The future is very bright in the QB room at Notre Dame, and it continued to get even brighter when c/o 2026 4 Star QB Noah Grubbs committed to play for the Fighting Irish on June 1st, 2024. Photo via Noah Grubbs, Instagram (@noahgrubbs13) The 6’4” 205lbs Junior is a pro style QB for Lake Mary High School in Lake Mary, Florida. In 12 games as a sophomore, Grubbs threw for 3,670yds along with 49 touchdowns. He completed 58% of his passes on 354 attempts, and amassed QB rating of 122.1 for the season. He is the 11th ranked QB in the country, and the 112th ranked player in the country by 24/7 Sports Composite rankings. During his recruitment, he was highly sought after by many of the top programs in the country, including Ohio State, Michigan, Penn State, Oklahoma, and of course, Notre Dame. So, it came as no surprise that Fighting Irish fans were thrilled to learn that he has decided to continue his football career at the University of Notre Dame. I recently had the opportunity to do an in depth interview with Noah about his journey from his recruitment, to his commitment, and what he has planned for the future. For many recruits, the recruiting process can be a long and drawn out one - but for Noah, that wasn’t the case at all. With help from his family and his trainer, Baylin Trujillo, it turned out be an easy decision for him. “The recruitment process was exciting, informative, lots of traveling to really cool places, and I was able to see a lot of really unique universities. Both of my parents and QB Trainer, Baylin Trujillo, were able to be with me through this process. That is a big reason why I was able to make a decision early on with my commitment to Notre Dame, because I already saw and communicated with my top schools, and nothing compared to that feeling being in South Bend.” With the decision coming so easy for Noah, you’d have to imagine that his trips to Notre Dame were special. But what made Notre Dame feel like home? Coach Marcus Freeman and Coach Gino Guidugli played a big role in that. “I’ve been to Notre Dame several times now, and each time feels more and more special. The fact that they chose me to be their guy is an honor in itself. Every time I’m there, the coaches make me feel like their top priority regardless of whoever else is on campus. The first time I was there last summer, they offered me a scholarship and I wasn’t expecting it. The second time I was there was for the Ohio State game, and I was the only 2026 recruit invited, so I knew they really valued me as a player. Then, before the game, Coach Freeman skipped all the recruits, came up to my QB trainer and I and said, “Glad we got you here, now let’s keep you here.” That statement, combined with my QB Trainer's relationship with Coach Gino, it made my experience at Notre Dame that much better than anywhere else I’ve been.” There can be many reasons why a recruit will choose to play for any given university, but for Noah, it was about the history and tradition at Notre Dame, as well as nationally televised games and development for playing at the next level. “The reasons I chose Notre Dame are it’s historically one of college footballs premiere programs; from championships, to tradition, putting people into the NFL, and it has one of the best degrees any student could ever hold as a graduate. On top of all that, they are the only program to have a TV deal where they are nationally televised every game no matter what, so my family, friends, coaches, trainers, former teammates and whoever else wants to watch me play every week, will have the opportunity to do so if they can’t make it in person. My QB Trainer Baylin has a really great relationship with the coaches at Notre Dame, so in the period where I couldn’t communicate with them, he did and would keep me updated on where I stood on their board, and from day one, confirmed I was number one and always told me to make sure I was to wherever I commit to. Notre Dame is a place where you bet on yourself to be the best in all aspects of life as a man, both on and off the field.” A big part of success for any program starts with the coaches, and specifically the relationships they have with the players they are recruiting. Noah points out just how much it means to him that the coaches take the time to check in on him. “My relationship with the Notre Dame coaches are great! Coach Gino, Coach Bowden, Coach Freeman, they all communicate with me weekly and FaceTime me on the weekends and it’s been awesome! I love those guys, and they are first class people, I can’t wait to play under them in 17 months!” Noah looks forward to his return to campus for the Florida State game this year. For this trip, it’s personal for him, as his brother attends FSU and he’s looking for the Irish to send his brother’s team home with a loss. “The next time I’ll be at Notre Dame will be with my family and QB trainer at the Florida State game on November 9th. My brother goes to FSU, so I know he will be there as well, and it’s a great opportunity to watch two top programs play and have the bragging rights next year, because I know Notre Dame is going to win.” Noah has many influences in his life, including his parents, his faith, his coaches, and his siblings among others. He explained to me that all the people around him played a big factor in his growth spiritually, and his identity of who he is as a person. “My biggest influences are both my parents because they have taught me that my identity isn’t in what I do, it’s in who I do it for, which is my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. My dad has taught me discipline, dedication, responsibility, leadership, accountability, and respect. My mom has taught me confidence, humility and what it means to love people. All these traits come from being in a Christian household with three older brothers, Lieph, Adam, and Eli, who also I look up to. My coaches at Lake Mary are a huge reason I am where I am at today, and they gave a lanky 6’4” freshman an opportunity to start on varsity, and that has turned into me holding seven different single game and all-time Lake Mary single season records. All that success goes to my teammates. Lastly, my QB trainer. Baylin has development me from scratch, and has become more than just a QB trainer. He is my mentor outside of my parents and brothers. He is my coach, teaching me coverages and film study. He is my friend, I can call him about any and everything for advice. He is my recruiter, and a big reason why I was in contact with coaches who offered me scholarships to play at the next level. He is also a spiritual leader, who encourages me to stay in my Bible.” Humility is one of the greatest qualities of a leader, and Noah exhibits this greatly when talking about what he really wants to achieve this season at Lake Mary. “The one thing I’m hoping to achieve this season at Lake Mary is to win a state championship. Single player accolades and records are great, and I fell short of the all-time single season passing touchdown record by only 7 TDs last year, but honestly, that means nothing compared to winning a championship with my teammates and coaches. It’s about us, not about me.” What is Noah looking forward to when he gets to Notre Dame? His answer will be music to all ND fan's ears. “When I get to Notre Dame, I’m looking forward to competing and leading Notre Dame to a National Championship.” If you were ever wondering just how locked in Noah is with Notre Dame, he was more than happy to answer that. “When I committed to Notre Dame on June 1st, that’s what it meant, COMMITTED and ALL IN. I will be in South Bend, Indiana, January of 2026.” As you can see there, is a lot to be excited about for Irish fans when it comes to Noah Grubbs. Noah is a very talented, humble, and faithful young man who knows exactly what he wants to achieve in life, and on the football field. His arrival can't come soon enough! We wish Noah the best of luck as he continues an excellent career at Lake Mary. Click to Join! - https://www.facebook.com/groups/legionoftheleprechaun

The Notre Dame men’s swimming program has been suspended for at least one academic year following an NCAA investigation into internal gambling violations in addition to culture issues. Photo by The Irish Tribune Notre Dame Athletic Director Pete Bevacqua released an official statement stating that the university worked with a law firm to investigate reports of potential misconduct in regards to the men’s swimming team. The investigation found “numerous ” NCAA violations with regard to “gambling on intercollegiate swimming and other athletic competitions” The statement also indicated that a large number of the men’s swimming team participated in the misconduct: “While individual conduct varied, the overwhelming cultural dynamic on the team necessitates a full suspension. We profoundly regret that the small number of team members who did not participate in the conduct, and those who were planning on joining the team this fall, will also suffer the consequences of this decision.” Bevacqua also indicated that the coaching staff was not aware of the misconduct as "team members" concealed the conduct through "concerted efforts”. Once the coaching staff found out about the misconduct, it was stated that the staff went about the situation in a serious and professional manner, and fully cooperated with the investigation. The statement also indicated that there were “other troubling behaviors” surrounding the program. A statement from University of Notre Dame Vice President and James E. Rohr Director of Athletics Pete Bevacqua reads as follows: “After receiving reports of possible misconduct on our men's swimming team, the University of Notre Dame engaged the law firm of Ropes & Gray LLP to conduct an in-depth review, which is now complete. The external review confirmed and expanded on our initial concerns about a deeply embedded team culture dismissive of Notre Dame’s standards for student-athletes, including our expectation that they treat one another with dignity and respect. This independent, external review also documented numerous violations of NCAA rules prohibiting gambling on intercollegiate swimming and other athletic competitions despite clear and recurrent training provided to all our student-athletes by our Athletics Compliance staff about those rules. These findings are contrary to the University's values and all that we stand for in Notre Dame Athletics. In order to ensure that this behavior ends and to rebuild a culture of dignity, respect, and exemplary conduct, we have decided to suspend the men's swimming program for at least one academic year. While individual conduct varied, the overwhelming cultural dynamic on the team necessitates a full suspension. We profoundly regret that the small number of team members who did not participate in the conduct, and those who were planning on joining the team this fall, will also suffer the consequences of this decision. We deeply value our responsibilities as educators and our commitment to our student-athletes, and will work with other University offices as appropriate to provide support to those affected by our decision. While we are certainly disappointed by the actions that led to the decision, we recognize that our students make mistakes, and our goal is to educate and support them to the best of our ability. The coaching staff participated in and fully cooperated with all aspects of the external review. The review found that the staff was not aware of gambling or the scope and extent of other troubling behaviors because team members effectively concealed such behaviors from the coaches and staff through concerted efforts. According to the review, when the staff became aware of certain isolated incidents of unacceptable conduct, they treated them seriously and professionally. We appreciate the continued service of the staff to our women’s swimming and diving programs and our men’s diving program during these difficult times. As stated at the launch of the review, we take seriously our obligation to foster a community of student-athletes who not only compete and perform at the highest level academically and athletically, but whose conduct reflects the University’s values. We hope this decision sends a clear and unequivocal message reaffirming that commitment and expectation. And, as we do after any major action, we will continue to review our internal processes and reporting structures to ensure that we are doing all that we can to nurture a positive experience for all Notre Dame student-athletes. We will work even harder to provide a welcoming and safe community for all our students.”

One of the bigger 2026 Irish targets is defensive lineman McHale Blade. Blade, the 6'-5" 230-pounder, hails from Illinois. He spent last season at Hillcrest High School before announcing his decision to transfer to Simeon Academy in Chicago this summer.  Photo via McHale Blade, Instagram Blade saw his first varsity snaps last year as a sophomore, but was unfortunately limited to seven games due to a hamstring injury. In this restricted playing time, he recorded 22 tackles, 5 for a loss, and 1.5 sacks. His best performance came week one, at full health, when he recorded six tackles, three for a loss, and a sack.  Blade’s move to Simeon allows him to play greater competition and likely play more meaningful games, especially in the playoffs. I am personally high on Blade and consider him somewhat of a sleeper recruit. Assuming his injuries do not persist, he has top-100 national talent and this will be shown at Simeon over the next two years. Blade is a consensus four star defensive lineman who is ranked as the #1 overall player in Illinois according to On3 and Rivals. Last season at Hillcrest, Blade played the majority of his snaps off the edge and it remains to be seen where he will line up at Simeon. However, given his size, he is being recruited as an interior defensive lineman. Over just this calendar year, Blade has garnered 25 total offers. As of right now, the race for Blade appears to be between Notre Dame and Illinois. Other schools in the mix include Purdue, Northwestern, Michigan State, and Michigan.  Even though the drive from Chicago to Champaign and South Bend are similar in length, the idea of “staying home” with Illinois can be enticing mixed with their recent NIL endeavors.  Since March of this year, Blade has been busy with visits, including four at Notre Dame and three at Illinois. His most recent visit was to South Bend on July 25 for the Irish’s Grill and Chill event.  The last big-time defensive lineman prospect from Chicago was Justin Scott, whom Coach Freeman and Notre Dame came just short upon. Keeping the Chicago to South Bend pipeline open is crucial to any Notre Dame success in recruiting. Blade would be a home-run prospect for Freeman to bring home. Teddy and the Gipper: A Notre Dame Friendship 'Teddy and the Gipper: A Fighting Irish Friendship ,' by Len Clark, Ph.D., with vivid illustrations by Jared Basker, takes you on an unforgettable journey to the heart of Notre Dame, as seen through the incredible bond between Teddy Flynn, his dog, "Snacks," and George Gipp. This isn't just another sports story; it's a unique blend of nostalgia, Indiana history, and community that celebrates the unbreakable connections that shape who we are.  For more information, click here !

On August 15, the Big Ten and MLB's Chicago Cubs announced the schedule for their 2025 outdoor showcase, aptly named “2025 Frozen Confines: Big Ten Hockey Series.” The Irish are set to face Penn State on the opening day of the series, slated for Jan. 3, 2025. Photo via ND Hockey, X (@NDHockey) The contest will mark Notre Dame’s fourth outdoor game in the modern era. It will also be the Irish’s second outdoor game in Chicago as they participated in the “Hockey City Classic” at Soldier Field in 2013. Notably, the No. 12-ranked Irish took down No. 3 Miami (Ohio) in a thrilling matchup.  The most recent outdoor game Notre Dame played was in 2019 at Notre Dame Stadium. In that contest, the Irish were upset by Michigan. This 2025 meeting at Wrigley will also mark Notre Dame's second outdoor game at an MLB stadium, after the blue and gold fell to Boston College at Fenway Park in 2014. For this matchup, both the Irish and Nittany Lions are coming off somewhat disappointing seasons given their high expectations entering their respective campaigns. But despite the underwhelming results, this should be a great matchup as both remain two of the Big Ten’s premier programs. They also appear set for a rebound performance this upcoming season. The other games slated for ‘The Frozen Confines’ include Ohio State versus Michigan and Wisconsin against Michigan State (both men and women). Wrigley Field and the city of Chicago will be ready for this Big Ten extravaganza being just a few days removed from hosting the NHL’s Winter Classic. Tickets for the general public are slated to go on sale August 30, as Big Ten hockey fans from all over the midwest should be filling up Wrigley for "The Frozen Confines." Click to Join! - https://www.facebook.com/groups/legionoftheleprechaun

Last season, the Irish receiving core combined for 2,143 yards and 18 TD's. Simply put, that isn't going to cut it. With a mass exodus of the majority of that group, coupled with a new Receiver's Coach and some key transfers, do Notre Dame's receivers have what it takes to be a strength this season? Or will the Irish passing game once again sputter? Photo by The Irish Tribune There is no way to sugarcoat it, last season's passing game, specifically at wide receiver, was very disappointing. From difficulties getting open, to missing guys when they were open, to questionable play calls, to nagging injuries, it seemed anything that could go wrong did for the Irish wideouts. This was a major factor in why the Irish offense was so unsuccessful in big games and against top defenses. Once the season came to an end, there was hope that this young receiving core could rebound from a rough season and turn a year's worth of invaluable experience into a positive heading into next year. I mean, they could only improve from here right? Well, instead, we saw Rico Flores Jr, Tobias Merriweather, Braylon James and senior Chris Tyree all transfer out. To say that was a red flag would be an understatement. Along with their mass exodus, the Irish moved on from wide receiver coach Chansi Stuckey. Clearly, there were some major issues within that room, and the only way to move forward was to start over. And start over the Irish did. With Stuckey now gone, the Irish hired Coach Mike Brown. Brown, a 7 year coaching veteran, came over to South Bend from Wisconsin where he was their WR Coach/Associate Head Coach. Before Wisconsin, Brown spent 3 years at Cincinnati coaching receivers and eventually becoming their passing game coordinator. Along with that experience, Coach Brown had previously worked with Coach Freeman while at Cincinnati. His hire keeps that pipeline from Cincinnati to South Bend going strong, and gives Freeman someone he knows and trusts to turn things around. This can not be understated, especially for a young head coach like Freeman. Last season with Wisconsin, the Badgers didn't exactly light the world on fire through the air, finishing the season ranked 69th in passing yards in the FBS. That being said, Brown was not working with nearly the same talent he will be this year at ND. Having an OC like Denbrock calling the plays, and a quarterback like Leonard tossing the pigskin around, the hope is Brown's ability to coach and develop the wideouts will pay dividends in this offense. So let's talk about that talent. We already mentioned the players that have left, so let's talk about the new guys the Irish will have out on the field this season. Unlike last year, ND will not be forced to play true freshmen out of a lack of options. This season, the Irish will have depth and talent throughout the room. If a freshman is playing, barring injuries, it is likely because they are excelling at the position. With that being said, let's take a look at the new faces I expect to see the most playing time this season. Kris Mitchell - Senior TR (FIU) Kris Mitchell plans to be a big target for the Irish this season. Last year, he played all 12 games for FIU and was their leading receiver. He finished the year with 1118 yards and 7 TD's. That would have been good enough to be the Irish top receiver last season, more than doubling the yardage of Notre Dame's most productive receiver in Chris Tyree. He is 6 feet tall, 185lbs with great speed. The Irish hope Mitchell can be the deep threat and catalyst to an offense that is starved for separation,. Someone who can take the top off the defense and open the field up. Someone who can blow by you and also go up and fight for 50/50 balls. I have high hopes that he will do just that. Beaux Collins - Senior TR (Clemson) Beaux Collins came to the Irish this offseason by way of Dabo and the Clemson Tigers. Last year as a Junior, Beaux had a career high with 38 receptions and 510 receiving yards. He also added 3 touchdowns to his stat-line. Beaux is a big 6'-3", 200lb receiver with great hands. I think Collins is going to be a great reliable receiver for the Irish on the outside, in a similar role as Jayden Thomas. Expect him to come in and make some big 3rd down catches to move the chains, using his strength and size to overwhelm defenders. Beaux should help take some of the pressure off of the tight end position and give Leonard more size to work with. He may not be a speedster, but he is that sure handed receiver that can make clutch catches when you need them most. He can be a true glue guy for this position group. Jayden Harrison - Senior TR (Marshall) Jayden Harrison transferred to Notre Dame from Marshall, where he was an electric return man for the Thundering Herd. Harrison was second amongst all FBS Players in Return Yards and Return Touchdowns, which is likely the reason the staff sought out his services. As a receiver, he had 410 yards and a TD. Although Harrison's receiving numbers do not jump off the page, expect him to get some looks in the slot this season in a rotational role along with Jaden Greathouse and Jordan Faison. This may be a receiver's article, but what Harrison can bring to the return game is special, and may be his most notable contribution this season for the Irish. If he can have a moment returning a kick or a punt similar to what Jadarian Price did against USC last season, it can completely change the momentum and outcome of a close game. Don't sleep on this pickup. Micah Gilbert - Freshman Micah Gilbert will enter as a true freshman this season, but he has already made his presence known throughout the spring and summer. Irish fans got their first look at Micah during the Blue/Gold Spring Game, where Gilbert hauled in 5 receptions, two of them for touchdowns. Micah is 6'2", over 200lbs but still has great speed and athleticism. Micah looks like a future star that can help the Irish sooner than later, which is a welcomed change for a room that has relied more on development than raw talent in years past. Last year, the Irish had true freshman playing due to a lack of options. This year, a true freshman will be playing because he is simply too good to keep off the field. Expect Micah to get some meaningful snaps and add another dynamic threat to what is shaping up to be one of the most lethal offenses (on paper) that we've seen in nearly a decade. My opinion? The wide receiver room that was a clear weakness last year, will turn to a strength this upcoming season. The return of Jaden Greathouse, Jordan Faison, and a healthy Jayden Thomas, coupled with the above mentioned newcomers is a huge boost for a room that stonewalled the team last year. Not to mention if a player like Deion Colzie begins playing with consistency, or if KK Smith takes a step forward in his development, there is going to be a robust amount of talent and options in that room. All that without mentioning 5-star Cam Williams. The biggest questions are how quickly they can gel with new QB Riley Leonard after he missed extended time in the spring, and whether or not the new-look offensive line can hold it down long enough to make a difference. If that happens, under Denbrock's offense, look for the Irish to open up the field and look like a team we have not seen in a very long time. One that can actually air it out. Teddy and the Gipper: A Notre Dame Friendship 'Teddy and the Gipper: A Fighting Irish Friendship ,' by Len Clark, Ph.D., with vivid illustrations by Jared Basker, takes you on an unforgettable journey to the heart of Notre Dame, as seen through the incredible bond between Teddy Flynn, his dog, "Snacks," and George Gipp. This isn't just another sports story; it's a unique blend of nostalgia, Indiana history, and community that celebrates the unbreakable connections that shape who we are.  For more information, click here !

Notre Dame Football has announced its ‘Hard Knocks’ style docuseries called "Here Come The Irish" set to premiere on August 29th Graphic by www.peacocktv.com Last November, Notre Dame announced it would extend its partnership with NBC Sports through 2029. As part of that partnership, a annual ‘Hard Knocks’ style documentary following the Notre Dame football program would air exclusively on Peacock: NBC’s streaming service. Official Video: In 2015: Notre Dame partnered with Showtime to follow Notre Dame Football’s 2015 season in a 14-episode show called: “A Season with Notre Dame Football” While the 2015 and upcoming 2024 shows both cover the Notre Dame Football team: The 2015 show covered primarily Notre Dame’s regular season games, the upcoming documentary will show the offseason, behind-the-scene footage, exclusive interviews, and gameday footage. The upcoming show is called “Here Come The Irish” and will have a special presentation on August 29th, exclusively on Peacock. Press Release: • Premiering August 29 on Peacock, Here Come The Irish, documents life on and off the field of the legendary University of Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team through exclusive behind-the-scenes footage and interviews with those closest to the program. • Featured interviews include Head Coach Marcus Freeman and former Head Coach Lou Holtz; current Fighting Irish coaching staff and players including QB Riley Leonard and CB Benjamin Morrison; close University of Notre Dame affiliates and more. • New episodes premiere on the following dates: o Thursday, August 29: Episodes 1 & 2 o Thursday, December 5: Episodes 3 & 4 o Thursday, December 19: Episodes 5 & 6 o Thursday, January 16, 2025: Episode 7   • Peacock will stream all of NBC Sports’ 2024 Notre Dame Football schedule, detailed below: o Sept 7 – 3:30PM ET vs. Northern Illinois – NBC & Peacock o Sept 21 – 3:30PM ET vs. Miami (Ohio) – NBC & Peacock o Sept 28 – 3:30PM ET vs. Louisville – Peacock Exclusive o Oct 12 – 3:30PM ET vs. Stanford – NBC & Peacock o Nov 9 – 7:30PM ET vs. Florida State – NBC & Peacock o Nov 16 – 3:30PM ET vs. Virginia – NBC & Peacock o Nov 23 – 7PM ET vs. Army @ Yankee Stadium – NBC & Peacock ABOUT HERE COME THE IRISH Here Come The Irish offers an in-depth look at the Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team, exploring their lives on and off the field. On the field, witness the intense training regimens, strategic game preparations, and the electrifying atmosphere of game days. Off the field, the series delves into the academic commitments, personal stories, and the motivation to be college football's best. Through exclusive interviews, behind-the-scenes footage, and a deep dive into the rich history of Notre Dame football, this series paints a comprehensive picture of the dedication, perseverance, and spirit that define this legendary program.   ABOUT THE DOCUSERIES   Premiere: The first two episodes will debut Thursday, August 29; episodes 3 & 4 will debut Thursday, December 5; episodes 5 & 6 will debut Thursday, December 19; and the finale will debut Thursday, January 16, 2025. Director: John Fornaro Executive Producers:  Jon Asher, Katy Lonergan, Shalika Shetty Produced By:  Fighting Irish Media Format: Docuseries, 7 x 30 min Click to Join! - https://www.facebook.com/groups/legionoftheleprechaun

Simeon Caldwell is your prototypical modern-day NFL safety. Standing at 6’3 and 190 pounds, the agile high school junior is a natural athletic freak who currently attends The Bolles School in Jacksonville, Florida, where he's a two-sport varsity athlete in both football and basketball. Photo via Simeon Caldwell (X @Sim_C24) As a sophomore hooper on his varsity team last season, Simeon Caldwell averaged 7.9 points and 4.4 rebounds per game in 19 appearances. His best scoring performance came in Bolles’ first round playoff game, when he dropped 18 in a 66-62 victory. However, Caldwell is bound to make his money on the gridiron. The player that kept coming to mind when watching his tape is current New York Giant and former Clemson Tiger, Isaiah Simmons, as both share the ability to line up anywhere on the defense and make plays which require elite athleticism and intelligence.  At The Bolles School, the agile gridiron star's primary position is linebacker; however, he is being widely recruited as a safety.  As a freshman, Caldwell saw limited playing time on the varsity level. While appearing in 13 games, he recorded 28 tackles, two fumble recoveries, and a pass deflection. Additionally, he registered at least one tackle in every appearance as a freshman. Caldwell truly broke out this past season as a sophomore. In 14 games, Caldwell totaled 137 tackles (11 for loss), two interceptions, one sack, and a forced fumble. He also made a significant impact on special teams, recording two blocked extra point attempts. He finished the season with eight games of 10 or more tackles.  His best performance came against Trinity Christian when he recorded 11 tackles (three for loss), an interception, and one sack in a 26-21 win.  It will be surely interesting to see how Bolles’ coaching staff continues to utilize Caldwell as he prepares for another monster season on the high school level. It will also be worth tracking to see how he could perform at receiver. The skillset is definitely there but the staff may just want to protect Caldwell for defensive purposes. As a recruit, Caldwell is a consensus four-star safety. On3, ESPN, and 247 all have Caldwell ranked as a top-100 player in the country and top-5 safety in the 2026 class. The elite talent currently holds 23 offers, with six teams making a strong push: Notre Dame, Florida State, Miami, Ohio State, Michigan, and Texas.  Caldwell has visited South Bend twice, most recently on July 25. This should bode well as the Irish were one of the latter schools to offer Caldwell.  Florida State and Miami are the most local schools to Caldwell, and Caldwell’s uncle, Tim Walton, served as the Miami defensive coordinator in 2007. This ties into Ohio State because their current defensive backs coach is his uncle, Tim Walton. Caldwell has taken a visit to all three aforementioned schools. He also took visits to Michigan and Texas. Still, Notre Dame seems to be in good standing with Caldwell. A commitment from a top-100 defensive recruit would be great momentum for coach Freeman to build a top 2026 class. To this point, however, Caldwell has yet to release a list of his top schools. Click to Join! - https://www.facebook.com/groups/legionoftheleprechaun

With an experienced football team, the Fighting Irish are returning a lot of talent to each position room; however, some positions will be much more key to the overall success of the 2024 season. Photo by The Irish Tribune The 2024 Notre Dame roster is built on experience. On the defensive side of the ball, the Fighting Irish return at least two starters from each level and have added transfer portal pieces to replace players who made the jump to the NFL. On the offensive side of the ball, the Irish have revamped the skill position rooms and brought in a new, up-tempo style with coordinator Mike Denbrock. While there are many certainties in the Fighting Irish position rooms, X-factors could alter the trajectory of Notre Dame's season. Will the hiring of Mike Brown lead to on-field success for the Fighting Irish receiving room? Will Max Bullough rotate multiple young linebackers? Will Deland McCullough let all five backs get touches? Mike Brown: Wide Receiving Room The wide receiving core was the biggest upheaval this past offseason. Though Mike Brown has faced challenges on the recruiting trail, the former Wisconsin coach is known for his development of wide receivers. The talent Brown is inheriting in the Notre Dame room is unlike any he's seen before. While these Irish receivers may not have eye-popping box score numbers, Brown has a plethora of options to give new looks to any opposing defense. Realistically, Notre Dame has nine players that can make an instant impact this year. In a crowded wide receiver room, only so many guys can get touches, yet each player brings their own skillset. Kris Mitchell will assume the role of the vertical threat that can take the top off defenses with his blazing speed. Jayden Thomas and Beaux Collins, with their imposing frames, should be dependable options over the middle of the field Jordan Faison, Jayden Harrison, and Jaden Greathouse will move in-and-out of the slot position because of their versatility. Then there is Deion Colzie, who arguably has the highest ceiling on the roster. With track star speed and a big-frame, Colzie can be a significant weapon in the red zone. The last two that can receive snaps are early-enrollee freshmen Cam Williams and Micah Gilbert, who dazzled in limited snaps during the spring. Overall, the talent is there for coach Brown to work with. At the end of the day, it will come down to how much separation these wide receivers can get, as Notre Dame's offense transforms from a run-heavy identity, whose tight ends are the team's leading receivers. Max Bullough: Linebacking Core The linebacking core has been stable for the Fighting Irish over the last three years. Marist Liufau and JD Bertrand have manned the middle of the Notre Dame defense. While the stability was nice, Notre Dame is now unveiling a more athletic, younger crop of linebackers. Former five-star Jaylen Sneed is finally getting his turn at a starting role after waiting the past two years. Drayk Bowen is another projected starter, who might be sharing time with true freshman Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa before the end of the year. The only familiar face returning to the linebacking room is Jack Kiser, who will provide great communication and leadership to the younger batch of backers. Max Bullough has done a great job in his limited time with the linebacker room, but his role in integrating younger players with greater potential is exciting. It is imperative that the linebackers are communicating well in a raucous week one environment. If not, the Notre Dame defense might be in some trouble. Deland McCullough: Running Back Stable While the Notre Dame running back room is losing their workhorse in Audric Estime, the future is still bright. The Irish had two preseason nominees for the Doak Walker Award in Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price. Love and Price will be 1A and 1B in this offense, as Love may also move out to wide receiver in order to switch things up and incorporate different looks. "Both similar guys as far as twitchy, explosive," said coach McCullough during an early August press conference. The season-ending injury Gi'Bran Payne endured during the spring game hurts the Fighting Irish, as Payne was Notre Dame's third down back last year. This injury also moved Devin Ford back to the running back room after a quick change to safety. The biggest question mark will be how early true freshmen Kedren Young and Aneyas Williams find themselves getting touches. In such a talented room, it will be exciting who McCullough trusts with most of the touches, and who can earn a bigger role later into the season. Teddy and the Gipper: A Notre Dame Friendship 'Teddy and the Gipper: A Fighting Irish Friendship ,' by Len Clark, Ph.D., with vivid illustrations by Jared Basker, takes you on an unforgettable journey to the heart of Notre Dame, as seen through the incredible bond between Teddy Flynn, his dog, "Snacks," and George Gipp. This isn't just another sports story; it's a unique blend of nostalgia, Indiana history, and community that celebrates the unbreakable connections that shape who we are.  For more information, click here !

Photo via Noah Grubbs, Instagram (@noahgrubbs13) As Fighting Irish fans collectively hold their breath, waiting to see if a certain Quarterback commit will be leaving for more navy blue and burnt orange pastures, it's important to remember that all hope is not lost at the position. After dipping into the transfer portal to grab a signal caller for the second year in the row, Riley Leonard will be one and done in South Bend, but the cupboard will not be bare. Redshirt Sophomore Steve Angeli, who will likely serve as Leonard's back up this season, has flashed potential. Behind him, a group of highly touted prospects in Kenny Minchey and CJ Carr await the opportunity to compete for future playing time. Unfortunately, in today's college football, the likelihood of all that talent staying without looking to speed up their timeline of becoming a starter by transferring elsewhere is slim to none. In order to fill that potential void, lets look to the future - 4 star 2026 Lake Mary, Florida prospect and current Notre Dame commit, Noah Grubbs. At 6'4", Grubbs possesses the type of elite height you like to see for the position, and once he adds some more mass, he'll have a college-ready frame. With a background in scouting, I'd like to breakdown some of the key components of a quarterback's makeup that go a long way in telling you what type of player you can expect. Each trait will have a grade of 1 through 7, with 1 being poor, and 7 being elite. Athletic Ability: Good (5) Grubbs definitely fits the mold of a pocket passer more than a true dual threat, but that doesn't mean he can't make plays with his legs. He shows good acceleration when he gets into stride, and has solid balance. His coaches are not afraid to use him on read option plays near the goal line, and with some added weight to an already solid frame, he will not be easy to bring down on short yardage plays. Mental Processing: Good (5) Grubbs does a good job post snap, quickly identifying whether the defense is in man or zone coverage. With safeties split in a Cover 2, he does a very good job attacking the middle of the field and knows how to locate where the one on one mismatches are. He will occasionally predetermine where he wants to go with the ball and stare down receivers, which is expected for a younger talent. His mental processing and understanding of the game is still largely ahead of his peers, which is encouraging. Under Gino Guidugli and Mike Denbrock, expect to see Grubbs take a massive leap forward in this area. Competitive Toughness: Solid (4) Grubbs displays a willingness to push the ball downfield vertically when he finds matchups he likes, and as a runner, he is not afraid to put his shoulder down to try to pick up a few extra yards or get across the goal line. One thing he needs to work on is when facing pressure, he tends to drift backwards in the pocket and throw off his back foot instead of stepping into his throw and absorbing the hit. This leaves the ball hanging in the air for too long, and at the next level will undoubtedly lead to interceptions against better athletes. Luckily for Grubbs, his aforementioned frame should allow him to absorb these hits quite easily, so for him, it will just be a matter of continuing to build that confidence in the pocket. Arm Strength: Good (5) Grubbs shows good velocity on shorter route concepts, and presents the zip to fit the ball into tight windows. Does lack top end arm strength which leads to some inconsistency with ball placement on his deep throws. Thankfully, arm strength is one of the easier quarterback traits for coaches to develop, so when all is said and done, Grubbs could very well possess the type of throwing power that will strike fear into defensive coordinators. Accuracy: Very Good (6) Grubbs is excellent in the short to intermediate game when it comes to ball placement. Has very good timing on out breaking routes and consistently hits receivers in stride, leading to major yards after catch opportunities. Referring back to arm strength, if he can continue to develop that, it will greatly improve his deep throw placement, which would turn accuracy into an ELITE trait for him, and this is something to be very excited about. Entering his high school Junior season in 2024, Noah Grubbs currently grades out as a 90 for me. He still has plenty of room to develop, both physically and with the mental aspects of playing the Quarterback position. He has a high ceiling as a pocket passer, and by the time he hits Notre Dame's campus in 2026, may possess the traits to make him another viable option in a talented QB room. Click to Join! - https://www.facebook.com/groups/legionoftheleprechaun

Entering his third campaign as Notre Dame head coach, expectations are high for Marcus Freeman. With an elite defense at his disposal and a veteran QB under center, can Freeman follow in the footsteps of many previous Irish head coaches who found championship success in Year 3? Nobody's perfect . It's an accepted mantra spoken after a human falls short of the unfair expectation of perfection. Directly following disappointment, some say its a method used to cope with failure. Mistakes. We all make them, but rarely are we ultimately judged by them. Criticized, yes. But judged? No. We are judged by what we learned from said mistakes, and the actions we took to fix them. As the head football coach at the University of Notre Dame, Marcus Freeman is met with the same expectations his predecessors were coarsely met with: A trophy hoisted in the middle of confetti. The glory of victory in collegiate sport's biggest stage. And even though it's been almost 40 years since Notre Dame has had a season end in ultimate triumph, anything else is considered failure. Year Three holds a keen amount of weight in the modern era of college football. It has become the perennial "show me year" for all programs that prioritize a winning culture. But that has always been true at Notre Dame. Frank Leahy, Ara Parseghian, Dan Devine, and Lou Holtz all won titles in their third seasons in South Bend. Following Lou Holtz, the third season for Notre Dame head coaches has been proven as a sign of things to come. Bob Davie went 5-7; Tyrone Willingham posted a 6-5 mark in the regular season only to have his contract terminated before the Irish's bowl game appearance against Oregon State (a game they lost, 38-21). Charlie Weis's third year was arguably the worst season posted in Notre Dame history, as his 2007 squad scraped and clawed to a 3-9 record. If not for facing a lousy Stanford team, a bad Duke squad at the end of the season, and a UCLA team they caught on a bad night, the Irish could have very well gone winless. Brian Kelly's lone national championship game appearance also came in his third year. As is hard to forget, the 2012 team was drubbed 42-14 by Alabama. It was an utter embarrassment where the Irish began a sorrowful, unavoidable trend of looking as if they forgot how to play the game of football, and usually in the moments that mattered most. From there, Kelly never made it back to the big stage. The program struggled in their playoff performances in 2018 versus Clemson, and again in 2020 against Alabama. Each time looking mentally unprepared. Coached not to lose. Thus, year three for Notre Dame's Marcus Freeman is met with a justified sense of anticipation. As we enter this pivotal season, we look forward with optimism, no doubt. But we would be remiss not to look back at Freeman's biggest public mistake thus far, and what he may, or may not, have learned from it going into the new season. As Brian Kelly abruptly surrendered his post at Notre Dame and departed for Baton Rouge, there was a frenzy of chaos surrounding a program that was previously thought of as one of the nation's most stable. As Freeman interviewed for the head coaching role, and began to emerge as the only right choice, there was a sense that Freeman heavily suggested that offensive coordinator Tommy Rees stay at Notre Dame. Less of a want, and more of a need. At the time, the move made a great deal of sense. Continuity is difficult to come by in the modern era of college football. Retaining Tommy Rees in the Gug was viewed as Freeman's first victory as a head coach for that reason. A brilliant offensive mind, it was easy to believe that Rees's best years were ahead of him, and that the Notre Dame faithful would be the ones that stood to benefit from said upside. Early on in the Freeman era, before his first full season in 2022, the move looked to have paid off. Harry Heistand came out of retirement to assist in Rees's offense as the offensive line coach, something that Heistand more than likely wouldn't have done for anyone else. Notre Dame could now build off of one of Freeman's main pillars of a successful program immediately. It was a statement hire that added to the fanfare that comes with the honeymoon that is year one. But then things got strange. At least from the outside looking in. The wide receiver coaching search was full-speed ahead. Names like Andrew Wiggins from Alabama, and Jamarcus Sheppard, began to emerge as leading candidates. Either would've been a clear upgrade from Del Alexander. Both in recruiting and development. Seemingly out of nowhere, the staff went in a different direction. Notre Dame elected to hire a first year position coach in Chansi Stuckey. As the situation unfolded, it was unclear who made the decision. That's not the kind of public debate you want to be having as a first year head coach. Not at a program like Notre Dame. And as time made it's ever-natural progression, whispers came out that Stuckey wasn't Freeman's first choice, and that he deferred to his trusted offensive coordinator to make the decision. There's no other way to describe it other than "odd". The leaks that were persistent in nature also gave off an energy that not everyone in the building was vested in Freeman's success. Whether or not that's true is beside the point. The perception was what it was, and there was no changing it. The puzzling move yielded results on the recruiting trail almost immediately, and the initial worries were quelled for the moment. But then the product on the field was met with disappointment. And Stuckey's unit was far from impressive. Notre Dame's offense looked as anemic as ever in the beginning of the season. With losses to Ohio State and Marshall breathing down Freeman's neck, it was clear something wasn't right on the offensive side of the ball. This was then followed by a less-than impressive performance in their win over California, where Rees was found screaming at quarterback Drew Pyne over the phone, stating "DO YOUR F*CKING JOB!!" It may have been the most entertaining part of the offense's performance in that three-week stretch, where they scored a mere 66 combined points, and posted 1-2 record. The ship was righted as the season progressed, but in no uncertain terms, things didn't go as planned during the 2022 season. At times, it looked like a complete dumpster fire on the offensive side of the ball. Rees appeared to have zero answers. There's no way to confirm, but there seemed to be some level of friction inside the building. A natural side-effect of losing. And yes, things got better. Enough to warrant Rees staying with the program. But that all changed. Rees was seemingly non-committal even before the 2022 season. There were persistent rumors about his desire to coach in the NFL, so much so that Freeman even publicly stated in a press-conference that he asked Rees "Do you really want to be here?" Rees finally answered that question in 2023 when he left for Alabama, and took ND's starting quarterback, Tyler Buchner, with him. This departure was made even worse by the retirement of offensive line coach Harry Heistand on Super Bowl Sunday. The Irish offense was forced to start from scratch almost immediately. These occurrences, followed by the infamous "Ludwig Fumble," where the Notre Dame back office publicly embarrassed itself by missing key elements in the Utah offensive coordinator's contract buy out, created horrible optics. It also left Freeman scrambling once again, forced to go with Gerad Parker, a first-time offensive coordinator. Yes, he was offensive coordinator, but in name only, at West Virginia. This experiment led to woeful performances versus the best of competition, yet again showing Notre Dame's offense was not capable of performing on the big stage. It could've been much, much worse, but the result wasn't enough for anyone to be encouraged that it would get meaningfully better in 2024. This also meant that Stuckey was retained. That turned out to be an unmitigated disaster as well. And while there is debate regarding whether or not Stuckey was used as a scape goat for offensive troubles, some of the reports coming from the building are difficult to turn a blind eye to. All of these developments bring us to now. While this may be skepticism, one could make the argument that if Freeman trusted his instinct and had no history with Tommy Rees, he probably would've hired Mike Denbrock as his offensive coordinator, and Mike Brown as his receiver's coach, right out of the gate his first year in charge. One can't be blamed for believing this is the case. The respective hires were made so quickly this year, that it was obvious Freeman had his candidates in mind for quite some time. We have learned that Freeman is going to hire people he's had history with, much like his predecessor. But the difference is Freeman is hiring coaches close to him that come with a proven pedigree. So we find ourselves right where we may have very well been in 2022, but in a round about way. Freeman has seemed to get a much-needed grip on the public narrative. He has coaches around him he can fully trust, and ones that match his coaching style. We all learned a lot during this time period. No one learned more, or had a closer view to it all, than Marcus Freeman. And since he can't say it, I'll say it for him: hiring Tommy Rees was the biggest mistake Freeman has made in his time at Notre Dame. His hires since have proven that he's learned his lesson faster than Kelly ever could. That could make the difference of being a meme passed around in group chats like Brian Kelly, and having a statue outside of a stadium when your tenure is all said and done. Click to Join! - https://www.facebook.com/groups/legionoftheleprechaun

In Marcus Freeman's first season as head coach at Notre Dame, home losses to Marshall and Stanford plagued what was a rather successful opening campaign, while road games at Louisville and Clemson hurt him the following season. Now entering his third year at the helm, which under-the-radar games must Freeman avoid taking an "L" in this time around? Photo by The Irish Tribune Marcus Freeman's maturity over the past two seasons as Notre Dame's head coach has grown significantly. Initially hailed as a morale-boosting hire in December 2021, Freeman's inexperience as a head coach showed early. In his first bowl game against Oklahoma State, the Irish blew a 21-point lead. The next year, ND's season opener at Ohio State reflected a cautious approach, prioritizing the "safe play" rather than winning, even though the Irish held the halftime lead. Then to compound measures, a loss at the hands of Marshall in the home opener the following week further raised doubts about Freeman's capabilities as a head coach. And, even as he grew more comfortable in the role over the past two years, signs of inexperience persisted. In year two of the Freeman campaign, the former Ohio State standout struggled to prepare the Irish for road environments. The Irish barely escaped with a win at Duke, and lost at both Louisville and Clemson later in the season. Now, as he enters his third season as sideline boss, Freeman must escape the trap games that have derailed his first two go-arounds in South Bend. at Purdue Date: Sep 14 Kickoff Time: 3:30 PM ET Previous Weeks Opponent: Northern Illinois Following Weeks Opponent: Miami (OH) Opponent X-Factor: QB Hudson Card The first game that appears to be a trap comes Week 3 at Purdue. While the Irish will be accustomed to rowdy environments after an opening game at College Station, this intrastate rivalry will be harder than it appears. The Boilermakers are coming off a lackluster 4-8 season, but return starting quarterback Hudson Card, as well as starting tailback Devin Mockobee. Card has shown the potential to be a talented starting quarterback after transferring to West Lafayette after one season with the Texas Longhorns. The last time the Irish traveled to Purdue they narrowly escaped despite entering as a three-touchdown favorite. This year's contest will be in a raucous environment, and with Notre Dame's road struggles last season, coach Freeman will have the opportunity to iron out any away game missteps with this short in-state trip. Georgia Tech (in Atlanta) Date: Oct 19 Kickoff Time: TBD Previous Weeks Opponent: Stanford Following Weeks Opponent: Navy Opponent X-Factor(s): QB Haynes King & RB Jamal Haynes The next game that could pose a potential threat is one that most fans are quietly overlooking: Georgia Tech in Atlanta. While this isn't a true away game, playing in Mercedes Benz Stadium makes this game a bigger occasion within itself. It remains to be seen, however, if this type of environment will benefit or hinder the performance level of the Fighting Irish. Georgia Tech is coming off a bowl win last year against a good UCF team; they also played better than their record indicated throughout the season. The Yellow Jackets are return their starting quarterback and running back in Haynes King and Jamal Haynes, respectively. Both are extremely talented players, as King threw for 2,842 yards last season, while Haynes rushed for 1,059 of his own. This 1-2 punch is one of the best the Fighting Irish defense will see all year. With the game being played in a NFL stadium against an explosive offense, the contest will be trickier than playing that 7-6 GT team from a year ago. Navy Date: Oct 26 Kickoff Time: 12:00 PM ET Previous Weeks Opponent: Georgia Tech Following Weeks Opponent: BYE (then Florida State) Opponent X-Factor: Offensive Scheme The last "trap game" for Freeman and the Irish comes immediately following their trip to Atlanta. Navy's triple-option offense is difficult to defend, but with the Midshipmen sitting in the middle of Notre Dame's schedule, the Irish don't have a lot of time to mentally prepare for the discipline needed to defend Navy, especially with a difficult game against Georgia Tech the week before. As such, the Fighting Irish could be behind the 8-ball when mentally prepping for the Midshipmen's attack. This game will also be in another NFL stadium, as the Fighting Irish will be heading to East Rutherford, N.J., to play in the Meadowlands, home of the New York Giants and New York Jets. One of the redeeming qualities about this game is that the Notre Dame has receives a BYE after facing Navy, which will allow them to prepare for a home date with Florida State on Nov. 9. Freeman did a great job handling Navy last year in Ireland; however, he had an entire summer to prepare his team for the triple option. In a mid-year game similar to the one played between the two longtime and respected rivals in 2022, Notre Dame will have to be firing on all cylinders to handle Navy. Click to Join! - https://www.facebook.com/groups/legionoftheleprechaun

With the news that starting left tackle Charles Jagusah will miss the duration of the season due to a torn pectoral muscle, how does o-line coach Joe Rudolph plan to fill the void left by the 6'7", 330-lb. lineman? Plus, despite seemingly being locked into all things Notre Dame, could the blue and gold really lose star QB commit Deuce Knight to the SEC? On this week’s show, we take a look at Notre Dame’s week 3 & 4 opponents, Purdue and Miami (OH). Plus, the rumors circulating around the potential de-commitment of Irish quarterback commit Deuce Knight are as loud as they’ve been. Could the soon-to-be five-star talent really rescind his partnership with Notre Dame? We’re talking all this, plus the devastating injury news surrounding starting left tackle Charles Jagusah, and much more. Don’t miss it! Listen on Spotify Listen on Apple Podcasts First and Gold Twitter The Irish Tribune: Shows