Marcus Freeman Explains Why Notre Dame Won't Pursue Players From 2022 Class Amid Eligibility Battle

Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman revealed that the Fighting Irish won't be attempting to add players from the 2022 recruiting class that could become eligible to compete during the 2026 season.

"For us at Notre Dame, it's just too late [with] the graduate admissions process, and I don't think it would put a person in a good situation this late -- school starts on Monday -- to have success in the classroom and on the field, so that's been our stance on it," Freeman said Friday, per ESPN's Adam Rittenberg. "... Our admissions has already done their admissions and cycles. That's where the university and the athletic program stands right now."

Former Notre Dame defensive end Junior Tuihalamaka was reportedly among the 16 football players that were recently granted a temporary restraining order in a Louisiana court that would make them eligible to return to college athletics.

Tuihalamaka committed to LSU on Friday.

The Fighting Irish already boast a talented roster heading into their 2026 campaign, as they were ranked No. 4 in the preseason Associated Press Top 25.

Notre Dame has recorded a double-digit win total in each of its past three years under Freeman, including a 2025 season in which the team narrowly missed the College Football Playoff by finishing at 10-2.

The Fighting Irish will open the upcoming regular season against Wisconsin on Sept. 6.