Marcus Freeman remembers 2004 All-American experience

Before Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman started his coaching career, he took part in the 2004 All-American Bowl alongside some football legends. He eventually went to Ohio State where he starred at linebacker and the NFL.

After his playing career, Freeman quickly rose through the ranks as a defensive assistant before taking the Notre Dame defensive coordinator job after a successful spell at Cincinnati. He quickly flipped that opportunity into his first head coaching position after the departure of Brian Kelly this season.

During a halftime interview with NBC’s All-American game broadcast crew, Marcus Freeman reminisced about not only his coaching career, but the start of his football journey in the 2004 All-American Bowl in San Antonio, Texas.

“I think that’s the first instance of understanding there’s a lot of great players in this country,” said Freeman. “I remember playing against Adrian Peterson and with Ted Ginn and Chad Henne and Brian Toal my roommate. But those were memories that you remember for the rest of your life. That’s something that – even when I see those guys – we’re still able to just reminisce about that time we spent in San Antonio together. I still have my jersey back home in the basement so it was a great time.”

Marcus Freeman on recruiting against Ohio State

Now on the recruiting trail, Marcus Freeman must recruit head-to-head with his alma mater Ohio State for the nation’s top recruits each cycle. He discussed how he plans to approach the situation during an appearance at halftime of the All-American Bowl.

“You just have to sell what Notre Dame does for the future of these student athletes,” said Freeman. “We don’t do negative recruiting, I loved my time at Ohio State and wouldn’t be here if I didn’t spend that time there. But the reality is that we believe Notre Dame offers you something that nowhere else in the country can give you. And that’s the opportunity to win a national championship, to be developed to be an NFL draft pick, then to join a network from this degree that you can earn from this place that will set you up for the rest of your life.”

The Fighting Irish hold the No. 6 ranked recruiting class in On3’s consensus team rankings, holding 21 commitments so far. Notre Dame also got a big boost on defense this weekend with the commitment of Northwestern transfer and collegiate All-American safety Brandon Joseph, along with the return of sack leader Isaiah Foskey in 2022.