As "talking season" wraps up and we are less than a week out from seeing Notre Dame take the field for the first time in 2025, the buzz around this year's squad is palpable. It's as talented a roster as the Fighting Irish have had in recent memory, and that starts with a stellar defense. Photo via University of Miami Athletics Chris Ash steps into the Defensive Coordinator role with Al Golden departing for the NFL, and he is inheriting some elite players at all three levels on his side of the ball. Notre Dame fans will find out pretty quickly if the potential matches the on-field results when they travel to Miami Gardens to take on the Hurricanes on Labor Day. There is a healthy amount of optimism around UM as well, which will also field some uber-talented pieces on both sides of the ball, none of which will have a bigger magnifying glass on them than transfer QB Carson Beck. They are projected to have one of the best offensive lines in college football and have a fairly deep stable of running backs. Their WR corps, although unproven, houses some high upside players, so this will be a big time test for Notre Dame right out of the gate. Several key moments on film could potentially decide the game one way or the other, so I want to take a deep dive into the offense for the Hurricanes and outline some major things to look for. Let's get into this Miami football offensive film review. QB - Carson Beck Carson Beck had an up-and-down season for Georgia a year ago, but I don't want anyone to mistake that for him not being one of the higher-caliber QBs in the sport. All reports out of fall camp seem to suggest that the elbow injury, which prematurely ended his season in the SEC Championship game, is fully healed and not presenting any lingering issues. If that is the case, then in my opinion, Beck will be the best QB the Irish will face all season. He has enough arm talent to make every throw and has plenty of experience under his belt. If there is one area that could maybe be exposed by a defense as vicious as Notre Dame's, it's Beck's propensity for putting the ball in harm's way. Although Beck displays a good overall level of processing, one thing that stood out while going through last year's film was how often he would lose a defender who dropped into coverage late or rotated after the snap. In the above clip, the strong side linebacker falls into Zone Coverage, and Beck never really senses him. He is able to undercut the deep in-breaking route by the slot WR and force the interception. In a similar fashion above, the safety for Texas begins the play creeping into the box, but once he keys that it is play action, he bails deep and runs right underneath the in-cut route from the motion WR. Beck never gets eyes on him, and it again ends up as an INT for the defense. In the above clip, Beck stares down his WR too long, and the middle linebacker from Alabama reads his eyes and can make a break on what is another in-breaking pattern. In this case, it only ended up as a pass break-up and not a turnover, but if the MLB was a half step quicker, it could have easily been a pick-six. This situation popped up multiple times throughout last season, and I think Notre Dame would benefit from mixing up coverages and dropping defenders into different areas late post-snap, and testing the eyes of Beck. Another area Notre Dame could look to take advantage of is Beck's ball security when he is trying to maneuver in the pocket or extend plays. When Beck breaks the pocket, he does a good job of keeping his eyes downfield to try to find an open WR, but in the clip above, you can see he sometimes becomes careless with a loose grip on the ball. The rusher continues to pursue Beck and is able to punch the ball out and force a big turnover. Against Ole Miss, Beck really struggled with ball security. The offensive line did not do him any favors, as you can see the Left Tackle gets thoroughly beaten in the above clip, but because Beck does not have a solid two-hand grip on the ball, the blindside hit jars it free, and it turns a bad play into an even more costly one. Again, here, as Beck slides up in the pocket, he does not sense the pressure, and has a loose handle of the ball, which results in another fumble. If the pass rush for Notre Dame can get home on Beck, that is a win in itself, but they might want to emphasize attacking the ball and testing Beck's ball security. I would say the last big thing that stood out to me on Beck was his efficiency, and sometimes over-reliance on back shoulder throws. The ball could not really be thrown any better in the above clip. The outside WR is going against one of the best cornerbacks in the SEC last year in Maxwell Hariston. The WR takes an outside release, and Hariston is in phase the whole way, so the WR was not going to win vertical, but Beck throws with elite timing and allows his WR to come back to the ball - and even with the excellent position by Hariston, he really has no chance to make a play on the pass. Where I think things get interesting is the way Beck sometimes leans on this throw even when it is not the most effective option. In a "had to have it" moment vs Alabama towards the end of the game, the outside WR for Georgia clearly has a step on the defensive back who was in Off Coverage and turned late. If Beck throws the WR upfield, it is a touchdown (assuming the WR caught it), but instead, Beck opts for the back shoulder throw, which forces the WR to come back through the DB, who he had already beaten to try to make the catch. There were numerous other instances where Beck throws the back shoulder pass when his WR is thinking something else. The defensive backs for Notre Dame need to be on high alert for this throw and make sure they are getting their heads turned around to be in position to make plays. LT - Markell Bell Most college football analysts peg Miami to have one of the best offensive lines in the country this upcoming season. A lot of those predictions lie in part to the projected potential of Markell Bell, who will be the blind side protector for Carson Beck. Bell only logged two starts at Left Tackle vs P4 opponents last year, but saw action in twelve games overall, and the staff at UM is excited about his upside. Bell is a massive 6'9" and 350 pounds with a lengthy wingspan. The majority of reps I saw of players trying to beat him with power just didn't work out. Bell has very good anchor ability and can really stall out pass rushers trying to just run through him. If there is any area that could leave him exposed, it is against true speed rushers. In the above clip, you can see a Wide 9 look from the Virginia Tech rusher. Bell is not able to get good enough depth on his kick step, and the Tech defender is able to bend around him and flatten to the QB for the sack. In the same game vs the same rusher, you can see Bell is just not able to get the proper hand placement for his block because of the defender's agility and pad level. He comes dangerously close to a hold, and basically had to let him go to avoid a penalty. The play itself still resulted in a touchdown for Miami, but it was not a good rep for Bell individually. At 6'9", it is not easy to play with bend and leverage, but Miami Head Coach Mario Cristobal said it was something that they worked on a lot with Bell in camp. The staff feels comfortable, but it remains to be seen how much of an improvement was made. Notre Dame has some freaky athletic edge players like Bryce Young and Boubacar Traore, who should try to utilize some speed maneuvers when they find themselves lined up across from Bell. Slot WR - Malachi Toney/Tony Johnson. It is not certain who will get the first snaps at Slot WR for Miami in the opener, but Toney and Johnson both figure to see the field, and in Miami's Offensive Coordinator Shannon Dawson's system, whoever that is will see plenty of targets. Dawson is one of the better OC's in the country and led Miami to the No. 1 total offense in 2024. The QB and top six pass catchers from that team have moved on, but I don't expect the offense to take too much of a dip in 2025. Dawson likes to feature the slot WR, and that position has led his teams in both receptions and receiving yards the last four years (2 at Miami, 2 as OC for Houston). Malachi Toney is a true freshman who has received plenty of praise throughout the offseason. Tony Johnson is the more veteran player who transferred in from Cincinnati, where he recorded 449 yards and 6 touchdowns after spending his first three seasons at FAU. The safety for Syracuse does a poor job in the above play, but the design of the play is what I want to focus on. A lot of what Miami does revolves around opening the middle of the field for the Slot WR to be able to pick up YAC after the catch. It is Man Coverage across the board with a single high Safety. The Slant-and-Go from the second inside WR makes the safety start to cheat to that side and allows Xavier Restrepo to run a simple Post Route and have nothing but open field in front of him. Another thing Miami likes to do is these natural rubs with their route combos to try to free their playmakers up. The outside WR takes an inside release to try to pick the Nickel Back while the slot WR runs a double move up the sideline. On this particular play, the refs caught the pick and threw the flag, but it is something that popped up multiple times when I studied their offense, and they got away with it plenty. Notre Dame will need to do a good job switching off and not allowing themselves to be knocked off their assignment. Double moves are also a big part of their offensive playbook. Here, the outside WR runs his initial route inside, which draws both the linebacker and the cornerback to him. The slot to the bottom of the screen runs a Corner Route, which draws the safety away, and because the outside WR times his double move so well, the middle of the field is wide open for him. Notre Dame benefits from having one of the best secondaries in the country, but their eye discipline will need to be on point all night to avoid giving up big plays. There is a lot of eye candy in Shannon Dawson's scheme as well. Something Miami did very well all year was set up these fake screens to try to get defenders to crash so they can work in routes behind them. At the snap, Xavier Restrepo takes a step back and looks to the QB as if he is waiting for the ball, the WR on the hash hesitates off the line and sells it like he is going to block. You can see that makes the Louisville defender bite just enough on the screen that he gets out of position, and the outside WR is able to run a simple slant right into the open window. Here it is again vs Georgia Tech. Restrepo takes a step back to signal WR screen, the Slot WR does a perfect job of coming off the LOS slow and selling that he is going to block for the screen, which makes the outside corner for Georgia Tech bite hard, and leaves a big window for Cam Ward to hit the in-breaking WR. It's very well-designed stuff, and it's going to be a big-time chess match between Shannon Dawson and Chris Ash all night. Notre Dame, by all accounts, should have one of the best defenses in the country in 2025, but they will not be afforded any time to start slow and get acclimated to a new season with a team like Miami being their first opponent. The talent is undeniable, but this game is going to be about discipline and assignment football. If the Irish defense can play up to the standard that has been set, then every game will be winnable. Click to Join! - https://www.facebook.com/groups/legionoftheleprechaun

With a week to go until Notre Dame takes the field at Hard Rock Stadium against the Miami Hurricanes, we're gearing up for game week by highlighting some of the best players that the Canes have to offer, and what they bring to the table in this highly anticipated matchup. Let's get into it! Photo by University of Miami Athletics Rueben Bain Jr. - Defensive Line As a true freshman in 2023, Bain Jr. made an instant impact, racking up 44 tackles, 12.5 tackles for loss, 7.5 sacks, and three forced fumbles. It was clear from the start that Bain Jr. was a dominant playmaker on the defensive side of the ball and would be for the foreseeable future. Last season, Bain Jr. was once again productive but was held back early in the year due to a calf injury. Bain Jr. comes into this season as one of the better returning defensive linemen in the entire country. Now, with two years of experience, it is safe to assume that he will be as impactful as ever. A player with his skill set can easily swing the momentum of a game with a big sack, forced fumble, or TFL. Luckily for Notre Dame, they will walk into the Miami game with one of the best offensive lines in the country, meaning it should be a strong competition in the trenches. All in all, Bain Jr. is too good a player to be completely neutralized in this game, but strong play up front paired with the proper scheming can mitigate his impact. The Irish would be wise to steer clear of him where possible. Want the inside scoop on all things Notre Dame? Subscribe to Tribune+ today! CJ Daniels - Wide Receiver Speaking of good matchups, transfer wide receiver CJ Daniels is someone Notre Dame's secondary will have to stick to closely all game long. Before arriving in Miami, Daniels spent four years at Liberty and one year at LSU. At Liberty, Daniels put together his best season, with an impressive 1,067 yards and 10 touchdowns. After a season like that, Daniels took advantage and transferred to LSU, where he played last season. There, his production took a steep drop due to nagging injuries, resulting in only 480 yards and zero touchdowns. Now, in his sixth season, Daniels looks to recreate the magic he had in that last year with Liberty. Daniels is a versatile playmaker with the ball in his hands who is always a threat to break a play loose. He can do so by simply beating defensive backs downfield or finding the weak spot in the second or third level of the defense. With Notre Dame's extremely talented secondary, Daniels will have his work cut out for him, but the Irish will also have to be wary of his ability to beat them with one play. Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your Notre Dame Pickleball Paddle Here Francis Mauigoa - Offensive Tackle Although offensive linemen can often be overlooked, Francis Mauigoa is just too good to leave off this list. As a junior, Mauigoa has played in every game since his freshman season, and he is now regarded as one of, if not the best, offensive tackles in the country. With his intimidating 6'6" frame, Mauigoa combines incredible strength, speed, and agility to become almost unbeatable on the outside. Last season, he allowed only two sacks during the 534 snaps he played. That sort of protection was a huge contributor to the high-powered offense Cam Ward was able to produce, and now, it is Carson Beck's turn to orchestrate that offense behind Mauigoa. Although Beck may not be as athletic as Ward, he has shown the ability to pick defenses apart when given the proper time. Mauigoa is more than capable of giving Beck that sort of time, so Notre Dame will have to find a way to establish some pressure. Notre Dame does have a talented group of pass rushers that can give offensive lines fits, but even they will have trouble beating Mauigoa. That means they will have to get creative with how they disguise their blitzes and bring pressure, so that they can keep Miami's offensive line and Beck on their toes. Once again, this will be an entertaining and interesting matchup to keep an eye on for the entire game, as both coaches will surely make adjustments as the game wears on. Click to Join! - https://www.facebook.com/groups/legionoftheleprechaun

Photo by The Irish Tribune ESPN's Sean McDonough, Greg McElroy, and likely Molly McGrath will handle the broadcast for Notre Dame vs Miami on Sunday. The news was first reported by Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald on Sunday, August 24th. McDonough, McElroy, and McGrath (Unofficially known as the Mcs) are ESPN's number two team for college football g ames. The trio called several games featuring the Irish in 2024, including Navy at MetLife Stadium during the regular season, Indiana at Notre Dame Stadium for the first-ever on-campus College Football Playoff game, Georgia in the Sugar Bowl, and Penn State in the Orange Bowl, which was one of the two semifinal games for the expanded College Football Playoffs. Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your Notre Dame Pickleball Paddle . ESPN's number one team, Chris Fowler and Kirk Herbstreit, will call the LSU vs Clemson matchup on the Saturday before Notre Dame vs Miami. Some fans voiced their approval of ESPN's decision to have the number two team, The Mcs, call the upcoming Notre Dame game. Certain fans over the last handful of years have criticized Fowler and Herbstreit's handling of calling past Notre Dame games, citing potential bias and debated quotes of "hatred" towards the Irish. Want the inside scoop on all things Notre Dame? Subscribe to Tribune+ today! Fans point to a on-air comment made by Fowler back in 2022, during the Notre Dame-Southern Cal game, where Fowler brought up how he "hated" Notre Dame as a kid growing up, which did not sit well with some fans. Certain fans have also noted how Fowler has called certain plays during Notre Dame games, as well as various comments made. Fowler shot down the claims of his golden hate in January before Notre Dame played Ohio State in the national championship. Fowler stated, “It couldn’t be farther from the truth. I think the experience of being around this Notre Dame team is joyful, actually. I like Marcus Freeman a lot.” and had high praise for the Irish following their national title loss to the Buckeyes. With that being said, you can catch Sean McDonough, Greg McElroy, and Molly McGrath on the call for Notre Dame-Miami at 7:30 pm ET, Sunday, August 31st, on ABC. Click to Join! - https://www.facebook.com/groups/legionoftheleprechaun

Art by The Irish Tribune The Fighting Irish find themselves in a particularly interesting position to start the 2025 season. The last time Notre Dame marched down to Hard Rock to face the Miami Hurricanes, things got ugly. This time, Notre Dame has the talent advantage - but they lack experience in one key area that could very well decide the game. CJ Carr has all the pedigree and raw talent, but when the lights shine the brightest, will he be able to get the job done? That remains to be seen. But what we can do is break down how the coaching staff and the rest of the team can make his life a lot easier. Blitz Pickup You know it, I know it, Everyone knows it. Notre Dame is going to run the football with Jeremiyah Love, and Miami is going to try and sell out to shut it down. Not dissimilar to Texas A&M's approach in last year's season opener, sending the majority of the front seven to shut down the most talented part of the Irish offense and forcing Notre Dame to pass the football early is certainly in the cards. And if the Canes can succeed on that front, the pressure won't stop there. The Irish offensive line is likely going to be outnumbered, leaving Notre Dame's stable of running backs responsible for picking up free rushers. Aneyas Williams hasn't been talked about enough heading into this matchup, and on top of what he has to offer on third down, he's shown a knack for pass blocking and isn't shy when it comes to contact. His services, in addition to those from Love and Price, will be vital in ensuring Carr has the time to get the football out. A comfortable quarterback who has the time to throw the football tips the scales dramatically. When Miami blitzes, it leaves a ton of vulnerability downfield, open to exploitation. But it starts with picking up the heat that Miami will undoubtedly be bringing. Want the inside scoop on all things Notre Dame? Subscribe to Tribune+ today! Misdirect and Move The offensive wizard that Mike Denbrock has proven himself to be is another piece to this puzzle. The storyline coming out of camp was that Kenny Minchey's legs helped close the gap in this QB battle, and make no mistake, Mike Denbrock prefers a quarterback who can move around. Carr will likely be asked to do this in some capacity at points in the game to keep Miami honest. It probably won't on designed runs, but moving the pocket will help keep the Canes at home and lead to easy completions. Play action and sprint outs should be utilized when the opportunity presents itself. I like to think back to the sprint out pass that Carr hit in the spring game to Elijah Burress for a touchdown in the red zone as the perfect example. Misdirect, move, get the ball out. CJ Carr is not a pure runner, but he also doesn't have concrete shoes. If Mike Denbrock can draw up some plays that will draw Miami's attention away from Carr for even a split second, they'll be second-guessing all night long, slowing down their pass rush, and freezing second-level defenders. Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your Notre Dame Pickleball Paddle Here Weather the Storm Hard Rock was the loudest I've ever seen it when Notre Dame was last there to take on Miami. Again, it's hard not to draw comparisons to last season's game in Aggieland, but it has a very similar vibe. The fans will be in it early, and the stadium will be alive. Notre Dame needs to weather the storm from the jump and avoid a disastrous play that could lead to an avalanche of momentum for the opponent. Marcus Freeman handled the environment with tenacity last season, and matching that energy certainly fired his guys up. Seeing that again as the Irish take the field, would be fantastic. As far as the first quarter goes, a rhythm needs to be established in order to be successful. Take your low-risk plays and evaluate what's working and what isn't. You can't afford to have an interception or a strip-sack on the first offensive position. Allowing Carr to settle into the game and start making the right reads will go a long way in building his confidence. There will be mistakes, but it's on the coaching staff to mitigate them through early play-calling strategy. There doesn't need to be a hero play on the first drive for Notre Dame to win this game, and they're more than capable of winning without forcing the issue. If they can scheme up a mistake-free first quarter for CJ Carr, the crowd won't be cheering a fraction as much by halftime. Click to Join! - https://www.facebook.com/groups/legionoftheleprechaun

From the sting of embarrassing home losses to the journey of the College Football Playoff, Marcus Freeman's tenure has been defined by twists and turns - but 2025 may be his defining season. Art by The Irish Tribune Marcus Freeman has coined many mantras since being the head football coach at the University of Notre Dame. From "The Golden Standard" to "Choose Hard", Freeman has always sought for his rosters to strive for "Team Glory." Yet, the biggest Freeman-ism that also relates to the man himself, "Elevate." While Freeman himself elevated from being the defensive coordinator of the Irish during the Brian Kelly tenure, he has also elevated since entering the role of a head coach. Coming into the position, Freeman was raw with abundant recruiting potential and a knack of connecting with his players. Freeman has evolved in multiple facets, though it took time to find his footing. To start his career as a head coach, Freeman went 0-3. His first loss saw the Irish blow away a 28-7 lead to Oklahoma State in the Fiesta Bowl to extend Notre Dame's New Year's Six bowl game drought. Then, in his first season opener, preseason No. 5 Notre Dame squandered a 10-7 halftime lead on the road to the Ohio State Buckeyes, in which Freeman and offensive coordinator Tommy Rees were critiqued due to the conservative nature of their offensive gameplan. A week later, the Irish were stunned at home by Marshall in a 26-21 loss that had the fanbase questioning the promotion. While Freeman eventually found his footing in year one, losses to Stanford and USC still left a poor taste. Yet, Freeman's ability to wake-up for the big game, in this year's case, undefeated No. 4 Clemson entering South Bend, was also a redeeming quality that wasn't apparent in the previous administration. The 35-14 beatdown of the Tigers, who in recent memory, seemed to always get the best of the Irish in top-ranked matchups, cemented Freeman's place atop the program. In year two, Freeman got some support when the Irish went into their NIL fund to add Sam Hartman from the portal. Hartman's impact in South Bend was immediate as the Irish blitzed out to a 4-0 start to the season. Everything looked to be going Freeman and the Irish's way until the dreaded Ohio State Buckeyes entered South Bend and left with a walk-off win that featured the Irish only having 10 players on the field for the last defensive play of the game. A coaching blunder in the final seconds of the biggest game of the year that ultimately falls on the shoulders of the head coach. Following the heart-breaking loss to Ohio State, road games seemed to be the Achilles heel for Freeman in year two. While narrowly escaping with a win at Duke, thanks to a 17-yard scramble by Hartman on a 4th & 16 that extended the game-winning drive, the Irish fell on the road to Louisville and Clemson. The energy and prep for both of those ACC road losses seemed to be subpar, especially when comparing it to their success at home that season, specifically against then undefeated USC. While the Irish dropped three regular season games, they finished the year on a high note by rattling off four straight wins, including a dismantling of Oregon State in the Sun Bowl. Freeman and the Irish continued this momentum by being active in the transfer portal, adding three wide receivers, a star nickel, and highly touted quarterback, Riley Leonard. Want the inside scoop on all things Notre Dame? Subscribe to Tribune+ today! With a reloaded roster and an extremely favorable schedule, year three for Freeman was destined for greatness, especially given the success of former head coaches in their third year at Notre Dame. All Notre Dame had to do was get over the treacherous opening game, on the road against Texas A&M and then the Irish seemed to be in the clear. For what seemed to be a common theme in the Freeman era, the Irish were ready for the Aggies, and left college station with a double-digit victory in SEC territory. Freeman was energized from the very beginning, reassuring and hyping-up his players in the tunnel, as the Irish delivered one of their best performances in recent history. And then the collapse . The following week was the complete opposite story. The most embarrassing loss of the CFB season to Northern Illinois, and the No. 5 Irish were the laughingstock of college football. With all expectations and playoff-hype thrown out the window, the Irish were back to square one, and the questions towards Marcus Freeman arose again. While many people would want to forget about that game, Freeman used it as a source of motivation for the entire season. He often had replays of that game playing on the TVs inside the Gug, and continuously reminded his players about the tragic loss any chance he could. The outcome of this was 13-straight victories, including three CFP wins and two NY6 bowl game wins to launch the Fighting Irish into the National Championship. While the job wasn't finished as the Buckeyes once again, for the third year in a row, took down the Fighting Irish, Freeman learned another lesson in the face of defeat. Now, entering year four, Freeman has established himself near the top of the best coaches in the sport. While he had to endure his first quarterback battle as a head coach, he has finally encountered everything that the head coaching role entails. Through trial-and-error, Freeman has put himself in a position for the Irish to take off. Through increased recruiting efforts and phenomenal development, Notre Dame has bridged the talent gap across the sport's best and are ready to take the next step of bringing a National Championship back to South Bend. For Freeman and the Irish, the 2025 season will be an uphill climb; a daunting schedule that could derail playoff hopes at every turn. Yet, at the end of the day, Freeman will only ask one thing of his players at the end of every week: Elevate . With experience behind him and opportunity ahead, the question isn’t whether Notre Dame can elevate, but rather, how high. Click to Join! - https://www.facebook.com/groups/legionoftheleprechaun

The third phase came up clutch for Notre Dame a year ago in the College Football Playoff. This fall, Special Teams Coordinator Marty Biagi’s units are undergoing some changes following key departures. We preview the Irish’s special teams units below: Photos via Notre Dame Athletics Kicking Noah Burnette - The North Carolina graduate transfer comes over to South Bend, looking to improve an aspect the Irish were weak in last season, converting just 55.6% of their field goal attempts. Notre Dame’s field goal unit was especially worrisome within 39 yards, as they converted just 4/10 from that range. The former Tar Heel should provide some relief in this department. Across the past three seasons, Burnette has nailed 79% of his field goal attempts, including 19/20 within 29 yards. He has not showcased an extra strong leg, but the former Second Team All-ACC Kicker did convert a career-long 52-yarder last year. On extra point attempts, Burnette owns a 98.6% hit rate, including a perfect 43/43 in 2023. Erik Schmidt - A dual threat kicker/punter from Milwaukee, Schmidt ranked as a consensus top five kicker and was named the top punter in the nation by Kohl’s Kicking. The Under Armour All-American owned a career-long 55-yarder in high school, breaking his program’s record. As an incoming freshman, Biagi has acknowledged Schmidt’s competitive push to play this season. He has even floated the idea of using different kickers/punters in various situations. We will see if the young leg gets on the field this year, but regardless, the Irish seem to have their future set in this position with Schmidt. Marcello Diomede - It would appear that the junior from Illinois is set for another year serving as an emergency kicker. Diomede saw some time last year, taking a kickoff, converting an extra point, and missing a long field goal. His commitment to Notre Dame has to be acknowledged and should serve as someone comfortable that Biagi has worked with in the past. Want the inside scoop on all things Notre Dame? Subscribe to Tribune+ today! Punting: James Rendell - One of the few key returning specialists is the projected starting punter. Rendell appeared in each game last season, seemingly improving as the year went on, averaging 48.1 yards per punt with a season-long 64-yarder against Virginia. Overall, the Australian served well, allowing no blocked punts and landing over 50% of his attempts inside the 20. Erik Schmidt - The Milwaukee native has drawn praise from Coach Biagi on not just field goals, but punting and kickoffs, too. Given the freshman’s powerful leg, he should be prepared if called upon this season. Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your Notre Dame Pickleball Paddle Here The Return Options: Jeremiyah Love/Jadarian Price -  Coach Biagi made headlines recently when he stated that the Irish’s star running back duo could be in line for kickoff return duties this fall. Fans have seemed split on this idea; those against have cited injury concerns and limited true impact, while those in favor ask why would you not want your best athletes in the return game? The coaching staff will decide what they feel is best for the team, and if that means getting to watch two of the top running backs in the nation work opposing kickoff units, so be it. Aneyas Williams - Notre Dame’s probable third-string running back should be competing this fall to take back some punts this year. The versatile sophomore worked with the specialists a year ago and earned two return opportunities. Following the departure of Max Hurleman, Williams should be one of a select few that Coach Biagi looks at in the punt return game. Jordan Faison/Jaden Greathouse/Will Pauling - This trio of receivers has reportedly been competing for punt return reps this fall. Irish fans know how elusive returning weapons Faison and Greathouse can be when they get going. Coming out of halftime during the CFP First Round against Indiana,  Faison took a reverse from Jayden Harrison 43 yards  past midfield in the Irish’s victory. Greathouse also received work with the specialists last year, taking back one punt. The interesting option of this group is the Wisconsin transfer and new Notre Dame Captain. While Pauling is quick and shifty, he did not return kicks for the Badgers last season and struggled with some concentration drops. The talent is there, so if his drop issues do not translate to catching punts or if his hands just naturally improve, he could be a sneaky weapon this season for the Irish as a return man. Dallas Golden - The true freshman cornerback may be a surprising option to some fans; however, Golden has been receiving work as a punt returner this fall. Across four varsity seasons at Berkeley Prep in Tampa, the consensus four-star recruit recorded 215 yards and two touchdowns on 35 punt return attempts, according to MaxPreps. Given the experience and natural ability, Golden could see time this year as a return man if the right opportunity arises. Click to Join! - https://www.facebook.com/groups/legionoftheleprechaun

In a tightly contested battle that has sparked numerous debates over the course of the offseason, we finally have an answer as to who will start at quarterback for the Fighting Irish on August 31st. Art by The Irish Tribune CJ Carr and Kenny Minchey went toe-to-toe throughout the summer, with very little separation and next to no indication as to who would win the job up until today. Carr, a former 5-star recruit by way of Saline, Michigan, was the perceived favorite early in the offseason before Minchey seemed to make up ground steadily. In the end, it would be the arm talent of Carr that would win out in one of the most tightly contested QB battles in recent memory at Notre Dame. Despite not seeing action last season, Carr stood out in the previous two Blue-Gold games for Notre Dame, showcasing his immaculate touch and ability to push the ball downfield - something the Irish have been lacking in recent years at the position. Most notably, Carr commanded an impressive stat line in this year's installment of the Blue-Gold game, which included 170 yards and two touchdowns. Want the inside scoop on all things Notre Dame? Subscribe to Tribune+ today! The decision to start Carr over Minchey was likely not an easy one for the coaching staff, as each quarterback brings something unique to the table. With Carr, the arm talent is undeniable, and has been since his days at Saline - which is undoubtedly the main reason for his recruiting pedigree. The main drawback, however, has been the turnover rate. From the limited action we've seen, Carr can occasionally force a few passes, which have led to interceptions. If he can reel it in a bit, Notre Dame will be in a great position to make it back to the CFP. Kenny Minchey, on the other hand, has shown his willingness to be a dual-threat QB, something that the Irish may not have foreseen when recruiting him. This development in Minchey's game certainly helped to close the gap between the two, and with Mike Denbrock's familiarity with and comfort level with QBs who can use their legs, it probably wouldn't be surprising if packages are mixed in for Minchey later in the season. In the end, a decision had to be made before the Irish take the field at Hard Rock Stadium in two weeks. With Carr being named the starter, Notre Dame's passing game should receive a long-awaited boost. And with a receiver room featuring plenty of experienced veterans, along with an offensive line that has all the makings of a Moore Award finalist, Carr is certainly in a position to succeed. Click to Join! - https://www.facebook.com/groups/legionoftheleprechaun

Notre Dame's defense returns the bulk of its linebacking core that was so productive for them last year, but without Jack Kiser, will the defense feel the loss of such a valuable leader? Or will they pick up right where they left off? Photo by The Irish Tribune Notre Dame has always had a steady supply of solid linebackers to shore up the middle of its defense. As defense is rarely the problem for Notre Dame, the linebackers of the past reflected that level of consistency. Looking at last season, the linebackers were once again a strength, playing their part in what was one of the more memorable defensive seasons for the Fighting Irish in recent history. The strongest part of this group last season was arguably the sixth-year senior and captain, Jack Kiser. Not only was he a sure tackler in the middle of the defense, but he was also the quarterback on that side of the ball, providing steadfast leadership for some talented new faces. The experience he brought to the defense was invaluable and undoubtedly a catalyst in the success the Irish achieved in 2024. Now, with a lot of returning talent, this linebacking core looks to carry the torch into a new season. There is a lot to be excited about with these linebackers heading into the 2025 season. The player who appears to be the new leader of this group is junior, Drayk Bowen, who was just named a captain today for the upcoming season. Bowen started all 16 games last season, showing why he could be one of the best defensive returning players in 2025. Last season, he accounted for 78 tackles, four tackles for loss, and three forced fumbles. Bowen is an athletic playmaker in the middle of the defense and is a downhill tackling specialist who never shies away from contact. His new role as a leader of the defense suits him incredibly well, and he'll certainly look to pick up where Kiser left off in the leadership department. Want the inside scoop on all things Notre Dame? Subscribe to Tribune+ today! Next is perhaps the most talked-about linebacker this offseason, Jaylen Sneed. Sneed has had an up-and-down career at Notre Dame thus far. It has been marked by incredibly athletic plays and moments at times, but also by inconsistencies. As a highly recruited prospect, there were a lot of expectations for Sneed when he arrived in South Bend. For whatever reason, Sneed has not been able to meet these expectations, but 2025 may change the narrative. There's no denying that Sneed has always had the raw athleticism and physical tools to be great, but he simply hasn't been able to tie it all together. This offseason, the coaching staff has had nothing but encouraging things to say about the work that Sneed has put in. Mainly, the work he has put into his body. In the spring, linebackers coach Max Bullough stated that Sneed was somewhere around 235 lbs, 15 pounds heavier than he had ever been before. Bullough thinks this will allow Sneed to make more of the plays he needs to make and add some more confidence to his game. Both are things Notre Dame will need in 2025 if they want to have repeated success. Paired with another offseason of development, the sky could be the limit for the former 5-star. Another player many Notre Dame fans are excited to see take the next step is sophomore linebacker Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa. Viliamu-Asa was an integral part of last year's defense as a freshman until a late-season knee injury. He will once again be asked to play a huge role in the defense this season. Surprisingly for his age, Viliamu-Asa has incredible instincts and never seems to be out of position. This, combined with a long and athletic build, gives KVA the chance to make plays every down. That athleticism and football IQ give him a unique ability to be steady in pass coverage and twitchy enough to rush the passer. All of these skills make him as well-rounded a player as Notre Dame has on this defense. Now, with a year under his belt, KVA seems primed for a major jump in skill and production for a defense that is already loaded with talent. Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your Notre Dame Pickleball Paddle Here Jaiden Ausberry is another sophomore looking to increase his impact and production in 2025. Last season, Ausberry flashed in his rotational role with his impressive athleticism and open-field tackling ability. This season, he brings much of the same, but now with more experience. It is still unclear how the starting lineup will shake out, but if last season is any proof, Ausberry will be called upon to uphold the level of play that was certainly deserving of more praise than he received. Ausberry, not unlike the rest of this emerging group, should take a significant leap this season. Although this group of course includes a lot of other players that may see some playing time, the last player that could make a significant impact on this defense is true freshman Madden Faraimo. Faraimo was a last-second surprise pickup in the 2025 recruiting class after Freeman and company swayed him away from USC. Faraimo was one of the top linebackers in last year's recruiting class, possessing a body that is already primed to play college ball. With impressive size, power, and speed, Faraimo could be an impact player right out of the gates for the Irish in a rotational role. He is a physical tackler inside the numbers, but also possesses the finesse and speed to get pressure on the QB from the outside. As a linebacker, his instincts are maybe his most important asset for making plays. Although his instincts may have been elite at the high school level, there will always be a learning curve. Like Viliamu-Asa, Faraimo may be asked to contribute early on. If he can hit his stride, the Irish might be even more dominant than anticipated. Click to Join! - https://www.facebook.com/groups/legionoftheleprechaun

If Notre Dame is looking to add more future weapons on the perimeter, they should look no further than C/O 2027 standout pass catcher Quentin Burrell. Burrell, who is currently rated a top 10 WR in his class, exploded onto the scene as a Sophomore, compiling a ridiculous 1,257 yards and 18 touchdowns. Art by The Irish Tribune Eight of those touchdowns came in the playoffs alone, as Burrell helped lead Mount Carmel High School to a Division 7A State Championship. The Chicago native currently holds 31 offers, and that number is likely to rise sooner rather than later. Burrell has all the makings of a top-flight Wide Receiver at the next level, and his film was honestly one of the more impressive ones that I have watched for his position group. I'll break down everything that stood out below, and as always, the criteria for evaluation will be graded on a scale of 1 (Poor) to 7 (Elite). Let's get into it! Route Running: Elite (7) It can not be overstated how advanced a route runner Burrell already is at this point in his high school career. I will include his release ability in this section as well. When lined up against Press Coverage, Burrell displays the use of excellent footwork and different release packages to get the defensive back off balance before exploding into his route. He understands leverage very well and always stems correctly to get the defensive back to lean or open their hips early. He has good stop-and-start acceleration, which he uses to his advantage to sell double moves. When Burrell goes vertical, he understands how to stack the DB and create separation at the catch point. Even at 6'3", Burrell can sink his hips and smoothly change direction. A lot of receivers at the high school level are just height, weight, and speed prospects. If you are 6'4" and can run, recruiters feel that is a strong enough foundation to build on. In Burrell's case, not only does he have the physical measurements, but he excels as a route runner, which is an area that generally takes the longest to develop, all while still having two more years left at the high school level. The sky is the limit for Burrell when it comes to this trait. Want the inside scoop on all things Notre Dame? Subscribe to Tribune+ today! Catch Ability: Elite (7) In my estimation, Burrell goes back-to-back in the elite category when it comes to his hands. Burrell has the manual dexterity to be able to snag passes without letting them get into his body. He is an elite tracker of the ball when it is in the air, and even when passes begin to fade toward the sideline, he is able to adjust and still catch over his shoulder, all while making sure to keep his feet in bounds. Has no problem high-pointing the ball over defenders and is an excellent Red Zone option. He displays consistent high-level concentration when he knows he is going to take a hit at the catch point and never puts the ball on the ground. Burrell is as reliable a target as you could ask for, and I expect him to have a huge Junior season. Mental Processing: Very Good (6) His processing shines through in a couple of different ways. The first is his understanding of what leverage the defensive back is using against him and how he can use that to his advantage. When facing a defensive back playing with inside leverage, Burrell does a good job of getting upfield and attacking his inside shoulder, forcing him to open his hips and allowing Burrell to break back outside and create separation. It's something that may not stand out to the untrained eye, but is well beyond his years of experience. Secondly, I really love the way Burrell understands how to work back to his QB on scramble drills. When he recognizes the timing of the play is breaking down and the QB is leaving the pocket, Burrell does a good job of uncovering and flowing to an open void where the QB can fit a throw. It's the little details such as that which make Burrell such a special prospect. Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your Notre Dame Pickleball Paddle Here Athletic Ability: Good (5) Burrell may not be a true straight-line burner, but he still has the attributes that make him a tough cover athletically. His foot quickness in and out of breaks is impressive, and paired with his high-level change of direction, he does plenty in the way of creating separation for himself. He has the acceleration to eat up cushion vs Off Coverage, and there is a good amount of explosiveness from him off the LOS. He has excellent leaping ability on top of already standing 6'3", which allows him to win those 50/50 jump balls. Burrell has a ways to go to fill out his frame, but as he develops more physically, I expect his YAC ability to increase as well. Burrell is one of the top playmakers in the class of 2027, and in my estimation, he will begin to flirt with 5-Star status if he can put together the type of Junior season that I know he is capable of. I expect Notre Dame to have their eyes peeled across Lake Michigan to get a close look at this top-notch WR as they continue to fill out their '27 recruiting class. Click to Join! - https://www.facebook.com/groups/legionoftheleprechaun

A closer look at why the AP and Coaches Poll can’t agree on the Irish, and what it means for their playoff hopes. The first Associated Press Top 25 college football poll of 2025 dropped on August 11, and there’s plenty to unpack. The AP poll is compiled from ballots submitted by more than 60 college football journalists across the country, each urged to vote without speculation or bias and to prioritize head-to-head results. A week earlier, on August 4, the season’s first Coaches Poll came out — and the two rankings don’t exactly match. AP Poll:  Penn State at #2, Ohio State #3, Clemson #4, Georgia #5, Notre Dame #6. Coaches Poll:  Ohio State #2, Penn State #3, Georgia #4, Notre Dame #5, Clemson #6. Notre Dame’s drop from #5 in the Coaches Poll to #6 in the AP made them the only team in the top seven without a single first-place vote. That divergence is telling: coaches seem slightly more bullish on the Irish, while media voters are holding back. In the Coaches Poll, Notre Dame finished comfortably ahead of Clemson — more than 30 votes clear — but in the AP, the Tigers jumped them. Even so, this marks the third time in the last four years that the Irish open in the AP preseason Top 10. Season Notre Dame's Preseason AP Ranking 2022 #5 2023 #13 2024 #7 2025 #6 Want the inside scoop on all things Notre Dame? Subscribe to Tribune+ today! AP vs. Coaches Poll Trends Over the last decade, Notre Dame has often been slotted differently between the two polls. 2025 is a perfect example—#5 in Coaches, #6 in AP—illustrating how coaches tend to give them more credit early, while media voters are slower to buy in. Historically: Preseason Predictive Accuracy (Bowl Winners) : Coaches Poll – 59.9% | AP – 58.8% End-of-Season Accuracy : AP – 56.0% | Coaches – 55.4% Coaches are slightly better predictors early, but both polls become less reliable as the season unfolds. This could mean Notre Dame’s higher Coaches Poll rank carries a little more weight than it seems. Why #6 Might Feel Low — and High It’s no surprise Ohio State sits ahead of the Irish. The Buckeyes beat the Irish in last season’s national championship game and enter 2025 as the defending champs. But what stings is seeing two teams Notre Dame defeated in last year’s College Football Playoff — Penn State and Georgia — ranked ahead of them in the AP poll. The reasoning comes down to two main factors: Quarterback Uncertainty  – Losing Riley Leonard leaves the Irish facing either a first-year starter or an ongoing quarterback battle. Between CJ Carr and Kenny Minchey, there they just eight combined career snaps in blue and gold. History under Brian Kelly showed what QB instability can do to the Irish’s ceiling. That makes Notre Dame one of only two top-6 teams with an unsettled QB situation. Returning Firepower Elsewhere  – Both Penn State and Georgia return their starting quarterbacks, and the Nittany Lions bring back their top two rushers, Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen. Yes, Notre Dame returns arguably the nation’s best running back in Jeremiyah Love, but until the quarterback question is settled, pollsters will be reluctant to bump them higher. Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your Notre Dame Pickleball Paddle here ! The Schedule Factor The other knock: Notre Dame’s 2025 slate isn’t as daunting as the rest of the Top 10. Ranked Opponents:  #10 Miami, #19 Texas A&M, #25 Boise State (without Ashton Jeanty). Others Receiving Votes:  Pittsburgh, USC, Navy. Top 6 SP+ Strength of Schedule Rankings: Texas - 12th Penn State – 29th Ohio State – 21st Clemson – 34th Georgia – 13th Notre Dame – 44th According to ESPN’s SP+ strength of schedule, Notre Dame is tied for 44th nationally. That’s three ranked opponents and three more that earned votes but didn’t make the cut. On paper, the Irish should be favored in most games, but the downside is a limited margin for error. Trap games like Pitt or Navy could derail playoff hopes faster than a loss to a top-10 opponent. Where #6 Has Led Before – Historical Context Nationally, the trend is even stronger. In 19 of the past 21 seasons, the national champion started inside the AP Top 7. Only two outliers—2013 Florida State (#11) and 2010 Auburn (#22)—won it all from outside the Top 10. That means Notre Dame’s current spot puts them squarely where most champions begin. The Bigger Picture Notre Dame’s #6 ranking is a product of both their own circumstances and the perception of other top teams. They’re fortunate to start this high given their schedule and QB uncertainty, but also arguably underrated, with two CFP victims sitting in front of them. What’s Next The 2025 college football season kicks off Saturday, August 23. Notre Dame opens against #10 Miami on Sunday, August 31, in the 7:30 PM primetime slot — their first regular-season Sunday game in program history, and the first meeting with the Hurricanes since 2017. Stay tuned with The Irish Tribune  for full Notre Dame coverage all season long. Click to Join! - https://www.facebook.com/groups/legionoftheleprechaun

As fall camp nears Miami game week, Marcus Freeman, Mike Denbrock, and Gino Guidugli should be set to name a starter near the end of this week or the beginning of the next. Art by The Irish Tribune The biggest question mark leading into the season for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish has been: who will be leading the team in 2025? While CJ Carr and Kenny Minchey edged out Steve Angeli in the spring, neither quarterback has earned the starting nod within the first two weeks of fall camp. As the competition continues, it even more of a toss up as to who wins the starting job. As Irish Tribune Recruiting Insider & Writer Bruce Straughan reported Tuesday afternoon on Tribune+, Marcus Freeman has neared his decision and will announce it "as early as this weekend or by the beginning of next week." Want the inside scoop on all things Notre Dame? Subscribe to Tribune+ today! Carr Profile CJ Carr, because of the recruiting rating out of high school, has been portrayed as somewhat of a "Golden Child." The grandson of Lloyd Carr; CJ's football knowledge, feel for the game, and precision passing make him a great candidate to lead the Irish in 2025. Carr's main strengths make him an exceptionally talented prospect that certainly has a high ceiling and oozes potential. The question simply is: Is he ready for his moment? He was the odds-on favorite to win the job, especially after the departure of Angeli, but as the quarterback battle has progressed and no decision has been made by Freeman, Carr is losing a bit of momentum. From our very own Bruce Straughan, we have some special intel on the ongoing battle between Carr and Minchey over on Tribune+. Memberships start as low as $4.99 and give you access to all of our reliable intel on recruiting and football topics. We're also working to add much more valuable content in the near future, such as exclusive articles and expert analysis. Subscribe: https://www.theirishtribune.com/plans-pricing It should be noted that Carr had to recover from an elbow injury suffered last September, that limited his full ability to develop as a physical passer. Another "con" for Carr in this competition is that the playbook might be a bit more limited with him at the helm. Offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock has had the most success in his tenure with a dual-threat quarterback, whereas Carr is a true pocket-passer. The Case for Minchey Starting off on the same note, the thing that Minchey brings to the table that is the biggest "X-factor" is his ability to run. In the spring game alone, Minchey showed an innate ability to extend plays, throw on the run, and utilize his legs to his advantage. While Minchey has been labeled as the "running" quarterback, he is still an extremely polished passer and more so uses his athleticism when he has to rather than it being his main identity. He is also an extremely confident young man, labeling himself as "the best quarterback in the country." Minchey's internal confidence, coupled with his even-keeled nature presents a dangerous combination for opposing defenses, and a true leader's mentality. The cons or knocks on Minchey simply are that he isn't as skilled of a thrower as CJ Carr. Yet, while both haven't played a true competitive snap of college football, it will be tough to tell who would perform best until being under the bright lights. My Pick In complete transparency, I was a Steve Angeli supporter. For this 2025 team, I simply thought the safest option would be the best option, especially for how much talent is on this Notre Dame roster. Angeli would've been a great pick to play smart, be accurate, and not commit many turnovers. Yet, the staff shifted to a different mindset, picking and siding with the raw talent and promise rather than a surer option. In this case, I truly think Kenny Minchey will be the starter in Miami. With Denbrock's track record, Minchey's athleticism, and his leadership characteristics, I believe Freeman will opt for the Hendersonville, Tenn. prospect. In the grand scheme of things, the label that Minchey is the runner and Carr is the passer is skewed. While Minchey is more talented than Carr as a runner, he is still a gunslinging quarterback. Minchey's incredibly strong arm and quick release have been overlooked, but I strongly think his skill set will give the Fighting Irish the best chance in 2025. This is also not to say that Carr will not have an impact on the outcome of this season either, but I believe No. 8 will be taking the first snap at Hard Rock Stadium. Click to Join! - https://www.facebook.com/groups/legionoftheleprechaun

As fall camp rolls on, a name that has been consistently mentioned among top performers is Virginia transfer wide receiver Malachi Fields. We explore the highly-rated transfer’s career up to this point and what Notre Dame can expect from the wideout below: Art by The Irish Tribune Raised in Charlottesville, VA, Fields attended Monticello High School, where he played QB and CB and ran track. As a junior, the young quarterback combined for over 1,700 yards and 16 touchdowns. Due to COVID-19 cancelling his senior season, Fields ended up fairly under-recruited as a three-star athlete. Despite offers from Liberty and various FCS programs, the Charlottesville native decided to stay home and committed to Virginia as a part of the 2021 recruiting class to play receiver. In his first season with the Cavaliers, Fields saw limited playing time, reeling in 11 passes for 172 yards in 11 game appearances. The freshman did flash his potential in a 34-33 win at Louisville when he finished with 60 yards on three receptions. For those interested, he did not record any stats in UVA’s 28-3 loss to Notre Dame. The next summer, Fields unfortunately broke a metatarsal in his left foot that required surgery, forcing him to miss nearly the entire year and pushing back a possible breakout campaign. He was able to come back in the last game of the season versus Pittsburgh, and he made the most of his opportunity, recording five catches for 58 yards, including his first career touchdown, and the Cavaliers’ lone score of the game. Want the inside scoop on all things Notre Dame? Subscribe to Tribune+ today! Fields was able to build off that season-ending performance and put together a solid junior year. After starting all 12 games, he finished second on the team with 58 receptions and 811 receiving yards with five touchdowns, earning an All-ACC honorable mention nod. The junior wideout had 11 games with 60 or more receiving yards, and his 67.6 yards per game ranked fourth in the ACC. He had six games with five or more receptions, including an impressive six-catch outing versus Virginia Tech which led to a season-high 89 yards and two touchdowns. Last season, Fields was the Cavaliers' leading receiver with 55 catches for 808 yards and five touchdowns while starting all 12 games. The Captain’s 67.3 receiving yards per game ranked eighth in the ACC as he earned Third Team All-Conference honors. Fields finished the year with three games featuring at least five receptions and 100 yards. The senior’s best performance occurred in a 31-30 win at Wake Forest when he set career-highs with 11 receptions and 148 yards. Notre Dame fans received a taste of what Fields is capable of during the Irish’s victory over Virginia as he led the game’s receivers with four receptions for 81 yards. Along with being recognized as a team captain and All-ACC selection, Fields was also voted as the team’s offensive MVP following the season. Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your Notre Dame Pickleball Paddle Here Given Fields’ emergence as a true top-end wideout following two very productive seasons at Virginia, he was faced with an important decision: Go pro, stay in Charlottesville, or enter the transfer portal?  On December 17th, Fields officially entered the transfer portal, leaving UVA with the ninth-most receiving yards in school history, seeking an opportunity to play for a CFP Championship while raising his draft stock. Just six days later, the Irish landed their potential WR1 when Fields announced his decision to spend his final collegiate season in South Bend. So what can Notre Dame fans expect from the Virginia standout? If you look strictly at the numbers, you see back-to-back 800-plus yard seasons with below-average QB play from the duo of Anthony Colandrea and Tony Muskett. It is fair to expect a similar season in terms of production given the Irish’s circumstances. Some positives that Fields will experience include improved QB play, whether it be CJ Carr or Kenny Minchey, and Coach Mike Denbrock’s offensive system. Something interesting to watch will be to see how he fits surrounded by legitimate pass weapons in Jaden Greathouse, Jordan Faison, Will Pauling, and Eli Raridon. This will be new to Fields as the only truly talented receiving threat he has shared a field with was Malik Washington in 2023. The number of targets Denbrock schemes for Fields will ultimately be what determines how productive the 6’4 pass-catcher will be. Regardless of statistics, landing Fields gives whoever is named the starting QB a reliable and veteran pass option from week one. With his elite mix of size and skills, the new Irish WR already has a solid draft profile, and his stock should only rise as Notre Dame continues winning, garnering attention, and playing in primetime. For the first time in what feels like a long time, the Irish have a ‘dawg’ in Fields who is going to go up and come down with the ball almost every time, and that is something to look forward to. Click to Join! - https://www.facebook.com/groups/legionoftheleprechaun