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Notre Dame Football: 3 storylines to follow in spring 2021

By Connor Muldowney

Jan 1, 2021; Arlington, TX, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback Drew Pyne (10) hands off to running back Kyren Williams (23) against the Alabama Crimson Tide during the second half in the Rose Bowl at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 1, 2021; Arlington, TX, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback Drew Pyne (10) hands off to running back Kyren Williams (23) against the Alabama Crimson Tide during the second half in the Rose Bowl at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports /
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Cincinnati Bearcats defensive coordinator Marcus Freeman high fives Cincinnati Bearcats wide receiver Tyler Scott (21) as he comes off the field following a special teams play in the fourth quarter during an NCAA college football game against the Army Black Knights, Saturday, Sept. 26, 2020, at Nippert Stadium in Cincinnati. The Cincinnati Bearcats won 24-10. Army Black Knights At Cincinnati Bearcats Sept 26
Cincinnati Bearcats defensive coordinator Marcus Freeman high fives Cincinnati Bearcats wide receiver Tyler Scott (21) as he comes off the field following a special teams play in the fourth quarter during an NCAA college football game against the Army Black Knights, Saturday, Sept. 26, 2020, at Nippert Stadium in Cincinnati. The Cincinnati Bearcats won 24-10. Army Black Knights At Cincinnati Bearcats Sept 26 /

2. Marcus Freeman’s defense

Clark Lea did a fantastic job taking over for Mike Elko as defensive coordinator when he left for Texas A&M to join Jimbo Fisher. There was expected to be a huge drop-off when Elko left because he was one of the best defensive minds in the country, but Lea turned his role from understudy into one as a prominent coordinator and now he’s the head coach of Vanderbilt.

With Lea’s departure, Brian Kelly was tasked with replacing him with another big name and elite defensive mind. He did that, swooping in and stealing Marcus Freeman away from Cincinnati.

Freeman has been considered one of the fastest-rising coordinators in the country and other teams had been trying to court him. Notre Dame’s brand was enough to finally wrestle him away from Luke Fickell and Cincinnati and now it’s time for him to prove he belongs with the big boys.

For years, Freeman was piecing together an elite defense in the Group of Five and now he needs to show that he’ll adjust well to a bigger market against elite competition.

A new defensive scheme and outlook in South Bend will be something to watch for.

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