Notre Dame just scored a massive win on the recruiting trail.
In a decision that sent shockwaves through the college football landscape, the nation’s top-rated running back has officially committed to the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, choosing Marcus Freeman’s program over the Michigan Wolverines and several other national powerhouses. The elite five-star prospect — hailed as one of the most explosive and complete backs in recent memory — announced his commitment on Monday via a live stream, donning a gold Notre Dame hat and declaring South Bend his future home.
The running back, who hails from the talent-rich state of Georgia, had been heavily pursued by Georgia, Alabama, Ohio State, and Michigan. However, his final decision came down to a heated battle between the Irish and the Wolverines — two of college football’s most storied programs. In the end, Freeman’s vision for the program, Notre Dame’s academic prestige, and the opportunity to be a featured weapon in an evolving offense helped seal the deal.
“I wanted to go somewhere that felt like home,” the recruit said during his commitment announcement. “Coach Freeman, Coach McCullough, and the entire staff made me feel like family from day one. I believe in what they’re building at Notre Dame, and I want to be a part of it.”
This commitment is a game-changer for Notre Dame. The Fighting Irish have long been respected for their tradition and defensive pedigree, but landing a back of this caliber puts a spotlight on the offensive future under Freeman. The five-star phenom brings a rare blend of power, speed, and vision to the backfield. At 6 feet tall and nearly 210 pounds, he has breakaway speed in the open field, runs with toughness between the tackles, and showcases elite receiving ability out of the backfield.
He’s been compared to NFL stars like Saquon Barkley and Josh Jacobs — and for good reason. In his junior season alone, he racked up over 2,000 all-purpose yards and 28 total touchdowns, proving he’s a threat to score anytime he touches the ball.
For Michigan, this is a tough pill to swallow. The Wolverines had long been viewed as the front-runner and hosted the back for multiple visits. Their strong run game tradition under Jim Harbaugh and now Sherrone Moore was a major selling point, but ultimately, Notre Dame’s culture and family atmosphere won out.
This commitment also sends a strong message about Notre Dame’s momentum in recruiting. Freeman has now landed multiple five-star talents in recent cycles and is proving that the Irish can go toe-to-toe with the SEC and Big Ten elite for top-tier talent. The commitment also vaults Notre Dame’s 2025 recruiting class into the national top five.
As the Irish continue to build toward national title contention, this five-star running back could be the centerpiece of a new era in South Bend. One thing’s for certain — with him in the backfield, Saturdays at Notre Dame Stadium just got a lot more electric.