2027 qb Champ Monds Commitment adds to growing Notre Dame Quarterback Legacy
Every elite program thinks about quarterback succession. The best ones solve it before it becomes a problem — identifying the right player, building the right relationship and securing the commitment before the need becomes urgent. Notre Dame has done exactly that with the commitment of Champ Monds, the 6-2, 225-pound signal caller from Vero Beach, Florida whose decision to choose the Fighting Irish over Ohio State, Florida State and Florida does more than fill a roster spot in the 2027 recruiting class.
It secures the future of the most important position on Notre Dame's football team at exactly the right moment.
CJ Carr has been everything Notre Dame hoped he would be as a starting quarterback — and if his 2026 season matches the trajectory his first year as a starter established, the NFL Draft conversation surrounding him will be impossible to ignore when the season ends. The possibility of Carr departing for the NFL after 2026 is real, it is reasonable and it is something the Notre Dame coaching staff is planning around right now. Champ Monds is the answer to that planning — a quarterback with the arm talent, accuracy, anticipation and competitive character to step into one of college football's most prestigious roles and thrive from the moment his number is called.
Notre Dame didn't just land a quarterback recruit. They secured the future of the position — and they did it with their first choice, on their first offer, through a relationship built with the kind of genuine connection that defines everything great about how Marcus Freeman's program operates.
Planning for the Future — Why the Timing of This Commitment Matters
The quarterback position at Notre Dame operates on a different timeline than most programs because of the standard the Irish hold themselves to. Notre Dame does not patch the position with portal solutions or recruit quarterbacks without genuine conviction about their long-term fit in the program. They identify the right player, invest in the relationship and commit to a vision of what that quarterback can become under elite coaching and development.
With CJ Carr entering his second and likely final season as Notre Dame's starter in 2026, the quarterback room's future beyond this season requires a clear plan. If Carr's 2026 campaign produces the kind of Heisman-caliber performance that the preseason projections suggest is coming — and every indicator points toward exactly that — the NFL Draft will come calling with the kind of urgency that is impossible to turn down. Notre Dame needs to be ready for that moment with a quarterback already in the building who has the tools, the preparation and the relationship with the coaching staff to step into the role without a transition period.
Champ Monds is that quarterback. He arrives in South Bend in 2027 with a full senior season at Vero Beach behind him, a relationship with quarterbacks coach Gino Guidugli already deeply established and a physical and mental profile that projects as one of the most complete quarterback prospects to come through Notre Dame's program in recent memory. The timing of his arrival — potentially stepping in immediately after Carr's departure — is not coincidental. It is exactly the succession plan a program with Notre Dame's standards builds when it is operating at the highest level of organizational foresight.
The Arm, The Accuracy, The Anticipation — What the Film Reveals
To understand why Notre Dame made Champ Monds their first call and only quarterback target in the 2027 class, you have to watch the film — because what Monds does on a football field reveals a quarterback whose physical tools and mental processing are operating well ahead of where most high school signal callers are at the same stage of development.
The Arm
Monds is built like a quarterback. At 6-2 and 225 pounds as a high school signal caller, he carries the kind of physical foundation that college strength programs accelerate rather than create from scratch. The arm strength that comes with that frame is immediately evident on film — Monds throws with the kind of velocity and carry that allows him to fit throws into windows that smaller-armed quarterbacks simply cannot access.
His ability to drive the ball into tight coverage, zip passes over the middle against zone defenders and deliver the football on rhythm without taking velocity off the throw to compensate for questionable mechanics reflects a quarterback whose arm is already a genuine weapon rather than a tool he is still learning to fully utilize. The deep ball is equally impressive — Monds shows the ability to change arm angles, layer throws over coverage and drop the football into the back shoulder of receivers on go routes with the kind of touch and placement that separates elite passers from quarterbacks who simply throw the ball hard.
For a program that has developed quarterbacks at an elite level and understands exactly what arm profile is needed to succeed in a Power Four offense against elite college defenses, Monds's arm strength registered immediately as a priority-level trait — one that cannot be developed through coaching but can be refined and weaponized with the right instruction.
The Accuracy
The statistics that define Champ Monds's high school career are built on a foundation of exceptional accuracy — and the numbers tell a story that the film confirms on every snap.
As a true freshman at Vero Beach, Monds completed 67.5 percent of his passes while throwing 23 touchdowns against just five interceptions. Four of those five interceptions came in his first two starts — the predictable adjustment period of a freshman signal caller navigating the speed and complexity of varsity football for the first time. What happened after those first two games is the number that matters most: one interception in the next ten games. The adjustment was total, immediate and self-correcting in a way that reflects a quarterback who processes his mistakes analytically rather than emotionally and refuses to repeat them.
His sophomore season pushed the accuracy numbers to an entirely different level. In limited action before an injury ended his year prematurely, Monds completed 81.4 percent of his passes — a completion percentage that reflects not just accurate throwing but the kind of precise, timing-based delivery that comes from a quarterback who trusts his reads, trusts his receivers and delivers the football on schedule rather than waiting for routes to fully develop before committing to the throw.
That 81.4 percent completion rate is particularly meaningful because it was produced against defenses that were game-planning specifically to stop Monds and a Vero Beach offense that was averaging 51.3 points per game. Defenders knew what was coming. They prepared specifically for Monds. And he completed more than eight of every ten passes he attempted anyway. That is not a system completion percentage inflated by scheme — that is a quarterback whose accuracy is genuine, repeatable and built on sound mechanical foundations.
The Anticipation
The most difficult quarterback trait to evaluate on film — and the one that most directly predicts success at the college and professional levels — is anticipation. The ability to process defensive coverage pre-snap, identify where the ball needs to go before the snap, read post-snap rotations and deliver the football to the right place at the right time before the window closes is what separates quarterbacks who can execute in high school from quarterbacks who can execute at Notre Dame, in primetime, against the best defenses college football produces.
Monds shows genuine anticipation on film in a way that is rare for a high school quarterback his age. He does not hold the ball and wait for receivers to come open — he anticipates the opening, begins his throwing motion before the receiver has fully separated and delivers the football into space rather than to a stationary target. That anticipatory release is the mechanical expression of pre-snap read quality — and Monds demonstrates it consistently enough that it reflects an ingrained processing habit rather than an occasional lucky read.
His dual-threat ability amplifies the anticipation element by forcing defenses into the kinds of structural compromises — pulling linebackers off coverage assignments, holding safeties in run-fit responsibility — that create the openings his anticipation allows him to exploit immediately and efficiently. As a freshman, Monds rushed for 502 yards and nine touchdowns — not as a scrambler looking for broken plays but as a designed threat who added a genuine rushing dimension to the Vero Beach offense that defenses had to account for on every snap.
The combination of arm strength, accuracy and anticipation in a 6-2, 225-pound frame is the profile that NFL scouts and elite college coaches identify as the foundation of a starting quarterback at the highest levels of the sport. Notre Dame identified it in Champ Monds from the moment the evaluation began — and everything that followed in this recruitment reflects just how highly they valued what they saw.
Gino Guidugli and the Relationship That Won the Room
The most important element of any quarterback recruitment — more important than facilities, depth charts or conference affiliations — is the relationship between the prospect and the quarterbacks coach who will be responsible for his development. Elite quarterbacks choose the coach they trust most to make them better, and the program that coach represents becomes the destination regardless of what anyone else in the recruitment offers.
In Notre Dame's case, that coach is Gino Guidugli — and the relationship he built with Champ Monds from the moment Notre Dame entered this recruitment is the foundation upon which everything else was constructed.
Guidugli is a quarterback developer whose track record and communication style resonates with the kind of intelligent, process-driven signal caller that Monds's film suggests he is. From the first conversation between the two, a genuine connection developed — not the transactional kind that recruiting generates between programs and prospects who are simply going through the motions of a recruitment, but the authentic kind where a young quarterback recognizes a coach who genuinely understands the position, communicates development with clarity and specificity and makes a compelling case for what the prospect can become under his instruction.
Notre Dame made Monds their first offer at the quarterback position in the 2027 class — and Guidugli was central to that decision. His evaluation of Monds's film aligned with the staff's conviction that this was the right quarterback for this class, and his ability to build a relationship quickly once the offer was extended accelerated a recruitment that might otherwise have taken months longer to resolve.
The campus visits that followed were equally important. Monds made the trip to South Bend and experienced Notre Dame's campus, program and culture up close — and each visit deepened both the relationship with Guidugli and the conviction that Notre Dame was the right place for his development. There is something that happens when a quarterback prospect walks into Notre Dame's quarterback room, sits across from the coaching staff and begins to visualize himself developing within that system. For Monds, that vision became compelling enough to choose the Irish over Ohio State, Florida State and Florida — programs with enormous resources and legitimate development track records of their own.
The relationship Guidugli built with Monds is not just the reason Notre Dame won this recruitment. It is the foundation for everything that Monds's Notre Dame career will become — the coaching relationship through which his arm strength gets refined, his anticipation gets developed and his understanding of the game gets elevated to the level required to succeed as a starting quarterback at Notre Dame.
From Recruit to Recruiter — Monds's Role in Building the 2027 Class
The moment a quarterback of Champ Monds's caliber commits to a recruiting class, his role in that class changes immediately and fundamentally. He stops being a target and starts being a weapon — the most powerful recruiting tool a coaching staff can deploy is a committed quarterback who is genuinely excited about his program and genuinely invested in bringing the best possible teammates to join him.
For Notre Dame's 2027 class, Monds's commitment creates a dynamic that simply did not exist before he made his decision. Every offensive skill player on Notre Dame's 2027 recruiting board — every wide receiver, tight end and running back the Irish are pursuing — now has the opportunity to build a relationship with the quarterback they will be playing alongside. That relationship is one of the most powerful closing tools in recruiting because it transforms an abstract commitment decision into something concrete and personal. A wide receiver who commits to Notre Dame in the 2027 class is not just choosing a program — he is choosing to play for Champ Monds, to build chemistry with Champ Monds and to develop the kind of quarterback-receiver partnership that defines great offenses.
Monds understands this dynamic and embraces it. His genuine excitement about Notre Dame, his relationship with the coaching staff and his personal investment in the success of the 2027 class make him an organic and authentic recruiter for the program in a way that cannot be manufactured or coached. When Monds reaches out to a wide receiver on Notre Dame's board, that conversation carries a weight and authenticity that no assistant coach's recruiting call can fully replicate.
The wide receivers, tight ends and skill players on Notre Dame's 2027 recruiting board are about to discover that Champ Monds is not just a committed quarterback. He is one of the most compelling reasons to choose Notre Dame — a signal caller with elite physical tools, a championship pedigree from Florida's most competitive high school football environment and a genuine, personal investment in assembling the best possible class around him.
For a Notre Dame 2027 class that already features running backs Lathan Whisenton and Isaiah Rogers, wide receiver Jackson Coleman, offensive linemen James Halter and Richie Flanigan, defensive end Aidan O'Neil, linebacker Amarri Irvin, cornerbacks Xavier Hasan and Ace Alston, safety Zayden Gamble, nickel John Gay III and long snapper Sean Kraft — Monds's commitment as the 12th overall pledge gives the class its most important piece and its most powerful recruiting voice going forward.
The Bottom Line
Champ Monds committed to Notre Dame as the staff's first choice, first offer and only quarterback target in the 2027 class — and what he brings to South Bend goes far beyond a scholarship decision.
He brings a strong arm that can access every area of the field. He brings accuracy that produced a 67.5 percent completion rate as a true freshman and 81.4 percent in limited sophomore action. He brings anticipation and football intelligence that reflect a quarterback processing the game at a level well beyond his years. He brings a relationship with Gino Guidugli built on genuine trust and a shared vision of what his development at Notre Dame can become.
And he brings the timing that Notre Dame needed most — arriving in South Bend in 2027 at precisely the moment the program may need a new face of the quarterback position, ready to step in with the foundation already built and the future already bright.
CJ Carr is building toward something special in 2026. Champ Monds is building toward something special in South Bend for years beyond that.
Notre Dame's quarterback future is in excellent hands. Both of them.
What Notre Dame's Spring Tells Us About the 2026 Offense
Spring has officially come to a close for Notre Dame, and while the practices themselves don't generate a stat sheet, last year's did — and it's the clearest way to measure what this offense showed this spring against what it actually has to replace. The Irish still have summer workouts and 25 fall camp practices ahead before their opener against Wisconsin in the Shamrock Series, but between the 2025 production and what offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock and quarterback CJ Carr have said about this group, a real picture of where the offense stands is starting to form.
WHAT WE KNOW
Notre Dame's 2025 offense ran the ball 203.4 yards per game (31st nationally) against 255.1 passing yards per game (61st), a split built almost entirely around Jeremiyah Love's 1,372 rushing yards and 21 total touchdowns, with Jadarian Price adding 674 more. Through the air, Carr — in his first year as a starter — completed 66.6% of his passes for 2,741 yards with a 24-6 touchdown-to-interception ratio and a 168.1 passer rating, spreading the ball across Jordan Faison (640 yards), Malachi Fields (630), Eli Raridon (482) and Will Pauling (381).
With Denbrock heading into year three and Carr into year two, the expected uptick in efficiency showed up this spring, and Denbrock has pointed to the same root cause the numbers suggest: last year's stat line was produced by a quarterback and staff still installing the offense in real time. This spring looked different because that install is already done. "This is the first time in a while we weren't trying to break somebody in," Denbrock said, adding that the continuity "makes the process a lot easier."
Carr's growth as a leader has been just as visible as his growth as a passer, and it's showing up in how much operational control he's been given. "They give us a lot of freedom to check plays," Carr said of Denbrock's system. "All the protections are on us." That's a meaningful shift from a year ago, when Carr was still earning the job — a 24-6 touchdown-to-interception ratio put up while learning the offense reads very differently than the same numbers would if repeated by a quarterback now diagnosing coverages and setting protections himself.
The skill positions have gotten faster, too, and Denbrock noticed it in the very first practice. Watching a group that now includes Ohio State transfer Mylan Graham alongside Faison and a healthier Jaden Greathouse, he called it simply a different-looking group — a notable comment given that no Notre Dame receiver cracked 700 yards last season, with Faison's team-leading 640 the high mark.
The offensive line also settled into a group that held for the entire spring: Will Black at left tackle, Anthonie Knapp at left guard, Guerby Lambert at right tackle. A five-man front that stays intact through 15 practices is a different foundation for a young quarterback than the one Carr operated behind for stretches of 2025.
REMAINING QUESTIONS
The receiving room's overall talent is not in question — Denbrock's own read on the group's speed settles that — but production is. Faison's 640 yards led the team in 2025 by only 10 yards over Fields, and spring didn't produce separation at the top of that group. Ohio State transfer Quincy Porter missed the spring with injury, and how he, Graham, Greathouse and returning depth split targets is a question that will carry into fall camp.
The tight end room's pass-catching hierarchy is similarly unresolved. Eli Raridon's 482 yards was a solid number in 2025, but no clear successor emerged as the room's top target this spring, even as run-blocking improved.
The single biggest open question, though, isn't really about spring at all — it's about replacing the 2,046 combined rushing yards Love and Price took with them to the NFL. Nolan James Jr. and Jonaz Walton showed promise this spring, but Notre Dame hasn't yet seen this offense with Aneyas Williams (224 rushing yards in 2025) or Kedren Young at full strength, since both were working back from injury. Denbrock has talked about scheming around that loss with pace, formation and personnel mismatches rather than looking for a single feature back — a philosophical shift from the run-it-behind-Love approach that produced last year's 203.4 yards per game, and one that can't really be evaluated until fall camp puts a healthy backfield on the field together.
AREAS OF IMPROVEMENT
Carr has identified his own next step, and it's a specific, correctable one: red-zone decision-making. Given his 24 touchdown passes against just 6 interceptions in 2025, the room for growth isn't accuracy or ball security broadly — it's the shrunken-field decisions that show up disproportionately inside the 20, the same maturation Denbrock described watching Carr force a throw into coverage on a play he'd handled correctly just one snap earlier during spring practice.
Health remains the same variable it always is. Greathouse, Porter, Young, Williams, true freshman Javian Osborne and center Ashton Craig all missed meaningful spring time. Given how directly Young's and Williams' availability ties into replacing Love and Price's production, and how much Greathouse's return matters to a receiving room still searching for a No. 1 target, a fully healthy fall camp would do more to move Notre Dame's 2026 offensive numbers than any single technical fix.
THE BOTTOM LINE
Every 2025 number Carr produced — the 66.6% completion rate, the 168.1 passer rating, the 24-6 touchdown-to-interception ratio — was set by a first-year starter still being taught the system. Denbrock and Carr's own comments this spring point toward those numbers being a floor, not a ceiling, for a quarterback now running the offense with real autonomy. The run game is a different story: 203.4 yards per game was a name-driven number, and with that name now in the NFL, whatever the ground game produces in 2026 will be a product of Denbrock's scheme rather than a repeat of last year's production.
What Notre Dame's Spring Tells Us About the 2026 Defense
Spring football doesn't come with a box score, but it doesn't need one. The clearest way to read what Chris Ash's defense showed this spring is to hold it up against what that same group actually produced on Saturdays in 2025 — and ask which numbers are poised to climb, and which ones still need work before September.
The Baseline: What 2025 Actually Looked Like
Notre Dame's defense finished last season as a two-speed unit. Early stumbles against Miami, Texas A&M and Purdue dragged down the overall numbers, but from late September on, the Irish were one of the more disruptive defenses in the country.
The run defense was the headline. Notre Dame allowed just 99.3 rushing yards per game (11th nationally) and 3.0 yards per carry (also 11th), a sharp jump from the 138.1 yards and 3.8 yards-per-carry marks the year before. They also ranked 8th in the country in rushing touchdowns allowed (8) and 5th in 20-yard runs surrendered (6).
The pass rush and takeaway numbers backed that up. Boubacar Traore led the team with 7.5 sacks, with Drayk Bowen (3.5), Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa (3.0) and Jaylen Sneed (3.0) rounding out a rotation that finished inside the top 25 nationally in sacks. On the back end, Leonard Moore's 5 interceptions paced a secondary that finished tied for the national lead in picks, with Tae Johnson (4), Luke Talich (3) and Christian Gray (2) all contributing. Notre Dame also ranked inside the top 25 in yards per attempt, completion percentage and passer rating allowed, and 5th in plays of 30-plus yards surrendered.
In the tackle column, Bowen (67), Adon Shuler (55), Jaiden Ausberry (51) and Johnson (47) were the four leading producers — a group that, notably, includes a linebacker who wasn't even playing his natural position by the end of spring.
Defensive Line: A Number That Should Only Go Up
The run-defense marks above were built with a defensive front that, entering this offseason, looked thin beyond the starters. That's exactly what changed this spring. A rotation now nine deep inside — Jason Onye, Elijah Hughes, Armel Mukam, Tionne Gray, Francis Brewu, Cole Mullin, Sean Sevillano Jr. and Christopher Burgess — paired with an edge group adding Alabama transfer Keon Keeley and a healthy Loghan Thomas to returners Traore and Bryce Young, is a straightforward numbers play: more high-level bodies rotating through the same run fits that already produced a top-11 rushing defense.
If 99.3 yards per game and 3.0 per carry were achieved with defensive end depth that was, by spring's own admission, "two incoming freshmen" as a fallback, the floor for 2026 should be higher than the 2025 baseline — not because the scheme changes, but because fresher legs sustain the same numbers deeper into games and seasons.
Linebackers: Replacing Snaps, Not Talent
Bowen's 67 tackles and 3.5 sacks, plus Viliamu-Asa's 3.0 sacks, were produced by two players who missed time this spring with injury. That both were absent and Jaiden Ausberry — a career Will linebacker — stepped into the Mike role and looked capable of holding it says less about a drop-off and more about depth that can absorb an injury without the production numbers cratering. The open question isn't whether the room can replicate 2025's linebacker stat line; it's how coordinator Brian Jean-Mary carves up snaps between three players (Bowen, Viliamu-Asa, Ausberry) capable of playing at a level that produced a combined 6.5 sacks and 118 tackles last fall.
Secondary: Defending a Nation-Leading Number
Leading the country in interceptions is the hardest number on this defense to simply repeat — takeaways are volatile year to year even for good units. But the 2026 secondary isn't just returning Leonard Moore (5 INT) at boundary corner; it's adding a freshman class in Joey O'Brien, Ayden Pouncey, Chaz Smith and Nick Reddish that spring reports graded as talented enough to push for early snaps, plus a full season of Christian Gray's move to nickel and Dallas Golden's continued development. More competent bodies at more spots doesn't guarantee the interception total holds at a national-leading pace, but it raises the number of possible ball-hawks on the field, which is the input that number depends on.
The stat to watch, though, isn't takeaways — it's the top-25 completion percentage and yards-per-attempt marks. Spring evaluators flagged corners and safeties allowing free releases and un-contested catches in zone, a technique issue that, if uncorrected, is exactly the kind of thing that erodes a top-25 pass-efficiency defense into a middling one regardless of how many turnovers get created elsewhere.
The Variable That Actually Determines Which Way the Numbers Move
Every projection above assumes continuity of scheme and health — and 2025 was a testament to how much those two variables can swing a stat line. The Miami/Texas A&M/Purdue version of this defense and the September 27–November 29 version of this defense were, statistically, almost two different units. Whether Ash tightens back up or lets the aggressive, attacking version of the scheme run for a full 12-to-13 games is likely to move Notre Dame's defensive numbers more than any single position group's development.
Health matters just as much. Onye, Bowen, Viliamu-Asa, Golden and Moore were all limited or missing time this spring — five players who, healthy, accounted for a significant share of last year's sack, tackle and interception production. A defense that gets a full season out of that group, rather than replacing snaps for stretches, is the single clearest path from "top-11 run defense, top-25 pass defense" in 2025 to something better in 2026.
notre dame offense wins blue & gold game 41-40
Notre Dame's offense beat its defense 41-40 in the 95th annual Blue-Gold Game on Saturday, but the final scoreboard was less a product of the action than of a decision head coach Marcus Freeman made himself. With the Gold defense having forced a stop to seemingly clinch a 40-38 win, Freeman used his authority over the unconventional scoring format to knot the score at 38-38 and send Purdue transfer Spencer Porath out for a 43-yard, walk-off field goal try in front of 45,308 fans — the second-largest crowd in Blue-Gold Game history. Porath made it, and the offense won 41-40.
That Freeman engineered a game-deciding kick rather than simply letting a defensive stop end the afternoon says something about how he's approached this entire spring — not as a results exercise, but as a chance to manufacture pressure and see how his team responds to it.
Freeman has been consistent all spring about what separates this team from his previous four at Notre Dame, and it isn't scheme or talent — it's how the group handles each other. Just weeks before the Blue-Gold Game, he called this squad the closest he's coached in his tenure, pointing specifically to how the team moves past conflict. "The ability to move past conflict, right? The ability, like you do in families, you have conflict and you move forward, and to not take things personal," Freeman said, describing it as a reflection of strong leadership within the roster.
He made a similar point after a live practice period roughly three weeks before the scrimmage, calling it probably the closest group Notre Dame has had under him — one that competes hard enough to get into "a couple scuffles" but moves forward from it. A Blue-Gold Game built around manufactured late-game pressure, rather than a clean, low-stakes exhibition, is a fairly direct extension of that stated philosophy: if competitiveness and the ability to handle conflict are what define this team, then engineering a walk-off moment in a scrimmage is Freeman testing exactly that trait in a controlled setting before it matters in the fall.
Freeman opened spring by explaining the mindset driving the program after Notre Dame's playoff snub last December, built around a new motto: "Leave No Doubt." He was careful to frame the approach as ownership rather than grievance. "How do I use that situation that happened in December and not lose it," Freeman said. "I think you lose it when you blame somebody else for the situation you have." He extended that framing to newcomers who didn't live through the snub themselves, describing the program as a family that has to share the pain of its past the way a marriage shares expectations — "This is a family. This is a brotherhood," as he put it.
That context reframes Saturday's ending. A dramatic, self-inflicted finish to spring practice isn't just theater for a crowd — it's consistent with a coach who has spent the entire offseason trying to manufacture the kind of high-leverage moments his team fell short of a year ago, in a setting where the only cost of failure is bragging rights between two rosters wearing the same jersey.
None of Freeman's spring comments were about the specific quarterback competition or backfield questions the scrimmage exposed — Blake Hebert's 103 yards on 7-of-11 passing outproduced CJ Carr's 55 yards on 7-of-15, and the running back room is still adjusting to life without Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price. But Freeman's broader message all spring has been that outcomes like this one matter less than how the team responds to them. If a walk-off field goal in an exhibition scrimmage is the low-stakes version of the moment Notre Dame is trying to build toward, the real test of everything Freeman has said this spring won't come until the games start counting in September.
notre dame offers ‘28 illinois OL joseph frierdich
This past weekend was full of big-time visitors to South Bend and 2028 offensive lineman Joseph Frierdich of Carbondale (Ill.) Carbondale Community was one of those talented players who came to experience what Notre Dame had to offer and he got what he came for as they extended an offer to him.
When he arrived on campus, the 6-7 260-pounder held three offers from Illinois, Arizona, and Wisconsin. He was in contact with the staff leading up to his visit, which he eagerly looked forward to because of the history and tradition of Notre Dame. Getting an offer this past weekend wasn’t a thought, but it is a moment that will always stands out as a once in a lifetime opportunity.
“The visit was great,” Frierdich told LL. “We got a chance to sit in the team meeting and get up close and personal during practice. We had a great campus tour and got to see and learn about the history and tradition.
“The offer was unexpected,” Frierdich continued. “This honestly feels amazing. They just gave me a once in a lifetime opportunity. I had a meeting with them (Coach Rudolph and Delaney) and that’s when they offered me.”
Frierdich is very well aware of the rich history of offensive line play and development at Notre Dame, and getting a chance to watch offensive line coach Joe Rudolph and assistant offensive line coach Rob Delaney operate during practice confirmed for him that the staff knows what they’re doing.
“The practice was great,” Frierdich said. “Everything ran smoothly and the all of the players looked like they were having a lot of fun competing. The o-line looked good.
“The way the coaches coached stood out for me,” Frierdich continued. “They said things in a way that was very understandable and professional, and I like that in a coach. I think it’s the best way for players to learn. Their coaching style is awesome.”
It’s still early in his recruiting process, but the talented lineman saw enough during his visit to place the Irish firmly at the top heading into the summer, with a return to South Bend already penciled in.
“As of right now, Notre Dame is my top school,” Frierdich said. “The next thing I need to do is get some more visits in and hopefully go to some games in the future. I already have a visit (Irish Invasion) set up for the beginning of June. I’m excited about all of this.”
His length and athleticism jump of the screen as you watch film, whether stifling opponents with blocks in the run game or stretching the middle of the field as pass-catching tight end. He makes plays on the other side of the line of scrimmage as well. His talents are not limited to the gridiron, as the two-sport athlete shines in track and fields in the discus and shot-put.
2027 Speedy Athlete Brennen Lacey Can See Himself At Notre Dame
The Fighting Irish were looking for explosive playmakers and 2027 ATH Brennen Lacey of Frisco (Texas) Frisco became one of their target after receiving an offer from running backs coach Je’Juan Seider back in February. Since then, the Irish have added two running back commitments from Lathan Whisenton of Waco (Texas) Midway and Isaiah Rogers of Springfield (Mass.) Springfield Central. After that, it was clear to many of the top running backs that visited South Bend during the spring, like Tre Segarra, immediately shifted gears seeing that 2027 ball-carrier quota was filled.
The all-around weapon posted 812 all-purpose yards and 10 touchdowns in 9 games as a junior playing running and wide receiver. So, when Lacey became a surprise visitor in South Bend this past weekend, it showed that there was still mutual interest despite commitments from Whisenton and Rogers. The staff made him feel like the visit would be well worth his time and they didn’t disappoint.
“I’ve always dreamed about playing at Notre Dame,” Lacey told IB. “The visit was great. I got to spend some time with Coach Seider and the recruiting staff and it felt better than I expected. I knew a lot about Notre Dame, but getting to feel in person was amazing. The people are really nice too.
“They’re recruiting me at running back and wide receiver,” Lacey continued. They talked to me about how they can use me and get the ball in my hands in the offense. They said they had a plan for me and I was able to see it.”
The 6-1 187-pounder runs a 4.32 in the 40 and that speed clearly translates to the gridiron as one views his film. During his visit, the biggest impact was time spent watching practice, where he was able to see himself in the offense as he watched the running backs, wide receivers and one player in particular. He also got a chance to meet meeting some of the players afterwards.
“The practice was great,” Lacey shared. “They play fast and I like how they get the ball to a lot of different guys on offense. There were a lot of guys making plays, and one of the guys that stood out for me was Bubba Frazier. I think our game is kind of the same.
“I got to talk to some guys after practice,” Lacey continued. “We were just talking about the school and how things are on campus. I know the history and tradition and I love the campus, but I wanted to know what it was like. It’s an amazing place and I’m blessed to be in this position.”
When he was offered, the Irish staff shared how they loved his big play capability and versatility as a runner and pass-catcher. He’s 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 is a big fan that has experienced the culture that helped develop him.
“The staff kept telling me I was a fit for Notre Dame,” Lacey explained. “They like my versatility. I know they can develop me because I watch Jeremiyah Love a lot. He’s the number one guy I watch to take things from for my game.”
Lacey is currently a three-star according to 247 Sports but holds major offers from programs like Florida State, Miami, Ohio State, and Kentucky amongst others.
Bryce young sees the benefit of better technique
Notre Dame's defensive line continued to improve against the run and pass over the past two seasons. At the conclusion of the 2025 regular season, they led the country in total pressures and played a major role in the Irish rattling off 10-straight victories to end the year. The departure of Al Washington eventually led to the hiring of defensive line coach Charlie Partridge, who is known as a great teacher and developer on the college and NFL level. Junior Bryce Young was incredibly physically gifted when he arrived in South Bend, and injuries pressed him into service as a true freshman. Since then, heavy expectation have followed him, and he somewhat met them in 2025, trailing only senior Boubacar in pressures.
Young has taken to being challenged by the teaching and focused approach to technique from Partridge this off-season and he's seeing the benefits with each rep and practice.
“Yeah, he’s challenged me in so many places. There's always areas I can grow. But I would say one of the things is consistency in my pass rush and the run game, consistently getting that crush we need on the edge in terms of pass rush. The details, like getting my hips in position to be able to counter or make a move, all that. It all ties into seconds off the clock that I can get back there faster.”
Yeah, I would say there's definitely a learning curve at first, but once it starts clicking, it clicks. What he's teaching is really sound stuff, because he's had a lot of experience everywhere, and I appreciate his knowledge, and I'm taking it into account and being consistent with what he's telling me, and I've seen it already pay off.”
The talented edge rusher still has profound respect for former defensive line coach Al Washington, who recruited and coached him during his first two years in South Bend before heading down south to coach in the NFL for the Miami Dolphins. He excited about what he’s learning from Partridge, but he gives both shared responsibility for his success and growth.
"First of all, I want to thank Coach Washington for everything he’s done. He helped me a lot as a player and on this journey. He’s given me so much insight and I’m extremely grateful for that. Adding Coach Partridge to my journey has been great too. He has so much knowledge of the game. He’s been in the game forever. He knows things and he’s telling me things he’s seen from his many years of experience that I’m actually seeing on the field and I can apply it. It’s really cool."
Young has spent a lot of time this spring battling new starting left tackle, Will Black. Marcus Freeman said one of the reason he’s been happy with how much further ahead they’ve been in early practice, was because of the depth of talent that’s been acquired that’s allowed his team to go “best on best”. That has created a fast paced, competitive atmosphere that makes everyone better. Both are physical freaks and seen as candidates for breakout seasons, and Young has taken notice of how they’re making each other better.
"Will is great. We compete every day. He is definitely helping me get better and I’m helping him get better. So the collaboration is there and also being a good teammate. We’re talking to each other after each rep and ask each other what do you feel I have to work on. He has all the athletic traits. He’s a freak of nature, he's huge and quick out of his set. It’s been great to have someone like that to go against every day."
The collective pass rush that Coach Partridge has his guys focused and the added talent on the interior of the defensive line should put Young and Traore in more 1-on-1 situations on the edge, and that could lead to both guys having their best seasons in a Fighting Irish uniform.
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.
Mike brown likes what he sees this spring at wr
Notre Dame wide receivers coach Mike Brown has now held multiple press conferences this spring, and taken together, they paint a clearer picture of this room than any single practice report could. Brown is entering his third season with this group, but the room in front of him is not the one he coached a year ago — Malachi Fields and Will Pauling, two of last season's top four receivers by yardage, are both gone, leaving Jordan Faison and a supporting cast largely still building a track record.
Asked how he balances developing new arrivals against continuing to push his veterans, Brown didn't frame it as two different jobs. "Regardless of who's in and who's in the room, there's got to be a standard and the standard doesn't change," Brown said. He acknowledged the wrinkle created by turnover in the room: "We've got a lot of new faces which puts a lot more of the leadership on myself and some of the older guys that have been around." Brown credited those returning players — the "second and third year guys" — with stepping up to hold that standard while the room absorbs new pieces, calling it "a process, and it's a tricky one" that the group is handling well.
That framing matters given who's actually walked out the door. With Fields and Pauling both gone, the room's institutional knowledge now rests more heavily on fewer shoulders than it did a year ago, which is exactly the gap Brown described his veterans stepping in to fill.
Faison giving up lacrosse to focus solely on football was the single biggest structural change in the room this offseason, and Brown's press conference comments made clear he sees it as more than an availability boost. "It's been great having him," Brown said. "Obviously the player is the player, but more important than that is his leadership and the way guys look up to him. He's a great example for the young guys in how he goes about his business, how he studies film and how he works, how he practices."
Brown also detailed the collaborative process behind the decision, describing conversations about nutrition and target weight involving Faison, sports dietitian Alexa Appelman and performance director Loren Landow. "We collectively put together a plan for him," Brown said. "He's a rock star; he's awesome."
Brown's read on Ohio State transfer Mylan Graham, delivered in the same press conference cycle, was built around processing speed rather than raw measurables. "He's a really good athlete," Brown said. "He's gifted and he's just so smart. He has a lot to learn but he picks things up really well." Brown recalled Graham repeating back details from a film session minutes after seeing a play just once during his recruiting visit — evidence, in Brown's telling, that Graham is "hungry" and "locked in" even this early in his Notre Dame career.
Quincy Porter, the other Ohio State transfer, has been absent from Brown's practice-field evaluations for a different reason: he's been out all spring recovering from a knee injury, with a return targeted for summer. That leaves Graham as the only new arrival Brown has actually been able to coach on the field this spring.
Micah Gilbert has been a recurring subject in Brown's press availabilities, and the message has stayed consistent across multiple sessions. "He's done a really good job this spring," Brown said. "He's maturing really well. He's doing a great job of leading the new guys and he's competing every single day." But Brown has been just as direct about what's still missing: "The big thing for him is consistency. He's shown flashes in the past but he's got to be consistent. That's one thing he's done so far this spring." Brown has also pushed back on the idea that Gilbert is injury-prone, attributing past missed time to what he called freak, unrelated incidents rather than a durability pattern.
Across every press conference this spring, Brown's message has had the same throughline: talent isn't the question in this room, standard and consistency are. With Fields and Pauling's production gone and replaced by a mix of a fully committed Faison, a fast-learning transfer in Graham, and a talented-but-inconsistent Gilbert, Brown's own words point to a room that has the pieces to be productive — but one where he's still the first to say the proof has to come from steadiness over a full season, not flashes in spring practice.
Brayden Parks Visit This Weekend Could Be The Start Of Great Things In Chicago
It was a crisp October Friday evening on the south side of Chicago as I stood on the home sideline at Gary Little Stadium, and I was approached by a Crusaders’ staffer that noticed my credentials. He began to inquire about who I was there to see and immediately started sharing information about the players I mentioned. He was effusive in his praise for the character of players like 2027 DL King Liggins, 2028 DE Kameron McGee, and 2028 TE Jack McNamara. As he began to wrap up his comments about 2027 4-star DT Brayden Parks of Chicago (Ill.) Brother Rice, he mentioned that a certain coach (former defensive line coach Al Washington) for the Fighting Irish had visited during the week and told the Brother Rice coaching staff that he was going to do whatever it took to get Brayden Parks. At that moment, I felt that the Fighting Irish were without a doubt the team to beat for Parks.
Since that evening, the Irish defensive coaching staff has gone through some twists and turns leading to three new assistants on that side of the ball. The changes put some top targets in a holding pattern as they waited to see who the new coaches would be. The 6-3 305-pounder was disappointed that changes were being made, but he was patient and confident that the next man was going to be a good coach.
“I wasn’t worried about it,” Parks told LL. “I just wanted to see who it would be. Coach (Marcus) Freeman and Coach (Nick) Sebastian were talking to me a lot, and I talk to Coach (Charlie) Partridge a lot now, so we’re building a good relationship.”
The Fighting Irish made the recent top 8 schools list for the 164th ranked player according to 247 Sports, and they are joined by Michigan, Ohio State, Georgia, Illinois, Oregon, Miami, Georgia and Tennessee. He plans to visit all of those schools this spring, with Notre Dame getting the first crack on his spring visit tour this weekend, and it will be a chance for Parks to get a better grasp on everything he’s learned about Charlie Partridge to this point.
“I have a lot of respect for him (Partridge),” Parks shared. “He’s developed a lot of guys in college and the NFL just like me, so he knows what it takes to get there. I know we’re going to spend some 1 on 1 time together, so I’m excited about that.”
This weekend will be Parks’ fourth visit to South Bend, so he’s very comfortable with the campus, fanbase, and culture. His relationship with Charlie Partridge is important, but he’s going to use the practice to see how the defensive linemen are responding to the coaching.
“The practice will show me a lot,” Parks explained. “I want to see how his guys react to how he’s coaching and how they work together and get better.”
The Fighting Irish remain at the top of his remaining suitors because he values everything the program has to offer on and off the field. His recruitment in the home stretch with some of the best defensive line coaches in the country like Oregon’s Tony Tuioti, Ohio State’s Larry Johnson, and others preparing to make their pitch heading into the summer and official visits. Parks will return to South Bend for his official visit June 12-14.
“Notre Dame has everything,” Parks continued. That’s why they’ve always been one of my top schools. Relationships and development are what I’m looking at. I’m going to make another cut after my spring visits and then take my officials. I’ll make a decision after.”
His recruitment signals a more intensified effort when it comes to securing elite talent from the Chicagoland area. It seems like the words of former Irish defensive line coach (Al Washington) have been passed like a baton to the entire coaching and recruiting staff, and this weekend will be another step towards doing whatever it takes to get Brayden Parks in the 2027 class.
2027 4-Star WR Cade Cooper Is A Program Changer On And Off The Field
The Fighting Irish coaching staff scoured the country during the January contact period connecting with a tons of elite targets during in-home and school visits. After one of those visit to Malvern Prep from wide receiver coach Mike Brown, 2027 6-3 192-pound wide receiver Cade Cooper of Malvern (Pa.) was energized, and jumped on the road the next day heading to South Bend for an impromptu unofficial visit that led to a film session with Coach Brown and eventual offer that has the Penn prep star still raving according to Malvern Prep head coach Dave Guereira.
“He still raves about the Notre Dame trip,” Guereira told LL. “His talents, character and the way he was raised is well-suited to Notre Dame. He fits with the way the overall culture of academics and athletics are stressed. Part of it was Coach (Marcus) Freeman and wanting to be part of doing something special. He fell in love with it.”
Coach Guereira fell in love with the talented pass-catcher the first time he saw him on the gridiron in 7th grade at St. Thomas Catholic. He was taller than the other kids, but his movement made what can sometimes be a difficult projection process much easier.
“I remember seeing at St. Thomas in 7th grade,” Guereira said. “He was taller than all of the other kids and you have to project where a kid is going to end up as a junior. But, when I saw him move, he was like a baby deer running. He was so fluid and physical for his frame. I was super impressed.
“We play the hardest schedule in the state,” Guereira continued. “So, we need guys that physically and mentally strong in our program. Parents see us as a college and NFL factory, which we are, but we work really hard to find out about the families and character of the kids that we take. We don’t want talented kids that don’t fit our culture.”
Since that day, he’s still impressed every day with how the unquestioned leader of the Friars’ handles his business in the classroom, the wide receiver room, the community and in front of his teammates. He’s already the best wide receiver in the state, but the Friars are excited about what he’s going to bring to their defense in the fall.
“He’s so athletic and getting better, Guereira explained. “I’m impressed by his dedication to the craft of the game. He’s a sponge and wants to know everything from everybody. I’m excited for people to see him as a full-time safety this year. He’s the unquestioned leader of out team and he does it both ways. He leads by example and not afraid to say what needs to be said to his teammates when it’s needed. He’s the hardest worker in our program and that helps us as coaches tremendously.
“He works even harder off the field,” Guereira continued. “He’s a great student, and a great human being. He’s so honest and empathetic with his teammates and in the community.”
As the 4-star receiver’s recruitment speeds to the decision stage, Guereira remains ready when called upon by the family for his consultation and wisdom. He’s been through this process with plenty of top targets over the years and his involvement depends on the individual player.
“Cade and his family are doing a great job,” Guereira shared. “They know exactly what they want and he has a lot of great options. Whenever they ask me something, I give my honest assessment. The one thing I told him is to trust his gut. You’re the one that has to get up for 5 am workouts, so you better go where it feels right.”
But, this process is one that has him ecstatic about his athlete’s future and a bit somber about Malvern Prep’s future without him.
“I don’t want to think about it,” Guereira replied. “He means so much to me personally and I’m going to miss our relationship and what he stands for. This program is going to miss him a lot, because his impact on the coaches has been even greater. You have once in a lifetime talents, but the combination of talent and people at that level doesn’t happen often. That’s who he is.
“He helped the culture,” Guereira continued. “We don’t call them 50-50 balls anymore. We just say,” Cade has it.”
Cooper has a strong connection on the current Irish roster in 7 on 7 teammate and Notre Dame safety Joey O’Brien, that aids in the level of comfort he felt back in January, and will continue during his March 28th spring visit and return for his official visit June 12-14.
The Fighting Irish staff led by Mike Brown have done an incredible job making Cooper and his family feel prioritized, and that puts them right at the top amongst others like Penn State, Ole Miss, Virginia Tech, Virginia and Wisconsin.
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.
‘27 wr dedrick kimbrough sets visit to notre dame
Notre Dame wide receivers coach Mike Brown continues to look for playmakers that can make things happen with the ball in their hands and 2028 6-3 180-pound 4-star wide receiver Dedrick Kimbrough of Alabaster (Ala.) Thompson checks that box. He was recently offered by the Irish and it was a moment that didn’t seem real.
“It felt surreal,” Kimbrough told Lucky Lefty. “That offer just means more because a lot of guys my age don’t pick that up. They take academics and character very seriously, so it showed me that my hard work is paying off.”
Coach Mike Brown and Coach Kenny Sanders have been building a good relationship with the talented pass-catcher, who is coming off an impressive sophomore season that saw him amass 686 yards with 46 receptions and 5 touchdowns. If that’s not impressive enough, his 4.1 GPA is evidence of the hard work he speaks of and is a big reason for his excitement to visit South Bend.
“I’ll be there April 11th,” Kimbrough shared. “I’ve been talking to Coach Brown and Coach Sanders a lot. I can’t wait to talk some ball with them when I get on campus. I’m excited to see what Notre Dame is all about.”
He ranks 98th nationally according to 247 Sports and holds offers from schools like Alabama, Florida, Ole Miss, Oregon, Texas A&M and Tennessee.