Notre Dame Football Recruiting: Local vs. National Perceptions

Perspective is everything when viewing Notre Dame's recruiting classes.

Apr 20, 2024; Notre Dame, IN, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish wide receiver Kris Mitchell (10) carries the ball as linebacker Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa (27) attempts to tackle in the Blue-Gold Game at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports | Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports

National media speaks highly of Marcus Freeman-era Notre Dame recruiting

ESPN just recently published a long article on its website about Notre Dame recruiting under Marcus Freeman and how much it has changed.

This in-depth piece covered how much the process of recruiting has been overhauled as well as the procedures since Freeman has been in South Bend leading to more well-rounded and talented classes.

"You've got the right guy at the right time for an incredible institution”: Marcus Freeman has spent the last 32 months overhauling Notre Dame recruiting.

Entering a new CFP era, could it be the nudge that finally puts the Irish over the edge?

New @espn:https://t.co/DUTvkuyF9N

— Eli Lederman (@ByEliLederman) August 11, 2024

It seems that nationally, there's a pretty solid consensus that Notre Dame is in a better position with recruiting than they have ever been in the modern era, led of course by Freeman's constant drive and energy for recruiting, which permeates down to his staff.

But why does it feel like for many in the local media there's a slightly different tone?

Sell Like a Champion Today#GoIrish☘️ pic.twitter.com/c8OJQrHK0Q

— Notre Dame Football (@NDFootball) July 24, 2024

Local followers of Notre Dame recruiting are more on edge

While the national media seems to be quite impressed with Notre Dame's modern recruiting results, the local beat seems to be striking a slightly different tune.

Why are the Irish losing the top-rated players in each class late in the recruiting game each cycle?

Can Notre Dame hold onto their 2025 quarterback verbal commitment or will they strike out again?

🚨 BREAKING: Notre Dame football has landed a verbal commitment from ascending Fort Wayne (Ind.) Snider safety recruit Brandon Logan.

I dove into what the Irish are adding in Logan and how he fits in the 2025 defensive back class.

Check it out: https://t.co/B7ZKo1pcFU pic.twitter.com/jmiKIyXH4g

— Kyle Kelly (@ByKyleKelly) August 10, 2024

These contradictions in the perception of Notre Dame's recruiting status beg the question. Who's right?

Is the national media too far separated from the intimacies of the day-to-day grind of Irish recruiting to properly feel the current anxiety level? Or are local followers of the team so immersed in Notre Dame-land they can't realize they have it pretty darn good right now?

The answer? It's recruiting. If the team wins football games, everything else is just fine.


Watch Marcus Freeman Pause Alaska Vacation for JaDon Blair's Commitment to Notre Dame

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