Notre Dame Passes on 2022 Recruits
Notre Dame won't pursue fifth-year eligibility for 2022 recruits, citing academic calendar and admissions process.
The update
Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman confirmed the Fighting Irish won’t add players from the 2022 recruiting class who could be eligible for a fifth year of play this fall. Freeman stated it’s “too late” due to the university’s graduate admissions process and academic calendar, with classes beginning Monday.
Why it matters
This decision comes amid legal rulings that opened the door for athletes in the 2022 class who played four consecutive seasons to return for a fifth year. While Notre Dame opts out, other programs may still pursue these players, creating a competitive imbalance in the transfer landscape.
What to watch
Will other major programs follow Notre Dame’s approach or capitalize on the fifth-year eligibility window? How will this affect Notre Dame’s depth chart for the upcoming season? Will players like defensive end Junior Tuihalamaka, who recently committed to LSU after being granted a restraining order, impact their new teams?
Sources
- espn.com — Freeman's direct comments on Notre Dame's admissions process and timeline
- ProFootball Talk on NBC Sports — Context about other programs potentially pursuing fifth-year eligible players
