Eric Boggs 
Marcus Freeman sings after victory.
Notre Dame football coach Marcus Freeman kept expectations in check following the team’s first practice on Wednesday. The first day of practice is often about getting back into the rhythm of football, and with pads off and freshmen still finding their footing, Freeman was reserved in his praises.
Despite this, Freeman did commend sophomore safety Adon Shuler for his dedication over the past seven months. Shuler, hailing from New Jersey, is in a competition with graduate transfer Rod Heard II for a starting spot opposite All-American safety Xavier Watts. Both Shuler and Heard took turns with the first and second teams, a practice Freeman plans to continue to foster growth through competition. Freeman assured that both players would see action in the season opener against Texas A&M, which speaks volumes about Shuler’s progress since redshirting last year.
Freeman emphasized the importance of focusing on daily improvement over worrying about starting positions. He encourages players to concentrate on their reps each day rather than fixate on who will start in upcoming games.
Notre Dame’s defense looks strong on paper, featuring two All-Americans in the secondary and two defensive linemen who have the potential to earn similar honors by the end of the season. While the linebackers are young, except for veteran Jack Kiser, Freeman believes this could be one of the most talented groups the team has seen in years. He expressed confidence in linebackers coach Max Bullough’s ability to develop the unit, noting that five linebackers have demonstrated they can play immediately.
Another key competition on defense is at field cornerback, where sophomore Christian Gray and junior Jaden Mickey are vying for the starting position. However, similar to the safety competition, both players are expected to see the field regardless of who starts. Freeman stressed the importance of building trust through consistent performance, highlighting that players earn playing time by consistently executing their coach’s instructions.
Freeman also highlighted the stability and experience of the defense, noting that defensive coordinator Al Golden won’t be adding new schemes but will focus on creative disguises using the team’s extensive experience. Entering the third year under Golden’s system, the defense is expected to execute at a high level from the start.
With a solid foundation and a focus on intricate details, Freeman is optimistic about the defense’s prospects for the upcoming season.
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