Improve or Decline: Notre Dame's Special Teams

Liam Farrell
Jun 25
3 min read

Updated: Jul 1

Coming off the heels of a national championship game appearance, Notre Dame is going to keep most of the special teams unit

in place, while replacing postseason hero, Mitch Jeter. Here, we breakdown whether each position will be improved or worsened from the 2024 season to 2025.

Art by The Irish Tribune

As the third and final installment of this series, it is necessary to get a sneak preview at the Notre Dame specialist unit.

Last season, Marcus Freeman and special team's coordinator, Marty Biagi, were able to utilize special teams to help Notre Dame get even more of a leg-up on competition.

From creative fake punts to great blocking on kick returns, the special teams unit was able to steal possessions and get points on the board last season.

Bryce Young also made his presence known when it came to rushing the punter and getting his hands on field goal attempts.

Outside of Young, let's take a look at the main players in this year's special team unit.

Kicking

Worse

As effective as Noah Burnette had been during his career at UNC (79% career average), Mitch Jeter's postseason legacy will live on forever. For as shaky as Jeter was during the regular season, his groin injury had a clear impact on his kicking ability.

In the postseason, Jeter went 7/9, with one of his kicks being blocked and one being pulled off the crossbar. His game-winning kick against Penn State in the Orange Bowl will be remembered forever, along with his three field goals against Georgia in the Sugar Bowl.

During the spring game, Burnette went 2/3, with two makes from 25 and 43 yards, and an ugly miss coming from 50 yards.

As steady as Burnette has been, it will be hard to outshine the memories that Jeter fortified last season.

Punting

Better

James Rendell enters his second season as Notre Dame's punter, as the Australian recorded 50 punts from a season ago, averaging 41.8 yards per punt.

After a rough start at the beginning of the year, Rendell began to improve as he became more adjusted and comfortable to the college football level.

This year, Rendell will be viewed as a leader within the special team's unit and should take a leap during his second year with the program.

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Kick Return

Constant

Jayden Harrison had one of the best highlights from a season ago with his kick return to open the second half of the Sugar Bowl against Georgia.

As Harrison departs from the program, Notre Dame will look to multiple people to replace him in the kick return game.

Jordan Faison was a staple last season, and Jadarian Price was one of the kick returners during the 2023 season. Other candidates could include Jaden Greathouse and Will Pauling.

Punt Return

Better

Max Hurleman was as sure-handed as could be, but Notre Dame should receive a bit more explosiveness with Jaden Greathouse returning punts for the Fighting Irish.

Hurleman's long from last season was only 15 yards, but the now Pittsburgh Steeler was a reliable option for Biagi and Freeman.

Whether it be Greathouse or Aneyas Williams, the Irish should get a lift in the punt return game in 2025.