Eddie George reveals if Ohio State connection impacted Notre Dame-Tennessee State matchup

When the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and Tennessee State Tigers recently revealed that they were going to be playing in 2023, it was only natural to assume that the Ohio State connection between the two head coaches was the big reason for the matchup. Marcus Freeman is currently the head coach at Notre Dame and Eddie George is currently the head coach for the Tennessee State Tigers. Both players starred for Ohio State during their college football playing careers. George went on to win the Heisman Trophy in 1995 and became one of the greatest running backs of all-time during his highly decorated career. Marcus Freeman was named a second-team All-Big Ten linebacker in 2007 and 2008 after racking up over 190 total tackles during his final two seasons with the Buckeyes. Eddie George recently discussed the reasons how the matchup between the two teams came about and he said it was more coincidence than anything. He said their Ohio State connection didn’t have anything to do with the Notre Dame-Tennessee State matchup.

“It had nothing to do with it at all. I don’t think me and Marcus ever really talked about playing each other based off Ohio State. It’s a coincidence,” George said.

“When I learned I was going to play Notre Dame, I was like, ‘Oh my gosh.’ When I really looked at the opportunity for our kids to come to this university and have an opportunity to play on a national stage to show the nation what Tennessee State is all about holistically, the colleges, pageantry, tradition and our rich history, not just in football but as a university was a wonderful opportunity. It’s bigger than that. It’s not often you have a chance – it’s the first time it’s been done – to have a chance to compete against the best. We preach we want to play the best any time and anywhere. It’s a wonderful opportunity that presented itself and I’m glad we made it happen.”

Notre Dame reeled in one of the nation’s most unblockable defenders for the class of 2023, Keon Keeley

Unfortunately for George and Tennessee State, 2023 will be the time when edge defender Keon Keeley arrives for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. Keeley is rated as a five-star prospect and the nation’s No. 10 overall prospect, according to the On3 Consensus Rankings for the 2023 cycle. He’s worth every bit of the hype. Last season in a nationally televised contest against Isidore Newman, Keeley simply dominated the game in every way, shape, and form. The 6-foot-6, 230-pounder racked up two sacks and snatched an interception from the nation’s No. 1 overall prospect for the class of 2023, Arch Manning. While many might have tuned into the game to watch Manning initially, they came away blown away by Keeley and Berkley Prep in the Nov. 2 matchup. The Buccaneers dominated the Greenies 49-24.

Notre Dame fans have every reason to be excited about Keeley as he’s blessed with an elite combination of size and athleticism. He racked up a mind-blowing 34 tackles for loss, and 16.5 sacks during his junior season. He’ll be an exciting prospect to watch develop at Notre Dame and beyond, no doubt.

Drayk Bowen was also another big-time defensive land for Notre Dame in the 2023 cycle. According to the On3 Consensus Rankings, he was ranked as the nation’s No. 5 linebacker for the 2023 class. Marcus Freeman is doing everything in his power to ensure the Fighting Irish remain among college football’s elite teams for years to come.

Notre Dame is set to host Tennessee State on Sept. 2, 2023. The Tigers will be the first ever FCS opponent for the Fighting Irish.