense, everyone seems to be a giant fan of running back Jeremiyah Love, and all that he can accomplish on the field. We saw Love run the football, catch it, even pick up a first down off of a fake punt. During the game, he had 17 total touches for 93 yards and a touchdown. Get the ball to Love and watch him work.
It wasn’t an overly flashy day but we have seen wide receiver Jaden Greathouse begin to make more and more plays over the last several weeks. He finished the game against Georgia Tech with three receptions for 43 yards. If this Irish offense wants to reach their potential, Greathouse will have to make more plays down the stretch.
On defense, there was nothing but flashy. If started with starting MIKE linebacker Drayk Bowen, who had a good argument as the best player on either team during the game. He was stellar from start to finish, collecting nine total tackles and a pass breakup. It felt like every time there was a big collision, Bowen was involved.
Fellow linebacker Jaiden Ausberry was also tremendous against Georgia Tech. He had one of the biggest highlights of the day, working a textbook tackle in the open field. Ausberry ended the day with five tackles and one tackles for loss, flashing his range, playmaking ability, and physicality as a tackler.
In the secondary, cornerback Christian Gray and safety Adon Shuler continued their strong day. While the box score is nothing crazy for Gray (two total tackles), he blanketed opposing wide receivers all night. Gray nearly had an outstanding interception in the end zone after covering a double move from Eric Singleton Jr. perfectly but was unable to reel it in. The sophomore has been fantastic all season.
Not many people knew quite what to expect from Shuler heading into the 2024 season, but he has played really, really well. He again made his impact felt against the Yellow Jackets, finishing with three total tackles, and an interception that he returned for a touchdown. Shuler has the look of the next great Notre Dame safety.
If this 2023 recruiting class continues to stay together, they have a chance to be an outstanding group. We have seen the glimpses of brilliance, and it’s just getting better. If Coach Freeman keeps recruiting to this level, it won’t be long until Notre Dame has one of the top rosters in all of college football.
