Adding One Notre Dame Legend to the 2025-2026 Roster

Noah Wehby
Jun 15
3 min read

Notre Dame has had a plethora of unbelievable players come through in its long history. If you could add one of these players to this year's roster, who would it be? I set out to answer this question for myself, although I had a hard time choosing just one.

Photo by Notre Dame Athletics

QB - Joe Montana (1974-1978)

Montana is universally beloved at Notre Dame for being one of the greatest players to ever suit up for the Irish. Not only did he deliver a national championship to the program, but he also gave Notre Dame so many iconic wins with his late-game heroics. After his time in South Bend, Montana went on to become one of the greatest NFL quarterbacks ever, winning four Super Bowls and cementing himself as a first-ballot Hall of Famer. Montana would make any team better, but with questions at QB for this 2025 Notre Dame team, he is the obvious first choice. Not to say that CJ Carr or Kenny Minchey can't be successful this season, but Montana would be a huge upgrade, at the most important position, for a team that doesn't have many weaknesses on the roster. Montana, known as "Joe Cool", would bring poise to a team that is aiming to play in the biggest games in college football, ideally for a national championship. In this hypothetical world, Montana would make Notre Dame a clear favorite to reach the national championship and maybe even win it.

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WR - Tim Brown (1984-1987)

Pivoting to another Hall of Famer, Tim Brown, would be another excellent addition to Notre Dame's 2025 roster. Brown is another player who could make a case for the greatest Fighting Irish football player of all time. He is the program's last Heisman Trophy winner and the best wide receiver to ever play for Notre Dame. The current Notre Dame roster does have some exciting playmakers on the outside. Jaden Greathouse seems poised for a breakout year, the addition of Malachi Fields will bring size and athleticism to the group, and Jordan Faison's shiftiness will cause problems for any defense. Although that is a good group to have, a proven commodity, and one of the best to ever do it, should never be turned down. Brown would also give Carr or Minchey a reliable playmaker to find on the outside, a crucial piece when playing with an inexperienced quarterback. Brown, paired with Jeremiyah Love in the backfield, would be almost impossible to stop. Together, they would be the most dynamic and explosive offen pairing in the country. Outside of the passing game, Brown would also give Notre Dame a big-play threat on special teams. Brown was an amazing punt and kickoff returner, giving his team a chance to score anytime he could get his hands on the ball.

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DT - Bryant Young (1990-1993)

Going three for three with Hall of Famers, Bryant Young would be another great choice to add to the 2025 Notre Dame roster. Young is one of the best defenders to ever play at Notre Dame and would fit perfectly with what this current roster needs. Notre Dame lost Howard Cross III and Rylie after this past season. Together, they served as the anchors of Notre Dame's defense for years, becoming a dominant duo in the middle. With their departure, they have left a hole in the middle of the defense. Marcus Freeman and the rest of the coaching staff have done well to fill that hole, but Young would instantly be not only the best player on the defensive line, but the player on the entire defense. As he did back in his day, Young would be a dominant and punishing force in the middle of an already talented defense. To make things even more fun, this would also mean that Bryant Young would be playing on the same line as his standout son, Bryce Young. As a pairing, they would wreak havoc on opposing offensive lines.