What Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman said about QB/OL competitions on Andy Staples On3

On Tuesday, Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman joined Andy Staples On3 and spoke for about 20 minutes. Here are six key things he said.

Note: Quotes have been lightly edited for length and clarity. To watch Freeman’s full interview, click here.

On the decision to add a transfer quarterback and how that creates competition:

“I truly believe that competition brings out the best in everyone. That’s why I made this decision. One, because at any point, the transfer portal will open here soon, and somebody might decide to leave. I wanted to guarantee that we’ll at least have three quarterbacks on scholarship in case somebody did leave. 

“But two was the ability to ensure we created competition. If we find somebody, we will get the one we feel is the best fit and player out there. I look forward to the competition that we’ll see in the spring. 

“As the head coach who went through this last year, I know you must name a starter. I don’t want to take this thing into fall camp. I’ll be excited to see how this competition unfolds with all four of our quarterbacks. Then we’ll name a starter, and we’ll move forward.”

On deciding on a starting quarterback in the spring rather than the fall:

“When there’s a clear-cut starter, you name them. I think I was able to do that last year once we got through spring, you know, with Sam (Hartman). I foresee the same thing happening here: Let’s have a very objective competition and ensure we’re clear on expectations, meetings, and honesty. Then, at some point, after spring, we’ll be able to name a starter for the fall.”

On what Charles Jagusah showed Freeman at the end of his freshman season:

“Charles (Jagusah) was a five-star kid coming out of high school. We knew that he was going to be special. At the time, we thought it was best for him to redshirt. I worked with him on the scout team and coached him daily. We knew he had a chance to be special when he was given the opportunity. 

“So when he got the opportunity for the bowl game, he did an unbelievable job and just confirmed what we had already thought about him as a football player.”

On the competition on the offensive line: 

“Then, we have four guys who have started multiple games at the center/guard position. So, I feel really good about that position—about who will be the ultimate starters. 

“Four of the five offensive line positions we’re going to have great battles; at right tackle with Tosh Baker and Aamil Wagner. Both of those guys have played meaningful playing time. So I look forward to the competition.”

On handling two-sport athletes like Notre Dame wide receiver and lacrosse player Jordan Faison:

“Well, I think it all starts with the player. ‘What do you want? Do you want to be a guy who’s truly playing lacrosse, playing football, or doing them both? Jordan (Faison) made it known from the beginning that, ‘Hey, Coach, I want to play lacrosse.’ 

“Then, I met with Coach (Kevin) Corrigan and his staff about, ‘Okay, where do you see Jordan Faison? If he can help you, what does he need to do? ‘ Then we decided, ‘Okay, he’s got to be all in on lacrosse. ‘ 

“Lacrosse right now for the spring will come first. And then how can we supplement our practices and workouts around what he’s doing in lacrosse to ensure he’s not falling behind in football? So, at the end of the day, this is what’s best for Jordan Faison, and I’m so thrilled for what he’s doing for the lacrosse team, but he’s still growing in football, too.”

On his decision to hire Loren Landow as Notre Dame football’s strength and conditioning coach:

“Well, his name was given to me by multiple people I respect in college and NFL football. He was one of the many people that we interviewed. So, we had a team of a couple of people that we went through this interview process of talking to a couple of guys on Zooms and then funneled it down to some on-campus interviews. 

“Coach (Loren) Landow was the guy we ultimately decided, ‘This is the one we want to lead our program.’ The impacts he’s made in these three months have been tremendous. I’ve said this before: ‘Squat vs. leg press vs. lunge vs. bench—all those different things, I’m not a professional in. But what I am a professional in is recognizing belief. 

“Our players’ belief in what Coach Landow is doing and the transition of what is being shown on the field has been tremendous.”