Marcus Freeman Declares It's Too Late for Notre Dame to Add Fifth-Year Players

Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman announced that the opportunity to add players seeking a fifth year of eligibility has passed due to the admissions process and academic calendar. He made this statement during a discussion about potential additions to the team, specifically mentioning defensive end Junior Tuihalamaka, who recently received a temporary restraining order allowing him another season.

Freeman explained that with the start of classes approaching, it would not be feasible for new players to succeed academically and athletically. He noted that the admissions cycle at Notre Dame has already concluded, reinforcing the university's current stance on the matter.

This perspective on admissions and academics stands in contrast to many other college football programs, where academic eligibility issues have become less prominent. However, Freeman's commitment to academic integrity suggests that if there were players Notre Dame wanted to recruit, they would find a way to facilitate their entry.