By Evan MasseyShareNewsweek is a Trust Project memberMarcus Freeman and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish are looking to lock in their spot in the 2025 College Football Playoff. After coming up just short last season in the national championship game against the Ohio State Buckeyes, Notre Dame wants to win it all this time around.
After a sluggish start to begin the 2025 college football season, that hope looked to be lost for the Fighting Irish. However, they have pulled together and have been one of the nation's best teams for most of the year.
Due to the team's success, Freeman has started becoming a top-tier coach in the rumor mill. Plenty of high-profile college teams, including the likes of LSU, Penn State, and Florida, have been linked as potential open jobs for Freeman.
Read more: Penn State Has Elite Candidate Emerging as Favorite in Coaching Search
Leaving Notre Dame does not seem to be of interest to Freeman right now. Could the NFL be an option that he would consider leaving the historic program for in the future?
...That is exactly what some see becoming a legitimate possibility. Freeman seems to be a name rising to the top of the list for NFL teams.
NFL insider Tom Pelissero took a look at the top potential candidates during the NFL's upcoming cycle. Freeman was on his list.
"A fifth-round draft pick of the Bears in 2009, Freeman never appeared in a regular-season game, but his story in pro football might not be written just yet," Pelissero wrote.
"NFL teams -- including the Bears last year -- have inquired about Freeman in recent years amidst his meteoric rise in coaching, from his first GA job at his alma mater (Ohio State) in 2010 to his appointment as head coach of one of college football's most iconic programs (Notre Dame) 11 years later. Since taking over in the aftermath of Brian Kelly's midnight exit for LSU, Freeman has led the Fighting Irish to a 41-12 record and current No. 9 national ranking. He's an engaging presence who will win the interview -- if and when he's willing to take one."
Since taking over as the head coach of the Fighting Irish back in 2021, Freeman has led the program to an impressive 42-12 record. Last season, he came close to his first national championship win.
Read more: Florida Could Look Into Major Sleeper for Head Coaching Job
The impact he has made in South Bend has been obvious. Leaving Notre Dame would likely only happen if Freeman received a great job offer from the NFL, or if his alma mater Ohio State came calling.
It seems like that the Fighting Irish will see NFL teams come calling for Freeman in the near future. Perhaps that offer will be too enticing for him to pass up.
For more on the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and college football news, head to Newsweek Sports.
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