Everything Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman said following first 2024 fall camp practice

The first Notre Dame football fall camp practice of the 2024 season is in the books. And so is coach Marcus Freeman’s news conference.

On Wednesday, Freeman spoke to reporters for about 25 minutes. He answered questions pertaining to offseason development and practice observations. Here is everything Freeman said.

Opening statement

“Welcome back. It’s finally here. It was a good first day. It’s a typical first day. There’s a lot of good, a lot of things you got to improve on, but it’s just good to be back out there with the guys, with our coaching staff and actually practicing football together.

“I think we had a great summer. I was really pleased with the summer and (strength and conditioning) coach (Loren) Landow and his team and how prepared our guys were for this upcoming training camp. I just (wanted to) make sure to give them a special shout-out for the job they’ve done.

“I’m excited about the coaching staff that we have, as we had a chance last week to really spend some time together and get back into football mode. We call it the coach’s retreat, but the ability to get back into football mode, I just kept taking notes of how great of a coaching staff this is in terms of teaching, but also motivating and working together. I’m excited to be with this group of guys.

“Just a couple of injury notes. Kahanu Kia is out. He tore his ACL this summer and had surgery. So, he’ll be out. Mitchell Evans, Kevin Bauman and Benjamin Morrison all returning to play. They all practiced today in a limited role, but all are in return to play protocol.”

On how he noticed Landow’s summer impact during practice:

“I don’t know if it was today, as much as these last couple weeks since I’ve been back — just watching them train, watching them gel together, right? There’s a true brotherhood that’s formed in the summer, right? Through tough times. I was really pleased by the brotherhood that was created this summer.

“And their capacity, to run faster. How they run, how are you able to condition? I was able to watch a little bit of that in the past couple of weeks. They’re a well-conditioned team, and they showed it today. We got a little bit winded at the end of practice, but you can never truly be ready for practice until you start practicing.”

On the importance of the continuity of Al Golden being the defensive coordinator for the third consecutive year:

“I think for our defense, they’re able to start at a place that they haven’t been at the past two years because it’s the third year in Coach Golden’s system. It’s also a veteran group that has learned the details of every defense that he wants to run. So, they’re starting at a level-500.

“That’s great because now you can continue to harp on the little intricate details of what makes a successful defense. So I’m excited for the future of this defense in this upcoming season, because of what they’ve built over the past two years into where it’s at now. So I look forward to seeing how it progresses.

On his plans for naming a starting quarterback:

“Riley (Leonard)’s going with the ones, Steve (Angeli)’s going with the twos. I didn’t get a chance to watch a whole bunch of seven on seven. I was with the other group, but I’ll go back and watch film. But the time I was over there, I was pleased with both of them. They both made some good plays in those last two periods. Again, this is day one, and I’m sure there’s a lot of learning, but I’m excited for what they’re doing.”

On when Morrison, Evans and Bauman will be fully cleared:

“Everybody will be clear by the time we get to game week. I just don’t know exactly when it’s going to be over these next upcoming weeks. But they’ll be good to go.”

On Aamil Wagner’s offseason development to get the nod as the first-team right tackle:

“I think it went back to spring ball. They were in competition in spring ball. What he’s done with those 15 practices progressed throughout the summer; he gave (offensive line) coach (Joe) Rudolph the confidence that he should be the starting right tackle at the start of fall camp.”

On the balance of judging the offense against a veteran defense when they go 11-on-11:

“It’s practice one, man. I think as you look at it, you evaluate it for what it is and continue to find ways to continue to improve. I have a lot of confidence in what our offensive line is going to be able to do. And you know what, iron sharpens iron. 

“So, if you’re going against a deep defensive line — an experienced defensive line — and a defense that is running a lot of pressures early in practice and stuff like that, you have to know it’s going to make them better. This is a journey to get them better for the season and I’m very confident in the play of our O-line.” 

On balancing working out in the heat and knowing they face Texas A&M on the road Week 1:

“As much as we can practice in the heat, we’re going to. Today was a good, hot, humid day. We know that’s going to be the atmosphere Week 1, but I think for our guys, it’s the ability to understand what they need to do to replenish and hydrate for a practice like today. There’s nothing else that gives you experience but practicing in it.

“What they’re going to learn today post-practice is, ‘Okay, is the routine I have going to get me ready for tomorrow exactly where it needs to be?’ You don’t know until you have practice tomorrow. We have to really help them figure out their routine to replenish and rehydrate to make sure they’re ready to go in any temperature” 

On if anyone stood out at wide receiver:

“I saw Beaux Collins made a great play in team. I’m trying to think back — there’s so much stuff that it’s hard to tell you without watching practice. I haven’t (re-)watched practice yet. I did see Beaux Collins make a good play. I’ll let you know next time I’m up here.” 

On USC being the only less-experienced team than Notre Dame among its opponents:

“We have to have a process that we believe is going to get this group ready to perform these 12 guaranteed opportunities. That, to me, is something that we spend an enormous amount of time making sure that our process, that what we’ll have them do when we start in January when we first get together, till when we go out there on the field against (Texas) A&M, is the right one to make sure they produce the output that they want.

“Experience matters, but to me, more than anything, it’s your routine and your process and how you prepare your guys to play is more important than anything.”

On his concerns about cornerback depth and if he’ll have to push Karson Hobbs and Leonard Moore to be prepared to play this year:

“We’re going to need one of those two freshmen to step up and be ready to go early in the season this year. If they’re not ready, then we have enough versatility in the back end to move somebody else to corner. 

“But I think right now, our plan is, ‘We know who the top three, four guys are at corner. Let’s try to develop these young guys to be somebody who can help us.” 

On Adon Shuler pushing for the starting safety job against Rod Heard II:

“They both had reps with the ones today. I’m trying to do a really good job of getting our guys to focus on every day. Each day. I don’t care who’s with the 1s today and the 2s today. We’re rotating. Focus on your reps. We’ll get to tomorrow and there will be another guy and another group. 

“I know it’s coaches-speak, but it’s reality. Them worrying about who’s going to be the starter at Texas A&M doesn’t matter. It really doesn’t. Take advantage of today. And if Adon (Shuler) does that, he’s going to be the best version of him. And if Rod Heard does that, he’s the best version of him. Then, when we get to Texas A&M week, we’ll figure out who’s going out there with the first group.

“Both of those guys are going to play for us. I am going to tell you that right now. I just want to make sure their mindset is right. It doesn’t matter who goes out with the 1s. Take advantage of your opportunity today.”  

On his confidence in the linebacker group:

“Yeah, (I’m) very confident in that linebacker core. There are five guys in that room that have showed us they can play right away. And (linebackers coach) Max Bullough has done an unbelievable job of really developing those guys. (Jack) Kiser is an old guy, right? He’s a sixth-year, he’s been through a lot of these training camps.

“But those other guys — (Jaylen) Sneed’s been here a while, but to see what Sneed and Drayk (Bowen), (Jaiden) Ausberry, Kyngstonn (Viliamu-Asa) and Preston (Zinter) — it’s a credit to Max and his development of that room. I have a lot of confidence in whoever comes out of that room.”

On Jayden Harrison playing out of the slot and Jordan Faison getting reps on the outside at WR:

“Jayden (Harrison) is doing a great job. He did a great job in the spring and had a really good summer. We’re trying to figure out, ‘What’s the best six?’ To put them in whatever positions we need to put them in to get them on the field?’

“We know what Jordan (Faison) can do in the slot. We’re trying to give him a chance to go outside and see what he can do outside. But at the end of the day, we’re going to play the top six, seven wideouts. We just didn’t want to have three deep in the slot and not get Jordan the reps that he needs to make sure he’s ready for this upcoming season. He missed spring ball. So, he’s going to play a lot for us, but where he plays is to be determined.”

On the O-line competition between Pat Coogan and Rocco Spindler:

“There’s ongoing competition at the O-line positions, especially with Rocco (Spindler), (Pat) Coogan and some of the guards. But we still have an identity on offense of still being able to run the ball. We have to be able to run the ball. And one of the challenges we’ve had for our offensive line is to create a new line of scrimmage. We want to play football on the defensive side of the line of scrimmage. That’s what I want to see more than anything.

“Can we get movement against our D-line? I feel like if we have the ability to do that, we’ll have the ability to get movement on any defensive line we play. But that’s the challenge, right? That’s the mindset and the challenge. We have to be able to create movement in the run game to make sure we can run the ball effectively.

“Then, the second part is to protect the quarterback. We have to protect the quarterback. We know that. The mindset of this offense is that we have to be able to move the ball and run it.”

On what boxes Jaden Mickey and Christian Gray need to check to win the cornerback starting job:

“Continue to build trust. That’s how you earn playing time is trust. Can you do exactly what your coach tells you to do over and over and over? Everybody has ability, but we will play the guys that we trust, more than anything, to get the job done.

“So that’s what you want to see over the course of now to the end of fall camp. Who, at every position, is going to continue to build that trust within their position coach?”

On his impressions of punter James Rendell:

“He’s awesome, man. I’m glad to have him. He had a good summer, just kind of adjusting to American football. Had some good kicks. It was up and down, right? I haven’t really watched the punts yet. But just being out there, he had some really good punts and some punts that he has to improve. But that’s anybody. He’s going to be a weapon for us. I told him that early on when we got here. He’s going to be a weapon for us. I look forward to seeing him progress over this training camp.”

On the pace, structure and intensity of camp in year three and it being first opponent-dependent:

“The preparation we had for Navy was the same. It wasn’t like we didn’t prepare hard in training camp last year because we played Navy. You prepare to win whoever you play against. No matter if it’s Navy, Ohio State, or it’s Texas A&M. 

“We have a plan. I think a great plan that we put together that will make sure this group is prepared, one, but also healthy enough to make sure we go out there and compete against Texas A&M. I believe in our plan and what we have, but again, the focus has to be on taking care of right now and what’s right in front of us.” 

On getting Leonard the reps he needs since he missed most of the spring due to injury:

“That’s definitely a good point. It’s something we have taken into consideration. Riley got a lot of reps this summer in terms of what he missed in the spring. So, we got to make sure he gets enough work to make sure he’s prepared to go. But we’ve got to give these three other quarterbacks a chance to develop and continue to improve also. 

“So. we’ll do that. It’s not a perfect formula, but I think we do have a good plan with that.”

On how offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock’s verbal remarks are helping the offense:

“Coach (Mike) Denbrock brings an intensity, but leadership, to the offensive side of the ball. I think great leaders understand when things need to be said, right? It’s not just yelling and screaming over and over and over that makes you a great leader. It’s understanding, ‘Okay, at this point, this needs to be a point of emphasis. I need to get these guys going, hold them accountable.’ I think he has a great feel for that.

“You can see our offense respond to that. This isn’t something that just happens in practice. This is something that happens over the course of a year, and I’ve seen definitely the level of leadership in our total offense, coming from Coach Denbrock, but on down, has really risen.” 

On if Leonard had any limitations during the summer:

“Cut it loose all summer the whole summer. He was free to cut it loose.”

On the potential impact of increasing the football scholarship limit to 105 players:

“That’s something that we’ve been planning for and having discussions for. When the NCA sets the roster limit, we’ll make sure we adjust accordingly. 

“I’ve always had this responsive to questions when people ask my opinion on these things. Like, it really doesn’t matter whether I like 105 or I like 120. (If) they passed a ruling and said, ‘It’s going to be 105,’ it’s like, ‘Okay, how do we come up with a plan to make sure this group, this 105 guys in the future, is ready to roll and can really reach our full potential.’ 

“We have a great plan that we’ve been preparing for months. That if this was going to be the case, we know exactly the way we want to structure our roster.”

On the promotions that occurred in the Notre Dame recruiting department:

“I think it gives us an edge because they’re really good at their jobs. This wasn’t a decision that was to create publicity. It wasn’t to do anything but to promote two people that really give us the advantage to have the best football program we have. 

“Olivia (Sites) has done a terrific job and deserves her promotion, And the same as Zaire (Turner). She’s going to do a wonderful job as our director of player personnel. We’re just grateful to have them here, have them a part of our staff and to be able to keep them, they’re going to be a vital part for us really achieving the goals that we have.”

On adjusting to coaches being able to communicate via headset with one player on offense and one on defense while on the field:

“It’s something we started in the spring. So, we’ve been working on it throughout the spring. I think we have a really good plan. We’ll have to continue to do it throughout training camp. It’s just something new.

“It’s going to be a relationship between the coordinator and the quarterback, right? What amount of information do they want? What’s too much? What’s too little? Obviously, it cuts off at 15 seconds. But it’s been something we’ve been practicing since this spring.

“I truly believe that our offense specifically has a great plan. Defensively, we’ve done the same thing. Coach Golden obviously had experience being in the NFL with the green dot. So, I feel really confident about our plan.” 

On what he wanted to see on Day 1:

“I think day one, you’re looking for the flow of practice. You’re looking for guys having the urgency that you want. I think head coaches have to be master observers. You have to be able to observe and see everything. And that’s what I tried to do early in practice. 

“I spent some time with the younger guys during seven on seven to make sure they understand how important it is. We did a lot of two spot today, which is something new for us. But I wanted to spend some time with those younger guys. 

“I get it. When the head coach is over there, it creates a little bit more sense of urgency. I have no problem being over there when that happens. So again, my job is to be where I’m needed at certain times. I have a plan every day as I go into practice, but I think as a head coach, you’ve got to be able to make sure that you’re where you’re needed during the duration of practice.”

On preparing the summer enrollee freshmen for practice:

“Yeah, it’s a challenge. It goes fast, especially practice one. You can tell the guys that weren’t here for spring ball, those young guys. It goes really fast. You can do all the summer walkthroughs that you want — meetings. But there’s nothing like getting out there the first day and actually seeing the practice speed. But they’ll be better, right? 

“So that’s the challenge. ‘Can I process all this information with the motions and everything that’s going on and still play fast?’ If you can do that, you got a great chance to play early.” 

“I’ve always had this belief — people always ask me, ‘Do you think it’s better to come in early or come in June if you want to play as a freshman?’ Some of the best freshmen that I’ve been around who have played as true freshmen have come in June, right? And I’ve been around some who come in January. If you’re good enough to play as a freshman, we’ll know by the time we get to week one, We’ll know. 

“So to me, it’s the ability for those guys to to play fast, right? When we evaluate you in high school, we evaluate you playing as fast as you possibly can, right? All of them are good, right? But the guys that are able to play fast, faster here, like sooner, are the ones that are probably going to have a chance to play early.”

On looking at someone who can augment the running back room:

“When you talk about the running back room, number one is ball security. You got to be able to take care of the ball. They got to be able to protect the quarterback and pick up the different pressures. And then, yeah, we want them to make plays with the ball in their hands. 

“But to me, it’s all those different things that we ask you to do, one, without the ball in your hands, and two, being able to protect the football when you do have it in your hands that are going to really help earn the trust of (running backs) Coach (Deland) McCullough and the offensive staff that gives them a chance to play early. 

“It’s a talented group — especially a talented group of young guys. So, I’m excited to see what happens in the next couple of practices.”

On getting running Jeremiyah Love the ball out of the slot despite having multiple wide receivers who can play that position:

“You have to find ways to get Jeremiyah Love the ball. That’s where we have a creative offense coordinator and a creative offense that we’ll do that. So, as we get towards game week and those types of things, we’ll game plan specifically how we get the ball into his hands. But you don’t have to be rocket science to know that in on our offense, you got ti find ways to get Jeremiyah Love the ball.”