Live updates: Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman press conference after first fall camp practice
Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman is speaking to the media this afternoon following the Irish’s first fall camp practice. Watch the press conference and/or follow along with live updates of it from Blue & Gold below.
WATCH: Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman press conference after first fall camp practice
Live updates: What Freeman is saying
Keep refreshing this page for live updates of what Freeman is saying … Updates are in reverse chronological order
On Tyler Buchner working with the quarterbacks again
07/31/2025 11:32:04 AM“He’s been itching back to get in that room. If you watched the WR individual drills, he was throwing the ball. When Steve decided to leave, we felt like we wanted more experience in that room. His job is to make the room better — and get better yourself. I see him doing that. He’s helping Blake and working with Kenny and CJ — through his experience — while becoming a better player himself. I’m glad to have him back in there.”
On how the QBs looked today
07/31/2025 11:28:10 AMFreeman acknowledged a couple interceptions but was clear that rushing to judgment is not wise.
“I’ll get with the offensive staff and see if they made the right decisions. That’s what is more important than anything.”
Preston Zinter update
07/31/2025 11:21:06 AMFreeman confirmed that the sophomore has moved to the defensive line. He came in as a linebacker recruit.
Freeman on WR Will Pauling
07/31/2025 11:19:30 AM“Will’s a dog. I love the way he practices and approaches the game of football. He practices at a level that other people need to see. I’m excited to see what he does this season. He’s going to help us this season.
More from Freeman on Charles Jagusah
07/31/2025 11:16:26 AMFreeman said that he was devastated for Jagusah when he learned about the injury.
“It was a group of 10-15 players together on a break, and that’s what you want. You don’t want everyone to go out by themselves and not see each other. It was guys together hanging out. It was a freak, unfortunate accident. It was a little bit of bad luck. I don’t want to ban them from having fun. I want them to hang out together, have fun and become a team.”
Freeman on new defensive coordinator Chris Ash
07/31/2025 11:15:04 AM“He’s intense, extremely intelligent … He’s a great teammate. He just needs to be the best Chris Ash he can be, and that’s what he’s done … He’s gained the trust of the people he’s worked with. I’m excited for what our defensive unit is going to do.”
Freeman on DB Tae Johnson
07/31/2025 11:12:20 AMFreeman on Sullivan Absher replacing Charles Jagusah
07/31/2025 11:08:44 AM“Without hesitation when Charles went down, we made the move to put Sullivan in there. He’s earned that trust, but he’s in a competition like everyone … It might not be an old room, but it’s experienced and deep. Competition will figure out who is the best five.”
Injury updates
07/31/2025 11:07:20 AMBoubacar Traore: Will be fully ready to go soon.
Cooper Flanagan and Charles Jagusah: Will be back during the season … “They’ll be back this year.”
Boubacar Traore sat out most of the team session today. He’s healthy and will be ready for Week 1, but Notre Dame will ramp him up as camp continues.
First question of the press conference was about Notre Dame’s QB battle
07/31/2025 11:05:04 AM“They will determine who the starting quarterback is … Who is the most consistent and can keep our offense moving forward?
“Coaches are going to play players who they can trust … That’s the No. 1 key for being on the playing field.” (Freeman spoke about this regarding all positions).
Marcus Freeman is at the podium
07/31/2025 11:02:31 AM“I love that our guys were in shape and had a good, physical days. We didn’t have any injuries, and the guys were ready to go. They had a good summer. Our strength staff did a really good job getting those guys prepared.”
