Notre Dame is off to a potentially historic start to its 2023 recruiting class.

The Fighting Irish already have eight commitments in that class, which ranks No. 2 nationally according to 247Sports Composite rankings.

Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman has put a much bigger emphasis on recruiting since arriving in South Bend. He was largely credited with Notre Dame’s top-10 2022 class as well.

The Irish’s 2023 class already has two 5-star defenders: EDGE Keon Keeley and linebacker Drayk Bowen. They lead a class that has an average rating of 95.48, per 247Sports Composite. For context, that would be No. 1 in the class of 2022.

Six of Notre Dame’s eight commitments so far are on the defensive side of the ball. The exceptions are 4-star tight end Cooper Flanagan and 4-star running back Sedrick Irvin Jr.

The Irish will need to continue recruiting that side of the ball — specifically at quarterback, receiver and offensive line — but this is a great start to what could be a special class in South Bend.