DURHAM, NC - SEPTEMBER 30: Head Coach Marcus Freeman of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish reacts as players run off the field during a football game against the Duke Blue Devils at Wallace Wade Stadium in Durham, North Carolina on Sep 30, 2023. (Photo by David Jensen/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Is Notre Dame the hottest ticket in college football right now? With Marcus Freemanrunning the show, the Fighting Irish are pulling off wins that leave jaws on the floor and futures looking brighter than their gold helmet. After a jaw-dropping 49-35 brawl against Lincoln Riley’s USC, Notre Dame has punched its ticket to the playoffs. The No.5 ranked Notre Dame’s hype train is going faster than ever before. And as usual, everyone wants to play for the winning team, including this highly touted 4-star commit.
Right on the cue, on December 2, a 6’3 and 4-star quarterback Blake Hebert solidified his loyalty to Marcus Freeman. Taking it to the X, the day after the win, the No.3 prospect from Connecticut dropped a mic-worthy line: “The hard thing to do and the right thing to do are usually the same thing. Go Irish. December 4th ✍️☘️”
With signing day around the corner, the pro-style QB seems to be Notre Dame’s next big thing. Hebert’s journey to South Bend wasn’t without drama. In October, he made some serious waves by flipping his long-term commitment from Dabo Swinney’s Clemson to Freeman’s Fighting Irish. Notre Dame, relentless in its QB hunt after losing ESPN’s No. 2 dual-threat QB, Deuce Knight, to Auburn, went all-in on Hebert. QB coach Gino Guidugli led the charge, locking Hebert in what feels like the recruiting win of the year. Can’t debate here. After all, flipping a Clemson commit isn’t just a win; it’s a total power move.
Hebert’s high school career has been anything but smooth sailing. Starting at Massachusetts’ Central Catholic, his sophomore season in 2022 was electric—1,748 passing yards, 24 TDs, and just one interception in the entire season. But the momentum hit a wall in his junior year when an ankle fracture sidelined him. If it wasn’t for that injury, the kid would have been 5-star. Determined to bounce back, Hebert transferred to Connecticut’s Brunswick School for his senior season, proving his grit once again. If resilience were a stat, this kid would lead the nation.
Now, with a resume like that and Marcus Freeman backing him, Hebert’s future screams potential. Notre Dame just locked in a playmaker, and they’re not planning to slow down anytime soon.
Notre Dame’s recruiting class is shaking things up
With Hebert in the fold, Notre Dame’s recruiting class for 2025 is officially back on track. Sure, it’s been a bumpy ride—losing four-star safety Ivan Taylor to Michigan and three-star RB Daniel Anderson earlier this year stung. But Freeman and his staff don’t sulk; they reload. Hebert joins a recruiting haul ranked No. 12 nationally, featuring more than nine ESPN 300 commits.
They got absolute units in this recruiting class, starting with 5-star OT, Will Black, 4-star EDGE Christopher Burgess, and Monster tight-end James Flanigan standing at 6,6″ and weighing 245 pounds. Marcus Freeman knows how to work with his tight end, safe to make a bet on this kid. They got went and recruited big safety, JaDon Blair, and so on and on. Marcus Freeman and The Fighting Irish ain’t worrying about recruiting now. They are “All eyes on” post-season.
Notre Dame’s playoff spot is more than just a celebration; it’s a statement. Marcus Freeman isn’t here to mess around. With Blake Hebert’s pen hitting paper on December 4th, the Irish are locking in a future star to keep their momentum rolling. For Herbert, the journey’s just beginning, but if his story so far tells us anything, it’s that this kid thrives under pressure. Notre Dame might’ve lost some recruits, but they’ve gained a QB who embodies their fighting spirit. So, Irish fans, buckle up—it’s going to be one wild ride.
