Marcus Freeman emphasizes the significance of relationship building in recruiting during the NIL era for Notre Dame football.

Despite changes in college football, certain aspects remain constant.

Marcus Freeman, Notre Dame's head coach, views recruiting in the NIL era as a crucial aspect of the team's success.

"Ultimately, it boils down to relationships, which is crucial. Can you convince this young person and his family to trust your football program and lead their son for four years?" Freeman stated on Barstool Sports' "Pardon My Take."

"To increase the likelihood of a person committing to a relationship, it is important to build trust and rapport over time. Instead of trying to close the deal immediately, it is better to focus on developing a strong connection with the person. This will increase the chances of them feeling comfortable and confident in their decision to commit to the relationship."

Building a relationship with a recruit does not end when the paper is signed.

"Despite their commitment, you must continue to recruit and develop relationships with the person because others are still trying to attract them to their campus."

Freeman's belief in the importance of relationship building in recruiting is strengthened by his son's current experience with the process.

"Currently, I am experiencing this situation with my oldest son, who has recently gone on official visits for wrestling. Last night, he returned home from a visit and expressed his enthusiasm for the school. However, I couldn't help but wonder if he had forgotten about the official visit he took two weeks ago."

Deion Sanders' decision to muzzle a columnist has been criticized by an ESPN pundit, who exclaimed, "This is not America!"

"Although he agreed, I realized that relationships require ongoing effort and commitment, not just a brief encounter. That's when I realized it's all about relationships."

Despite the threat of players leaving due to NIL offers from other schools, Freeman stated that his coaching style remains unchanged.

"We will correct and coach you hard when necessary to help you reach your full potential. This is part of building strong relationships in recruiting, which we hope will continue to develop here. Through this process, you will come to understand that your coach cares about you and is pushing you to improve."

"If you consistently harass and intimidate people without establishing a relationship or explaining your reasons, they will likely view you as unstable and untrustworthy, causing them to question their willingness to work with you and ultimately seek opportunities elsewhere."

"If you can maintain an authentic relationship with them while coaching them hard and coaching others around them, they will truly respect you."

Notre Dame went 10-3 last season, culminating in a 40-8 win over Oregon State in the Sun Bowl. Under former head coach Brian Kelly, Notre Dame made it to the College Football Playoff twice, but they have not done so yet under Freeman.

The seventh ranked Fighting Irish kick off their season on Aug. 31 with a game against the twentieth ranked Texas A&M Aggies.

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