Paul Finebaum believes Marcus Freeman has already surpassed Brian Kelly on the recruiting front

One of the biggest changes at Notre Dame under Marcus Freeman is recruiting success. The Fighting Irish are generating plenty of buzz on the trail since Freeman took over for Brian Kelly.

SEC Network host Paul Finebaum is already sold on Freeman as a recruiter, saying he’s topped Kelly on the trail in just a few months.

Finebaum appeared on “First Take” on Tuesday and spoke highly of the Fighting Irish’s recent recruiting run. Notre Dame currently has the No. 4 class in the nation from the class of 2023, according to the On3 Consensus Team Recruiting Ranking, and is also in good position for the class of 2024.

That’s why Finebaum thinks the future is bright in South Bend — despite his prediction for a rough season opener on Saturday at Ohio State.

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“Brian Kelly left a good team and I think Marcus Freeman has surpassed Brian Kelly as a recruiter,” Finebaum said. “He’s done something that we haven’t seen at Notre Dame. He’s knocking on the door of a No. 1, Alabama, Georgia, Texas A&M, Ohio State-like recruiting season. That’s the difference. That’s why Brian Kelly left. He couldn’t get those recruits. Somehow, Marcus Freeman is.

“He’s setting up the future very well. He just picked a bad opener, Stephen A. Come on. He should be playing Mercer. He shouldn’t be playing Ohio State.”

Even though he’s predicting an Ohio State victory — and that Notre Dame will miss the College Football Playoff — Finebaum said he still thinks Notre Dame is still going to have a good year in 2022. Still, there are some challenges on the schedule.

“They’re good,” Finebaum said. “I think they can find a way to 10 wins. They have a couple of really tough games. They have Clemson and Southern Cal. I think they’re 9-3, 10-2.”