Michigan State | Marcus Freeman Weekly Press Conference (9.14.26)
- Notre Dame's staff is reviewing running-back aiming points, reads and blocking combinations to create more explosive runs with this year's personnel instead of assuming last year's backs' instincts will transfer. Marcus Freeman said Jonas Walton could earn more opportunities and Nolan James is building trust in both phases. These are developmental adjustments, not a declared new starting rotation.
- Notre Dame deliberately kept Anthony at left guard and Will Black in longer for position-specific experience. Cam Herren's guard work offers another option because the staff trusts Ashton Craig and Joe Auding at center. Freeman liked Herren's toughness but still sees technique cleanup; the extra reps do not announce a replacement starting line.
- Freeman is progressing Kingston's workload rather than immediately giving him everything, while viewing four Notre Dame linebackers as starter-quality and planning rotations and passing packages. Dallas Golden is back after missing substantial camp time with a shoulder injury and handled backup punt returns. Neither update guarantees a full defensive workload.
- Freeman trusts CJ Carr to adjust unfavorable looks after coach-to-player communication stops. His confidence in Spencer Porath also affects third-down calls and can make a field-goal attempt preferable to fourth-down aggression. Those comments describe Notre Dame's situational options, not a blanket move to conservative play-calling.
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