Although I do think his citing of recruiting being a critical coaching skill (work ethic?) is reasonable since the industry is college football.

He also mentioned teaching ability and appreciating ND as the other key attributes, if I recall correctly.

But the TE, Special Teams, RB, and obviously OL coaches...I don't think of them as necessarily recruiters/sales reps, at least not primary.

He inherited O'Leary (terrible recruiting track record), Mickens, Rees.

And Golden would seem to be a wet dream profile-wise - experience on both sides of the ball - the last 35 years spent as a Penn State TE, DC at Virginia, HC twice, NFL positional coach experience on both sides of ball. Freeman singled Golden out for being someone he can lean on to provide "I've been there" advice, the type of guidance apparently his OC turned down.

For recruits, he was an unknown quantity. I think this was the perfect season to sell Notre Dame, “look how well we did with a slow undersized roster imagine what we could do with you”. And when I say “pass”, we still will likely finish up with a top 10 possibly a top five class

If he needs a pass it’s Marshall and Stanford.

That the likelihood of us dropping out of the top five is pretty high.

That’s why I clarified by “pass” it’s still a very good but not elite class

Keeley, Elijah Page, Dante Moore and maybe Peyton Bowen.

Is that still your position?

I think we will be top 5 with Bowen and even without the others.

Oklahoma is still his expected destination. His girlfriend is headed there to play soccer.

No one believes the drama associated with this kid will end once he signs with someone.

Guys that at least seem like they could get there based on flashes we have seen would be Meriweather, Sneed and Raridon. Probably some of the young offensive lineeman (Schrauth) have that potential.

Estime is a solid back, but I don't see him as an AA-type.