The Independent: A Notre Dame Football Podcast

Football never sleeps and neither do Matt Fortuna and Pete Sampson. Join them on the latest episode The Independent, where the fellas talk about Notre Dame's NFL Draft prospects, look back at the Fighting Irish players who starred in the Super Bowl and have some fun talking scheduling hypotheticals for Marcus Freeman's squad.

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The offseason is in full swing and Matt Fortuna and Pete Sampson are here to chop it up about the latest happenings around Notre Dame. Marcus Freeman and Chris Ash have rounded out their defensive staff by hiring Aaron Henry from Illinois and Brian Jean-Mary from Georgia Tech. National signing day featured the addition of re-classified QB Teddy Jarrard. Mock drafts look favorable on some Fighting Irish skill players. And the future odds from our friends in the desert have a very positive outlook for Notre Dame in 2026.

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The 2026 offseason is finally, officially upon us and Matt Fortuna and Pete Sampson are here to catch you on all things Notre Dame football. Where does Marcus Freeman turn to replace DBs coach Mike Mickens? Could more Fighting Irish assistants be on the move? Plus, the full Notre Dame schedule has been released for this fall. The guys will preview that and talk much more as they turn the page to Year 5 of the Freeman Era.

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It's already been a long offseason, no? Matt Fortuna and Pete Sampson are here to debrief after Marcus Freeman's first press conference since Notre Dame's season ended, as the Fighting Irish coach talked portal additions, staff changes, NFL interest (or lack thereof) and much more.

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The offseason already seems long, doesn't it? Marcus Freeman made it seem a little shorter on Monday, tweeting his indication that he is staying at Notre Dame for a fifth season, with sources telling The Independent that the coach has indeed agreed to a contract extension to stay in South Bend. The Fighting Irish figure to be a national title contender in 2026, and Matt Fortuna and Pete Sampson are here to talk about that and more.

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