Marcus Freeman details why Notre Dame was attractive for NFL sons Kennedy Urlacher, Bryce Young

For the second straight season Notre Dame has the No. 10 ranked recruiting class in the nation following 2024 National Signing Day according to On3’s 2024 Industry Football Team Rankings, as head coach Marcus Freeman yet again has built a promising signing class primed for success in the future.

Two defensive standouts of this year’s Fighting Irish class are Bryce Young and Kennedy Urlacher, whose fathers Bryant Young and Brian Urlacher were also NFL standouts boasting impressive football careers. In his signing day press conference, Freeman spoke on why he believes the Notre Dame program appealed to his two signees who come from NFL pedigree.

“I think when your dads are Hall of Famers, the fathers can say this game will end,” Freeman said. “And you want to make a decision that will help you reach all your athletic goals, don’t cheat your athletic goals, but understand the game of football ends so fast. And you’re talking about guys that have played multiple years, 13, 14, 15 years in the NFL.”

Brain Urlacher’s NFL exploits are well documented, regarded as one of the best linebackers of all time after being inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame in 2018. There’s no doubt that his son Kennedy has one of the NFL’s best in his corner as he looks to build his own legacy, making his decision to sign with the Fighting Irish one that Freeman does not take lightly.

“But I think even talking to Brian Urlacher he’s able to tell Kennedy hey man, this game’s gonna end, and so go somewhere where you can maximize your football opportunities. But understand, set yourself up for life after football and I think that coming from the Urlacher family, a guy that didn’t come here, but understood the value of Notre Dame, he had a huge impact on his son Kennedy,” Freeman explained.

The Young family is a little bit more familiar with Notre Dame, with father Bryant being an All-American for the Fighting Irish in the early 90s before his standout career with the San Francisco 49ers. But his son Bryce following directly in the footsteps of his father on the defensive line for Notre Dame feels like the right move on and off the field in the eyes of Freeman as well.

“I think Bryce is different because his parents both went here, but Brian didn’t and still understood how special this place was,” Freeman said. “So I think it speaks volumes, two guys that have played the game at the highest level, one of the best to ever do it, and talking both the Urlachers and the Youngs, but also the understanding that hey, football, the career, no matter how long you play is short.”

It will be intriguing to see where the careers of Urlacher and Young go as they look to take their family names to new heights through their careers with the Fighting Irish in the future. But in the near future, Norte Dame will be squaring off with Oregon State in the Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl on December 29.