Notre Dame recruiting has been heating up in a big way this summer as Marcus Freeman begins to spread his wings and make Fighting Irish truly his own program as the days of Brian Kelly are fully behind us. As we head towards Freeman’s 4th season as head coach I decided to take a look back at his first full recruiting class.

The 2023 class finished 12th in the 247 Composite Team Rankings but with the 5th best recruiting score average for individual players. This is a pretty fun look back–it’s not that long ago but legacies are already being built.

Gone to the Portal

So far, only 4 players have left the class which is an impressive retention rate in this era of NIL and other hijinks.

WR Braylon James – The Texas native joined a long list of Irish wide receivers to leave the program in recent years. He didn’t wait long either, taking off on December 4th after his first season in South Bend. He’s played one season at TCU and caught 3 passes in 2024. Verdict: James is trending towards major bust as a high 4-star recruit who will be heading into year 3 in college and still not starting.

CB/WR/RB Micah Bell – It wasn’t clear whether Bell really wanted to play corner or defense for the Irish. Apparently not as he left after one season, joined Vanderbilt where he was listed at wide receiver, and is now, crazily, on the Georgia roster as a running back. Verdict: I’m prepared to see Bell transfer to a 4th school after 2025. He’s listed at 185 pounds and I’m not sure he’s in the top 6 running backs for the Dawgs. It’s a weird situation.

WR Rico Flores – This was one of the more surprising transfers in recent Notre Dame history. After a very promising true freshman season, Flores decided to pass up an opportunity to start for the Irish in 2024 and instead left for Westwood and UCLA. He ended up starting the season for the Bruins but missed their final 8 games with an undisclosed injury. Verdict: Painful isn’t the right word but this personnel loss stung for Notre Dame. Flores has caught 39 passes in 16 career games and should probably have 3 more productive seasons in college.

Flores was a factor for UCLA before injury.

OL Sam Pendleton – We knew the 2025 offense had too many offensive linemen with experience due to injuries pushing several into new roles. Even though in a vacuum it’s strange to see a redshirt freshman leave after making 7 starts the path to playing time was going to be difficult for Pendleton had he stayed. He transferred to Tennessee at the end of January. Verdict: The Vols expect Pendleton to win a starting job this fall either at center or right guard. He will be missed as an excellent depth piece but leaving was smart for his playing time.

From the Portal

RB Devyn Ford – In another life this could’ve been an impact transfer, although Ford likely couldn’t predict how loaded his position group would become after coming over from Penn State. He even switched to safety for an off-season! Verdict: Ford was a really good glue guy who made a decent impact on special teams. While he never found his production from his earliest days at Penn State this was a solid addition to the Irish program.

S Antonio Carter – A transfer from Rhode Island raised eyebrows at the time. We saw so little of Carter in his lone season in South Bend that it’s difficult to know what went wrong. Verdict: Carter finished his career in 2024 making 109 tackles for Jacksonville State so he excelled more at a lower level. For Notre Dame, it didn’t work out.

DE Javontae Jean-Baptiste – Things started slowly for JJB and he wasn’t that hyped after coming over from a backup role at Ohio State either. He left Notre Dame crushing it over the final half of the season and turned himself into a NFL Draft pick. Verdict: JJB has been one of the best pleasant surprises of the whole Freeman portal era. He even made the Washington Commanders roster last year and started one game as a rookie.

JJB is at least having a cup of coffee in the NFL for now. 

NB Thomas Harper – This was just great scouting by Notre Dame. Harper came in from Oklahoma State and immediately locked down the nickel corner back position for the 2023 season. He didn’t light the world on fire with playmaking ability but was a tough defender with awesome traits. Verdict: I was hoping Harper would be drafted, sadly his size and lack of length were too detrimental. Still, he was a very solid player for Notre Dame.

PK Spencer Shrader – The missed field goal on his lone attempt in the 3-point loss will always sting with Shrader’s single season in South Bend. Like many kickers, he had his clutch moments but also missed 7 out of his 22 attempts for the Irish. Verdict: I think we expected a little more from Shrader but he was a decent option as a late portal pick up. He’s hanging around the NFL after one season and made a single field goal for both the Jets and Chiefs last year, too.

QB Sam Hartman – This could’ve been and maybe should’ve been a better end result. The first half of the season had Hartman in the Heisman race and the vibes were immaculate. In the 3 losses from 2023, things weren’t great particularly in the latter 2 losses to Louisville and Clemson. Verdict: The Hartman transfer was a homerun from a PR standpoint but the results on the field never lived up to the billing even if his numbers overall were pretty good.

WR Kaleb Smith – This plane never got off the runway. The Virginia Tech transfer was penciled in as a possible starter, didn’t open up spring practice with good health, and ultimately medically retired in mid-April of 2023. Verdict: Years from now, most won’t remember this transfer even took place but Smith could’ve helped the 2023 team so much.

The Whiffs

DT Brenan Vernon – Once upon a 5-star Composite recruit (he fell pretty far and ended up just outside the top 200 after Signing Day) it’s been a tough and disappointing career for Vernon. Maybe because of that it feels like he’s been at Notre Dame for far longer than just 2 full seasons and is not just a redshirt sophomore. Verdict: Only 2 tackles in 4 career games, plus he just tore his MCL this spring. It’s not looking good.

Vernon hasn’t made an impact with Notre Dame.

OL Devan Houstan – In the history of football, the switch from defensive line to offensive line has never meant good things for the playing time of said player. If it was a temporary move for the spring he’s still listed as an offensive lineman on the most recent roster update from June. Verdict: Houstan was a more highly rated recruit than I remember (top 250 overall in the Composite) and it looks like it’s just not coming together on either side of the ball for him.

The Backups

TE Cooper Flanagan – He’s done the most of anyone in this section, so this is a little unfair. Flanagan has played quite a bit through 2 seasons but isn’t on track to be The Guy at tight end just yet. Verdict: This still looks like a recruiting win for the Irish. He’s shown a knack for big plays (3 touchdowns to date) and has plenty of time to develop.

DT Armel Mukam – There were some high hopes for Mukam heading into 2024 after a redshirt year. Unfortunately, a torn labrum last off-season potentially set him back more than we know. He was in the rotation last year but was used really sparingly, even with all the injuries and missing personnel. Verdict: Brighter days should be ahead for the now beefed up defensive tackle and just 4 tackles in 12 games should be improved upon very soon.

OL Sullivan Absher – The North Carolina native made his career debut back in the 2023 Sun Bowl and has played in all of the games since then. Absher has been a mainstay on special teams and looked to develop nicely this spring, too. Verdict: Starting didn’t look to be in the cards for 2025, although an injury recently could shake things up. He doesn’t seem that far away from really contributing.

OL Joe Otting – Most fans probably don’t know a ton about Otting’s fortunes so far as he’s only seen the field very briefly in his career. Amidst the re-shuffling this off-season, it appears Otting is now firmly entrenched at center and ready to back up Ashton Craig. Verdict: This was a solid offensive line class and Otting is no different. He might be another year or two away from an impact.

WR KK Smith – Can he stay healthy? Smith dealt with a shoulder injury as a freshman and then broke his collarbone last year. There has been enough talk throughout the program that the coaching staff really like his ability but we haven’t seen much so far. Verdict: Three receptions last year is something, at least. This could be a make or break year for him and his future moving up the depth chart with the Irish.

Smith has a big year ahead of him. 

LB Preston Zinter – Recruiting has definitely picked up at linebacker so Zinter has his work cut out for him. Still, he blocked a punt against Florida State last year and is in the mix as a backup at Mike linebacker for the time being. Verdict: With KVA last year and Madden Faraimo this year, it feels like Zinter has been recruited-over a little bit.

OL Chris Terek – With transfers it might have felt like opportunity was coming for Terek this year. Then, he dealt with shoulder and foot injuries that kept him out of spring and beyond. Verdict: He missed so much time in a crucial off-season for his development. I wonder if Terek will be a depth piece this year and then be a transfer candidate in the future.

The Contributors

DE Boubacar Traore – A brief reminder than Traore missed 11 games last year and still ended up tied for 7th on the team with 5.5 tackles for loss. If not for injury, we’d be talking about him in a much different light and Traore wouldn’t be in this category. Verdict: If we’re looking for someone to break out as a national star who hasn’t done it yet from this class, Traore’s the best bet.

QB Kenny Minchey – Okay, technically not a contributor in the real sense yet (3 of 3 passing for 16 yards in his career so far) although the fortunes for Minchey could be changing for the better in a matter of weeks if he becomes the starting quarterback. Even if he loses the starting job, he might play quite a bit anyway. Verdict: I didn’t expect Minchey to be this patient and stick around through 2 quarterback transfers coming to town while seeing just a handful of snaps in mop up duty. That patience could pay off soon.

The Leaders

OL Charles Jagusah – Starting a game as a true freshman is a pretty big deal which Jagusah did in the bowl game 2 years ago after Joe Alt prepared himself for the NFL. He also made a comeback late last year in the playoffs coming back from a chest injury. So while he’s only started a few games in his career the stock is pointing way up. That is until he just broke his arm in an UTV accident. Verdict: Whether it’s at guard or tackle Jagusah likely takes 2025 as the opportunity to be one of the top players from this class and justify his recruiting rankings. He just needs to stay healthy and put together a great 2 months when he returns.

Jagusah suffered another set back. 

CB Christian Gray – A pick 6 against USC in the regular season finale and a game-sealing interception to punch a ticket to the National Championship Game colored a very nice 2024–and that was coming off PFF grading him as the 2nd best freshman corner in 2023. This wasn’t a very deep secondary class for the Irish and they needed Gray to be a good starter. Verdict: Gray’s rise has been overshadowed by first Benjamin Morrison and then the younger Leonard Moore. Still, he’s been an important piece of the Notre Dame defense and a very good corner.

LB Drayk Bowen – A season away from baseball may have accelerated Bowen’s opportunity as a sophomore. Sometimes a little too wild, his fierce physicality and intensity are a welcome addition to the Irish defense. Although it’s easy to say he might not have the elite qualities like a couple of his teammates, Bowen is captain material in the future. Verdict: He’ll have some guys nipping at his heels for more playing time but Bowen could be a 3-year starter, that’s not bad.

WR Jaden Greathouse – From the Virginia through two playoff games, Greathouse had 6 receptions for 50 yards. It was trending towards a disappointing season and career to date, if we’re being honest. Then an explosion of 13 catches for 233 yards in the final 2 games of the season completely changed his trajectory. Verdict: 60 receptions and 9 touchdowns through 2 season is nothing to sneeze at. Is he a threat as a no. 1 receiver or will he recede back to a quality 3rd or 4th option?

S Adon Shuler – Like several of his classmates, Shuler went from some positives signs as a true freshman to an important sophomore season starting the entire campaign for the Irish. He was playing in the shadow of Xavier Watts last year and will now get the opportunity to be The Guy at safety in 2025. Verdict: Shuler has an interesting profile and with a big year could threaten to leave for the NFL. If not, a 3 year starting career is fantastic.

LB Jaiden Ausberry – Perhaps the most underrated player in this class right now. Ausberry took a redshirt year, put on some good weight, and made a pretty big impact in 2024 finishing 5th on the team in tackles. Like most perimeter focused speedy linebackers he can disappear for stretches but when he’s on he can be a delight. Verdict: Ausberry shifted to a more central role last year and should play a ton in 2025. He could be a difference maker.

The Superstar

RB Jeremiyah Love – I’d argue Love is the most famous Notre Dame player in over a decade with Brady Quinn and Manti Te’o rivaling him for Irish players this century. Any time the bar is at that height great things have happened. Even with getting banged up late last year he almost averaged 7 yards per carry. Verdict: A run towards the Heisman is in play for Love as he’ll be talked about as one of the best running backs in the country.

Be prepared to see Love everywhere this season. 

Review

I remember when I first started following recruiting closely in the early 2000’s how a 1/3 formula for each cycle seemed appropriate. One-third of your class needed to be very good, one-third would hang around and not do a ton with maybe a few making an impact later in their careers, and the final one-third transferred or were MIA for 4-5 years.

It’s amazing to see this 2023 class so far because they’ve achieved so much already–and many of them have 2-3 more years to go! So many players got really good, very quickly, and the class hasn’t lost players to date (it’s the portal era so eventually more will leave for other opportunities of course) that really make it painful.

I don’t think you can point to this first full Freeman class and say “See, this is how he recruits now!” but the 2023 cycle so far has been a huge success for the Irish. It could potentially get even better if Traore and Minchey excel and maybe someone like KK Smith turns into a very solid rotation receiver.