Evaluating Notre Dame's Greatest Strengths Post-Spring

Noah Wehby
5 days ago
5 min read

The spring portion of the college football season is coming to an end. The portal is closed, camps are over, and Notre Dame is approaching their summer camp. What are the strongest parts of this Notre Dame roster?

Photo by The Irish Tribune

There is a lot to like about this 2025 Notre Dame roster. They have depth at almost every position, with stars on both sides of the ball. This roster has a nice blend of young talent and returning production, which puts this team in an advantageous spot to replicate last season's success.

Running Back

Maybe the biggest strength on this roster is the running back room. It isn't just the best position group on this team, it is probably the best running back room in the entire country. Jeremiyah Love is the main headliner of this group, with a jaw-dropping season in 2024, which has put him in a position to be considered one of the best returning players in the country and the unanimous best running back in football. Love was the difference maker for the Irish for almost all of last year, as he consistently provided big plays when the offense needed one. Love is not the only part of this room that makes it special, as Jadarian Price backs him up. Price is going into his senior year at Notre Dame, after putting up very impressive stats behind Love. Price is as good a second option as a team could ask for. He has a great combination of explosive speed and bruising power that makes him a real threat in the backfield. Love and Price will be the featured backs in 2025, and if 2024 is any indication, they have the chance to carry this offense to the National Championship.

They aren't the only reason to be excited about this room, however. Aneyas Williams, as a freshman, played vital snaps for Notre Dame this past season. Kedren Young showed a lot during the spring game that could earn him minutes this year as well. Altogether, this room is talented from top to bottom.

Offensive Line

The Notre Dame 2025 offensive line has a chance to be elite this upcoming season. Last season, the offensive line was banged up from start to finish. This caused the depth of this group to be put to the test, and it stood tall the entire year. This was thanks to players like Pat Coogan and Rocco Spindler, both of whom transferred this spring due to the uncertainty of their role. Notre Dame has so much talent at the offensive line that two starters in the National Championship had to transfer due to fears of not starting the next year.

This upcoming season, Notre Dame will welcome back Ashton Craig at guard after he suffered a season-ending injury against Purdue. Charles Jagusah missed almost all of 2024 due to an injury he sustained over the summer. Jagusah was slotted to start at left tackle before that, so 2025 will be his first opportunity to play a full year.

Aamil Wagner, a starter for all of 2024, is also returning to this offensive line. Along with Wagner, Anthonie Knapp is looking to make some more noise this season. Knapp was thrown into the fire against Texas A&M as a true freshman and held up well. He has a bright future this season and seasons to come.

Behind these starters are very talented players waiting in the wings, like Guerby Lambert and Will Black. This offensive line is stacked at every position. It has quality starters ready to take the next step, while stockpiling talent that could be ready to make an impact at any moment.

Defensive End

The Notre Dame defensive end position has the chance to be a truly special group in 2025. They return a ton of production from last year that projects to get even better, as some of them are younger players. The defensive end position was one of many positions that were ravaged by injuries last year. Jordan Botelho and Boubacar Traore both tore their ACLs last season but will be back to start in 2025. Botelho has been with the program for what will end up being six years, and he brings experience, toughness, and a high IQ that is perfect to blend with the athleticism others bring. Traore was Notre Dame's best pass rusher before his injury, leading the team with three sacks at the time. Traore is long, athletic, and full of potential going into his junior year.

Bryce Young is another young playmaker on the edge who seems primed for a breakout year. Young was thrust into a starting position as a freshman due to the extensive injuries the defensive line endured. Young showed off his freak athleticism and ability to disrupt opposing offenses. He looked raw out there as a pass rusher, but he has all the necessary traits to become one of the best players on this team.

Junior Tuihalamaka also made the most of his chances last season. He served an important role down the stretch and made one of the biggest plays of the season when he strip-sacked Gunner Stockton in the Sugar Bowl. He will also be in the rotation this year, rounding out a formidable group that will have opposing quarterbacks on their toes all season.

Defensive Back

Following a dominant 2024, the Notre Dame secondary looks primed for another big year, now led by Christian Gray, Leonard Moore, and Adon Shuler. This secondary has playmakers everywhere, some returning from last year, while others are newcomers.

Gray was a bit of an up-and-down player last season. He operated as a great secondary cornerback when Benjamin Morrison was in the lineup, but he began to struggle when he was tasked with guarding every team's best receiver. With another year of development for the young corner, 2025 should be the time for him to fully step into that role, but he will again have a lot of help. Maybe the most promising player on the entire defense, Leonard Moore, is going into his sophomore year, ranked the best returning cornerback according to Pro Football Focus. Moore surprised everyone last season with his lockdown play in 2024, after being ranked a 3-star just a summer prior. This secondary also features Adon Shuler, a physical and athletic safety who will have a prominent role on this defense.

Notre Dame also brought in some newcomers to round out the secondary. Alabama transfer, DeVonta Smith, comes in with SEC experience and great ball skills. Jalen Stroman, a Virginia transfer, will be paired with Shuler in the secondary. Stroman is a hard-hitting, heat-seeking missile who can step in and make an immediate impact.