Following Jimbo Fisher’s record breaking $77.5 million contract buyout, and a 7-6 season in 2023, Texas A&M hired then Duke head coach Mike Elko to take over the Aggies operations. Elko had been Notre Dame’s DC in 2017 before becoming DC for the Aggies under Fisher from 2018-2021, a position that eventually earned him Duke’s top job. The hire was a much-desired reunion for Elko and the Aggies, and he wasted no time building his staff, bringing in new coordinators Jay Bateman from the Gators, and Collin Klein from Kansas State. Photo via Texas A&M Athletics There’s been a lot of discourse in previewing this game about Texas A&M’s “rebuild” with Elko, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. Elko inherited an Aggies team that returned 72% of their overall production, good for 18th in ESPN’s Returning Talent Index, along with the 7th most talented roster of 2024 according to 247Sports’s Team Talent Composite. Both of these scores trump Notre Dame’s no. 10 ranking on the Talent Composite, and their 60% returning talent score. The question for the Aggies isn't “ do they have enough talent? ” but “ can they harness that talent and turn it into the success they've been looking for? ” Texas A&M Statistics Notre Dame’s main weakness in this game is something typically known as one of their strengths - the offensive line. The left side of Notre Dame’s front five, Joe Alt and Blake Fisher, left via the NFL Draft, and center Zeke Correll made his exit through the transfer portal. The moves were tough but survivable, until the unit lost Charles Jagusah. After Joe Alt opted out of Notre Dame’s bowl game last year, Jagusah earned his first start and helped the Irish plow ahead for 236 yards on the ground. Combined with a solid offseason, it was enough to earn him the starting job for the 2024 regular season, until he went down shortly after in preseason camp with a torn right pectoralis. With Jagusah out for the season, the remaining offensive linemen have a combined 6 starts between them. The Aggies will be gunning for Notre Dame’s young and thin left side through Purdue transfer and 2023 BIG10 sack leader Nic Scourton, who will be a threat from the beginning. There’s a narrative surrounding Notre Dame that claims they’re unable to compete at a high level with the likes of SEC schools, primarily due to the infamous 2012 National Championship loss to Alabama. But over the last 10 years, the Irish are 4-3 against the likes of Alabama, LSU, Georgia, Vanderbilt, and South Carolina, with 6 of those matchups being decided by a single score. Interestingly, the Irish have only traveled to an SEC campus once over the last 10 years (2019 @ UGA) and the 2024 trip to Kyle Field will be the second. As silly as it sounds, Texas A&M’s infamous 12th man may be the biggest intangible of this matchup. The fans at Kyle Field are notoriously intense, consistently ranking in the top-5 toughest places to play in the country and consistently reaching decibel recordings of over 125db. For context, anything over 110db is considered unsafe for human hearing, and all 110,000 A&M fans will be going nuts for Elko’s night game - home field debut. As if the stage for this clash couldn’t get any bigger, ESPN’s College Gameday will be live in College Station to add just that much more hype. The Aggies backfield was a 3-man split in 2023, with near-even touches going to Amari Daniels, Le’Veon Moss, and Rueben Owens. Such was the plan for 2024, until Owens suffered a lower-leg injury in early August, sidelining him for the year. Thankfully, A&M’s other two backs both accounted for more yards and scores than Owens, and will likely be able to produce enough offense in his absence. Outside of Owens’ injury, the rest of A&M’s squad is starting the season healthy, including 3rd year QB Conner Weigman, who started 4 games in 2023 before a foot injury sidelined him for the rest of the year. Elko coached new Notre Dame QB Riley Leonard during their two years at Duke, and the pair know one another quite well. While this could be a potential leg up for either side, Elko’s depth of knowledge and defensive prowess gives him the advantage in our book, as he knows exactly what to do to contain his former dual-threat QB. The Irish will need to establish a solid run game early to make getting Leonard into a passing rhythm easier, all in hopes of avoiding a reliance on his legs too early, making him a target. If they can do that, the Irish can use his mobility to keep A&M honest and really begin to open things up. The biggest knock on Leonard thus far has been his consistency, so the bottom line is, which Riley Leonard does Notre Dame get in week 1? As of right now, the Aggies are 3-point favorites, and Vegas has the O/U at 46, so scoring will likely be moderate, but it’ll likely come down to the wire and stay competitive until the end, regardless of who wins. It'll be a defensive struggle, and likely lower on scoring action, but the defensive approach to play will allow openings for game-changing broken plays, or huge momentum-shifting chunk plays. The numbers show that Notre Dame can hang with the likes of A&M, but the unknown truly comes down to the venue, and whether or not it'll be too much for Freeman and all his new pieces. Click to Join! - https://www.facebook.com/groups/legionoftheleprechaun

The sounds of summer have begun to dwindle away. Carried by the breeze that welcomely enters. The dog days, and the brutality of it's impatient wait, are now over. We sit on our stoop, tensely looking on the horizon for something real to hold onto. Something more than a dream. Photo by The Irish Tribune For Notre Dame, the offseason offered no such respite. There was no time for thoughts to be collected. Even when Marcus Freeman did take his lone family vacation in Alaska, he was seen staring at his phone awaiting the official decision of 4-star safety, and now commit, Jadon Blair. Such is life for the staff of a program that eagerly claws itself toward the top of the college football hill. Even before Notre Dame's victory over Oregon State, the chaos had just begun. There was a massive shift on the offensive side of the ball, some expected, some not. Here's a summary of what happened in roughly a month's period of time: Notable Offensive Transfer Subtractions: WR: Chris Tyree WR: Braylon James WR: Tobias Merriweather WR: Rico Flores Jr. TE: Holden Staes Within what seemed like a flash of light, the entire aerial attack was re-engineered. What was already a depleted WR room, was completely obliterated - Reduced to Jordan Faison, Jayden Thomas, Jaden Greathouse, Matt Salerno, Deon Colzie, and KK Smith. All transfers happening within the span of a few days. Much was made of their departures, and the primary reason. Much of that in regard to Chansi Stuckey. Freeman swiftly showed Stuckey the door after the news persisted. A difficult decision that had to be made. Questions were rightfully raised as to how well Freeman truly knew his team. The developments behind closed doors seemed questionable. The wave of transfers did as well. One or two disgruntled players? That could be understood, that's just the cost of dong business in the modern era of college football. But this was a mass exodus. The Irish fan based sat in it's darkness, and fell into a pool of pity. But Freeman would do no such thing. Notable Offensive Transfer Portal Additions: QB: Riley Leonard WR: Beaux Collins WR: Kris Mitchell WR/KR: Jayden Harrison Of course, Riley Leonard's arrival to Notre Dame seemed all but a done deal for much of the offseason, perhaps much longer than that, even. Regardless, Notre Dame once again acquired the best portal quarterback available in the portal. The mass exodus at Wide Receiver casted doubt on if Leonard would stay with Notre Dame. But that was only conjecture. As Riley Leonard helped recruit Beaux Collins from Clemson, Kris Mitchell from FIU, and Jayden Harrison from Marshall. Each offering unique skillsets that were once noticeably absent. Coaches Out: Wide Receiver Coach: Chansi Stuckey Offensive Coordinator: Gerad Parker Coaches In: Wide Receiver Coach: Mike Brown Offesnsive Coordinator: Mike Denbrock The players weren't the only one's moving around. Wide Receiver Coach, Chansi Stuckey, was let go. Gerad Parker, and long time friend of Marcus Freeman, took the Head Coaching post at Troy. The offensive staff may have now been vacant in two key areas, but the opportunity to upgrade at both spots became glaringly obvious. And Freeman had his men for the job in mind. Notre Dame hired Mike Brown, the 10th highest paid WR coach in the country from Wisconsin. Brown took a drop in title, as he was also Wisconsin's assistant coach. His reputation for development is well known, and long needed. Notre Dame's receiver room spanning back to 2017 has been plagued by poor development, and/or inadequate recruiting. Stuckey changed the narrative around recruiting, but the room left much to be desired in the way of development. He was subsequently relived of his duties. When Parker left for the head coaching position at Troy, there were names that began to emerge. Kirby Moore out of Missouri being one of them. There was a famliar name, however, that was widely written off at the outset. And that name was Mike Denbrock. A close friend of Brian Kelly, Denbrock lead the nation's most effective offense at LSU with his high powered aerial attack that was accompanied by Jayden Daniels, Brian Thomas, and Malik Nabers. LSU, and it's respective insiders, felt there was no feasible way that Denbrock would leave Baton Rouge for South Bend. His loyalty to Kelly, the talent at LSU, and the contract buy out that Notre Dame would have to fork out were all fair, contributing factors that reinforced this belief. What wasn't taken into account was Denbrock's respect for Freeman. The masses also neglected to acknowledge that Notre Dame actually had an objectively more talented roster than LSU's. It was also ignored that Denbrock had coached at Notre Dame under two different head coaches. The lure for Notre Dame was always strong for the now best offensive coordinator in the country. But money matters. Notre Dame not only made Denbrock the highest paid offensive coordinator in the country, they out bid Texas A&M in the process. The public figures show his contract at Notre Dame is $600,000 more valuable than his contract with the Tigers. Freeman had his man in mind, only unlike the last offseason, he got his way. Signaling emphatically that Notre Dame is serious. The changes didn't end there. Much less dramatically, Notre Dame inked a long awaited extension with Al Golden. This contract made him tied as the 5th highest paid defensive coordinator in the nation. They also added RJ Oben from Duke, who Joe Alt stated was the most difficult to line up against all year. As well as Jordan Clark form ASU, slated to start at the nickel position and potentially contribute at a similar level Thomas Harper did - although it's debatable if that's going to happen. The staff is in place, and the board is set. Notre Dame now has arguably the best coordinator duo in college football. They also have the players capable of bringing their respective visions to life. In light of recent developments on the left side of the offensive line. And in the midst of recent recruiting missteps, it can be difficult to remember how strong of a statement Notre Dame made with these offseason moves. Every team has their flaws. Even the ones that win it all. Georgia's "generational" defense had far from an elite secondary in 2021 . Michigan didn't have much of an aerial attack to speak of in 2023. Even LSU in 2019 - the best team assembled, perhaps ever, had moments where their entire defense looked vulnerable, and in turn, looked more than beatable. Notre Dame's perceived weaknesses start and end with the left side of the offensive line. It's never an ideal scenario to have a unit that has 0 starts, or in-game snaps together. You never want to be in a spot where you're forced to wheel out a true freshman left tackle, especially against a defensive line like A&M's. Especially in a place like College Station. But it also isn't ideal to lose perhaps your most talented running back before week one. It isn't a good thing when your entire offensive line is frankly, in flux. Anyone telling you that Jay Bateman being your defensive coordinator is anything more than concerning, would be lying. Connor Weigman isn't unproven per se, but he isn't a proven commodity either. The linebacker and secondary for A&M has potential, but that's where it ends. Point is, the Aggies have a lot of pending answers across their roster. It's week one, every roster has it's questions that won't be answered until the game begins. It's what makes the offseason so agonizing. However, the offseason offers us clues as to what a team's blueprint is. Notre Dame's blueprint is now clearly drawn. It's a team that possesses athleticism at every single position. It's players are lean, athletic. It has a unique blend of veteran presence and youthful talent. On offense, they have a running back room that rivals the best in the nation. They have a dynamic playmaker at quarterback, with a proven track record. They also have one of the best tight end rooms in the country. The receiver room has been reported as a major improvement from years past. The defense features the best secondary in college football. It welcomes back Xavier Watts, the best defensive player in the country. It's Linebacker room has five players that can contribute at a major level, in multiple ways, all lead by a sixth year senior in Jack Kiser. The defensive line is athletic at Vyper and strong end, as well as deep. On the interior, Rylie Mills and Howard Cross have the potential to be among the most disruptive in the country. To list out every player that will contribute on Saturday would take too long. One would be hard pressed to find a time where that's been the situation in Notre Dame's past. It would be an easier write-up to list out those who won't contribute instead. That speaks volumes to just how talented this roster is. Make no mistake, this is not just being said. You as the reader are owed objectivity. This article isn't the only thing pointing to Notre Dame being just a bit different than in years past. Behind closed doors, Freeman, the players, and the staff have exhibited a quiet confidence that they haven't been able to comfortably project since his arrival. Secretive as they may have been all camp, one theme has been consistent - this team is good. Question marks on the left side of the line don't change that fact. And it certainly doesn't change the fact that A&M's roster and staff, while good, aren't as good as Notre Dame's. Not on paper, not now. That isn't an indictment of A&M, few teams have the talent Notre Dame does. And even fewer have it's depth. Before the first leaf falls, Irish nation will find out what it truly has on Saturday. More than empty promises on paper. Come Saturday evening, we'll all have film to prove these claims, bold as they may come across. My final prediction? 21-10, Irish. Click to Join! - https://www.facebook.com/groups/legionoftheleprechaun

The Irish are referred to as O-Line U for a reason. Year after year, Notre Dames has sent out big, athletic, and talented Offensive Lineman to maul the opposition, which recently resulted in a First Round Draft Pick in star Left Tackle, Joe Alt. This year, however, there are some more questions as to whether or not the offensive line will be a liability, especially at Left Tackle, after losing both Alt to the draft and projected starter Charles Jagusah to injury. Photo by The Irish Tribune As we get closer to kickoff in Aggie-Land, which is now mere hours away, the excitement is palpable. With the excitement also comes some anxiety, as Irish fans are wondering how this new offensive line is going to hold up against a very talented Texas A&M front which added star transfer and pre-season All American, Nic Scourton, from Purdue during the offseason. Losing Joe Alt and Blake Fisher to the draft this off-season was obviously a big blow, and they will not be easily replaced. The main question in most people's mind was would the Irish defer to older players with experience, like Pat Coogan and Tosh Baker, to bring some experience into such a tough opener? Or would they opt for younger talent and higher ceiling players, such as Anthonie Knapp and Sam Pendleton? After what felt like an entire year of speculation and anticipation for the questions above, the Irish finally released the depth chart on Monday, waiting until the final week to give us what we were waiting for. The starting line is as follows: LT- Anthonie Knapp LG - Sam Pendleton C - Ashton Craig RG - Billy Schrauth RT- Aamil Wagner Holy youth! There is only six starts between these five Offensive Linemen, with Schrauth and Craig getting some starting reps last season. This means a group of players with very little experience at the collegiate level, let alone with one another, will be lining up in one of the toughest road environments in the country come this Saturday. The 12th man will be roaring, and these young Irish athletes will need to weather the storm. Some for their first time under the bright lights. A 6'4" Freshman Left Tackle? A Redshirt Freshman Guard? A Redshirt Sophomore Right Tackle? None with any starts between them? If you are reading this, it may be time to pour a drink... Calling all Irish fans! The Irish Tribune has recently partnered with Autograph, an app that rewards you for ... being a Notre Dame fan ! Autograph serves as a one-stop sports hub for your fandom, tailored to all your favorite teams. Read all your favorite Irish blogs (including The Irish Tribune!), listen to all your favorite Irish podcasts and -- get this -- no-fee tickets to Notre Dame stadium all season long. Autograph truly has everything a Notre Dame fan needs, all in one place. Prove your fandom, earn Fan Coins, level up and unlock incredible rewards, from Irish merch to free tickets! Click here to get started! HOWEVER, a lot of folks are overlooking some key details. Last year, we saw Coach Rudolph choose the veteran players over the underclassmen. Players like Pat Coogan and Rocco Spindler won the initial starting jobs going into the season. Young, but talented players like Billy Schrauth, had to wait their turn to crack the starting lineup. The fact that Rudolph is choosing the younger guys this year over the returning players he rode with last season speaks volumes to the staff's willingness to prioritize talent over experience. To me, these players must have been clearly surpassed by the underclassman, especially for Rudolph to start them in a game of this magnitude with their limited to absent experience. I highly doubt the reason was due to a regression from Coogan or Spindler, who are now in year two of this system, and have been solid players. Instead, I believe the younger linemen with higher ceilings are starting to blossom, and put themselves clearly ahead of the others. This was the bill of goods that fans were sold when Marcus Freeman was hired - a coach who can recruit the talent, and as such, not rely solely on development. If true, this can be a huge development for Notre Dame's football team as a whole, as they attempt to continue to dominate at the line of scrimmage. Another positive in this scenario would be that Pat Coogan, Rocco Spindler, and Tosh Baker have not disappeared. They will be ready to provide their experience and give valuable reps when needed. They can also serve as a safety blanket in case the moment does become too big for any of the young guys ahead of them. If any of these young players struggle, there is a veteran behind them with experience ready to answer the call. Had things been different, and Baker, Coogan, and Spindler were named the starters, it would tell me one of two things. Either the young players simply weren't ready to earn any meaningful reps, or Coach Rudolph does not have the nerve to go with the best player and simply defaults to experience. No offense to the veterans, but odds are at this stage of the game they have met or have come close to their ceilings, and although experience is an important factor, you MUST put the best talent on the field if you are going to win in a meaningful way. Teams who play conservative and are afraid to give youth a chance do not win when it matters most, and we've seen that in years past from Notre Dame. They don't win titles, they don't win big games consistently, and they certainly will not win recruiting battles/keep talented players on the roster in todays recruiting and transfer portal climate. To me, this is a sign that Coach Marcus Freeman and his staff are getting with the times. In the past, we have seen Irish teams play the vets and wait for the underclassmen to come up through the ranks. But this is not looking like the same Notre Dame. At least at first glance, it looks like the best players are going to play, period. Because of this, I believe Notre Dame is putting itself in a much better place to be more than just a good team. They are working toward greatness. Click to Join! - https://www.facebook.com/groups/legionoftheleprechaun

With a little over 48 hours from the season debut at College Station, we continue to evaluate the positional group comparisons between Notre Dame and Texas A&M. After evaluating the offenses earlier this week , now it is time to look at the strength of both teams: the defense. Photo by The Irish Tribune Defensive Line Notre Dame Coming into the 2024 season, Notre Dame's defensive line may just be the best part of this team. This mainly stems from the immense amount of returning production coming back, and supplemented by some newcomers that will surely make a difference. Senior Jordan Botelho has been getting snaps ever since he was a freshman at Notre Dame, and now sitting on top of the depth chart at the Vyper position, he's finally looking to take a massive leap forward. Boubacar Traore is coming into his second season after seeing some playing time last year, and after another impressive offseason, he could prove to be a key asset in the rotation. Senior edge rusher RJ Oben arrived at Notre Dame after transferring from Duke, and will immediately start for the Irish at defensive end. Oben has consistently hovered around 5-6 sacks in his last three seasons, and will be an important addition to an already talented veteran group. The real strength of this unit resides at the defensive tackle position, however. There, you will find Howard Cross III and Rylie Mills. Cross III has already been named a preseason All-American, and is regarded as one of the best defensive tackles in the country. Cross III is a game-wrecker who primarily stops the run, but can also have a heavy impact on the passer. His partner, Mills, a team captain, plays a similar roll to Cross III, but he stands at 6'5" and 295 pounds. His incredible size makes him a load to deal with inside. This is one of, if not the most talented defensive fronts in the entire country. Texas A&M Texas A&M, similar to Notre Dame, boasts an impressive group at the line of scrimmage. Defensive end, Shemar Stewart, was a 5-star recruit coming out of high school. His first two seasons at A&M have not resulted in a lot of sacks, but he has racked up a solid amount of tackles, and had a part to play in some big turnovers for the Aggies. From a raw potential standpoint, he is extremely athletic and filled with potential, so 2024 may be a big year for Stewart. DJ Hicks will be starting at defensive tackle for the Aggies as a true sophomore. As a freshman, he did not see the field a lot, but he is another former 5-star recruit that may be primed for a big jump this season. The other defensive tackle is Shemar Turner. Turner is a senior who was named to the All-SEC second team last year. In that season, he recorded 10.5 tackles for loss and six sacks, which is extremely impressive for a defensive tackle. He brings experience and talent to this group, but the star of this line is Nic Scourton. Scourton is a Purdue transfer who was named All-Big Ten second team last year. Last season at Purdue, he was responsible for 10 sacks and 50 tackles. He is an elite pass rusher, and will be sure to try to take advantage of an inexperienced Notre Dame offensive line. It will be exceptionally difficult for Mike Denbrock to scheme against a front this talented at nearly every position. These two units will probably be the driving forth in this matchup. Whoever's defensive line can find the quarterback and limit the run game the most will likely win the game. They might both have productive games due of the limitations both teams have on the offensive line. It will be interesting to see which unit wins, as they offer different advantages. Texas A&M has a ton of talent with multiple 5-stars and athletic talent. Notre Dame brings in a very experienced group, but they don't have the top end athleticism. Notre Dame seems to have more of an advantage on the inside of the line, while A&M has a premiere pass rusher. I think it would only be fair to call this one a tie. Linebacker Notre Dame Notre Dame's linebacking core is a healthy mix of experience and athleticism. The Irish always seem to have solid and steady linebackers, and this group is no different. The unit is highlighted by graduate senior, Jack Kiser. In his long career at Notre Dame, Kiser has tallied 185 tackles and 4 sacks. As one of the longest tenured players on the team, he has also been named as a captain, and one of the main leaders on this team. The group also features Drayk Bowen, who as a freshman, played in 12 games last season. He brings a lot of athleticism and with a season under his belt; he could turn into a huge weapon on the defense. Jaylen Sneed is another big piece of this group. Sneed's high athletic upside has yet to have been utilized to a point where he has been a true difference maker, but now in a starting role, things could change in a big way. It's important to note that Max Bullough said he is more than comfortable interchanging the linebackers throughout the year, so keep an eye on incoming freshman Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa and Jaiden Ausberry as well. Viliamu-Asa's maturity and instincts have earned him high praise, which will likely translate to some early playing time for the former 5-star. Overall, this is a well-rounded group with a lot of playing time and talent to spare. Hopefully the lack of experience at some positions can be mitigated with the athletic ability that this group brings to the table. Texas A&M The Aggies run a 3-4 defense, so their linebackers will also comprise of pass rushers who primarily get after the quarterback. At that position, Bowling Green transfer, Cashius Howell and Rylan Kennedy will see action. Howell was a productive player at Bowling Green, where he contributed 56 tackles and 11.5 sacks over three seasons. Kennedy is a sophomore, but he did play in 11 games last year. Solomon DeShields will also start for A&M, now in his senior year. Throughout his career, DeShields has 85 tackles and 6 sacks. As a senior, DeShields also brings experience to the center of that defense. The best player in A&M's linebacking core is Taurean York. Last season, as a freshman, he started in every game and was awarded SEC All-freshman team. In that season, he recorded 74 tackles and three sacks, impressive numbers for a freshmen. With that kind of production as a freshmen, a year of development may propel him into one of the better linebackers in the SEC. We highlighted York as a player to watch earlier this offseason, which you can read more about here . Texas A&M and Notre Dame seem to have pretty even linebacking groups coming into this season, but A&M might have the most talented player with York. This leaves me leaning toward A&M, but Notre Dame does have a lot of experience with Kiser. Kiser's leadership will be vital for Notre Dame in this game. College Station can get very loud and chaotic. That means Kiser will need to be a calming and vocal presence for the entire defense. For now, I give the slight advantage to the Aggies. Secondary Notre Dame Notre Dame's secondary features two of the best in the country at their respective positions. This is, of course, Benjamin Morrison and Xavier Watts. Morrison has been a star at Notre Dame ever since his freshman year. That year, he raked in six interceptions. He followed that up with an impressive sophomore campaign where he picked off the quarterback three more times and shut down Marvin Harrison Jr. for most of their matchup. Morrison is a preseason All-American, who will likely be one of the top picks in the next NFL draft. Watts also returns this season after turning down a chance to be picked in the 2024 draft. Watts, a safety, is the definition of a playmaker. Last season, he broke out, intercepting seven passes and forcing one fumble. All this talent and production despite multiple position changes only speaks further to his football IQ. The two of them together are one of the best secondary duos in all of college football. The rest of the secondary is compiled of players like Christian Gray, Jaden Mickey, Jordan Clark, and Leonard Moore. Moore, a freshman, has caught the eye of Morrison, as Morrison recently said that Moore might end up being better than him. The rest of the group mentioned all have experience with Al Golden and his defense, which has consistently been elite. Gray was recently named the starter over upperclassmen Jaden Mickey, so more young talent seeing the field early is never a bad sign in that regard. Jordan Clark, the Arizona State transfer, brings more experience and versatility to the nickel position. Finally, opposite of Watts, sophomore Adon Shuler will start after seeing some action toward the tail end of last season. Shuler's length and athleticism should serve to be very complimentary to the skills of the rest of the secondary. Texas A&M Texas A&M's secondary looks revitalized after a couple of successful transfer portal acquisitions paired with some talented returnees. One returning player is cornerback, Tyreek Chappell. Chappell has played a lot of snaps for the Aggies, and has demonstrated a knack for pass breakups. Although he does not pull in a lot of interceptions, he has broken up 28 passes in his career. Will Lee III is one of those newcomers looking to bolster an already talented defense. Lee III spent two years at the junior college level until he landed at Kansas State last season. There, he established himself as a do-it-all cornerback with 42 tackles, six pass breakups, two interceptions, and one forced fumble. Additionally, one of the best players in the Aggie secondary is Bryce Anderson. Anderson, a safety, has been starting since he was a freshman and is great in run support. He even had five pass breakups last season. Their secondary also contains safety, Dalton Brooks, who played all but one game last year, and RS freshman Dezz Ricks, a 5-star transfer by way of the Crimson Tide. Ricks didn't see a ton of action in his first season, but expect to see him on the field Saturday night. Although Texas A&M has a good secondary that will test Notre Dame's offense for the duration of the game, I think Notre Dame has a considerably better secondary. This is less about Texas A&M's secondary and more about how good Notre Dame's could be. They have top-end talent and a good supporting cast to make up a unit that should be able to keep A&M's weapons in check. Click to Join! - https://www.facebook.com/groups/legionoftheleprechaun

Whenever someone mentions Notre Dame Football, the name Tim Brown immediately comes to mind, and resonates with fans of all ages. Tim Brown will always be cemented in history as one of the greatest to ever wear the golden helmet. Not only was he one of the greatest to ever play the wide receiver position at the collegiate level, but he went on to become one of the greatest wide receivers to ever play in the National Football League. During his collegiate career he was a First-team All-American (1986), Heisman Trophy winner (1987), Unanimous All-American (1987), Walter Camp Award Winner (1987), SN Player of the Year (1987) and UPI Player of the Year (1987). In his NFL career, he was on the PFWA All-Rookie Team (1988), NFL kickoff return yards leader (1988), NFL 1990s All-Decade Team, 9x Pro Bowler (1988, 1991, 1993-1997, 1999, 2001). Last but certainly not least, he was inducted into both the College Football Hall of Fame (2009) and Pro Football Hall of Fame (2015). Photo via Notre Dame Athletics I was able to catch up with Tim for an interview, and I just want to say what an honor and a privilege it was. We talked about a lot - including his recruitment to ND, why he chose ND, what it was like to play for Lou Holtz, and what he’s currently up to today. Knowing how the legendary story plays out for Tim Brown at the University of Notre Dame, one would think that the coaches at Notre Dame would have been eyeing Brown from the start, but that’s not the case according to Tim. “I guess the word would be surprising, because when ND came to Dallas to recruit, they didn’t have me on the radar. I had an incredible game, but they came to recruit a kid named Dante Jones who went on to play for Oklahoma and then played ten years at middle linebacker for the Chicago Bears. I had a kick return, punt return, long catch, and a long run. That was on a Thursday night. The coach stayed overnight, and on Friday, he came to my high school to find out why is it that nobody was talking about this kid from Woodrow Wilson High School.” How could that be you ask? Well, Tim thinks he might know the answer to that question. “Probably because my high school only won 4 games in three years. So, maybe that’s a good reason. Haha” Tim would go on to secure an offer from Notre Dame, and even though he had no desire to attend the institution at first, his older brother helped convince his parents that ND was where Tim needed to be. “My big brother came in and saw the letter on the table and told my parents if ND wanted me a year from now, then that’s where I should go. And I had no clue about ND. The academics, where they were, or any of that. I had to go and look on a microfiche in a library at my high school to find out where it was. When I found out it was so far away, I had no intentions at all of going there. It was all about the education. My brother had convinced my parents that even if I didn’t make it in football, I would have a great academic degree to fall back on to be able to go to work.” There are so many great games to look back on in Tim’s career, but what was his favorite game he was a part of at Notre Dame? And what moment does he believe started it all for him? “Without a doubt, the Michigan State game my senior year where I returned the two punts back to back for touchdowns. Literally within ten minutes of each other. I think that game put me on track to win the Heisman, and in position to become a first round pick and Hall of Famer. I always credit that game for putting me on the map.” With so many career highlights, it would be hard to imagine he could pick a favorite - But he did, and his choice will surprise you. “This may sound strange, but to me, it’s the very first time I touched the ball my freshman year. The opening kickoff of the game, I fumbled that kickoff and they got the ball. They basically told me they didn’t want me to go in on my own, and they would now tell me when to go in. But they also had a package for me on the offense, and in the third quarter they called that package and I just ran onto the field. I figured somebody was going to have to pull me off that field, but they didn’t and they ended up throwing me the pass and I caught the ball. I felt so bad after the kick return fumble that if I hadn’t caught that pass, I just don’t know what would have happened. I really think that play gave me hope, because I could at least catch passes. Even if I couldn’t return the ball, I could at least catch passes. So, I left that game, and even though we lost, I thought I could be a player.” What was it like to play for the legendary Coach, Lou Holtz? “Without Lou Holtz, I am not Heisman trophy winner and NFL hall of famer Tim Brown. I can tell you that. He was great to play for, very encouraging, but at the same time he was tough on you. He would put you into positions to succeed, but you could always fail in those positions too. He always kept it positive in what you could or couldn’t do. He always gave me very high accolades in private, but publicly he would just tell people I was a good football player. Behind closed doors he’d tell me you're going to be a Heisman trophy winner, go to the NFL, and break records. He was great.” So what is Tim’s favorite Lou Holtz memory? “My favorite memory would probably be after two days of practice, he pulled me in and asked me a litany of questions. Like why I hadn’t been playing much my freshman and sophomore year. He wasn’t believing my answers, so every time I would answer he would get louder and louder at me. So I kept telling him I don’t know why they didn’t play me. He told me that from now on, the only way I wouldn’t get the ball is if they found a way to intercept the snap from the center. "If they do that, I can’t get you the ball, but if it gets to my quarterback, you’re going to get the ball in your hands."” What is Tim Brown up to today? He has some exciting news about his new business venture. “I still do autograph shows, appearances, and things of that nature. Also, I just launched a company called Athletic Enzymes. I started taking these types of products my 15th year in the league. After I retired, it put me into a position where I didn’t have to take the Advil, or pain pills, or anything of that nature. They are 100% all natural and take away stiffness, pain, and swelling. I’ve been working on this for years, trying to get to this position and we’re finally there. The products are ready and the website www.athletic-enzymes.com is up and running. I know my ex teammates and ex players in any sport can utilize these products to help with the wear and tear on their bodies. So I’m looking forward to getting the word out on that.” So, how does Tim Brown feel about this upcoming Notre Dame Football season? “A lot riding on the first game of the year, and of course, the last game of the year. Not saying the games in between don’t matter, because they certainly do, and we found that out last season. This A&M game is going to be huge, so hopefully we can get this thing off to the right step. I think with some extra effort, for them to go 12-0 this year is a realistic goal, but one game at a time.” How does Tim see the season going for The Irish? “I think 11-1 at the worst, make the playoffs, and go from there.” I’d like to thank Tim Brown for taking the time out of his busy schedule to do this interview. It was an honor to listen to him relive his days at Notre Dame. Be sure to check out his business www.athletic-enzymes.com . and make sure you follow The Irish Tribune for more content like this! 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On Saturday, the Irish open their season in primetime at Texas A&M in an environment that is sure to be electric with a pinch of road hostility. While sportsbooks have the Irish as slight underdogs heading into this matchup, here are three offensive keys that could help lead to a marquee Notre Dame victory. Photo by The Irish Tribune 1. Slow Down Texas A&M’s Defensive Line This is likely the most obvious path to Notre Dame fans having a fun Saturday night. A&M's defense is what will win them games this season and it starts up front. Notable Aggies that are capable of wrecking any offensive gameplan include edge rusher Nic Scourton and tackle Shemar Turner. You can find a mini-preview of the Aggie defense here .  Truth be told, the inexperienced Notre Dame offensive line will not be able to stop the rush every single play. This is why the key is to simply slow them down. It is expected that Irish offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock will do his best to scheme around this dangerous unit. What that entails will be revealed on Saturday. It would not be shocking to see the Irish favor running to the right behind the older lineman compared to the inexperienced left side of Knapp and Pendleton.  Freshman Anthonie Knapp will face his hardest test of the season week one. Nic Scourton is a potential 2025 1st-round pick that can line up anywhere on the line, but is expected to spend most of his time on the left edge. It will be interesting to see if the Irish choose to double team Scourton, while running the risk of letting their other talented rushers get to the backfield. Again, we will see what Coach Denbrock has up his sleeve when the game kicks off. On Saturday night, if the Irish are having success in the run game while keeping Riley Leonard clean, expect the Irish to secure the “upset” win.  2. Riley Leonard Moving the Pocket This key somewhat goes hand-in-hand with slowing down A&M’s defensive line. The biggest difference between the two is how much more I trust Leonard to do his job successfully. Given the skill on A&M’s line, it can be expected we will see Denbrock scheming some run-pass options for Leonard. This plays favorably for the Irish.  Riley Leonard's ability to create outside the pocket is rare and extremely sought after by not just college, but NFL teams too. At Duke, Leonard was the entire offense. Even against Notre Dame last season, he showed flashes of brilliance and his ability to make a play when things break down is highly valued. You can read a complete breakdown of Leonard’s abilities, talents, and accolades here . The X-Factor in this scenario is elite tight end Mitchell Evans. Evans can be trusted in the blocking and receiving game, and is one of the best at his position in the country for these reasons. When Leonard moves the pocket, whether by design or not, Evans should be the go-to option in the flat and could be set up for a big performance. Even if Denbrock prefers to utilize Evans more as a blocker against this elite defensive unit, his impact will not go unnoticed. 3. Veteran Leaders Show Up This is notably one of the younger offenses for the Irish in recent memory. With week one being played on a massive stage, the need for men with big-game experience can not be undervalued. Offensive leaders that need to show up include Riley Leonard, Beaux Collins, and Mitchell Evans. All three of these men have played on big stages in the past, albeit on separate squads. This previous experience should be passed along to the younger guys. It is easy to get caught up in certain moments and having a leader to help you get back on track can be exactly what is needed. Leonard, Collins, and Evans should be relied upon and focused on the main goal of team success in, arguably, the Irish's biggest regular season test this year. Click to Join! - https://www.facebook.com/groups/legionoftheleprechaun

The left side of Notre Dame's offensive line appeared to be in the midst of a power struggle. Irish eyes were not smiling, they were watching intently on how it all unfolded. The aftershock of Charles Jagusah's injury remains felt. As the pieces continue to get picked up from the ground, an answer has finally arrived after the publication of Notre Dame's depth chart. Photo by The Irish Tribune For starters, I owe Anthonie Knapp an apology. "If we were to take the depth chart at face value, next in line would be Anthonie Knapp. That's not happening. The true freshman is simply not physically ready to step in and play at the level needed at that position. As such, Rudolph will have to look elsewhere." - Me, a few weeks ago. Knapp rightfully doesn't take any stock in what I have to say. Because the early-enrollee who stepped onto campus just a mere handful of months prior, has answered to the call phoned in by Joe Rudolph and the staff. In the beginning, Tosh Baker was given the first at-bat to win the position. It had seemed as though Rudolph intended to yet again defer to experience over youth. It appeared that this was a battle, sure, but not really. And if it was a legitimate competition, Sullivan Absher would be the one doing the battling. That all changed after only a couple practices, because the next open practice to the media featured Anthonie Knapp taking snaps with the first team offense. At first, it came across as a one-off. But as time began to pass, it appeared the staff were contemplating their options heavily, and Notre Dame must have liked what they saw in the talented Freshman. Knapp has officially been named the week 1 starter in College Station. There's been a lot of debate amongst the Notre Dame beat on if this is a matter of "Is Anthonie Knapp performing that good, or is Tosh Baker performing that bad?" As with a lot of things, both can be true. The same can be said about the Left Guard battle. What at first appeared to be a battle that was nearing it's end, featuring Spindler as the starter, has been completely flipped around. Sam Pendleton, the former 4-star recruit, has earned his way onto the field. After his Spring struggles at Center, Pendleton was moved to guard, and the staff liked what they had seen after the change of pace. He seems to be finding his place on the Irish line, and the difference is showing itself. He is moving much more naturally at Left Guard, and firing off the ball with more mal-intent physicality, as evidenced by the clips coming out of fall camp. In what many (myself included) assumed would be a battle between Rocco Spindler and Pat Coogan, Pendleton inserted himself into the conversation with more force than an overprotective third wheel. The conversation might end here if he gets off to a hot start. With the dust settled, the starting lineup is locked in: LT: Anthonie Knapp LG: Sam Pendleton C: Ashton Craig RG: Billy Schrauth RT: Aamil Wagner The issues deserve acknowledgement. It will be an inexperienced group. Not just in the snaps they've taken in actual games, but more importantly, the snaps they've played together as a unit. It can't be understated how important continuity is. Even more so, how important it will be in week 1 with north of 100,000 fans rooting for you to fail. But those are not luxuries the Irish will be lucky enough to have. They will bring in a grand total of 0 in-game reps while playing together. The D-line for the Aggies is expected to not be just a strength, but the strength of their entire team. The risk is massive. But it appears to be a risk Rudolph is willing to take. For all the concerns - undersized, inexperienced, and young. The starting line-up listed above is also talented, athletic, and possess a high ceiling. The athleticism offers us a clue as to what Notre Dame plans to do on offense as well. In order to combat what is expected to be an aggressive front-seven, Notre Dame may very well plan to move the pocket sideline to sideline to neutralize said aggression. It could also utilize pin and pull concepts as a means of trapping one D-lineman while leading another D-lineman away from the play. The size and athleticism indicate that the Notre Dame staff wants to match A&M's speed along the front-seven. It also speaks to the fact that they're confident in them being able to hold off physically. For all the talk of "ceiling vs floor" , this isn't a line up configured solely based on that concept alone. It can't be. Potential won't get it done in week 1. 2025 doesn't matter in 2024. No one will care if this unit shows glimpses of promise if Riley Leonard gets strip sacked in a critical moment in what will be Marcus Freeman's most important game of the season. That's why this is a move that won't be made based on ceiling, or potential. It's a move that will be made because it gives Notre Dame the best chance at victory in one of the most hostile environments in all of college football. Click to Join! - https://www.facebook.com/groups/legionoftheleprechaun

Speed, fluidity at key positions, and experience in the secondary highlight Notre Dame's initial 2024 depth chart. Photo by The Irish Tribune It's officially game week and with that, Notre Dame released their first depth chart of the 2024 season. While there were many certainties within this news, there were some lineups that appear noteworthy as the season progresses. Obviously, Notre Dame's biggest question mark is the left-side of the offensive line, and after the injury of Charles Jagusah during fall camp, the Fighting Irish had an open competition. The original plug-and-place candidate was Tosh Baker; however, he was outdueled by true freshman Anthonie Knapp. Next to Knapp is another inexperienced player, Sam Pendleton, who started camp as the backup center. Pendleton beat out two players who started for the Irish last year in Rocco Spindler and Pat Coogan. It should certainly be interesting to see the battle in the trenches between Notre Dame's weakest unit versus the biggest strength of the Aggie defense. Another thing to note was the fluidity at key positions for the Fighting Irish. At every single receiver position on the two-deep depth chart read "or"; simply put, there is no true lineup in the Notre Dame receiver room. A ton of receivers will see the field, and deservedly so, because it highlights the depth at this position that the Fighting Irish haven't had in a long time. On the other side of the ball, the same thing could be said about the linebacking core. Linebacker coach Max Bullough even said that they were going to rotate all five guys in that room: Jack Kiser, Jaylen Sneed, Drayk Bowen, Jaiden Ausberry, and Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa. While the linebackers may be inexperienced outside of Kiser, the ceiling of this position group is through the roof. In order to keep up with powerhouse SEC schools, speed and versatility at the linebacker position is pivotal. Luckily, the Irish have just that. Another way the Irish are trying to catch up to SEC speed is through the special team's unit. It was interesting to note that the alternative kick returner behind All-American Jayden Harrison, was Jeremiyah Love. Love's speed is something that every coach on the Notre Dame staff has raved about, but integrating him into the special team's unit could be a game changer. It should also be noted that Jadarian Price was featured as well, which shows Notre Dame's willingness to play their best players in all three phases. The last thing to note about this initial depth chart was the true strength of the Notre Dame secondary. There are so many reliable options in the backend of this unit that Rod Heard, the man who's collected more snaps than anyone else on Notre Dame's defense, isn't in a starting role. This also displays the trust that the staff has in Adon Shuler and the jump he made going into his second year. Christian Gray also won the battle against Jaden Mickey, but Mickey will still be a key figure in this Irish defense. Click to Join! - https://www.facebook.com/groups/legionoftheleprechaun

With Notre Dame's season debut at College Station now under a week away, it's time to look and see how their offensive group stacks up against Texas A&M's. With a new starting quarterback, a revamped wide receiver group, and new offensive coordinator, Notre Dame's offense will play a lot differently than last year. Photo by The Irish Tribune Quarterback Notre Dame - Riley Leonard The former Duke QB will make his first start for the Fighting Irish against A&M and his former coach, Mike Elko. Last year, Leonard battled an ankle sprain that kept him off the field for most of the season. With that being said, Leonard's stats from the 2023 season were significantly limited, as he threw for 1,102 yards for only three touchdowns and three interceptions. When he was on the field, Leonard showed off his talented arm and his powerful legs that accounted for four more touchdowns. In 2022, Leonard was able to stay on the field for every game where he threw for 2,794 yards and found the end zone 20 times through the air and 11 on the ground. He did all of this while only throwing six interceptions. After a productive summer of rehab, Leonard looks to recapture the spark that made Duke such a formidable opponent over the last few seasons. Texas A&M - Conner Weigman Conner Weigman enters his third year at Texas A&M, but it is only his tenth game playing for the Aggies. Coming out of high school, Weigman was ranked as a 5-star prospect by 247 Sports, and was a part of the Aggies' historic 2022 recruiting class which included eight 5-star players. Between the 2022 and 2023 season, Weigman only played in nine games. In 2022, Weigman tallied 73 completions for 896 yards and eight touchdowns, while throwing zero interceptions, an impressive feat for a freshman in the SEC. In his four games in 2023, he threw for 979 yards and eight touchdowns. He only threw two interceptions this past season, speaking further to his ability to take care of the football. Both quarterbacks have shown sustained periods of success throughout their careers. Weigman had his first two seasons cut short due to injury, but when he was on the field, he was very efficient. Leonard has had a similar history with injuries, but has considerably more experience. This, along with Leonard's complete body of work and ability to create plays with his legs is why I feel Notre Dame has a slight edge at the QB position. Running Back Notre Dame - Jeremiyah Love/Jadarian Price This season, Notre Dame will have to pivot from their incredibly effective RB Audric Estime to Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price. Both RB's are sophomores, but Love has had more meaningful game experience. Last season, Love carried the ball 71 times for 385 yards and tallied one touchdown on the ground and one through the air. Love offered a change of pace from Estime, as he is more known for his speed, while Estime had the power. As the third RB on the roster last year, Price only received 47 carries, but three of those were touchdowns. Price's biggest moment came in the game against USC where he returned a kickoff 99 yards for a touchdown, which essentially ended the game. The combination of speed and power that the Irish have in the backfield will be tough to stop, and provides one of the best complimentary tandems in the country. Texas A&M - Le'Veon Moss/Amari Daniels The Aggies were recently hit with the injury bug in the RB room, as Rueben Owens is expected to miss the entire 2024 season. Owens was deemed to be the RB with the most upside this year, but their RB room still looks like it can pose a significant threat to the Notre Dame defense. Le'Veon Moss is a physical runner weighing 215 pounds, and is coming into his third season. In 2022, he managed to find a few carries throughout the year, one of them being a touchdown. The 2023 season featured Moss more prominently, as he carried the ball 96 times for 484 yards and 5 touchdowns. On the other hand, Amari Daniels is coming into his fourth season at A&M, where his playing time has seen an uptick every year he's been on the team. Last season, he had 97 carries for 514 yards and five touchdowns. Neither team has a premiere starting RB with proven elite production returning this season. Both teams will probably be running by committee, as they both have two quality options to share the load. With that being said, the comparison between the two teams seem to be even at RB. This game will be a good way for both RB rooms to set themselves apart and establish themselves as the new workhorses of their offenses. Offensive Line Notre Dame Notre Dame has always been known for their exceptional offensive lines throughout the years, being deemed by many as "O-Line U." This season, the offensive line is easily the team's biggest question mark. This mainly comes from Notre Dame losing both starting tackles, Joe Alt and Blake Fisher, to the NFL draft. Then, just a few weeks ago, the offensive line saw another setback when starting left tackle, Charles Jagusah, tore his pec in fall camp. Notre Dame's starting offensive line was just announced, as the game in College Station quickly approaches. The starting lineup for the group will feature Anthonie Knapp at left tackle, Sam Pendleton at left guard, Ashton Craig at center, Billy Schrauth at right guard, and Aamil Wagner at right tackle. Despite a staggering lack of experience, the raw talent that this group possesses needs to carry them through their first game. They only have six combined starts as a group, but it's the group that has earned the job. Notre Dame could lean toward a more experienced lineup, but it should be a sign that the times are changing and the best players will see the field. This group is one that is very athletic and fits well with Mike Denbrock's style of play. Texas A&M Texas A&M also has their fair share of questions about their upcoming offensive line. This position group has been a cause for concern over the last few years, but the A&M faithful seem to be cautiously optimistic about this group. A&M's offensive line will also be inexperienced at some positions, but has the talent and size that could grow into a solid unit over the course of the season. Weigman has not been able to get through a full season due to the injuries that he has has suffered under center, so it will be crucial that A&M finds an offensive line that can keep him upright for a full season. Well, this is a particularly hard one to grade, as both units are very inexperienced and are the biggest question mark for both teams. The history of Notre Dame offensive lines combined with the talent that the young guys have is why I feel slightly better about their group than Texas A&M's. Notre Dame usually excels at this position, so there is some faith that the success will continue into this year. These two units are something to look for when the two teams clash. They may be the deciding factor in a close game. Wide Receiver/Tight End Notre Dame Notre Dame's wide receiver group is extremely deep, talented, and experienced this season. Kris Mitchell is an explosive player from Florida International University. He'll give this group the ability throw the ball deep and create plays after the catch. Beaux Collins comes to Notre Dame from Clemson, and along with Jayden Thomas, they will be bring physical wide receiver play and jump ball threats in the red zone. Jaden Greathouse is a true sophomore who showed a lot of promise as a freshman. Greathouse is a smooth route runner with a great set of hands in the slot. Additionally, multi sport athlete Jordan Faison proved to be a reliable option in the slot last season, as he and Greathouse will work in tandem to frustrate the Aggies. KK Smith and freshmen wide receivers Cam WIlliams, Micah Gilbert, and Logan Saldate will provide the Irish with depth at the position that has been sorrily lacked for some time. Tight end Mitchell Evans is also back this year after an ACL tear that kept him out of the back half of the 2023 season. Mitchell Evans broke out last year as Sam Hartman's favorite weapon. This season, Mitchell Evans is easily one of the nation's best tight ends, so expect him to be featured early and often. Texas A&M Texas A&M also brings an experienced and talented wide receiver group into this season. Jahdae Walker was the Aggies' most productive target last year with 590 yards, and with Weigman back in the lineup, he may have an even better 2024 season. Noah Thomas is another returning player that has incredible size, standing at 6'6". He matches that with good speed, making him someone to watch for sure. Last season, A&M's first game featured three touchdowns by Thomas, something Notre Dame would want to avoid. Moose Muhammad III is another Aggie weapon that is maybe their most athletic player and has a flair for spectacular catches. He may be on the lookout for a breakout year this season. 5-star freshman and freak athlete Terry Bussey will also likely see action, so it will be important for a very talented Notre Dame secondary to keep things tightened up. At tight end, A&M still needs some questions answered. A&M may look to a committee style approach, using multiple players for different roles. One player to watch in this group would be Tre Watson, the 6'5" senior by way of Fresno State. The receiving groups on both teams seem to be pretty comparable. They both have a lot of experience, size, and speed, which will be an asset to both teams throughout the season. Notre Dame may have more depth, but it remains to be seen how much action they'll see. To me, the two groups are even. Where I see Notre Dame having the advantage is at tight end. Mitchell Evans is a bona fide go-to target who is proven to be one of the best in the country. Click to Join! - https://www.facebook.com/groups/legionoftheleprechaun

There are very few schools that can lay claim to the title of “O-Line U”. Notre Dame is certainly among that group, and even still, the offensive line seems to be one of the biggest question marks heading into the 2024 campaign. With Texas A&M and their talented front-seven right around the corner, it isn’t the most enviable position to be in. Freeman and company will have to figure out which five currently on the roster give the team the most consistent chance to win this season, but reinforcements are on the way in 2025. Photo via Owen Strebig Current 4-Star OT Owen Strebig is set to arrive on campus next year, and when he does, he will be hard to miss. Already standing at 6’8" and weighing 300 lbs entering his senior season of high school, he possesses what cannot be taught: Size. Let’s break down some of the key factors that are indicative of a prospect's overall skill and see where he stacks up. As always, these skills will be graded from one (1) to seven (7), with one being poor and 7 being elite.   Mental Processing: Very Good (6)  A lot of people may just view linemen as maulers, but a high football IQ is needed to play at an efficient level, and this is something I think Strebig shows. He understands his assignments in the run game very well. On combo blocks, he has a good feel for recognizing when to disengage from his initial block and work up to the second level defender, creating holes for his running back to slip through. Play Strength: Very Good (6)  Pancakes galore. When you turn on the film, the first thing that stands out is how he imposes his will on defenders. He does a good job of staying connected on blocks through the entirety of the play, and consistently puts defenders on the ground. He will occasionally grab high, so he will need to work on his hand placement to really maximize his strength and avoid holding penalties at the next level.   Competitive Toughness: Elite (7) There was a specific play I watched that I thought really shined in terms of competitive toughness. A QB rollout pass from the 30 yard line was completed down to the opponents 35. After some broken tackles by the WR, he made his way down to the five yard line where he was held up by defenders for what looked like the play ending tackle. Here comes Strebig hustling SIXTY FIVE YARDS  downfield to help push him in from behind for a touchdown. Those type of intangibles cannot be coached, and I thought it was very telling about the type of competitor he is.   Run Blocking: Very Good (6) His coaches use him in a variety of ways in the run game, in both zone and gap schemes. His lateral agility isn’t his strongest trait, which at his size can be expected, but still shows ability as a reach blocker, establishing and maintaining outside leverage on the front side of zone run plays. In a gap scheme, he does a great job using his strength on down blocks, washing defenders down the line of scrimmage.   Pass Blocking: Adequate (3) Technique is vital to pass blocking, and after digging through game footage and camp clips, this is where I feel like coaching will play the biggest role in his development. At his height, it is already hard to play with a low pad level. Pair that with playing with too wide of a base and overextending himself on his initial punch, and he becomes very susceptible when facing bull rushes. His punch timing overall could be better, sometimes just passively extending his arms too early, leaving them open to be swatted down on swim and rip moves. Will get his feet crossed occasionally, and will need to work on his kick step in order to mirror double moves from athletic pass rushers. His length will give him a huge advantage once he fine tunes his technique, and I’m sure Offensive Line Coach, Joe Rudolph, will be up to task in helping him get there.   There have been plenty of greats to play in the trenches in South Bend, and that culture will only continue to thrive under the current regime. Owen Strebig will be one of the next to carry the torch. The potential to play early in his career will hinge on how quickly he can polish his game in pass protection. With his competitive demeanor and high ceiling football IQ, I do not see that as being much of a problem, and future Notre Dame Quarterbacks should sleep well at night. Click to Join! - https://www.facebook.com/groups/legionoftheleprechaun

After recently going 0-3 on 5-star WR Derek Meadows, 4-star WR Dylan Robinson, and 4-star WR Tanook Hines in the 2025 class, Notre Dame needed to come up with a plan of action, and they did just that, as it was announced last night that they had offered several C/O 2025 wide receivers. Jalen Cooper, Jace Brown, and Antavious Richardson all announced yesterday evening that they had received offers from Notre Dame via their social media accounts. All three recruits are very capable of being great on field talent for ND if they can secure their commitments. Photo via Jace Brown, Instagram (@jacebrown_2) Here’s some quick hitters on all three offered recruits. Jalen Cooper Jalen Cooper is a 6’2", 165lbs 4-star WR out of Cibolo, TX. He’s currently a Senior at Steele High School, where he is 1st team All-State at the wide receiver position. He is ranked the 33rd best WR in the nation by 247Sports Composite rankings. In 2023, Cooper collected 68 receptions for 1,661yds with 23 TDs, and averaged 24.4 yards per reception. Cooper is currently committed to SMU. Jace Brown Jace Brown is a 6’2", 194lbs 3-star WR out of Downey, CA. He is currently a Senior at Warren High School, where he’s a two sport athlete in Track and Football. In 2023, Brown had 46 receptions for 560yds and 6 TDs. Brown is currently committed to UCLA. Antavious Richardson Antavious Richardson is a 6’2", 170lbs 3-star ATH, who is being recruited by Notre Dame to play WR. He’s a Senior at Greenville High School, where he is a Georgia A-Division State champion in both the 100 and 200 meter dash. In 2023, he played at the QB, RB, and S positions. On offense, he carried the ball 69 times for 801 yards and 2 TDs. On defense, he collected 54 tackles, with four of those tackles being for a loss, and one fumble recovery. Richardson is currently committed to USF. It will be interesting to see if the Irish can flip any of the three recruits they just offered. All three offered would be a great start to fill the gaps in the 2025 Class that were left from previous misses on the trail. Mike Brown and Marcus Freeman could certainly begin to turn the tide back in their favor after a dismal month of July. Click to Join! - https://www.facebook.com/groups/legionoftheleprechaun

With starting left tackle Charles Jagusah done for the season, Marcus Freeman and Joe Rudolph knew a different o-line would take the field for the Aug. 31 opener in College Station. But following the recent jersey scrimmage, a major -- and somewhat surprising -- shakeup has taken place on the left side of the line. On this week's show, Pete and Clayton give their thoughts on Notre Dame's jersey scrimmage, the final tuneup before the season-opener on Aug. 31 against Texas A&M. The guys also discuss the new-look offensive line, which features youth, athleticism...and inexperience. What does this mean for the trip to College Station and beyond? A breakdown of Notre Dame's October opponents is also on the docket, so you won't want to miss this one. Check it out and download now! Listen on Spotify Listen on Apple Podcasts First and Gold Twitter The Irish Tribune: Shows