Marcus Freeman Scores Major Recruiting Victory as Notre Dame Lands Nation’s Top 2027 Linebacker — Son of Cowboys Legend — Beating Out Tennessee, Oregon, and Alabama in High-Stakes Battle
In a monumental win on the recruiting trail, Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman has secured a commitment from the nation’s top-ranked linebacker in the class of 2027 — the son of Dallas Cowboys legend and Hall of Famer, DeMarcus Ware. The Irish outdueled blue-blood programs including Tennessee, Oregon, and Alabama to land the coveted prospect, marking one of the biggest recruiting coups of Freeman’s young tenure.
The linebacker, DeMarcus Ware Jr., widely regarded as a generational defensive talent, announced his decision in a nationally televised segment on Wednesday afternoon, donning a Notre Dame cap to the roar of fans and teammates. At 6-foot-3 and 225 pounds, Ware Jr. brings a rare combination of size, speed, and football IQ — attributes that mirror his father’s storied NFL career.
“Notre Dame just felt like home,” Ware Jr. said during his commitment ceremony. “Coach Freeman is building something special, and I want to be part of a defense that dominates — not just in college football, but in the classroom and community, too.”
Marcus Freeman, himself a former linebacker and one of the most dynamic young coaches in college football, has made defense a cornerstone of his recruiting pitch. This latest commitment reinforces Notre Dame’s ascent as a powerhouse on the national recruiting stage and highlights Freeman’s growing reputation for connecting with elite talent and their families.
Landing Ware Jr. wasn’t easy. Alabama offered the allure of its championship pedigree, Tennessee pitched a fast-rising SEC program, and Oregon brought a high-tech edge with Nike backing. But in the end, it was Freeman’s authenticity, Notre Dame’s academic reputation, and the promise of early playing time that sealed the deal.
“This is the kind of player that changes programs,” one recruiting analyst said. “He’s a future first-round pick, and Marcus Freeman just sent a message to the college football world — Notre Dame is not just in the conversation; they’re leading it.”
With this commitment, Notre Dame’s 2027 class now ranks among the top in the nation, and the buzz around South Bend is electric. For Freeman, this isn’t just a win on the field — it’s a statement of intent. Notre Dame isn’t waiting to return to glory — it’s building it, one elite recruit at a time.
