Rivalries in college football are legendary. The battles on the field? Intense. But sometimes, the biggest power plays happen off the field, in the world of recruiting. And this time, it’s personal.
Picture the scene: Marcus Freeman, Notre Dame’s rising star head coach, answers a knock on his front door. It’s not a five-star football recruit. It’s not an eager assistant looking to talk strategy. It’s Michigan. Not Jim Harbaugh (who’s now in the NFL), not Sherrone Moore—but Michigan wrestling’s head coach Sean Bormet, standing on Freeman’s doorstep, ready to recruit his son.
Yes, you read that right. The Wolverines want Vinny Freeman, the son of Notre Dame’s head coach, in Ann Arbor. And just like that, a new chapter in the Midwest’s greatest recruiting wars has begun.
Vinny Freeman: The Rising Star Who’s Turning Heads Across the Country
If you haven’t heard the name Vinny Freeman, get ready—it’s about to become a staple in recruiting circles. A two-sport athlete at Penn High School, Vinny isn’t just good; he’s elite.
On the wrestling mat? He’s a force to be reckoned with. Ranked No. 7 nationally in the 175-pound weight class, he boasts an 85-16 career record and is tearing through the competition with a 21-2 season record.
On the football field? He’s just as dangerous. As a sophomore defensive back, he was the only returning starter on his team’s defense—and he delivered. His 36+ tackles and clutch interceptions, including a game-changing pick against South Bend St. Joseph, have put college football scouts on high alert.
With his skill set, Freeman could follow in the footsteps of Ben Kueter, the two-sport phenom who’s currently making waves at Iowa in both football and wrestling. But let’s be real—that’s an incredibly rare path. Which sport will Vinny choose?
Michigan vs. Notre Dame: A Recruiting Battle Brewing in Marcus Freeman’s Own Home
On February 3rd, Vinny took to X (formerly Twitter) to drop a bombshell:
“Great home visit with Coach @Sean_Bormet. Thanks for stopping by @umichwrestling.”
Just like that, the college wrestling world erupted. Michigan, a program with 24 individual national champions and a Big Ten title in 2022, was making their move.
And here’s where things get spicy:
- Marcus Freeman is a Notre Dame head coach.
- He played college football at Ohio State—a sworn enemy of both Michigan and Notre Dame.
- And now, Michigan is recruiting his son?
This isn’t just a big recruiting story—it’s straight-up cinematic.
The Wolverines are coming in hot, but Notre Dame isn’t backing down. If Vinny leans toward football, South Bend could be the perfect landing spot. After all, his father runs the program. If he chooses wrestling, Michigan makes perfect sense—they’re one of the top programs in the country.
Either way, a fierce recruiting battle is underway, and it’s happening right in Marcus Freeman’s living room.
Great home visit with Coach @Sean_Bormet. Thanks for stopping by @umichwrestling pic.twitter.com/8GsQJPx0J2
— Vinny Freeman (@VinnyFreeman5) February 4, 2025
Meanwhile, Marcus Freeman Faces a Bigger Problem: Notre Dame’s Coaching Exodus
While Vinny mulls over his future, his father is dealing with a crisis at Notre Dame.
The Fighting Irish finally broke through in 2024, making their first National Championship appearance in over a decade—only to fall short against Ohio State. It was a gut-wrenching loss, but it put Notre Dame back on the map.
Now? They’re paying the price for success.
Freeman’s coaching staff is being raided by the NFL and major college programs. Just look at the departures:
- Defensive coordinator Al Golden → Poached by the Cincinnati Bengals.
- Top recruiter Chad Bowden → Stolen by USC.
- Assistant WR coach Michael Bearden → Jumped to the Cleveland Browns alongside former OC Tommy Rees.
And that’s just the beginning. With Notre Dame’s best assistants being lured away, Freeman is in damage control mode.
He’s scrambling to replace elite coaches, all while trying to keep Notre Dame in the national championship conversation. The question is: Can he hold everything together?
The Freeman Family is at a Crossroads—What Happens Next?
As Marcus Freeman fights to keep his staff intact, his son is being courted by one of his biggest rivals.
- If Vinny chooses wrestling, Michigan might have the inside track.
- If football is his true passion, Notre Dame could be the best fit.
- Or maybe, just maybe, another powerhouse swoops in and steals him away from both.
This recruiting battle is just getting started, but one thing is clear: The Freeman name isn’t going away anytime soon.
Where will Vinny end up? Ann Arbor? South Bend? Or somewhere completely unexpected?
One thing’s for sure—this story is just beginning.
