Marcus Freeman says Jaden Greathouse 'stuck out' in spring game

In the second year as head coach Marcus Freeman’s offense at Notre Dame is likely to look significantly different than years past. The Fighting Irish have a new offensive coordinator, a new quarterback, and a plethora of new weapons on the offensive side of the ball. One of which is freshman wide receiver, Jaden Greathouse.

During Notre Dame’s Blue-Gold spring game, Greathouse ‘stuck out’ with an impressive performance, one that Freeman was even surprised and impressed by.

“Yeah, I didn’t even know that. 11 for 118 is a pretty good stat line,” said Freeman. “He stuck out, he played well; I mean, he played really well. All three of those freshmen are going to help us. And all three of those freshmen will play for us this year. I’m really confident that those three guys will help this football team. And it’s good to see Jaden step up today.

“Like I said, when the lights are on, you want to see who we’ll step up and make plays. All three of them have been really, really good additions to our program throughout the spring. That wasn’t just a one-time performance; All three of those guys have shown to be productive throughout the spring.”

With Wake Forest transfer quarterback Sam Hartman essentially heading into summer as Notre Dame’s starting quarterback, especially wit Tyler Buchner now at Alabama, the Fighting Irish quarterback is going to need all the weapons he can get in preparation for the 2023 season.

Given Notre Dame’s talent at wide receiver, there will not be a shortage of targets for Hartman to deliver the ball to.

While Greathouse stuck out in Notre Dame’s spring game, a certain position really caught the eye of the Irish head coach. The position Freeman used to spearhead as a defensive coordinator, linebacker.

From what he said on the game’s broadcast on Peacock, he thought it was the linebackers. Freeman pointed out the depth of the position as what impressed him considering who in their room missed the game and how the substitutes still performed.

“I think the linebackers have done a good job. I see a lot of pressuring, and a lot of guys without experience, right?,” said Freeman. “JD Bertrand was out, and Marist (Liufau) was out pretty early. But to see (Jaylen) Sneed and (Nolan) Ziegler, some of these young guys out here making some plays? It’s been really good to see.”

Ziegler was named as a standout in the Blue-Gold game by Todd Burlage. He described the sophomore as ‘all over the field’ as he finished with a game-high 10 tackles, a sack, and a tackle for loss. Of the linebackers to see more time in this opportunity, it’s fair to say Ziegler advantage of his chance the most.