Notre Dame reporter Kathryn Tappen talks rumors linking Marcus Freeman to the NFL and Ohio State, Rutgers’ 2026 outlook, and more

Notre Dame reporter Kathryn Tappen talks rumors linking Marcus Freeman to the NFL and Ohio State, Rutgers’ 2026 outlook, and more originally appeared on The Sporting News . Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here . NBC Sports on-field reporter Kathryn Tappen, who has covered Notre Dame Fighting Irish football for the network for over a decade, doesn’t believe there’s anything to the idea that Marcus Freeman is plotting a move to the NFL or his alma mater , the Ohio State Buckeyes .

At least, not until Freeman wins a championship in South Bend first. A jump to the pros sounds likelier than a jump to Columbus and the Big Ten. Still, Tappen is tepid about the concept of Freeman jumping ship anytime soon.

The rumor mill connected Freeman to various openings in December and January, including the New York Giants, Cleveland Browns, and Pittsburgh Steelers. Obviously, none of the rumors went very far. Ahead of NBC’s presentation of the 2026 American Century Championship from the Edgewood Tahoe Resort in Stateline, Nevada, from July 8 to July 12, Tappen discussed with me the Fighting Irish, her alma mater’s football program, the Rutgers Scarlet Knights, the Stanley Cup Playoffs, and her pick to win the annual celebrity golf tournament.

Tappen will be one of 90 celebrities competing, and one of two women, alongside all-time LPGA Tour golfer Annika Sörenstam, in the field. On the Marcus Freeman-NFL rumors… “I think it's great for Marcus Freeman. I think every NFL team should be looking at Marcus.