Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman is exuding optimism as he looks ahead to Fall camp and the 2024 college football season. In New York this week for a pre-season media blitz, Freeman was interviewed by Notre Dame alum Hannah Storm on ESPN’s SportsCenter on Thursday. Freeman touched on several topics just weeks before training camp kicks off, including new talent on the offense and the highly anticipated season-opening game against Texas A&M.
Riley Leonard
Quarterback Riley Leonard, a transfer from Duke, brings firepower to the Irish. Despite missing time in the Spring, Leonard is reportedly in good health and will be ready for the start of the season. The return of offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock should accelerate Leonard’s development. At LSU last year, Denbrock was instrumental in the development of Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Jayden Daniels.
Freeman got a firsthand look at Leonard’s talent last year when Notre Dame was preparing to face Duke.
“For me, personally, I was able to evaluate him as a defensive guy last year as we got ready to play him,” Freeman shared. “We know the talent he has; the pocket presence; and the ability to run and to make good decisions.
“What I’ve been most impressed with is his leadership,” Freeman added. “He has become a great teammate to the guys that are already here. And he has stepped up his leadership. He has done a great job in the six months that he’s been here.”
Rebuilding the Offensive Line
A hallmark of Notre Dame football is the program’s rich history of developing NFL offensive linemen. Standout tackles Joe Alt and Blake Fisher were the latest in a long line of Irish offensive linemen to be taken high in the NFL Draft. Alt was a first-round pick by the Los Angeles Charges in this year’s draft. Fisher was a second-round selection by the Houston Texans.
Alt and Fisher follow on the heels of Zack Martin, a first-round pick by the Dallas Cowboys in the 2014 NFL Draft. Also, Chris Watt was taken by the Chargers in that year’s third round. Since 2014, Notre Dame has boasted 12 draft picks from its offensive line. Or almost 25 percent of the program’s production in the draft during that period. No other school has produced more high-level draft picks from the offensive line in that span.
A projected starter at right tackle this season is Tosh Baker. The graduate student appeared in 11 games for the Irish in 2023. He also made a pair of starts, including in the Sun Bowl against Oregon State. Redshirt freshman Charles Jagusah is a likely starter at left tackle. He played in two games last season and started in the Sun Bowl. Jagusah became the first true freshman to start on the offensive line for the Irish since Alt in 2021.
“They have jelled together,” Freeman said of his young offensive front, which includes right guard Billy Schrauth and left guard Pat Coogan. “That’s an important aspect to having success on the offense. We have to replace our two tackles. I’m confident in the young talent we have. Guys are ready to step up. I look forward to having a great fall camp and seeing what these guys can do.”
Notre Dame’s Season Opener Against the Aggies
Notre Dame will open the season with a challenging matchup on the road against Texas A&M on Saturday, Aug. 31. The Irish will face Leonard’s former head coach at Duke, Mike Elko in the 2024 lid lifter. The Blue Devils won 16 games in Elko’s two-year stint at Duke. Elko is in his first season at the helm of the Aggies. The game against Texas A&M should serve as a litmus test for the Fighting Irish. The result could provide an indication of Notre Dame’s potential as a national championship contender.
“I’m sure Coach Elko will have that program ready to roll,” Freeman said of the Aggies. “And that’s the ultimate test of any competitor. I want to see us be able to execute for four quarters. That is head coach speak. We all want to see that. There will be some adversity. It will be a loud environment against a well-coached team. I’m excited to bring this group down there. And we’ll see what we can do.”
Marcus Freeman Optimistic Ahead of Fall Camp
Freeman is confident that Leonard’s leadership will pay dividends for the Irish this season. If the Irish can elevate their game to new heights in Freeman’s third season, making the newly expanded 12-team playoff seems well within reach. There is nothing wrong with winning 19 games in Freeman’s first two seasons. But the Irish faithful will expect more in 2024.
“I’m a proponent of college football,” Freeman declared. “So, to give more teams an opportunity to compete for the national championship and make the playoff, I think it’s going to be a great situation. It’s something new, but I think it’s going to be great for college football. As far as our season, our mindset, we still have the same approach. Our job is to go out and try to win every game we play.”
Freeman will learn more about his 2024 squad in Fall camp. But right now, all signs suggest Notre Dame is poised for a standout season. Better yet, a true step forward for Marcus Freeman and the program would be to make the 12-team playoff and compete for a National Championship.
