Marcus Freeman sounded relieved.
Not relieved that Notre Dame survived the transfer portal, but relieved that the plan held, even when the early returns tested the patience of just about everyone watching from the outside and likely even some on the inside.
By the time the Irish emerged from the quiet opening stretch, the results looked very different as eight portal prospects have since committed.
Freeman made clear that what followed was not accidental.
Defensive tackle was a position the Irish could not afford to miss on and once Francis Brewu entered the portal, there was little ambiguity about how Notre Dame viewed him. The former Pitt defensive tackle was one of seven transfer portal targets who committed to the Irish this week.
Brewu has proven Power Four production from his time at Pitt and an approach Freeman values just as much as raw ability. The Notre Dame head coach pointed first to how hard Brewu plays the game, noting that effort stands out even more when it comes from a player his size.
“I saw him live and in person when we played them,” Freeman told reporters at a press conference on Wednesday. “The thing I like about him is how hard he plays the game. I like to see that guy run after the ball, to see the effort he plays with.
“When I see big people play really hard, it excites me. Not all big people play really hard, but he does.”
Freeman also acknowledged the role new defensive line coach Charlie Partridge played in Brewu’s decision, calling the connection between the two a meaningful factor once Brewu entered the portal.
“Coach Partridge recruited him to Pitt and that connection probably is what got him to commit to us,” Freeman said. “That's a reflection of Coach Partridge and the impact he can make on the players that he coached, but I'm excited for what he will add to our defensive tackle room.”
On Thursday, the Irish added to the group with former Oregon defensive tackle Tionne Gray.
At wide receiver, the portal strategy was rooted in familiarity rather than projection. Quincy Porter and Mylan Graham were not late discoveries; they were players Notre Dame had evaluated and recruited extensively long before they became available.
“Both of those guys are guys that we recruited heavily out of high school,” Freeman said. “We knew a lot about them.
“Who they were, the type of players they are, and I’m glad we were able to get them.”
That background allowed Notre Dame to move decisively once the opportunity presented itself, rather than scrambling to catch up in the evaluation process.
While the need at some positions was clear, the need for depth at others may not have been as obvious.
Cornerback may not have looked urgent from the outside, but Freeman detailed why adding DJ McKinney and Jaylen Sanders was necessary, pointing to both roster math and competition.
“There was a need because of our numbers in the DB room,” Freeman said. “You lose some younger guys. You lose a senior with (DeVonta Smith), you lose Smitty at the nickel position, you lose Cree (Thomas), who’s a younger guy, JaDon (Blair).”
Freeman emphasized that neither player was promised a role, only an opportunity.
“We believe in competition,” Freeman said. “I think those two guys you mentioned coming out of the portal are as competitive as anybody else.”
For Freeman, Keon Keeley’s return carried a different kind of significance, one tied more to fit and timing than roster construction.
“I’ve always believed Keon was a Notre Dame kid,” Freeman said. “He fits here perfectly. He’s such a unique individual. Yes, he’s a great talent, he’s a very talented football player, but Keon Keeley is an individual.
“When he came on his visit, I’m like, ‘Yep, it’s the same Keon that we recruited a couple years ago,’ and he fits here and I’m excited for his future here.”
Some portal decisions involved coming back rather than arriving.
Defensive tackle Armel Mukam’s situation fell into that category, and Freeman framed it as an example of how Notre Dame approaches retention even when players explore their options.
“When he decided to go in the portal and visit a couple places, I was fully supportive of Armel,” Freeman said. “And if he went somewhere else, I was going to be his biggest fan.
“But when he called and said, ‘Coach, I want to reconsider and come back,’ without hesitation, I told him we want him back.”
Freeman also addressed what the Irish did not add.
Quarterback was discussed openly, particularly the decision not to bring in an experienced backup despite having time remaining in the portal window.
“When you talk about finding an older college football player that wants to come to Notre Dame and be a backup quarterback to CJ Carr,” Freeman said. “That means he has to beat out Blake (Hebert) and he has to beat out Noah (Grubbs) and whoever else in the future. The reality is that we didn’t find that person.”
Rather than forcing the issue, Freeman expressed confidence in the room as constructed.
“We’re confident in our quarterback room,” Freeman said. “It’s going to be a great battle as you go through spring, as you go through fall camp to see who our backup will be as we get ready for the season.”
For Freeman, the portal cycle was not just about results, but about process: staying patient, retaining the right players and learning where to improve next time; an evaluation that will continue well beyond this window.
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