Taking the Next Step: Who are Notre Dame's Potential Breakout Players in 2026

Noah Wehby
33 minutes ago
4 min read

Notre Dame is losing a lot of their 2024 production to either the NFL draft or the transfer portal. Luckily for the Irish, there is now room for their talented younger players to step up. Who will they be?

Photo by Tyler Wong

Aneyas Williams/Kedren Young - Running Back

Unfortunately for Irish fans, gone are the days of Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price. Together, they comprised one of the most dangerous backfields in Notre Dame history. With both now headed to the draft, it is time for others to take their place. As it looks now, Aneyas Williams and Kedren Young are in line to do just that. In 2024, Williams played a key role for the Irish on their run to the National Championship as a productive third-down back. During that season, Williams rushed for 219 yards and two touchdowns. Through the air, he totalled 172 yards and came up with a key play in the Orange Bowl that set up Notre Dame for its first touchdown of the game. In 2025, Williams saw his opportunities dwindle due to the stacked backfield of Price and Love. Heading into 2026, Williams is now the most experienced player in the positional group and will likely have the chance to receive a bulk of the carries. Williams is a tough, physical runner with great hands that make him an ideal target coming out of the backfield. Those skills could have him ready to become an essential part of an offense looking to make a deep run in the CFP.

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Like Williams, Kedren Young has also been patiently waiting for his chance to see real playing time on the field. During the 2024 spring game, Young showed flashes of his unique size and quickness. Those flashes gave many hope that he could be a productive part of the 2025 team. Unfortunately for Young, he would miss the entire season with an ACL injury sustained before the season's start. Although Williams may be in the lead role, Young could prove to be an effective change-of-pace runner in shorter downs. Standing at 5'11" and 240 lbs, Young is a bruising ball carrier with surprisingly nimble feet for his size. Although they may not have the explosiveness that Love and Price had, Williams and Young could certainly be the dynamic running tandem that Notre Dame needs in 2026.

Micah Gilbert - Wide Receiver

Wide receiver might be the most complicated position group on this Notre Dame team. It is a mix of talented freshmen, inexperienced 5-star transfers, and players who have been with the program for years but have yet to leave their stamp on the team. While it is still unclear who will see the most snaps, Micah Gilbert could be someone who takes the next step and becomes a productive member of the offense. Gilbert came to Notre Dame as an exciting 4-star prospect who possessed great size and speed, standing at 6'2". While he did not see many snaps his freshman year, Gilbert was able to find his way onto the field in 2025. Gilbert was not very productive during the season, but he did score the first Notre Dame touchdown of the season. Gilbert has all the physical tools needed to become a productive wide receiver for a team that is in need of someone to step up.

Madden Faraimo - Linebacker

Faraimo arrived at Notre Dame last year as a 4-star recruit and one of the most coveted linebackers in the country. As a freshman, Faraimo struggled to see the field, as he was the youngest in a group of very talented and experienced players. With that being said, he was still able to produce, totalling 16 tackles and two sacks. Heading into 2026, Faraimo may be needed to step up and become a key part of the defense. With Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa's ACL injury, defensive coordinator Chris Ash could lean on Faraimo to fill that hole in the middle of the defense. While KVA is expected to play in 2026, it is still unclear when, meaning Faraimo will need to be ready. Faraimo will likely receive first-team reps all spring and may see significant playing time to start the season. With that sort of development and opportunities, it would not be surprising to see a talented and athletic player like Faraimo take the next step.

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