joe rudolph may have his best 5-man combo on the offensive line
Joe Rudolph has done an amazing job recruiting size, length and talent to the Notre Dame offensive line room. His efforts may lead to the Joe Moore Award returning to South Bend next winter, if things go as planned. Entering spring practice, the first unit has been freshman left tackle Will Black, junior left guard Anthoine Knapp, junior center Joe Otting, junior right guard Sullivan Absher and Sophomore right tackle Guerby Lambert. Senior center Ashton Craig is expected to make a full recovery from the leg injury that ended his 2025 season prematurely, and junior guard Charles Jagusah is still dealing with complications from surgery to remedy his injured left arm due to a ATV accident last summer. Despite missing two highly talented linemen this spring, the early returns from coaches and players signal great things ahead for the group.
Rudolph spoke to the media on Wednesday and began with sharing how pleased he’s been with the right side of the first unit, which features Guerby Lambert being moved from right guard to right tackle, and Sullivan Absher replacing him at the right guard spot.
“Those two guys really kind of called each other out about guys that they are confident in, guys that they really look to for leadership, guys that they really trust. and that's always a unique situation when you can kind of create that or build that into your five-line. And then it would have been easy to leave Knapp outside and Guerby inside. What was just the basis of moving them around, too? Guerby has a real comfort on the right side of the line, which is cool.”
Knapp has always been a devastating run blocker and will serve as a more than comparable replacement for former left guard standout Billy Schrauth, who is preparing to be selected in the upcoming NFL Draft. Freshman Will Black came to South Bend with a lot of buzz as a 5-Star in the 2025 class, and head coach Marcus Freeman said there some early growing pains that he had to endure and overcome to begin reaching his full potential. He’s a natural tackle with great length and athleticism that should benefit from being next to a veteran like Knapp, who was ranked as top returning offensive tackle in college football before being moved inside,
With all of the movement this spring, Rudolph has been impressed with the performance of the Black-Knapp combo on the left side and the performance of the line as a whole.
“Knapper, we felt, has done a great job playing left. But we thought to get each guy in maybe the spot that would allow them to shine the most would be the chance to move Knapp in and create a good competition at the left, which Will's done a great job of, but there's still good competition there. And really what you don't know is how the guys will embrace it. And there's a lot of differences, right? It's like, I've been really good here, and now you want me to move here. And Anthony's just embraced it, and he wants to know the intricacies of the position and the differences. And that's really kind of created it. And then what you can't anticipate is how well they work together, the pre-snap communication, how they work in the meeting room, how they talk, their plan, their trust for one another. So I've been impressed by it.”
Another bright spot this spring has been the performance of freshman guard Matty Augustine, who can play both guard and tackle for coach Rudolph. The Irish have 4-5 experienced linemen that have the flexibility to play multiple positions and that should allow a group that has suffered from injuries over the last three seasons to maintain a dominant level of play throughout the 2026 season.
Charlie Partridge looking to turn up the pressure
The impact of new defensive line coach Charlie Partridge was on display as several Irish defensive linemen met with the assembled media after their seventh practice. Before they walked to the podium, their new leader shared his thoughts on how he’s re-shaping how the front four has been challenged to focus on consistently pass rushing collectively. .
Last season, the Irish sacked opposing quarterbacks 43 times and hurried them 210 times, but they were key moments in games where they allowed open lanes for players like Texas A&M quarterback Marcel Reed to scramble for first downs. Partridge has set the tone for his position room by setting a focus for each day.
“We're leaning in on pass rush lanes. I know Coach Freeman talked about that the other day with the media group.”
“That's something we've put a big emphasis on while still pass rushing aggressively, pass rushing together as a unit. Because so many times, if you don't pay attention to that, you may have somebody have a great rush and win on one side, but if you're not in good lanes on the other, it was for naught. So we put a big focus on that, and today's focus, like I said, was aggressively attacking our keys in the run.”
As he learns his athletes, Partridge has been able to lean on the familiarity he has with defensive coordinator Chris Ash to help with his transition. The relationship is built on mutual respect with an understanding that disagreement is not about personal feelings. They haven’t worked together since 2013, when they were both on the Arkansas Razorback staff. However, they’ve always been in contact with one another, including last season when he was a defensive line coach in the NFL for the Indianapolis Colts.
“It's kind of what I said when I got here, guys. I mean, me and Chris, our background goes so much. We've been through so much together in the football world that we can argue or discuss things that maybe we don't see the same way, and there's no feelings. You don't have to worry about hurting each other's feelings. Even if we get to a point where we're maybe arguing about something, it's all about getting together and getting on the same page, and then it's very, very healthy. He hasn't let me down one bit.”
“It's been a while since we've worked together. Last time we were together was Arkansas in 2013. Yeah, it was 2013, so it's been a while, but we talk all the time, and he's exactly what I knew he would be.”
With returning edge rushers like Boubacar Traore and Bryce Young, and the additions of defensive tackle transfers Francis Brewu and Tionne Gray. the Fighting Irish are working hard during spring practices to have four pass rushing threats that should lead to a more disciplined and consistent rush for opposing offenses. The linebacking corp added 13.5 sacks last season, but that number could decrease if the plans being laid by Partridge and his players continue to manifest through the rest of spring and fall camps into the regular season.
returning qb and coordinators give marcus freeman a better feeling this spring
For the first time since 2020, Notre Dame will have a returning starter under center. as quarterback CJ Carr returns to become the face of the Irish offense heading into a very important spring practice schedule. Carr had an impressive start to his 2025 season, but leveled off towards the end of the season. Despite disappointing late season performances, he threw for 2,741 yards and completed over 66 percent of his passes with 24 touchdowns, and seven interception. Head coach Marcus Freeman recently sat down with On3's JD Pickell and talked about his confidence in what he’s seen from his second year signal-caller.
"It's exciting," Freeman stated. "It's my first time having a returning starting quarterback along with all three coordinators returning as well. There's a level of comfort knowing who they are as people, knowing that they know the schemes, knowing who CJ Carr is and the work ethic that he puts in as well as the work our coaches put in. There's a level of confidence we have but we still have to continue to do the work."
According to FanDuel, Carr is currently the favorite to win the Heisman and widely considered one of the best returning quarterbacks according to several outlets. Multiple outlets project Carr to be the number one quarterback in college football with a chance of being a top 10 pick in the 2027 NFL Draft. The off-season buzz matches the buzz generated by his arrival during bowl practices for the 2023 Tony The Tiger Sun Bowl. Since then, the sound coming from his talent and preparation have been unavoidable.
"He's prepared," Freeman answered when asked about Carr. "From the moment he stepped on campus, he's prepared to be the starter. It's just a reflection of the way he was raised, being obviously a coach's kid and a coach's grandson. He prepares tremendously. That's the one thing you appreciate about CJ Carr is there is no finish line for him and that's what I'm excited for."
Now, the pressure ratchets up for Carr and offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock, who will also have the same conductor for his offense returning for the first time since returning prior to the 2024 season. Both Freeman and Denbrock have high expectations for their quarterback, and his maturity is greatly needed as the offense loses almost 73 percent of it’s production with players like Jeremiyah Love, Jadarian Price, Eli Raridon, and others leaving for the NFL. The passing game must take a step forward with Carr becoming the focal point of the offense.
"The thing that you're seeing him do now is him truly let his leadership shine," Freeman explained. "He's making the guys around him better. You see him getting the wide outs, tight ends and the running backs together saying, 'Okay, we're going to throw on Saturdays at this time and you have to be there. Then they're going to watch film at this time and they have to be there. He is always looking for ways to improve."
Defensive coordinator Chris Ash has continuity in the coaching staff with the hiring of Charlie Partridge, Aaron Henry and Brian Jean-Mary. All three coaches had existing relationships with Ash and understand how he wants things communicated to the players. That may have been difficult with the previous staff that had coached under former defensive coordinator Al Golden. Going into his second year, Ash has a better feel for what the players can do and the defense should benefit from it.”
"Every year before this, I was spending time with a certain side of the ball trying to make sure we understand what the new scheme was," Freeman stated. "You're trying to figure out how we're going to script practice to get enough reps for this quarterback competition. Every year is different, but this one's different. I don't need to go spend a whole bunch of time figuring out what we're doing on offense, defense and special teams because the coordinators are back."
Marcus Freeman has an early season hurdle to get over in the form of his team getting off to slow starts, and the continuity flowing from his quarterback and coordinators has him extremely confident about the Fighting Irish being able to fulfill his mantra for the season. “Leave No Doubt”.
brian jean-mary loves talent and experience in lb room
While at Michigan and other stops like Tennessee in his coaching career, Brian Jean-Mary has consistently developed tough minded linebacker room that were good against the run and the pass. Now, he brings that magic to South Bend to replace former linebackers coach Max Bullough who returned to Michigan State, his alma mater, to be the co-defensive coordinator and linebackers coach for Pat Fitzgerald.
He was the last hire of three new defensive assistants for head coach Marcus Freeman along with new defensive line coach Charlie Partridge and new defensive backs coach and co-defensive coordinator Aaron Henry. The linebacker room that he inherits is not short on talent or experience with five players totaling more than 100 snaps in 2025, and that’s something that has Jean-Mary excited.
"I had a little bit of an idea of what we were doing defensively and watched player wise some crossover tape," Jean-Mary explained. "I always admired from afar and now that I'm here, every new coach is going to try to dive into the film and try to learn as much as you can about the system. You have to build trust with the players and they have to get to know me the same way I have to get to know them. They've done a great job of opening themselves up and letting me pour into them. It's been great."
The Notre Dame defense got off to a slow start last season, but managed to remain stout against the run for the second straight season, giving up 98.9 rushing yards per game (9th in the nation) and 3 yards per rush (7th in the nation). That type of production from a unit that found a better footing in Chris Ash’s defense with each game is a great foundation, and a little pressure for the veteran coach.
"It's one of the best jobs in the country," Jean-Mary stated. "It's a blessing to be in a situation where we know what the expectations are every week; we know what the expectations are at the end of the year. Some people look at that as pressure. There's only certain schools that have that type of pressure. So when the standard is to be the best, that's a challenge for us as coaches and that's what you want to be a part of. I've been at those other places where the challenge is to just have a good season. I know that's not the case here."
One of the biggest advantages that he brings to the Irish staff is the relationship he has with some of the top 2027 and 2028 recruits that began while he was at Michigan. The 2027 board suffred the loss of Ellis McGaskin once Max Bullough left for Michigan State, but connections with players like Kaden Henderson, Noah Roberts, Roman Igwebuike and Brayton Feister immediately upgraded the board for the Irish.
cj carr ranked as top returning qb in college football
Fighting Irish starting quarterback, CJ Carr, is the betting favorite to win the Heisman trophy according to FanDuel, and was recently picked by ESPN analyst Bill Connelly as the top ranked returning quarterback in the country.
The ESPN ranking is based on "stats, trends and recent performances." That equation led to Connelly placing Carr as the nation's top quarterback, ahead of Ohio State sophomore Julian Sayin. Carr will be Marcus Freeman’s first returning starter at the position and the success of the Fighting Irish rest on what many expect to be an impressive season.
Connelly’s Take:
"He sort of looked like a redshirt freshman against Miami in Week 1 of last season, but that was about it. He fell just short of leading a comeback win against the Hurricanes, then pretty much torched all other opposition. Sure, he had a spectacular run game at his disposal -- Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price combined for 2,046 yards and 29 touchdowns (and are both gone now) -- but Notre Dame ranked first nationally in third-and-long success rate (7 or more yards to go). When Carr had to make a throw, he did so.
"Carr isn't exactly your modern dual-threat guy; he doesn't scramble much, and he's not a threat to punish defenses for turning their backs on the QB in man coverage. But he also doesn't take sacks, both because of quick decision-making and the fact that he might have the best offensive line in the country protecting him. He's accurate, he has a big arm, and by the end of 2025 he was one of the most reliable passers in the sport.
"While three of last year's four main wideouts are gone, the return of Jordan Faison, plus 2024 playoff hero Jaden Greathouse (back from an injury redshirt) will help, as will the addition of two recent blue-chippers from Ohio State (Mylan Graham, Quincy Porter). Carr should have most of what he needs, and even if the run game regresses a bit, there's no reason to think he won't continue to come through on third down." - Connelly
Carr earned second team Freshman All-American honors last season after passing for 2,741 yards and 24 touchdowns while completing just under 67-percent of his passes. He ranked second in all of college football with a 9.4 yards per attempt average and ranked fifth with a passer rating of 168.06, and his passer rating set a new Notre Dame record, shattering the mark that was previously tied by Jimmy Clausen in 2009. Carr also ranked 4th in the country with a 14.1 per completion average.
Notre dame offer ‘27 ath brennen lacey
The Fighting Irish continue to search for explosive playmakers and they recently offered 2027 6-1 187-pound ATH Brennen Lacey of Frisco (Texas) Frisco, who posted 812 all-purpose yards and 10 touchdowns in 9 games. Lacey was more than excited to get the call from Irish running back coach Je’Juan Seider.
“It’s not even a feeling man,” Lacey told Lucky Lefty. “I’m just blessed. I’ve always dreamed about playing for Notre Dame. I’ve been talking to Coach Seider lately, but when he called and gave me the offer, I couldn’t believe it.”
Lacey is unranked right now, but has picked up offers from Notre Dame and Ohio State in the last 24 hours. He already has three spring visits lined up, but the Fighting Irish will definitely be getting his fourth.
“Yes, I’m going to be visiting them,” Lacey said. “Right now I’m visiting Oklahoma State, TCU and Western Kentucky. I’m going to finalize things this week and I can’t wait to get there.”
The Irish staff loves his big play capability and versatility as a pass-catcher. His film shows a great athlete that is just beginning to scratch the surface as a running back after starting at wide receiver as a sophomore. The Fighting Irish just produced a Heisman finalist running back (Jeremiyah Love) that was viewed as a great athlete coming out of high school and Lacey has been one of his biggest fans.
“They like my big play capability,” Lacey shared. “I’m very versatile and I feel like I’m very elusive and efficient. I watch Jeremiyah Love a lot. I study Saquon, Jeremiyah, and a few others. But, him (Jeremiyah) and Ashton Jeanty were my number ones.”
5-STAR KADEN HENDERSON SET TO VISIT NOTRE DAME
2027 5-star 6-2 215-pound linebacker Kaden Henderson of Tampa (Fla.) Jesuit visited South Bend back in November and it lived up to everything for the top ranked linebacker in the 2027 class according to 247 Sports. He always heard about the Notre Dame tradition and academics, but he was still unsure of what to expect when he arrived. He previously spoke about it with Lucky Lefty.
“I always heard it was different. The moment I got there and stepped in the facility it made me feel like home. Everyone was really nice and welcoming. It didn’t feel like an act.
“The atmosphere and fans were incredible. I’m from Florida, but I have to admit that watching the game in the snow was pretty cool. I love how the style of defense and how fast and aggressive the linebackers play. That’s how I play now and how I want to play in college.”
One of the best moments of his visit were the two impactful conversations he had with head coach Marcus Freeman and former linebackers coach Max Bullough. Unfortunately, Max Bullough is no longer with the Irish program, but new linebackers coach Brian Jean-Mary was heavily recruiting Henderson at Michigan and had a similar relationship. During the period of transition between coaches, Marcus Freeman took the bull by the horn with Henderson’s recruitment and is one of the main reasons he has scheduled a second visit to South Bend on April 18th.
“Coach Freeman told me that there’s no place like ND and that I’m already a perfect fit and that I’m built for Notre Dame from religious and academic aspects. The way he breaks it down, makes it clear for me to see it, and see myself there.”
Now, The Irish have a better idea of who they will competing against for the 24th best player in the country according to 247 Sports as he released his top 5 schools which included Notre Dame along with Miami, Texas A&M, Ohio State, and Alabama. He’s also locked in his official visit for June 19th.
jeremiyah love and jadarian price make all-combine team
Notre Dame standouts Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price were the best running back duo in 2025, and the pair went into the 2026 NFL Draft cycle mocked to be the first two backs selected according to most industry experts. They both lived up to the expectations of NFL scout and coaches in Indianapolis.
Love and Price both had outstanding performances, and they were recognized by NFL.com as two of the standouts. NFL.com released its All-Combine team, and the Notre Dame stars were the two backs listed on the ranking.
Love kicked things off with an elite performance in the 40-yard dash. Despite checking in at 212 pounds, Love had a blazing time, posting a 4.36 in his first run and a 4.37 time in his second run. His official 4.36 time was the second best at running back and continued to separate himself as the best back in the draft. In fact, Love's performance helped him continue to put himself in the debate as the best overall player in the draft.
The 40-yard dash was the only testing aspect of Love's performance, but he did participate in the on-field position drills. Love was also a standout there, showing explosiveness, impressive route running skills and he caught the ball extremely well. Love certainly impressed NFL teams with his performance, which comes after an elite 2025 season in which he won the Doak Walker Award, was a unanimous All-American season and rushed for 1,372 yards and 18 touchdowns.
Price also had a strong testing performance, running a 4.49 in the 40-yard dash. Love also had a 35-inch vertical jump and a 10'4" broad jump. Price's 10'4" broad jump was tied for the third best among the running backs. His 21 reps on the bench press was also impressive.
As good as his testing numbers were, Price was even better during the on-field drills. He was incredibly smooth and efficient with his footwork going through the bag drills, which are meant to replicate making cuts with the ball in his hands. Price also showed himself to be a good route runner and he caught the ball extremely well. While Love showed off his pass catching skills at Notre Dame, Price didn't get as much of a chance to do so, hauling in just 15 passes for 162 yards and three touchdowns in his career.
notre dame offers explosive 2028 wide receiver
2028 5-11 165-pound wide receiver Jeramy Laster Jr. of Hendersonville (Tenn.) Beech was recently offered by the Fighting Irish and the magnitude of the offer from a program like Notre Dame was not overlooked.
“Man it feels unreal,” Laster Jr. told IB. “Notre Dame is a really prestigious program and it feels great to be on their radar. Coach (Mike) Brown and I have been talking for weeks, so I knew they kind of liked me. But, when he told me he was offering a scholarship, i couldn’t believe it.”
As a sophomore, Laster Jr. amassed over 1500 all-purpose yards and 18 touchdowns and holds things down in the classroom as well with a 3.4 GPA. That’s why an offer from the Irish hits a little different.
“I want to great at everything,” Laster Jr. shared. “I’ve been working hard this off-season to ready for spring ball and taking some college level courses. You can’t play sports forever, and I plan to be a success in everything I do. A school like Notre Dame can definitely help.
“I definitely want to visit,” Laster Jr. continued. With spring ball coming up, it makes if difficult to find time. I haven’t picked a date yet, but I am planning on visiting.”
He holds offers from programs like Indiana, Ole Miss, Auburn, Florida State, Tennessee and Vanderbilt amongst others.
Nd set to begin fall camp: carr, minchey look to set the tone
Notre Dame begins fall camp on Thursday and there are several position battles that add intrigue to an already highly anticipated camp, because of the pending quarterback battle between CJ Carr and Kenny Minchey. Both quarterbacks have garnered confidence from the staff during the spring that they’re ready to assume the responsibility of being the leader of Notre Dame’s evolving offense under 2nd year offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock.
1) Who can be the most consistent performer? That is job number one for the quarterbacks, perform on a consistent level. It's not so much about completion percentage as it is moving the offense. Who can lead the offense to points on a more consistent basis. Who can make the best decisions on the most consistent basis, which gets the ball to the playmakers.
CJ Carr showed the ability to do this at a higher level in the Blue & Gold game with Minchey missing a few easy opportunities.
2) Who can command the offense at the highest level? Commanding the offense refers to leadership and also who can handle the system the best. Who commands the most confidence and trust from the rest of the offense? Who can show the best grasp of the offense, which allows the quarterback to get the unit into good looks and out of bad ones? Leadership comes from setting a good example, but it also comes from earning the trust of your teammates that you can set them up for success.
Both quarterbacks have been in Mike Denbrock’s offense for two years and have a good handle of things. Consistency and decision making will be vitally important during fall camp. The spring saw both have moments of greatness, so the more consistent QB will have an advantage.
3) Who can limit the big mistakes? Turnovers are going to happen for all quarterbacks, and that's especially true for first-time starters. Both Minchey and Carr will turn the ball over in fall camp and the winner of the starting job will turn the ball over during the season. The two keys are keeping them to a level you can live with as an offense and also avoiding the really bad turnovers. The bad turnovers are the ones that come from panic, the ones that kill potential scoring drives, the ones that set up the opposition for easier scores and the ones that crush momentum in the biggest moments of the game. Big mistakes aren't just about turnovers, avoiding big mistakes also means not missing out on the opportunities to make big plays and clutch plays when they happen.
No one expects either quarterback to be perfect, and mistakes will be made. The response to those mistakes will be a bigger focus throughout camp.
There should be a natural order at the quarterback position in any program, and the same holds true with this situation. Kenny Minchey has been around and should be viewed as the lead guy in the race with the snaps shared evenly. Ultimately, this is going to come down to how Mike Denbrock views the offense evolving in the hands of both quarterbacks, and if one can show that they possess the skills to speed up that evolution, then they will separate themselves. This battle will set the tone for everything Mike Denbrock is looking to establish heading into the season.
Malik Zaire
Schrauth, Wagner ON Outland Trophy Watch List
Junior offensive linemen Billy Schrauth and Aamil Wagner have been selected to the 2025 Outland Trophy Watch List, which recognizes commitment to community service and leadership off the field.
The two Irish players are part of a group of 50 linemen on the watch list. Notre Dame has had three past winners of the Outland Trophy: OT George Connor (1946), OG Bill Fischer (1948) and DE Ross Browner (1976). THe Irish have had four additional finalists: Aaron Taylor (1993), Quenton Nelson (2017), Liam Eichenberg (2020) and Joe Alt (2023) according to the Notre Dame Athletic Department.
The Outland Trophy, which recognizes standout interior linemen, is celebrating its 80th season and this year's preseason list includes 16 offensive tackles, 15 guards, nine centers and 10 defensive tackles. It’s an impressive list of the best lineman in college football, and quite the honor to be included for the two Notre Dame stars.
ND's offensive line is expected to be one of the best units in the country after a bit of an inconsistent 2024 campaign due to injury and the need to play freshman at important positions along the line. The Fighting Irish are poised to make another deep run in the College Football Playoff and that could transition both players into finalists for the award. If Schrauth and Wagner play up to the Outland standard, they’ll both be in the mix to win the award.
Shaun M. Davis
drayk bowen, leonard moore on nagurski watchlist
Notre Dame defenders continue to receive admiration and buzz from the success of the Fighting Irish defense over the past three seasons. The latest recognition is courtesy of the Bronko Nagurski Award, which has linebacker Drayk Bowen and cornerback Leonard Moore on its preseason Watch List.
The Nagurski Trophy goes to the nation’s top all-around defensive player, and the award found it’s way to South Bend in 2023 when it went to Notre Dame star safety Xavier Watts. Bowen and Moore are the two returners getting the most preseason recognition as the Irish look to have another star win that honor.
Bowen excelled as a first-year starter in 2024 and he took control on the Mike linebacker position under now ex-defensive coordinator Al Golden, and became a vocal leader for the defense. He finished third on the Irish defense with 78 tackles while ranking 7th on the defense in snaps. By the end of the season Bowen was a clear leader of the Irish defense. He played his best football of the season during the final stretch, racking up 22 tackles in the final three playoff games, including 8 in both the Orange Bowl win over Penn State and 8 in the title game loss to Ohio State.
Bowen was listed as a preseason All-American by Phil Steele.
Moore is widely considered the best returning cornerback in college football and projects as a future first-round NFL draft pick. He was a star as a freshman earning Defensive Freshman of the Year honors from the Football Writers Association of America. He tallied 48 tackles, picked off two passes and broke up 11 more during his dynamic rookie season. Heading into his sophomore season, Moore is expected to be one of the top defenders in the nation, regardless of position.
Five Notre Dame opponents also made the Nagurski Trophy Watch List. Miami (Fla.) defensive end Rueben Bain Jr., Texas A&M cornerback Will Lee, Pittsburgh linebacker Kyle Louis, Navy defensive tackle Landon Robinson and Boise State defensive Jayden Virgin-Morgan all made the list.
Shaun M. Davis
jeremiyah love on maxwell watch list
Today, Notre Dame star running back Jeremiyah Love was named to the Maxwell Award watchlist. The Maxwell is awarded every year to the most outstanding player in college football; it recognizes superb play on the field and outstanding contributions to the game. Historically, this award is typically given to premier quarterbacks in the country, but last season, Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty won the Maxwell after a stellar season. Jeanty was the first running back who won the award since Alabama’s Derrick Henry in 2015.
During the 2024 season, Love racked up 1,125 rushing yards, averaging 6.9 yards per carry, totaled 17 rushing touchdowns, 237 receiving yards and recorded two receiving touchdowns. The versatile back took advantage of being the primary ball-carrier for the first by quickly becoming one of the most dynamic and explosive players in the country after recording touchdown runs of 48, 64, 68, 76 and 98 yards. Unfortunately, we didn’t get to see Love at 100 percent in the post season due to an injury sustained in the last regular season game. Fortunately that didn’t stop him from rattling off a 98 yard touchdown run to open up the 2024 College Football Playoffs.
This season, Love returns to the Fighting Irish backfield and is expected to be a main focal point of the offense. Notre Dame returns an experienced offensive line and will be breaking in a first time starter under center for the first time since 2022. Love and the rest of new running backs coach Ja’Juan Seider’s stable of ball carriers should take the pressure off a first time starter at quarterback earlier in the season.
Notre Dame has found success in receiving the prestigious award with six players winning the award since it’s origin with the most recent player being star linebacker Manti Te’o in 2012. Love has the opportunity to be the first Irish running back to win the award since John Lattner who won the Maxwell in back to back seasons in 1952 and 1953. Love has received a lot of preseason hype and is being coined as one of, if not the best, returning running back in the country and has been named to numerous preseason All-American teams. With renewed energy and the additions at wide receiver via the transfer portal, Love should have even more room to operate and should land on the finalist list during the season.
Nd looks for strong finish to ‘26 class with elijah golden on august 9th
The defensive line recruiting in the 2026 class has been stellar as the Fighting Irish secured commitments from the talented trio of Tiki Hola Bastrop (Texas) Bastrop, Rodney Dunham Charlotte (N.C) Myers Park, and Ebenezer Ewetade Garner (N.C.) South Garner. That early momentum hit a bit of a speed bump when Liberty Hill (Texas) Liberty defensive lineman Alister Vallejo recently chose Michigan over Notre Dame. The Fighting Irish immediately set their sights and energy on adding a familiar target in 6-4 275-pound four-star defensive lineman Elijah Golden of Sarasota (Fla.) Cardinal Mooney to the class. The explosive defender has been to South Bend several times and returned for his official visit this past weekend, where he got a chance to experience new things.
“The visit was pretty good,” Golden told Irish Breakdown. “I always have a great time there. I was able to see the dorms! The apartments off- campus were nice, too. It was good to see more of South Bend.”
One of the three determining factors that the Florida prep star will be using is finding a place that feels like home. The visit went a long way to answer that for him and his family.
“I felt comfortable there,” Golden said. “I spent time with the recruits, coaches and current players, and we were just vibing. Spent time with Rodney (Dunham) and EB (Ebenezer Ewetade), and we talked about football a little bit, but we talked about life and other things most of the time.
“It was cool being around the current players too,” Golden continued. I had fun with those guys. I can see myself being at Notre Dame and playing there.”
As the visit came to an end, the versatile lineman reflected upon the fun experiences during his visits at Notre Dame and the transition to the more serious aspect of making a final decision. The remaining two factors will be development and coaching for Golden, and he’s aware of what the Fighting Irish offer in both departments, and beyond the football field.
“Notre Dame offers a lot on and off the field,” Golden shared. “I have a good relationship with coach (Al) Washington that’s grown over time, and we talked about life really. coach (Marcus) Freeman talked more about life and the things Notre Dame can do for you outside of football.
“I thought about it being the end of the fun,” Golden continued. “I remember the first time I got pulled out of class to meet Al Golden. Thinking about the camps, spring game, and visits. The fun is about to end and It’s about to get serious.”
The serious part now begins as the 185th nationally ranked player and his family take time before he begins to ramp up preparation for his senior season to sift through information, conversations and emotions from the long process that led to official visits to Virginia Tech, Oklahoma and Alabama before visiting South Bend. His future home will come from that group of finalists along with the Fighting Irish. More than likely, the decision will be made in the coming weeks with a targeted announcement on August 9th.
Momentum was heavily on the side of the Fighting Irish in the aftermath of his official visit, but as time approaches his announcement, the tea leaves are starting to read more like a photo finish. Golden has been diligent in researching the defensive systems of his four finalists along with inquiring about how each staff plans on developing and using him in their schemes. He’s not leaving any stone unturned.
“I’ve always liked Notre Dame,” Golden said. “I’m going to think about everything. All of the schools have good programs, and the visits were good. I’m doing my homework and when the time comes, I’ll feel good about my decision on August 9th.”
Shaun M. Davis
notre dame faces wake forest in 2027 duke’s mayo classic
Notre Dame will face Wake Forest in the 2027 Duke’s Mayo Classic, played at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, N.C. on Saturday, Oct. 9, 2027. The game is part of Notre Dame’s existing scheduling agreement with the Atlantic Coast Conference and will be played as a neutral-site contest. The Irish hold a 6-0 record against the Demon Deacons, winning the last meeting 47-7 in 2023 at Notre Dame Stadium. The two programs have never played a neutral-site game against one another, with Notre Dame owning a 4-0 record against Wake Forest at home, and 2-0 record on the road.
“We are excited for another chance to play in an NFL stadium and against the Demon Deacons,” Notre Dame Deputy Athletics Director for Football Ron Powlus said. “The opportunity to showcase our two great institutions and football programs, while affording our football program and student-athletes an exciting and unique experience in the great city of Charlotte, is one we can’t wait to be a part of.”
The Fighting Irish have enjoyed success playing in NFL stadiums holding a 28-15 record when playing in them since 1980. Notre Dame leads all FBS teams in number of different NFL stadiums played since 2014 with 17. The next closest programs have 10. Since 2016, Notre Dame has played 19 games in NFL Stadiums: eight postseason matchups and 11 regular-season contests.
“We are thrilled to welcome Notre Dame and Wake Forest to Charlotte for what promises to be an unforgettable matchup at Bank of America Stadium,” Will Pitts, CEO of the Charlotte Sports Foundation, said. “This game is a testament to our city’s passion for college football and our continued commitment to hosting premier sporting events. We’re incredibly grateful to both universities for their partnership and to Duke’s Mayo for their unwavering support in making events like this possible.”
Notre Dame and Wake Forest have met six times in history, with the Irish holding a 6-0 advantage in the series. The first game was played in 2011, a game Notre Dame won at Wake Forest by a 24-17 score. Since that game, Notre Dame has won the other five matchups by at least 11 points. The most recent matchup was 2023, a game the Irish won 45-7 on Senior Day.
Notre Dame now has seven games scheduled for the 2027 season, and all now have dates that they will be played. Notre Dame currently has four games scheduled against an ACC opponent (Clemson, Georgia Tech, Wake Forest, Virginia Tech), two games against a Big Ten opponent (Purdue, Michigan State) and one game against an American opponent (Navy).
Shaun M. Davis
‘27 4-star qb teddy jarrard chooses notre dame
Four-star quarterback Teddy Jarrard committed to Notre Dame over finalists Georgia, Ohio State, Michigan and Penn State. The talented 6-foot-3, 190-pound signal caller from Kennesaw (Ga) North Cobb, was one of just two quarterbacks offered by the Irish along with Peyton Houston from Shreveport, La. Both participated in the Rivals camp in Indianapolis and things seemed to crystalize for both in the aftermath. Jarrard chose the Irish from amongst other finalists Michigan, Clemson, Penn State, and Georgia, while most experts see Houston choosing between Texas, LSU and Oklahoma moving forward.
2027 4-STAR QB TEDDY JARRARD COMMITS TO NOTRE DAME
“Things began to become more clear,” Jarrard said. “There were a couple of schools standing out and then Notre Dame became the best choice, so I decided to make my decision before the season started.”
After an impressive performance at the Rivals camp, Jarrard jumped to No. 52 overall, and ranked as the 2nd quarterback nationally according to Rivals.
“I gained confidence,” Jarrard shared. “I know who I am as a quarterback. I make good, quick decisions and I have a quick release. My job is to win games. I’m excited to start recruiting other great players and get to a couple of games in the fall.”
Jarrard will now turn to leading his Warriors’ teammates to a deeper run in the Georgia state playoffs after a hot 11-0 start ended with disappointment. They began practicing early in the summer, but the excitement is at fever pitch with the squad going “full pads” starting next week.
“We’re going to be good,” Jarrard declared. “Health is going to be the key. If we can stay healthy, we’re going to be really good. We’ve been practicing, but we’re getting ready to go full pads.”
Jarrard is Notre Dame’s third commitment in the Class of 2027, following linebacker Ellis McGaskin (Mobile, Ala.) and long snapper Sean Kraft (Asheville, N.C.).
Shaun M. Davis
2027 4-star lb ellis mcgaskin commits to notre dame
Notre Dame is continuing to gain momentum on the recruiting trail, and it seems like that energy has been transferred over to the 2027 class as four-star 6-1 205-pound linebacker Ellis McGaskin of Mobile (Ala.) Williamson became the 2nd commitment of the 2027 class after choosing the Fighting Irish over schools like LSU, Auburn, Florida and Ohio State. His recruitment picked up steam after receiving an offer during the Pot of Gold, but his relationship with linebacker coach Max Bullough goes back to the spring of 2024 when a visit to his school laid the foundation of growing bond.
“Coach is a great guy,” McGaskin told Irish Breakdown. “The connection was there from the start. Getting the offer was a great feeling and he told me that they loved my play style and that I would be a perfect fit for them.”
The Alabama native was anxious to visit after receiving his offer and eventually made his way to South Bend on June 6th. He got an opportunity to experience coach Bullough and staff coaching style and bond with the staff including head coach Marcus Freeman. The visit was impactful in accelerating the talented backer’s affinity for the Notre Dame program.
“The visit was great,” McGaskin shared after his June visit. “There is no place like it. It’s something about the environment that’s different, and I haven’t seen anything like it. I enjoyed the coaching a lot. They coach the way I liked to be coached, and I can definitely see myself playing there.
“It was my first time really connecting with coach Freeman,” McGaskin continued. We talked about why Notre Dame is special and that they would like to have me there.”
His decision to make a commitment amid a flurry of 2026 pledges for the Fighting Irish may not have been the reason for McGaskin pulling the trigger, but it was hard to ignore, and he didn’t need any more time to think about it as he prepares for his junior season.
“It’s the place to be right now,” McGaskin shared. “It’s something I wanted to be a part of, and I’ve known for a while. It just felt like it was the place for me to be, and it honestly felt like home.
“They (Notre Dame) were always at the top,” McGaskin continued. “Coach Bullough made it known that I was his guy and that I was a priority.”
Now that his recruitment is a thing of the past, he turns his attention to improving as a leader and player after compiling an impressive 273 tackles, 34 tackles for loss, 5 sacks and 5 forced fumbles in his first two seasons.
“I’m ready to play,” McGaskin declared. “I want to perfect my craft and get better at being uncomfortable. My goals are to win a state championship and win Mr. Football.”
McGaskin ranks 78th nationally according to Rivals.
Shaun M. Davis
teammates Joey o’brien and grayson mckeough took different paths to nd
The roller coaster recruitment for 6-4 195-pound five-star defensive back Joey O’Brien of Glenside (Pa.) LaSalle College Prep reached a conclusion when he picked Notre Dame on June 20th over finalists Oregon, Penn State, and Clemson. At one point, all four programs were perceived as possible leaders for O’Brien. His teammate, 6-7 285-pound pass blocker Grayson McKeough, who chose the Fighting Irish over Penn State, had a totally different path to his commitment to Notre Dame and their head coach,Brett Gordon, witnessed both journeys as a confidant and advisor.
“All four schools did a great job recruiting Joey,” Gordon said. “The coaches did a great job of showing him how they would develop and use him. Joey really liked all the schools, coaches and players, but it came down to what school felt like home for him.”
Originally, the Pennsylvania Player of the Year was scheduled to take his official visit to South Bend on June 20th but decided to switch to the weekend of June 13th, which happened to be the same as his teammate four-star offensive lineman Grayson McKeough, who also eventually committed to the Fighting Irish. At the same time, he announced that his decision would now take place on June 20th , leaving the fanbases of the finalists pondering about where their teams stood in the recruitment.
“I don’t think he was leaning anywhere going into the Notre Dame visit,” Gordon said. “I told him that he was being recruited by the blue bloods with tradition, and great coaching. So, whatever school felt like the place he wanted to spend the next four years of his life would be the determining factor.
“The date change was to help make things easier,” Gordon continued. He wanted to take all five official visits, but I thought that was too much. Joey and his family were thorough in the five unofficials, and taking five officials was too much, so the Tennessee one was dropped and that’s why the Notre Dame visit was moved.”
The Fighting Irish seemed to take over in his recruitment as his June 13th official visit approached. His teammate, 5-star defensive back Joey O’Brien would be visiting on the same weekend after a late change to his schedule. Although they would travel different paths to South Bend on that weekend, they would leave with similar feelings about the visit that led both to commit to the program on June 18th and June 20th respectively.
“Grayson’s path was different from Joey’s,” Gordon explained. “Two different scenarios. Everyone was in the mix with Joey going into the official visits. Grayson was probably leaning Notre Dame going into the visit. The visit helped him make his decision. Joey had already set his decision date for June 20th, two weeks before the visit. Grayson didn’t have a set date, but he was ready to make his decision once he got back.
“It was a great visit,” Gordon continued. “Being around the other recruits and current players was big for him. He spoke about brotherhood and how comfortable he felt. Him and Joey kept using the word “family” when they talked about the visit.”
Landing the talented teammates shows great cohesiveness in the Notre Dame recruiting operation right now, and the success of the June 13th recruiting weekend could lead to more additions to an already impressive top 5 class.
Shaun M. Davis
talented 2027 qb teddy jarrard gets nd offer
Offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock and quarterbacks coach Gino Guidugli went through an exhaustive evaluation process with the 2027 quarterbacks and 6-3 190-pound four-star signal caller Teddy Jarrard of Kennesaw (Ga.) North Cobb seems to have stood out as he received an offer from Notre Dame on Friday.
“It feels great,” Jarrard sai. “It’s an honor to be one of the two quarterback offers from Notre Dame. It’s a great school with
great tradition and I couldn’t be more excited.”
Jarrard took his first visit to South Bend with family on June 5 th and spent the day touring the campus and meeting the staff, which included a meeting with coach (Marcus) Freeman for about an hour. There was also an opportunity to impress Gino Guidugli during a workout and throwing session followed by conversations that strengthened their relationship throughout the day.
“I enjoyed my visit,” Houston said. “They told me that they liked me and would continue looking at guys before making offers. From that point, coach Gino started talking more.”
That relationship with coach Gino Guidugli can only be described as a forthcoming one that has budded quickly over the last month or so, and the North Cobb offensive player of the year wasn’t surprised when the Notre Dame staff FaceTimed him on Friday.
“I wasn’t surprised” Jarrard shared. “I knew the offer was coming. Coach Gino and I talked about my chances of getting it a week before, but it didn’t change how special the moment was.
“They called me with the staff on the phone,” Jarrard continued. “They gave me the offer, and I spoke to coach (Mike) Denbrock about everything as well.”
Even after receiving the offer, Jarrard remembers the conversation with head coach Marcus Freeman during his June visit and how it gave him insight into what the culture of Notre Dame was all about. He also has his eyes on the recent recruiting success for the Fighting Irish.
“The culture stands out for me,” Jarrard shared. “You can see what coach (Marcus) Freeman is building and how they’re winning right now. You see what they’re doing in the 2026 class, and you know that they’re moving in the right direction.”
Jarrard will now turn to leading his Warriors’ teammates to a deeper runin the Georgia state playoffs after a hot 11-0 start ended with disappointment. They began practicing early in the summer, but the excitement is at fever pitch with the squad going “full pads” starting next week.
“We’re going to be good,” Jarrard declared. “Health is going to be the key. If we can stay healthy, we’re going to be really good. We’ve been practicing, but we’re getting ready to go full pads.
“I’m working hard to get better,” Jarrard continued. “The strength of my game is making quick decisions and getting the ball out quickly. The most important thing is winning football games. I do want to increase my touch, limit interceptions and increase my completion percentage.” As far as a timetable for a decision is concerned, Jarrard can see two paths to an eventual decision.
“No set timetable,” Jarrard explained. “It depends if I really feel good about a school. If that happens, it will be after the summer. But, if I don’t feel good about a school and I’m not sure, it will be after the season. As a sophomore, Jarrard threw for 2783 yards, 34 touchdowns, 72 completion percentage and a QB rating of 128.2. He currently ranks 217th nationally according to 247 Sports composite and hold offers from schools like Georgia, Michigan, Miami, Ohio State, and Alabama to name a few.
Shaun M. Davis
2027 4-star qb peyton houston lands nd offer
As the annual “Pot Of Gold” offers were dispersed for the 2027
recruiting class, there was an omission that created a bunch of
questions amongst Notre Dame fans. Where were the offers for
quarterbacks? Offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock and quarterbacks
coach Gino Guidugli took a brave new approach in evaluating signal-
callers as they operated from a position of strength with promising
talents like CJ Carr, Kenny Minchey, Blake Herbert and Noah
Grubbs on the roster or committed to the program. They were afforded
the opportunity to methodically search for the young men that best fit
their plans for the evolution of the offense.
Their search led the Fighting Irish to 5-11 200-pound four-star
quarterback Peyton Houston of Shreveport (La.) Evangel Christian
and plans were immediately made for Houston to visit South Bend to
see the campus, meet coaches and observe practice.
“It was a really good visit,” Houston told Irish Breakdown. “They practice
really fast and all of the quarterbacks looked good. I got a chance to talk
to coach Gino (Guidugli) and coach (Mike) Denbrock and they told me
how they would handle the process with offers.
“They liked my film,” Houston continued. “They’re going to come and
watch me throw at my school in May. I’m excited for the opportunity and
to have a school like Notre Dame interested in me.”
The first day of May found coach Gino Guidugli travelling to Evangel
Christian to watch an Eagles’ practice in the Louisiana heat, but he
ended watching the talented passer pivot in more ways than one.
“We were scheduled for spring practice,” Houston said. “But, we had to
cancel it due to a mandatory school event, and I had track regionals. So,
I organized a session after school with my guys that were left.
“The throwing session went great with Coach Gino (Guidugli),” Houston
continued. “We worked on our day one install and did routes on air. The
total count was about 50-60 throws. Unfortunately, Coach Gino couldn’t
stay until the end because he had to fly out. He probably saw 25-30
throws, but he missed some of the deep throws. It seemed like he really
liked what he saw.”
After the throwing session, the three-sport athlete zeroed in on track
season as he waited for feedback from the Fighting Irish, and he didn’t
have to wait long.
“Coach (Marcus) Freeman reached out to my dad afterwards,” Houston
said. “My dad is our (Evangel Christian) quarterbacks coach, and he told
him that Coach Gino was extremely impressed with me.
It seems the Fighting Irish are still impressed and view him as a priority
quarterback recruit, when they extended an offer on Friday.
“It’s a huge blessing to get the Notre Dame offer,” Houston shared.
“Everyone knows how valuable that is and what it means to be a
Fighting Irish quarterback. I’m definitely grateful for the coaches having
trust in me to feel comfortable enough to extend the opportunity.
“I got the offer yesterday,” Houston continued. “Coach Gino asked me to
call him and put it on FaceTime. I spoke with him and coach Denbrock,
and they extended the offer. It was a really cool moment that I won’t
forget.”
As a sophomore, Houston threw for 4480 yards and 38 touchdowns with
70 percent completions. He ran for 690 yards and 7 touchdowns as well.
He currently ranks 85th nationally according to 247 sports composite
and holds offers from programs like Clemson, Ole Miss, LSU,
Michigan, Penn State, Texas, Texas A&M, and SMU to name a few.