Outlining the Irish: Early Look at Notre Dame's 2026 Offense
- Liam Farrell
- 5 hours ago
- 3 min read
Notre Dame's roster is pretty set in stone on offense due to their young talent at skill positions, but a few portal acquisitions could make the group even more special.
Photo by Tyler Wong
As the sting of Notre Dame's 2025 season continues to linger, the Irish's roster for next season is starting to take shape with NFL Draft declarations and transfer portal entries. As expected, the generational running back tandem of Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price both elected to go to the NFL Draft. Along with Love and Price, tight end Eli Raridon has also announced his decision. The Irish are still waiting on a pair of offensive lineman, Billy Schrauth and Aamil Wagner, to make a decision about where they will be playing football next season.
In terms of the transfer portal, the Irish haven't been hit too hard yet in terms of players they want to retain entering the portal. Kenny Minchey's departure was expected, but Anthony Rezac's decision grows the quarterback room even thinner.
With that being said, here is an ideal two-deep offensive roster for Notre Dame next season.
Quarterback
CJ Carr
Transfer Portal QB
As highlighted in my article last week, the Irish will certainly look for a transfer portal quarterback to backup CJ Carr.
Outside of Carr, the only quarterback the Irish will be returning from the 2025 roster will be Blake Hebert. Notre Dame will also be adding Noah Grubbs and, potentially, Teddy Jarrard, to the mix as well. In essence, it's an absurdly young quarterback room with absolutely no experience besides Carr's 12 starts this past season.
It would be extremely beneficial for the Irish to go to the portal for a proven commodity who's willing to be a backup this season. Given Notre Dame's rigid academics, it's hard for the Irish to target a quarterback who is in his sophomore or junior years. Given that, look for talented Group of Five senior or an FCS player with extreme experience to provide the room with a bit of stability.
Running Back
Aneyas Williams
Kedren Young
It will be impossible to try and replace Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price. Impossible.
However, Ja'Juan Seider already has an extremely talented room that will be gaining explosive freshman as well. Aneyas Williams and Kedren Young will be Notre Dame's most talented tandem, yet Nolan James Jr. could get some carries, as well.
If Young's health is in question or if the room gets a random transfer portal entry, then the Irish may look to bring somebody into the room. A possible candidate could be a former opponent from last year whose name is made for the silver screen. Yet, even if the Irish don't add anyone from the portal, the talent on the current roster is one that would be atop the sport.
Wide Receiver
Transfer Portal
Micah Gilbert
Jaden Greathouse
Cam Williams
Jordan Faison
KK Smith
Notre Dame's wide receiver depth is significantly better than it has been entering the past two seasons, yet the Irish are still without a bonafide stud on the outside.
Malachi Fields was the exact type of player Notre Dame needs for its offense to be explosive, especially with CJ Carr's talents as a drop back passer. Outside of a big bodied wide receiver, the Irish seem to be in a good position with Jordan Faison, Jaden Greathouse, KK Smith, and others. If someone from that group were to transfer, maybe a player who redshirted last season, then I'd expect the Notre Dame staff to elect to go with two transfer portal wide receivers.
If Notre Dame was able to retain everyone in the room, then the Irish should go after one big fish in the wide receiving class. There haven't been many top of the line wide receivers to enter the transfer portal yet, but Nick Marsh from Michigan State would make a ton of sense for the Fighting Irish.
Want the latest intel on Notre Dame football? Subscribe to Tribune+ and get access to recruiting and team intel from The Irish Tribune team, as well as access to our intel community, exclusive app, and more Notre Dame content: Subscribe here to support our independent journalism.
Follow The Irish Tribune on social media:
Follow @LiamFarrell_IT on X
Liked this story? Subscribe to our mailing list and get every story in your inbox.
Check out our Irish partners:
TMPR Sports - Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle here!
