Pete Sampson

Pete Sampson

Staff Writer, Notre Dame

Pete Sampson is a staff writer for The Athletic on the Notre Dame football beat, a program he’s covered for the past 21 seasons. The former editor and co-founder of Irish Illustrated, Pete has covered six different regimes in South Bend, reporting on the Fighting Irish from the end of the Bob Davie years through the start of the Marcus Freeman era.

Pete Sampson is a staff writer for The Athletic on the Notre Dame football beat, a program he’s covered for the past 21 seasons. The former editor and co-founder of Irish Illustrated, Pete has covered six different regimes in South Bend, reporting on the Fighting Irish from the end of the Bob Davie years through the start of the Marcus Freeman era.

Notre Dame, Michigan State to resume rivalry in 2026-27: What does it mean for scheduling?

Notre Dame, Michigan State to resume rivalry in 2026-27: What does it mean for scheduling?

The Spartans and Irish are longtime rivals but haven't met since 2017. That'll change with a home-and-home in 2026-27.

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Will Notre Dame's next standout freshman be another summer enrollee?

Will Notre Dame's next standout freshman be another summer enrollee?

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College Football 25’s Toughest Places to Play: Which stadium is too high? What’s the biggest snub?

College Football 25’s Toughest Places to Play: Which stadium is too high? What’s the biggest snub?

The Athletic College Football556

Notre Dame survey: How confident are fans in Marcus Freeman? What if Irish win a title?

Notre Dame survey: How confident are fans in Marcus Freeman? What if Irish win a title?

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Notre Dame worth the wait for Beaux Collins, Rod Heard II. How will transfers impact Irish?

Notre Dame worth the wait for Beaux Collins, Rod Heard II. How will transfers impact Irish?

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Take the Notre Dame football fan survey: How do you feel about the Irish in 2024?
Take the Notre Dame football fan survey: How do you feel about the Irish in 2024?

Welcome to the fifth annual Notre Dame fan survey. How do you feel about Marcus Freeman and the Fighting Irish now?

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Why can't Notre Dame sign more 5-stars? What does Boise mean for scheduling? Irish mailbag
Why can't Notre Dame sign more 5-stars? What does Boise mean for scheduling? Irish mailbag

Notre Dame enters the summer months in prime position on all fronts, but what does the future hold in recruiting, NIL and more?

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Notre Dame's new long-term quarterback recruiting approach is in motion and here to stay
Notre Dame's new long-term quarterback recruiting approach is in motion and here to stay

The Irish can’t keep living in the portal at the quarterback position, and Marcus Freeman seems hell-bent on making sure Notre Dame doesn’t.

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Submit a question for Pete Sampson's Notre Dame mailbag
Submit a question for Pete Sampson's Notre Dame mailbag

The Irish enter the summer months as a trendy pick to make the College Football Playoff. What’s on your mind?

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Nick Saban, Urban Meyer headline 2025 College Football Hall of Fame ballot
Nick Saban, Urban Meyer headline 2025 College Football Hall of Fame ballot

Other first-time nominees include Aaron Donald, Mark Ingram and Manti Te'o.

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Marcus Freeman knows what Year 3 means at Notre Dame. Here's how he wants to capitalize
Marcus Freeman knows what Year 3 means at Notre Dame. Here's how he wants to capitalize

There's history behind this season at this school: In short, either a coach will win a championship this fall or it won’t happen at all.

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Tyler Buchner returning to Notre Dame football as walk-on WR, to remain on lacrosse team
Tyler Buchner returning to Notre Dame football as walk-on WR, to remain on lacrosse team

In an open letter, Buchner called his journey back to Notre Dame's football program 'one of reflection and redemption.'

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Notre Dame football recruiting check-in: DBs stand out, but what about the D-line?
Notre Dame football recruiting check-in: DBs stand out, but what about the D-line?

What we’ve learned about the Irish haul under construction and who we’ll be watching as the summer visits season begins.

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Notre Dame mailbag: Will Irish be ready for this SEC road trip? Riley Leonard's stats?
Notre Dame mailbag: Will Irish be ready for this SEC road trip? Riley Leonard's stats?

With the college football season less than 100 days out, the Notre Dame mailbag returns.

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What makes Notre Dame OC Mike Denbrock successful? Let his former colleagues tell you
What makes Notre Dame OC Mike Denbrock successful? Let his former colleagues tell you

Denbrock is returning to Notre Dame after two previous stints with the Irish.

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Inside Dallas Golden's decision to commit to Notre Dame football
Inside Dallas Golden's decision to commit to Notre Dame football

Golden had decided he didn’t need a third, fourth or ninth opinion. There was no reason to wait for July to commit.

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Submit your questions for Pete Sampson’s Notre Dame football mailbag
Submit your questions for Pete Sampson’s Notre Dame football mailbag

How are you feeling about Notre Dame football with the 2024 season countdown nearing the 100-day mark?

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How does Notre Dame scout the transfer portal? Matt Jansen details a year-round process
How does Notre Dame scout the transfer portal? Matt Jansen details a year-round process

Notre Dame scouting director Jansen details a job predicated on "never being satisfied with having enough information."

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What Notre Dame taught Gerad Parker as he builds a football program of his own at Troy
What Notre Dame taught Gerad Parker as he builds a football program of his own at Troy

A visit to Troy shows how Parker is building a program of his own while incorporating all he's learned from Notre Dame and beyond.

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Notre Dame mailbag: Marcus Freeman's learning curve and 'this year's Michigan'
Notre Dame mailbag: Marcus Freeman's learning curve and 'this year's Michigan'

This season, the hard lessons Marcus Freeman has learned so far as ND's head coach need to be applied instead of re-learned.

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Notre Dame adds a special teams transfer with a special affection for the Fighting Irish
Notre Dame adds a special teams transfer with a special affection for the Fighting Irish

Tafelski, a Michigan native with Notre Dame roots, started on all of Central Michigan’s special teams the past two seasons.

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Submit your questions for Pete Sampson’s Notre Dame football mailbag
Submit your questions for Pete Sampson’s Notre Dame football mailbag

Spring practice is finished, and the 2024 Notre Dame football season is four months away. What's on your mind?

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Notre Dame lands pledge from 4-star Dallas Golden: Why he's a crucial commitment
Notre Dame lands pledge from 4-star Dallas Golden: Why he's a crucial commitment

Golden is the 20th verbal commitment in Notre Dame’s 2025 class.

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The transfer portal's hidden impact on college football recruiting: What about kickers?
The transfer portal's hidden impact on college football recruiting: What about kickers?

Alabama adding Groza Award winner Graham Nicholson from Miami (OH) shows why top colleges are forgoing high school kicker recruiting.

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Notre Dame Blue-Gold Game final thoughts: Jeremiyah Love's promise, QB riches
Notre Dame Blue-Gold Game final thoughts: Jeremiyah Love's promise, QB riches

Freeman said this is probably his best roster since being at Notre Dame. And he’s right. It's on him to take advantage.

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