Who's Next? - 2025 Edition

[CanadalovesND]

8-4 (9-4) is a good first season for a brand new head football coach at just about any program besides Bama, Georgia & OSU.

9-3 (10-3) is a good season, but short of being a great one.

2 regular season losses is not good if you are a blueblood program that has been consistently winning and going to the playoffs. For ND, right where they are now, would be good.

I do think know that Freeman is in Year 3, we need to re-evaluate and raise the bar of what is a 'good' or 'great' season.

 

[PutuporShutup]

8-4 (9-4) is a good first season for a brand new head football coach at just about any program besides Bama, Georgia & OSU.

9-3 (10-3) is a good season, but short of being a great one.

2 regular season losses is not good if you are a blueblood program that has been consistently winning and going to the playoffs. For ND, right where they are now, would be good.

I do think know that Freeman is in Year 3, we need to re-evaluate and raise the bar of what is a 'good' or 'great' season.

Nd had 2 or less loss regular seasons 4 years in a row leading to freeman. Freeman had two of the easier schedules of the last decade and didn’t get it done. I have a high bar for 2024 with an even easier schedule.

 

[CanadalovesND]

Nd had 2 or less loss regular seasons 4 years in a row leading to freeman. Freeman had two of the easier schedules of the last decade and didn’t get it done. I have a high bar for 2024 with an even easier schedule.

Different tenures with different standards. And different schedules. A few of those schedules at the end of Kelly's tenure weren't exactly what I'd call gauntlets.

 

[O’Irish]

Kelly was objectively a better in game coach than Freeman. Freeman is supposed to be a great recruiter to make up for it but where are the difference makers/5 stars that help ND close the gap on the top of college football? honest question

 

[Sea Turtle]

IB is saying the same. I guess Robinson is 50/50 ND or Washington. Hines is being pushed hard by Texas and USC is offering huge NIL deal.

Meadows is in love with the SEC.

 

[INLaw]

IB is saying the same. I guess Robinson is 50/50 ND or Washington. Hines is being pushed hard by Texas and USC is offering huge NIL deal.

Meadows is in love with the SEC.

If they go 0 for 3 no way around calling this WR recruiting cycle piss poor.

 

[SoIll]

Kelly was objectively a better in game coach than Freeman. Freeman is supposed to be a great recruiter to make up for it but where are the difference makers/5 stars that help ND close the gap on the top of college football? honest question

Watch out!! You're going to get some hate for spittin' facts!

 

[PutuporShutup]

If they go 0 for 3 no way around calling this WR recruiting cycle piss poor.

I don’t even want to think about what it would mean … freeman can’t set this program back

 

[CanadalovesND]

Kelly was objectively a better in game coach than Freeman. Freeman is supposed to be a great recruiter to make up for it but where are the difference makers/5 stars that help ND close the gap on the top of college football? honest question

First, welcome to the board.

ND has signed a handful of five-stars since Freeman became head coach, pending on which recruiting site you frequent. Jagusah, Lambert, Bryce Young, and KVA were all five-stars by one service. That's two per year. To be more concise, that was three five-stars in last years class. Even when he was DC, he signed Jaylen Sneed, five-star by On3.

Will Black is ranked as the #2 prospect nationally, and Deuce Knight is trending to be a five-star on On3.

It's also the type of battles that Freeman has won. Certain prospects that never would have came to ND without Freeman - J Love, Christian Gray, Jaiden Ausberry

 

[CanadalovesND]

FWIW, Ryan Roberts still think that ND leads for Faraimo.

 

[PutuporShutup]

First, welcome to the board.

ND has signed a handful of five-stars since Freeman became head coach, pending on which recruiting site you frequent. Jagusah, Lambert, Bryce Young, and KVA were all five-stars by one service. That's two per year. To be more concise, that was three five-stars in last years class. Even when he was DC, he signed Jaylen Sneed, five-star by On3.

Will Black is ranked as the #2 prospect nationally, and Deuce Knight is trending to be a five-star on On3.

It's also the type of battles that Freeman has won. Certain prospects that never would have came to ND without Freeman - J Love, Christian Gray, Jaiden Ausberry

if nd hangs on, deuce knight is the prospect that’s unlike any Kelly landed… doesn’t mean he will be all that, he just has the potential to be

 

[Irish4life]

Kelly was objectively a better in game coach than Freeman. Freeman is supposed to be a great recruiter to make up for it but where are the difference makers/5 stars that help ND close the gap on the top of college football? honest question

Kelly was an objectively bad offensive play caller, and made several terrible in game decisions in his first 2 seasons at ND that led directly to losses. ND has landed several 5 star recruits across the recruiting services under Freeman. Even if you go by the composite rankings, Freeman's 3 classes at ND would be higher rated than every BK class aside from 2013. If the 2025 class ended today with zero new commitments or decommitments, it would be higher ranked than every BK class aside from: 2011, 2013, 2015, 2018 and 2021.

 

[NDFAN2008]

If they go 0 for 3 no way around calling this WR recruiting cycle piss poor.

Golden can play WR just go get another corner

 

[PutuporShutup]

Kelly was an objectively bad offensive play caller, and made several terrible in game decisions in his first 2 seasons at ND that led directly to losses. ND has landed several 5 star recruits across the recruiting services under Freeman. Even if you go by the composite rankings, Freeman's 3 classes at ND would be higher rated than every BK class aside from 2013. If the 2025 class ended today with zero new commitments or decommitments, it would be higher ranked than every BK class aside from: 2011, 2013, 2015, 2018 and 2021.

But a bigger gap from the top schools than Kelly’s gap… that’s the issue… in todays landscape freeman is recruiting better, but the big boys have improved even more especially with over signing

 

[O’Irish]

First, welcome to the board.

ND has signed a handful of five-stars since Freeman became head coach, pending on which recruiting site you frequent. Jagusah, Lambert, Bryce Young, and KVA were all five-stars by one service. That's two per year. To be more concise, that was three five-stars in last years class. Even when he was DC, he signed Jaylen Sneed, five-star by On3.

Will Black is ranked as the #2 prospect nationally, and Deuce Knight is trending to be a five-star on On3.

It's also the type of battles that Freeman has won. Certain prospects that never would have came to ND without Freeman - J Love, Christian Gray, Jaiden Ausberry

I appreciate the welcome. Long time IE lurker and finally made an account.

You listed some solid players but none of them are the consensus 5 star/difference makers I’m talking about and non of them have proven anything yet. i mean jaylen sneed is an upper classman now and still hasn’t proved anything.

ND is not objectively better at recruiting under Freeman. The DL recruiting for example is actually worse. the WR class (lack of) this year is concerning. I’m also not convinced Deuce signs with ND.

the elite programs load up on consensus 5star/top 100 guys. Freeman hasn’t done that and that was his alleged strength. we haven’t gained any ground on the top of CFB

 

[INLaw]

I appreciate the welcome. Long time IE lurker and finally made an account.

You listed some solid players but none of them are the consensus 5 star/difference makers I’m talking about and non of them have proven anything yet. i mean jaylen sneed is an upper classman now and still hasn’t proved anything.

ND is not objectively better at recruiting under Freeman. The DL recruiting for example is actually worse. the WR class (lack of) this year is concerning. I’m also not convinced Deuce signs with ND.

the elite programs load up on consensus 5star/top 100 guys. Freeman hasn’t done that and that was his alleged strength. we haven’t gained any ground on the top of CFB

Unfortunately i am closer to agreement than I want to be with this.

 

[Calabrese's People]

FINALLY.........the prophesy will be fulfilled........

Its Buchner tiiiiiiime!

 

[O’Irish]

Kelly was an objectively bad offensive play caller, and made several terrible in game decisions in his first 2 seasons at ND that led directly to losses. ND has landed several 5 star recruits across the recruiting services under Freeman. Even if you go by the composite rankings, Freeman's 3 classes at ND would be higher rated than every BK class aside from 2013. If the 2025 class ended today with zero new commitments or decommitments, it would be higher ranked than every BK class aside from: 2011, 2013, 2015, 2018 and 2021.

worse in game decisions than sending 10 guys onto the field on consecutive plays with a timeout sandwiched between in the biggest game in recent ND history? or suggesting the audric estime should have fallen down at the 1 yd line instead of scoring a TD at the end of the Duke game?

 

[INLaw]

worse in game decisions than sending 10 guys onto the field on consecutive plays with a timeout sandwiched between in the biggest game in recent ND history? or suggesting the audric estime should have fallen down at the 1 yd line instead of scoring a TD at the end of the Duke game?

Well there is that

 

[PutuporShutup]

worse in game decisions than sending 10 guys onto the field on consecutive plays with a timeout sandwiched between in the biggest game in recent ND history? or suggesting the audric estime should have fallen down at the 1 yd line instead of scoring a TD at the end of the Duke game?

Ha… or going for it fourth down and long early in fourth quarter in own territory vs Louisville

Or putting Clarence Lewis in tight man coverage on an island vs ok state

 

[IrishLion]

worse in game decisions than sending 10 guys onto the field on consecutive plays with a timeout sandwiched between in the biggest game in recent ND history? or suggesting the audric estime should have fallen down at the 1 yd line instead of scoring a TD at the end of the Duke game?

I’d argue that BK made a few mistakes in the Northwestern (2014?) game that were worse than anything Freeman has done yet.

Partly because BK should’ve known math and game control strategies better than he did as a 10+ year head coach at the DI level, and partly because it was fucking Northwestern and that asshat Pat Fitzgerald

 

[Irish4life]

worse in game decisions than sending 10 guys onto the field on consecutive plays with a timeout sandwiched between in the biggest game in recent ND history? or suggesting the audric estime should have fallen down at the 1 yd line instead of scoring a TD at the end of the Duke game?

Yes

 

[NDPhilly]

God this board needs to be closed for 48 hours to relax

 

[O’Irish]

I’d argue that BK made a few mistakes in the Northwestern (2014?) game that were worse than anything Freeman has done yet.

Partly because BK should’ve known math and game control strategies better than he did as a 10+ year head coach at the DI level, and partly because it was fucking Northwestern and that asshat Pat Fitzgerald

don’t get me wrong Kelly wasn’t perfect. he hired freaking BVG. but the 10 men on the field on two straight plays. with a TO in between plays at the end of the game against Ohio state is way worse. Coulda been the biggest win in ND history since Holtz. to lose it like that was embarrassing.

 

[CanadalovesND]

I appreciate the welcome. Long time IE lurker and finally made an account.

You listed some solid players but none of them are the consensus 5 star/difference makers I’m talking about and non of them have proven anything yet. i mean jaylen sneed is an upper classman now and still hasn’t proved anything.

ND is not objectively better at recruiting under Freeman. The DL recruiting for example is actually worse. the WR class (lack of) this year is concerning. I’m also not convinced Deuce signs with ND.

the elite programs load up on consensus 5star/top 100 guys. Freeman hasn’t done that and that was his alleged strength. we haven’t gained any ground on the top of CFB

I appreciate your arguements. Sneed was going to be a work in progress, everyone knew that. And now looks like he's ready. Still remains to be seen how that'll look against an opponent and not on the ND practice field.

The DL recruiting is better. Maybe not at DT, we can call it a draw. I'm not going to judge the receiver class since it's incomplete. QB recruiting... come on - Minchey, Carr, Knight & Grubbs are ridiculous additions. CB recruiting, check to Freeman. LB recruiting... check to Freeman. Safety recruiting hasn't been great or consistent, but that was the same under Kelly. OL? ND always has done well there, regardless of coach, and Freeman has kept up with that standard.

By On3 Industry rankings, had ND with 5 top 100 guys last class in '24. There is only three right now in '25, but Burgess (#102) & Golden (#105) are just outside of it. If you want to count them, let's say there is five. Other targets that are: NOB (#77) , Faraimo (#84), and Meadows (#40) are still on the board and ND is fighting for.

Is that a great number and great consistency? Yes! Do we wish for a little bit more? Yes, absolutely!

All Freeman needs to do is win. If he wins, recruiting will improve.

I always say on this board, and I have to say over and over again, is that for ND to win they need to recruit really well. And for ND to recruit really well, they need to win. Good news is that is what Freeman is doing. If he wins incrementally every year, recruiting will improve incrementally. People want the outcome now but are not willing to see the process out. Some are looking for instant gratification. It's going to take time. But these past classes and '25 are going to be instrumental in improving the play of the team, which as I said, will improve recruiting.

 

[benneboy]

I appreciate the welcome. Long time IE lurker and finally made an account.

You listed some solid players but none of them are the consensus 5 star/difference makers I’m talking about and non of them have proven anything yet. i mean jaylen sneed is an upper classman now and still hasn’t proved anything.

ND is not objectively better at recruiting under Freeman. The DL recruiting for example is actually worse. the WR class (lack of) this year is concerning. I’m also not convinced Deuce signs with ND.

the elite programs load up on consensus 5star/top 100 guys. Freeman hasn’t done that and that was his alleged strength. we haven’t gained any ground on the top of CFB

I agree with the bolded. Recruiting has only been marginally better under Freeman than Kelly.

I do not agree that Gray and Love aren't difference makers. They will both end up being as good or better than most of the 5*'s from that class.

 

[O’Irish]

I appreciate your arguements. Sneed was going to be a work in progress, everyone knew that. And now looks like he's ready. Still remains to be seen how that'll look against an opponent and not on the ND practice field.

The DL recruiting is better. Maybe not at DT, we can call it a draw. I'm not going to judge the receiver class since it's incomplete. QB recruiting... come on - Minchey, Carr, Knight & Grubbs are ridiculous additions. CB recruiting, check to Freeman. LB recruiting... check to Freeman. Safety recruiting hasn't been great or consistent, but that was the same under Kelly. OL? ND always has done well there, regardless of coach, and Freeman has kept up with that standard.

By On3 Industry rankings, had ND with 5 top 100 guys last class in '24. There is only three right now in '25, but Burgess (#102) & Golden (#105) are just outside of it. If you want to count them, let's say there is five. Other targets that are: NOB (#77) , Faraimo (#84), and Meadows (#40) are still on the board and ND is fighting for.

Is that a great number and great consistency? Yes! Do we wish for a little bit more? Yes, absolutely!

All Freeman needs to do is win. If he wins, recruiting will improve.

I always say on this board, and I have to say over and over again, is that for ND to win they need to recruit really well. And for ND to recruit really well, they need to win. Good news is that is what Freeman is doing. If he wins incrementally every year, recruiting will improve incrementally. People want the outcome now but are not willing to see the process out. Some are looking for instant gratification. It's going to take time. But these past classes and '25 are going to be instrumental in improving the play of the team, which as I said, will improve recruiting.

you definitely make some good points. though i think DL recruiting/development is heavily in favor of Kelly/Elston. Qb is wait and see, i like Carr but when kelly got Wimbush/PJ/Buchner they were all consensus top 100 guys and look how that panned out. Kelly and Freeman both avg 4 top 100 guys per class. they both average a recruiting class ranked 10-12 on signing day. that’s not closing the gap and getting us any closer to a national championship.

but you are 100% right that winning cures all. If Freeman can win the big games that Kelly never could the recruiting should vastly improve. ND still has the stigma of being pretty good but not great because when’s the last time we won a big game that the whole country was watching? ( i don’t count Covid year Clemson missing Trevor/5 starters) Hopefully A&M to start this year

 

[CanadalovesND]

I agree with the bolded. Recruiting has only been marginally better under Freeman than Kelly.

I do not agree that Gray and Love aren't difference makers. They will both end up being as good or better than most of the 5*'s from that class.

Marginally better in a more volatile and competitive recruiting landscape.

It's really a shame we were not able to see how a Kelly recruiting class would look the last two years. Kelly got out right before the Portal became as wild as it has and NIL to the level of magnitude its become now.

 

[O’Irish]

I agree with the bolded. Recruiting has only been marginally better under Freeman than Kelly.

I do not agree that Gray and Love aren't difference makers. They will both end up being as good or better than most of the 5*'s from that class.

Hopefully; i really like Love. but they have to prove it on the field first.

 

[CanadalovesND]

you definitely make some good points. though i think DL recruiting/development is heavily in favor of Kelly/Elston. Qb is wait and see, i like Carr but when kelly got Wimbush/PJ/Buchner they were all consensus top 100 guys and look how that panned out. Kelly and Freeman both avg 4 top 100 guys per class. they both average a recruiting class ranked 10-12 on signing day. that’s not closing the gap and getting us any closer to a national championship.

but you are 100% right that winning cures all. If Freeman can win the big games that Kelly never could the recruiting should vastly improve. ND still has the stigma of being pretty good but not great because when’s the last time we won a big game that the whole country was watching? ( i don’t count Covid year Clemson missing Trevor/5 starters) Hopefully A&M to start this year

Just to point out the QB recruiting... Wimbush was in '15, PJ in '18, and Buchner in '21. You can throw in Gunner Kiel but that was in '12. Kelly would get one Top 150/100 guy every other year or every three years.

Freeman has brought consisteny to QB recruiting. Minchey (#171), Carr (#68), Knight (#49) & Grubbs (#119).