Top 2023 OL Monroe Freeling Felt New Energy at Notre Dame
2023 Oceanside Collegiate Academy (S.C.) offensive lineman Monroe Freeling returned to Notre Dame over the weekend and it was his best yet.
The four-star prospect had been impressed with Notre Dame before Marcus Freeman took over as head coach, but Freeling experienced a new vibe around the program on this trip.
"I had a really good time," Freeling told ISD. "The whole culture around the school is just different under Coach Freeman. It was a lot more young energy, more energetic and everyone was excited to be part of Notre Dame, especially because he brought all the alumni back."
Notre Dame had over 270 former players on campus and Freeling enjoyed the chance to connect and pick their brains about their experiences.
"Aaron Taylor said all the Notre Dame players felt welcomed back now," explained Freeling. "I felt it. I talked to the alumni about how they went to Notre Dame and how it has benefitted them.
"There was a lot of talk about how Coach (Harry) Hiestand is the best around. That's all they really said and that's what I got from most of the offensive linemen I talked to over the weekend."
Hiestand's return has been significant for the linemen on campus, but he's captured the attention of several recruits with his straightforward approach.
The 6-foot-7, 283-pounder is one of those recruits and while Freeling is still developing a relationship, Hiestand has earned his trust.
"I trust him," stated Freeling. "I feel there is a lot of trust there even though I haven't known him very long. I can feel a bond of straight trust. He's the most honest coach I've talked to because he gives you the straight facts and that's it. I really appreciate that."
Hiestand didn't shy away from telling Freeling he would coach him hard, but the South Carolina native also knows he must put in the work.
"He said if I come there, it's on me on how much I develop because he will give his best effort, but it's up to me," Freeling said. "He's not guaranteeing I'm going to be a first-round draft pick. He's staying if you put in the same effort that I am, then you'll prosper."
It's a message Hiestand can back up with his long resume of first-round picks and current NFL players.
"It's definitely not BS," said Freeling. "It's not like I have to wonder if he's right. He definitely produces results and that says a lot about his resume and you can trust it. It's not like you're taking a gamble. He really has proof to back it up."
Another part of the visit Freeling enjoyed was getting to catch up with fellow 2023 offensive lineman Sullivan Absher and the other recruits on campus.
"I really spent a lot of time with Sullivan Absher," Freeling explained. "I went out to dinner with him the night before with Coach Hiestand and Dre Brown. We just bonded. I saw him at Clemson a few months back and I'm developing a relationship with him."
It's an interesting relationship as both are from the Carolinas and have been on multiple visits together. And there's an expectation it won't be their last visit together.
"I remember last year we might have gone to the same North Carolina camp," Freeling said of Absher. "It's been cool. I told him to schedule an official visit for June 10th."
When it comes to a commitment, Freeling isn't in a rush and will take his official visits this summer.
"I've kept a good balance of focusing on my football season as well as recruiting," said Freeling. "When school ends for me, I'll be able to focus more on recruiting.
"I'm not in a rush other than to secure your spot, but I feel if a school really wants me, I'll have a spot. When I know, I'll know and even when that time comes, it's a matter of enjoying the recruiting process and I don't want to decommit from a school."
Ranking
ISD: 93 (four-star)
247: 93 (four-star)
Rivals: 5.9 (four-star)
ESPN: 84 (four-star)
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