Notre Dame vs Texas A&M: An Offensive Depth Chart Breakdown

Brenden Duffy
Sep 10
8 min read

Jeremiyah Love rushing against Texas A&M.

Photo via Notre Dame Athletics

The 16th-ranked Texas A&M Aggies travel to South Bend for a primetime matchup with the 8th-ranked Notre Dame Fighting Irish. The Aggies enter the rematch from last season 2-0, with a 42-24 win against UTSA and a 44-22 victory against Utah State, both at home. Notre Dame seeks to avenge a week one 27-24 loss at Miami in their home opener on Saturday.

Notre Dame’s defense will have its hands full against a dangerous Aggies offense. Before the season, the talk around Texas A&M was that if QB Marcel Reed takes the next step as a passer, they could be a legitimate threat in the SEC and CFP. So far, Reed looks like he has taken that step. While the Aggies' passing game has improved, they make their money on the ground with one of the best rushing units in the country. The dual-threat Reed and skilled RB Le’Veon Moss can run loose behind an experienced and elite line featuring two strong tackles and one of the best guards in the nation, who are all on track to be future NFL Draft selections. Since the start of the 2024 season, Texas A&M is 7-0 when they rush for over 170 yards compared to 3-5 when they do not hit that number. Keeping the Aggies contained on the ground will be vital to any defensive success for the Irish.

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Quarterbacks:

Marcel Reed (Texas A&M) - The Aggies go as their starter goes. Reed provided a spark for this offense last season after replacing Conner Weigman, showcasing his athleticism, but he had his struggles as a passer. Many believe he has the talent surrounding him to succeed with what is projected to be one of the top rushing units in the country. So far, the redshirt sophomore has looked vastly improved in the passing department, completing 66.1% of his attempts for 509 yards and seven touchdowns with no interceptions. With his legs, the 6-1 QB leads the Aggies with 105 yards and a touchdown on 18 carries, providing defenses lots of trouble as a true dual-threat. Reed has not faced much pressure in his first two games, so causing chaos up front could be a key for the Irish defense.

CJ Carr (Notre Dame) - In his first career start, the redshirt freshman was a bright spot amongst a lot of lowlights. Despite poor pass blocking up front, Carr looked poised while completing 19/30 pass attempts for 221 yards and two touchdowns, along with an interception. He stepped up late, leading a three-play, 75-yard drive to tie the game with 3:21 remaining. On the game-tying drive, Carr fended off the Miami defender in his face and connected with a wide-open Eli Raridon for 65 yards before capping the drive with a seven-yard QB draw touchdown. The Michigan native showcased his ability to run multiple times, finishing with 11 carries for 26 yards, including the game-tying score. Carr will be tested this week against a talented A&M secondary, increasing the need for improved offensive line play.

Running Backs:

Le’Veon Moss (Texas A&M) - The Aggies’ OC, Collin Klein, has not really opened up the run game yet this season, letting Reed settle as a passer against weaker opponents. However, Texas A&M’s two-headed attack at RB, led by Moss, has flashed. The senior has averaged 6.7 yards per carry for 87 yards and a touchdown this year. Last week, Moss rushed for 68 yards, 48 of which came after contact, on 10 carries, including a 21-yard score featuring multiple broken tackles. At 5-11 and 210 pounds, the runner does not fear contact and favors running up the middle.

Rueben Owens II (Texas A&M) - When Moss inevitably enters the NFL following this season, the Aggies already have their next lead back with the similarly built 5-11, 215-pound redshirt sophomore. Through the first two games, Owens has averaged 6.4 yards per carry for 77 yards on 12 carries. He has also added two receptions for 12 yards, with one catch in each game. Notre Dame’s front faces a tall task in containing these two talented backs, in addition to the threat of Reed’s rushing ability.

Jeremiyah Love (Notre Dame) - A victim of a poor game plan, the Irish star RB received just 10 carries in week one, rushing for 33 yards. It was nice to see Love was able to at least get involved in the pass game, totaling 26 yards on four receptions. With just one first down earned and a longest run of eight yards, Notre Dame needs to get the ball to Love more often, and he should realistically be the focal point of the offense. It is malpractice to use someone of his caliber as a decoy in one of the biggest games of the season.

Jadarian Price (Notre Dame) - Up until his fumble, which Carr was able to recover, the Irish’s second-string back impressed, averaging 7.5 yards per carry on six attempts for 45 yards. Price’s 30-yard run in the second quarter helped set up an Irish touchdown that tied the game at seven. Both Notre Dame RBs should be in line for a bigger day this week against a weaker, yet still talented, rush defense.

Others to watch: Amari Daniels (Texas A&M), Jamarion Morrow (Texas A&M), EJ Smith (Texas A&M), Aneyas Williams (Notre Dame)

Receivers:

KC Concepcion (Texas A&M) - The North Carolina State transfer has made an immediate impact in College Station. Concepcion enters Saturday as the Aggies' second-leading receiver with nine catches for 145 yards and three touchdowns. Last week, the versatile weapon hauled in six receptions, including two scores, for 73 yards. In week one, Concepcion took a five-yard route for a 31-yard score and added an 80-yard punt return touchdown. The 5-11 threat does most of his damage out of the slot, but did spend an increased amount of time out wide in last week’s game, likely due to the emergence of Mario Craver.

Mario Craver (Texas A&M) - The 5’9 sophomore has emerged as a real threat for the Aggies, already nearly matching his season totals from a year ago at Mississippi State. Craver currently leads his team with 13 receptions for 236 yards and three touchdowns. With back-to-back performances featuring at least five catches, 114 yards, and a score, the Irish DBs will have their hands full with the Aggies slot-man. Last week, Craver nearly reached 22 MPH on a 72-yard touchdown, showcasing his elite top-end speed. His abilities make him a threat both over the top and behind the line of scrimmage.

Ashton Bethel-Roman (Texas A&M) - A big play threat out wide, the six-foot redshirt freshman has hauled in just four catches for 68 yards this season. Last week, Bethel-Roman finished with 48 yards on three receptions against Utah State; however, he also had two drops. The young WR still has some developing to do, but the Irish secondary should be wary of Bethel-Roman.

Terry Bussey (Texas A&M) - Another young wideout, the 5-10 sophomore will make defenders miss whenever he touches the ball. Bussey enters this weekend with five catches for 60 yards and a touchdown, fresh off a 55-yard performance on four receptions, including a score against Utah State. This is the type of receiver that will burn the Irish defense if they come out playing the same soft coverage they utilized against Miami. Bussey also serves as the Aggies’ return man, averaging an impressive 39 yards per kickoff return on four attempts and 16 yards per punt return on three tries.

Malachi Fields (Notre Dame) - Following a lost fumble midway through the first quarter, the Irish wideout settled down, finishing with three catches on three targets for 48 yards, including a nice 26-yard snag over a Miami CB. Fields should be utilized consistently as a deep threat, as he showcased during his time at Virginia.

Jaden Greathouse (Notre Dame) - A shutout after being one of the stars during last season’s CFP run was not on my bingo card. Greathouse was targeted just twice, failing to record a catch against Miami. If the ball is not going to get into this slot’s hands, then there is no real upside to having him on the field. Coach Denbrock must figure out a way to involve Greathouse this week.

Will Pauling (Notre Dame) - Another ghost in the loss at Miami was Notre Dame’s newest slot option from Wisconsin, who was not targeted in the game. The Captain was another victim of Denbrock’s game plan, receiving 21 offensive snaps. Out of the slot, Pauling offers more than Greathouse as a blocker, but it would be nice to see the duo involved in the pass game more throughout the season.

Jordan Faison (Notre Dame) - Arguably, the best-looking receiver in the defeat at Miami was the two-sport athlete. Faison finished with five catches on six targets for 33 yards, including an easy two-yard touchdown to open the fourth quarter. The shifty wideout serves well as a screen option, but Denbrock’s reliance on this option ultimately cost Carr his first career interception when the Hurricanes perfectly read the Irish offense on the quick pass attempt to Faison.

Others to watch: TK Norman (Texas A&M), Izaiah Williams (Texas A&M), Kelshaun Johnson (Texas A&M), Micah Gilbert (Notre Dame), KK Smith (Notre Dame)

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Tight Ends:

Theo Melin Öhrström (Texas A&M) - At 6-6 and 257 pounds, the Swedish TE offers as a receiving threat. Amongst a solid TE room, Öhrström has emerged as the leader early this season. He enters with five catches for 39 yards, including a one-yard touchdown in week one. Öhrström will not beat the defense over the top, but his body control allows him to sit and haul in catches right in front of defenders. The redshirt junior is a below-average run-blocker.

Eli Raridon (Notre Dame) - The Irish’s leading receiver and Carr’s top target two weeks ago, Raridon had himself a nice outing against Miami, finishing with five catches for 95 yards, including a big 65-yard gain. However, his two drops did hurt Notre Dame’s offense and were uncharacteristic of Raridon. He also had his share of struggles as a run blocker, including a holding call that erased a highlight-worthy first down rush from Love. If Raridon can continue to have a positive impact in the pass game, he will be serving his purpose.

Others to watch: Nate Boerkircher (Texas A&M), Amari Niblack (Texas A&M), Micah Riley (Texas A&M), Kiotti Armstrong (Texas A&M), Ty Washington (Notre Dame), Jack Larsen (Notre Dame)

Offense Lines:

LT Trey Zuhn III, LG Chase Bisontis, C Mark Nabou/Koli Faaiu, RG Ar’maj Reed-Adams, RT Dametrious Crownover (Texas A&M) - The fact that Notre Dame’s pass rush was as unexciting as possible at Miami does not exactly bode well when one of the best pass-blocking units in the country is next on your schedule. Through two weeks, QB Reed has been pressured on just 17.6% of his dropbacks and taken one sack. On the left side, Zuhn and Bisontis are returning starters who have combined for 49 starts over the previous two seasons. C Nabou returned this year after suffering a season-ending torn MCL in last season’s opener against the Irish. On the right, Reed-Adams and Crownover both started each game last year, and the RG has drawn praise as one of the top offensive linemen in the SEC.

LT Anthonie Knapp, LG Billy Schrauth, C Ashton Craig, RG Guerby Lambert/Sullivan Absher, RT Aamil Wagner (Notre Dame) - This group has a lot to prove this week after being dominated for four quarters at Miami. The pass blocking effort was poor, allowing three combined sacks and 11 QB pressures. The run blocking was also ineffective most of the night, leading to 93 total rushing yards on 3.3 yards per carry, a drastic difference from a year ago. Texas A&M’s front seven should not provide as many issues as Miami; however, they have the talent to cause chaos if this Irish line does not show any improvement.

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