Written by Owen O'Connor ⏐ Writer ⏐ Twitter/X: @Ocon54 Photo by The Irish Tribune After reviewing our All-Time quarterback rankings, it's time to go more in-depth on the Fighting Irish signal callers who have been recruited in what used to be an unfamiliar fashion. In the last few seasons, transferring has become a more popular move amongst college football players due to more lenient eligibility rules set in place by the NCAA. This trend is one players have happily welcomed, as it brings more opportunities for playing time, or a fresh start to those who feel they need one. The revamped NCAA Transfer Portal, as well as NIL contracts, have also been a factor in the decision to transfer for a lot of young athletes. When tasked with finding the best opportunity for themselves, players can now field offers from another respected NCAA program with the hopes of finding the field, or a scheme more suited to their strengths. In the past few seasons, the Notre Dame Fighting Irish adopted this approach with the hopes of finding a veteran signal-caller to lead them to the promised land. Although their hopes of a national championship have fallen short with these moves, there have still been some talented quarterbacks who have passed through South Bend by way of the portal. Recent starting quarterbacks such as Sam Hartman and Jack Coan have left a positive impact on the program with the weight of very high expectations. Let's look at how these players fared comparatively, and what the staff has done differently to set Riley Leonard up for success. Jack Coan  (2021) 2021 Stats:  11-2 record, 3,150 passing yards, 25 TDs, 7 INTs Coan transferred to Notre Dame by way of the University of Wisconsin in January 2021, seeking a fresh start after an injury sidelined him during his final season with the Badgers. His arrival was timely for the Fighting Irish, who required an experienced quarterback following the departure of Ian Book to the NFL. Coan was a highly talented QB at Wisconsin who could never find his groove, but Notre Dame knew he had the skills to bring the offense to the next level in the passing game. The former Wisconsin Badger brought a stronger arm than Ian Book, which allowed for more explosive plays offensively. Coan's debut game against Florida State was a standout, where he threw for 366 yards and four touchdowns, helping Notre Dame secure a thrilling overtime victory. His performance earned him national recognition and set the tone for the rest season. Throughout the year, Coan continued to exceed expectations. Many Fighting Irish fans and national reporters were concerned with Coan due to his injury history and partial struggles in his previous collegiate years. Many did not count on the program to live up to the standard of Notre Dame football in 2021. Luckily, with the help of Coan's big arm, the offense found a rhythm that was able to secure victories. An impressive 11-1 record was thanks to Coan and his fantastic leadership on the field, showing that a transfer portal Quarterback can come in and compete immediately. This sparked the viability of seeking out such an asset for the Irish in the future. Coan's success proved that leaning on experience in the transfer portal could yield favorable results, and it wouldn't be long before Notre Dame would attempt to replicate that result, only with a much bigger name. Sam Hartman (2023) 2023 Stats: 9-3 record, 2,689 passing yards, 24 TDs, 8 INTs After a prolific career, and bringing Wake Forest back to national attention in 2022, Sam Hartman was ready to face a new challenge before heading to the NFL. In addition to holding the records for career passing attempts, completions, yards, and touchdowns, Hartman left Wake Forest with the second-highest passing yards overall (12,967) and touchdown passes (110) in conference history. His total passing yards also rank in the top 20 in FBS history. When faced with the decision to head to the professional level, or try his luck in greener pastures, Hartman chose the Fighting Irish. Along with the opportunity to compete on a much bigger stage, this was a chance for Hartman to prove to NFL scouts he could exist outside of a slow mesh offense, which was the biggest knock on his resume. The expectations were very high for Hartman and Head Coach Marcus Freeman, who had arguably his best roster yet in 2023. Hartman started all 12 regular season games for Notre Dame in a very competitive schedule. Despite the backlash he received from some fans, Hartman finished with a very impressive stat line, as well as only losing 3 games in his Notre Dame career. One of those games was against the Ohio State Buckeyes in an absolute nailbiter, which was difficult to put on Hartman or any one specific player. Hartman managed to achieve the title of 4th most passing TDs in FBS history after the conclusion of his 2023 season. Notre Dame managed to find a Quarterback who had more experience than almost anyone in the NCAA, and is a recruiting move that still paid dividends despite the lack of national success. Although Notre Dame did not earn a spot in the College Football Playoffs, Sam Hartman was still likely the best move Notre Dame could have made last offseason. Hartman had his ups and downs, but objectively speaking, he was not solely responsible for the offensive woes that Notre Dame experienced in 2023. New offensive coordinator, Gerad Parker, seemed to have his hands full at times in a role that was unfamiliar to him. On top of an inexperienced play caller, the Notre Dame wide receiving core had trouble gaining meaningful separation in the majority of big games during the season. As luck would have it, Marcus Freeman would address both of these issues before bringing in a third transfer quarterback for the 2024 season. Riley Leonard  (2024) 2022 Stats at Duke University:  9-4 record, 2,967 passing yards, 20 TDs, 6 INTs 124 ATT, 699 yards (5.6 YPC), 13 TDs Leonard transferred to the University of Notre Dame after a tumultuous career as a Duke Blue Devil. Before we dive into his very impressive 2022 season, it's important to note that he suffered an injury during 2023 which caused him to be sidelined for the better part of the year. This unfortunate turn of events took place against the Fighting Irish in last year's matchup. In his last full season as a starting Quarterback, he managed to put Duke back into the college football spotlight thanks to his play. In his first year as a collegiate starter, Leonard showcased his ability to be a dual-threat signal caller who can elevate an offense immediately. With experience, many analysts named the sophomore as a quarterback to watch for the upcoming NFL Draft. After a rocky start due to injuries, Leonard was never able to build off of his success in 2023. Now, he looks for a chance to compete on a larger stage and earn back the respect he was destined to have. Only this time, the staff has afforded Leonard with one of the best OC's in all of college football, and a completely revamped group of wide receivers. At this point, it's probably safe to say Notre Dame values experience when it comes to the most important position in all of sports. Although they haven't quite been able to get over the hump with these acquisitions, it's certainly proven to be the "safe" move in retrospect, as Coan and Hartman have both put up respectable numbers in their lone seasons as Notre Dame quarterbacks. The poise of these individuals led to some key victories (FSU for Coan, Duke for Hartman) that would have otherwise been lost if not for their stellar play and calm demeanors. Leonard will look elevate what was thought to have been possible, as he brings along with him a dual-threat ability and one of the best offensive minds in the sport. If Marcus Freeman can continue to bring in experience while talent develops, while simultaneously elevating other position groups and the coaching staff, there are no heights that the Irish can't reach. This will likely be the last year of interim quarterback play should the development of some extremely talented underclassmen come to fruition. It's up to Riley Leonard to end the era with a bang. 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• Notre Dame Hockey Head Coach Jeff Jackson will coach his final season in 2024/2025 • Reigns will be handed to associate head coach Brock Sheahan starting spring of 2025 Photo by: Notre Dame Athletics Longtime Notre Dame Hockey HC Jeff Jackson will coach his final season in 2024/2025 before stepping down, with Brock Sheahan replacing Jackson in 2025. Jeff Jackson has been the head coach of Notre Dame Hockey for the past 19 seasons, he will coach his 20th and final season for the Irish in 2024 before stepping down and handing the reigns to associate head coach Brock Sheahan after the 2024/2025 season. Jackson is responsible for 8 conference titles, 4 frozen four trips, and 2 national championship appearances. Notre Dame made the NCAA tournament 12 times under Jackson, finishing with over 400+ wins. Brock Sheahan was a part of coach Jackson’s original Notre Dame team as a defenseman and helped lead Notre Dame to a frozen four and national title appearance during the 2007/2008 season. Sheahan later joined the coaching staff as Associate Head Coach ahead of the 2023/2024 season before previously being the head coach of the Chicago Steel in the USHL, posting a 100-27-12-3 record, he also served as HC of the Chicago Wolves in the AHL. Sheahan was additionally a volunteer assistant coach for Notre Dame for the 2013/2014 season. Here is the full press release from The University of Notre Dame/Notre Dame Athletics: "SOUTH BEND, IN – A pioneer in the world of amateur hockey and a mainstay behind the Irish bench for nearly two decades, the University of Notre Dame’s Catalino Family Head Hockey Coach Jeff Jackson has announced his plans to step down at the conclusion of the 2024-25 season. During his tenure leading the Irish, Jackson made the Irish a perennial powerhouse and will enter next season as the winningest active coach in Division I men’s ice hockey. “I have decided that this coming season, my 20th at Notre Dame, will be my last,” Jackson stated Monday. “I plan to celebrate my final year at Notre Dame by doing what I love. I get to fully embrace coaching this great game at this incredible university, surrounded by a fantastic staff and good friends, for one more season. Most importantly, I feel privileged to work with some incredible student-athletes pursuing their dreams.”  “I’ve been honored to be able to work with and get to know Jeff (Jackson) during my first year at Notre Dame,” said University Vice President and James E. Rohr Director of Athletics Pete Bevacqua. “His knowledge of the game and love of Notre Dame have taken our hockey program to unprecedented heights over the past two decades. I look forward to supporting Jeff and the entire hockey program as they work to bring great success to South Bend next season.” Current Notre Dame Associate Head Coach and former Golden Domer, Brock Sheahan ‘08 will succeed Jackson as the next head coach of the Irish upon completion of the 2024-25 season, becoming the fifth coach in program history. The 2024-25 season will mark year 20 behind the Irish bench for Jackson, who elevated Notre Dame hockey to the national stage including four trips to the Frozen Four, two national championship game appearances and eight conference titles. During his time as the head coach of the Irish, his teams have made 12 NCAA Tournament appearances while competing in three different conferences and earning over 400 wins. Since taking over the program in 2005-06, nine individuals have been named All-American while 28 alumni have made their NHL debuts. A two-time Spencer Penrose Award winner during his career at Notre Dame, presented annually to the top Division I men’s ice hockey coach, Jackson was also named CCHA Coach of the Year twice with the Irish to add to his 1990-91 honor while the head coach at Lake Superior State. Prior to Jackson’s arrival on campus in 2005, the Irish had managed just one NCAA Tournament appearance in program history (2004). Since then, the Irish have become synonymous with success on the ice and have made two national championship game appearances, four trips to the Frozen Four, and landed 12 NCAA Tournament berths. At Notre Dame Jackson has coached nine All-Americans, four Academic All-Americans, three Hobey Baker Finalists, two Mike Richter Finalists, two Senior CLASS award winners and five finalists, two Hockey Humanitarian Finalists and the Hockey Commissioners’ Association Rookie of the Year in 2010-11. On the conference level, he has seen two Player of the Year Award recipients, four Goaltenders of the Year and numerous all-conference selections. In 19 seasons behind an Irish bench, Jackson has amassed a record of 407-264-73 and is the only head coach in program history to surpass 400 wins with the team. His tenure includes 12 trips to the NCAA postseason, five conference tournament championships and various national and conference awards. Most recently he reached his milestone 400th win with the Irish, coming in a 6-1 win over storied rival Michigan on home ice. Throughout his tenure, Jackson has brought the Irish to new heights including a record 12 NCAA Tournaments and its first-ever Frozen Four in just his third season behind the bench. Raising the CCHA Tournament Championship trophy in year two with the Irish, he has gone on to lead the Irish to eight conference championships and was twice named the Spencer Penrose Award winner, presented annually to the National Coach of the Year (2006-07 and 2017-18).  With an all-time Division I record of 589-316-98 at the end of last season, Jackson ranked as the winningest coach among all active coaches at the DI men’s ice hockey level. This past season he eclipsed 1,000 Division I games coached as the Irish rolled to a convincing 6-1 victory over Minnesota to mark the occasion. Jackson began his coaching career in St. Clair, Michigan, where he served as head coach of the St. Clair Falcons of the North American Hockey League, a junior league focused on developing players for the collegiate and professional levels. He spent two years in St. Clair before moving to the state’s Upper Peninsula as an assistant coach at Lake Superior State University under then-head coach Frank Anzalone. Jackson spent four seasons as an assistant coach for the Lakers before being elevated to head coach for the 1990-91 season. In six seasons behind the bench in Sault Ste. Marie, Jackson’s teams won two NCAA titles in 1992 and 1994 while advancing to the finals in 1993, two CCHA regular season championships and four CCHA Mason Cup trophies as conference tournament champions.  After 10 years with the Lakers between assistant and head coach roles, and three national titles in that span, Jackson left college hockey to start a youth development program for USA Hockey. In 1996 Jackson was named the national coach and senior director of the junior national team and went on to found the U.S. National Team Development Program. In his first year putting the program in place, he served as the head coach for the United States Junior National Team that captured a silver medal at the 1997 World Junior Championships. The following year he served as an assistant coach for Team USA at the 1998 Winter Olympics in Nagano, Japan. Jackson served as the director and coach of the NTDP for four seasons before entering the professional hockey realm. In 2000 he left the U.S. program and took over as head coach of the Guelph Storm in the Ontario Hockey League where he quickly turned the program around with a pair of winning records. In just over two full seasons with the Storm, Jackson posted an 87-67-24-4 record before accepting the role of assistant coach of the New York Islanders of the National Hockey League prior to returning to the collegiate ranks as the head coach at Notre Dame in 2005. Sheahan was a member of Jackson’s original Irish team and helped lead the team to its first ever berth in the Frozen Four championship game as a senior defenseman in 2007-08. As a student-athlete at Notre Dame, Sheahan graduated with a degree in finance and served as alternate captain during his final season with the Blue and Gold.  “I could not be more excited to have Brock step in as our Catalino Family Head Hockey Coach,” Bevacqua said. “Brock has shown at every stop in his hockey journey, including his time here as a student-athlete, to be an innovative tactician who is always one step ahead of the curve. This next year will be a great opportunity for him to continue learning from Jeff (Jackson), while preparing to take the helm full time in 2025.” Sheahan returned to the Irish as Associate Head Coach prior to the 2023-24 season and was instrumental in the development of the young roster. His emphasis on player development in his first season in a full-time coaching capacity at Notre Dame led five graduates to sign professional deals, including a pair of NHL signees in Landon Slaggert (Chicago) and Drew Bavaro (Boston). “The opportunity to lead the Notre Dame Hockey program is a dream come true for me and my family,” Sheahan said. “I will be forever grateful to Father Bob Dowd, John Veihmeyer, Jack Brennan, Pete Bevacqua, and the University of Notre Dame for this responsibility.  “I am motivated to lead the program forward, with the intention of winning conference and national championships, while developing our student-athletes to the highest level, as both people and hockey players. The mentorship, influence, and friendship from Jeff Jackson, Paul Pooley, and Andy Slaggert has made me into the person and coach I am today. I am especially thankful for the support of Coach Jackson and all the guidance he has provided me over the years. He has made Notre Dame hockey what it is today and I am excited to work with him this season to achieve our goal of bringing Notre Dame Hockey its first national championship.” His return to the Irish program a season ago came after a stint as the head coach of the Chicago Wolves (American Hockey League). In one season with the Wolves he led his team to a 35-29-5 regular season record. Prior to his time with the Wolves, he spent four years with the Chicago Steel of the United States Hockey League, a junior level program developing the next generation of hockey talent. There, he was a key component in the development of 28 NHL Draftees, including four first-round selections and collegiate hockey stars. During his tenure with the Steel, Sheahan’s teams won two Anderson Cups, awarded to the league’s regular season champions as well as capturing the 2021 Clark Cup championship. After assuming the role of head coach partway through the 2019-20 season, Sheahan posted a 100-27-12-3regular season record in the USHL and added an 8-3 record in the Clark Cup Playoffs. Sheahan returned to the collegiate ranks last season, having previously served four seasons as an assistant/associate head coach at Holy Cross following a year as a volunteer assistant coach with the Irish in 2013-14.   A defenseman for the Irish from 2004-08, Sheahan skated three seasons under Jackson. Throughout his collegiate career he appeared in 161 games and tallied 33 points. He served as alternate captain his senior year and was named the team’s top defenseman in 2007-08 after helping his team to their first ever NCAA championship appearance.   Sheahan and his wife Ashley have two children, Beau and Evelyn. “I am excited about the present and the future of Notre Dame Hockey,” Jackson added. “Brock is a true Notre Dame man and a fantastic coach. He will do incredible things here. For now, the focus is on preparing for a great 2024-25 season.” End of press release - Via Notre Dame Athletics Click Here to Join! - https://www.facebook.com/groups/legionoftheleprechaun

By: Nick Kremer⏐Editor⏐Twitter: @NickKremerIT ⏐Profile: @NickKremer In this week's episode, Nick and Pete discuss the latest news out of Notre Dame. How are the injured Irish players progressing and will they be ready for Fall Camp? With two big official visit weekends wrapped up, where do the Irish stand with some of their top remaining 2025 targets? We dive into it and much more. Be sure to subscribe, rate, and review! Listen on Apple Podcasts Listen on Spotify First and Gold Twitter The Irish Tribune: Shows

Written by Brenden Duffy ⏐ Writer ⏐ Photo by Notre Dame Athletics Following an overall disappointing season, Coach Micah Shrewsberry and the Irish had a rather quiet impact on the transfer portal. Perhaps the most important news this offseason came when reigning ACC Freshman of the Year, Markus Burton, announced he will be back  for another season. Despite the loss of Carey Booth, Shrewsberry added enough talent and experience to balance out the roster via recruiting and the portal. Let’s look at how the Irish fared in this transfer portal season: Losses As noted earlier, the biggest loss by the Irish during the portal was former 4-star Carey Booth. Originally, after Coach Shrewsberry’s departure from Penn State, Booth flipped his commitment to Notre Dame in May 2023. Last season, the freshman forward made 19 starts, averaging about 20 minutes per game in 33 appearances. Booth would finish the season averaging 6.4 points and 4.3 rebounds per game. The 6'10", 203-pounder showed flashes defensively but clearly lacked the shooting touch to be effective offensively. Booth entered the portal on April 1st, retaining 4-star status as a top 100 transfer. He would ultimately commit to the University of Illinois just two weeks later. Another notable departure was 6'9" 243-pound forward Matt Zona. Coming out of high school, Zona was rated as a 3-star center from New Jersey. Just two days after taking an official visit to South Bend in September 2019, Zona committed to Notre Dame. Although he did not see the court much, Zona is a true Notre Dame lifer as he stayed true for four years. In 76 games played, Zona averaged about 2 points and 2 rebounds per game. On April 16, the graduate transfer announced he would be taking his talents to Fordham University . While furthering his education, Zona will look to bring his big-game experience to a smaller environment. The final pending departure is that of graduate transfer Alex Wade. Wade announced his transfer intentions after three seasons in a reserve guard role for the Irish. Wade made 13 appearances in his time with the Irish. Additions Matt Alloco The first addition via the portal came early on April 17 when Princeton graduate transfer, Matt Allocco, committed to the Irish. Coming out of high school, Allocco committed to Princeton as an unranked guard in June 2019.  After not playing much his freshman and sophomore seasons, Allocco finally made an impact as a key piece on the Sweet 16 Tigers squad in 2022-2023. As a junior on the Cinderella team, Allocco started all 32 games primarily as the shooting guard. He finished that season averaging 10.7 points, 4.8 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 0.8 steals per game while leading the Ivy League in total minutes played (1,055). Allocco shot the ball impressively all season, boasting a nice 45% from the field and 38% from three. He was named All-Ivy 2nd Team for his performance.  This past season, Allocco had another solid year as a senior at Princeton. He was again named All-Ivy 2nd Team after averaging 12.7 points, 3.3 assists, and 2.9 rebounds per game. Allocco shot the lights out and joined the exclusive 50-40-90 club, shooting 50.8% from the field, 42.7% from three, and 90.9% from the free throw line. He also held an offensive rating of 129.8, the best in the Ivy League this past season.  Allocco officially entered the transfer portal on March 21 and had multiple suitors, most notably Ohio State. Allocco committed to the Irish less than a month later. Coach Shrewsberry commented, “He is a proven winner who comes from a Notre Dame family…Matt has a tremendous basketball IQ…he is an elite shooter…and we have great expectations for what he will bring us on the court as a player and off the floor as a leader.”   Allocco stated, “I grew up a Notre Dame fan so I’ve dreamed of representing this university since I was a young kid.” Matt’s father, Frank Alloco, played both football and basketball for Notre Dame in the 1970s. He is now the head basketball coach at the University of San Francisco.  Every team needs good shooters in today’s game so the addition of Matt Allocco is one that could pay nice dividends by the time the season rolls around. In addition, his March Madness experience will be valued on this younger Irish squad. Expect Allocco to fit in nicely with the backcourt of Markus Burton and Braeden Shrewsberry. Nikita Konstantynovskyi The second addition of the portal was 6 '10 245-pound forward, Nikita Konstantynovskyi. Born and raised in Kyiv, Ukraine, Konstantynovskyi came to America in 2019 to pursue his basketball dreams. Konstantynovskyi spent his first two years in America attending Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College (NEO A&M), a junior college. His first season at NEO A&M went well as he averaged 8+ points and 7+ rebounds per game and he was named a top-100 JUCO player in the country.  Konstantynovskyi showed real growth the very next season. In 2020-21, he averaged 11+ points and 8 rebounds per game in 21 appearances. Konstantynovskyi’s 60.2% shooting from the field and his 44 blocked shots were both the 2nd-highest among JUCO players. After his sophomore year, Konstantynovskyi entered the transfer portal seeking a Division I opportunity. After receiving multiple offers from mid-major programs, Konstantynovskyi officially committed  to the University of Tulsa in April 2021. During the 2021-22 season, Konstantynovskyi appeared in 27 games totaling 9 starts. While averaging 8.6 minutes, Konstantynovskyi averaged 2 points on 52.8% shooting in addition to 2.7 rebounds per game. Unfortunately during the next season in 2022-23, Konstantynovskyi was limited to just two games due to injury. This would qualify him for an extra redshirt year. Following his injury-riddled year, Konstantynovskyi entered the transfer portal  in March 2023. Over a month later, Konstantynovskyi decided to leave the state of Oklahoma and attend Monmouth University in New Jersey. This past season at Monmouth, Konstantynovskyi finally got his touch back averaging 9.3 points and 8.1 rebounds per game. He appeared in 33 games, making 32 starts. Konstantynovskyi totaled 6 double-doubles including a 22 point, 20 board performance versus Stony Brook. From the field, Konstantynovskyi shot 52.6% while averaging 23.4 minutes per game. After one season at Monmouth, Konstantynovskyi entered the transfer portal on April 17. Some notable suitors in Konstantynovskyi’s recruitment included Ole Miss and Indiana. Less than a month after entering the portal and shortly after an official visit to South Bend, Konstantynovskyi committed to Notre Dame  on May 14. Konstantynovskyi stated, “I have made a good relationship with (Coach Shrewsberry)...Once it was all in place, I decided to go right away to Notre Dame. It’s a special place, it’s a good environment, all the coaches were awesome and that’s why I went toward Notre Dame.” Konstantynovskyi will look to contribute in his grad transfer season. If Shrewsberry maintains his “4 guard, 1 big” style of play, Konstantynovskyi will have a chance to be the “1 big.” His rebounding and finishing around the basket should be welcomed to a program that lacked both of these qualities last season. University of Oklahoma Assistant Coach and former Irish player, Ryan Humphrey, commented, “He’s skilled…He has good touch around the rim and knows how to use his body and angles.” If Konstantynovskyi improves on his 65.2% free throw shooting he could serve very well for the Irish. A note on Konstantynovskyi is he will NOT shoot the three, attempting (and missing) his lone attempt in three years of Division I basketball.  Burke Chebuhar The most recent and likely final addition via the portal this offseason is 6'8" 230 pound forward, Burke Chebuhar. The Georgia native chose to play at Division III Bowdoin College coming out of high school. After the Covid pandemic canceled Chebuhar’s freshman season, he decided to transfer and walk-on at Lehigh University. Chebuhar’s first two years at Lehigh started slow as he only appeared in 22 games, totaling just 40 minutes played.  This past season Chebuhar finally played a larger role making 22 starts in 32 appearances, averaging just under 23 minutes per game. He finished the season averaging 7.5 points on 46.2% shooting from the field in addition to 5 rebounds per game. Chebuhar notched 3 double-doubles and 3 games with 20+ points including a 22-point performance in a conference tournament win versus Lafayette. Chebuhar would enter the transfer portal as a graduate transfer following the season. On May 16, Chebuhar officially committed  to Notre Dame after visiting South Bend the same day as Nikita Konstantynovskyi. It will be interesting to see how far Chebuhar can climb the rotation but it should be expected he will play in a reserved role. Overall, he seems like a very solid player. His greatest strengths appear to be rebounding, perimeter defense, and interior offense. Chebuhar is also solid at the free throw line, shooting 76.7% last season. The biggest need for some improvement would be his three-point shooting. Last season, Chebuhar took 84 three-points attempts, compared to 87 two-pointers. This is notable because he is extremely better inside, averaging 59.8% from 2 compared to 32.1% from 3. Chebuhar is better suited to play down low, but if he can improve this aspect of his game he could be a real weapon for the Irish. In all, this was a fairly offsetting transfer portal period for the Irish. The loss of Carey Booth may sting but the addition of Konstantynovskyi and incoming freshman Sir Mohammed should offset this at the forward position. The addition of these three experienced grad transfers should serve the Irish well in March. Both Allocco and Konstantynovskyi are set to be key contributors on a team looking to rebound from a tough season. Click to Join! - https://www.facebook.com/groups/legionoftheleprechaun

This article is brought to you AD-FREE Photo by Notre Dame Athletics Notre Dame's wide receiver room has seen quite a bit of turnover since the end of last season. With the departures of Chris Tyree, Tobias Merriweather, Braylon James, and Rico Flores Jr., Notre Dame was desperate to retool the WR position that has left something to be desired in recent years. Along with the firing of WR coach Chansi Stuckey, the Notre Dame WR room appeared to be in a state of free-fall, as just a handful of scholarship receivers remained prior to the Sun Bowl. Now, just a few months away from the season, this group looks completely revamped and primed for a very productive and exciting year. Returnees Jayden Thomas - RS Jr. Redshirt junior Jayden Thomas is one of the longest tenured players in the WR room. His time in the program has been a bit sporadic at times, but a big 2024-25 season would be pivotal for Notre Dame's offense. Over the last two seasons, Thomas raked in 46 catches for 671 yards. He has always operated as a reliable set of hands for the Irish, and he will have to continue to be reliable for an offense introducing transfer quarterback, Riley Leonard. Though he sometimes lacks the speed to gain meaningful separation, his 6'-2", 218 lb frame has and can continue to be a useful asset for the offense. With new upper-class weapons on the outside, Thomas will have something to prove as he enters a pivotal year in his collegiate career. Jaden Greathouse - So. As a freshman, Greathouse showed flashes of stardom, even with a lower body injury that held him back during the latter half of the year. In his first season, he recorded 18 receptions for 265 yards, and proved to be a guy with a nose for the end zone, with a team-high five touchdowns. Throughout last season, he showed off his physical playstyle, sharp route running, and quick footwork, making him a hard player to guard due to his shifty abilities. The young receiver appears to have a ton of potential, and looks to have an even more productive sophomore year. With great physical tools and a year under his belt, Greathouse looks to set himself apart as one of the biggest weapons on this Notre Dame team. He will likely split time with another extremely talented slot receiver who we will discuss shortly. Jordan Faison - So. Faison is another young and talented player in this WR room with the production to back up the talent. He stands only at 5'-10", 179 lbs, but possesses great footwork and athleticism. He displayed these translational skills this offseason where he was a part of a National Championship winning lacrosse team, and in just a few short months, has garnered some serious national attention. With a depleted WR room, Faison took advantage of his opportunity and was named the Sun Bowl player of the game, giving fans a look into the future. Faison has all the tools to be a viable asset alongside Greathouse at the slot position, giving the Irish two elite options for the next two to three seasons. Deon Colzie - RS Jr. Colzie has been with the Irish since the 2021 season, yet is still looking for a consistent and productive year. Colzie has one of the more prototypical frames in the group, standing at 6'-4", but has not been able to find real production during his time at Notre Dame. In his three years on the roster, he has only amassed 16 receptions, totalling just three this past season. Colzie will provide solid depth on the outside, but it is yet to be seen if he can earn playing time on a consistent basis. If he does, Colzie could be a great change of pace WR with real size, and if he doesn't, he will provide the offense with experience coming off the bench. With loads of incoming talent, this truly feels like the season where Colzie will need to make a push if he hopes to be a key piece in this offense. KK Smith - RS Fr. KK Smith enters his second year at Notre Dame after redshirting his freshman year. Smith came into Notre Dame as a 3-star recruit from Reedy, Texas, expected to learn behind the upperclassmen. In high school, Smith showed his potential as a very explosive return man, with potential to add a much needed injection of speed to the room. He showcased some promise during the Blue-Gold game, where he caught three passes for just over 30 yards. Smith gives Notre Dame's offense more depth, but will likely benefit from another year of development before he's able to make more of a consistent impact. Newcomers Kris Mitchell - GR Sr. Mitchell is by far the most exciting new WR on the roster this upcoming season, and should have Notre Dame fans on the edge of their seats every time he catches the ball. Mitchell comes to Notre Dame after four years at Florida International University. This past season was his most productive year with 64 receptions for 1,118 yards and 7 touchdowns. This is incredible production to have on this offense, but it is his film that really jumps out. Unlike past seasons, Notre Dame is going to have a legitimate deep threat on the outside capable of making defenders miss with an incredible catch radius to boot. He is an explosive athlete, with good size at 6'-1". Mitchell will provide the Fighting Irish offense with ability to score on any play, which will surely make this offense fun to watch. Jayden Harrison - GR Sr. Speaking of speed, Marshall transfer Jayden Harrison has plenty of that. Harrison is an experienced WR who is at his third school after playing for Vanderbilt and Marshall. At both schools, he displayed his elite speed and impact as a special teams difference maker, ranking second in the FBS for kick return average. Though undersized at 5'-9", and in a crowded WR room, his impact on special teams is where he can really set himself apart. Harrison can easily be the reason Notre Dame keeps its tradition of impactful special teams play alive and well in 2024. Beaux Collins - GR Sr. Clemson transfer Beaux Collins comes to Notre Dame with the potential to be one of the offense's most reliable and go-to threats, especially in the red zone. As a senior, Collins brings in even more experience and proven production in the Irish's WR room. From 2021-24, Collins caught 91 passes for just over 1200 yards and found the end zone 11 times. He uses his long, 6'-3" frame to be a dangerous weapon on the outside, and a big target near the end zone, especially as a jump ball target. Collins, along with Thomas and Colzie, will provide enough size to give 50-50 balls some merit this season. Cam Williams - Fr. The 4-Star freshman is one of the highest rated receivers Notre Dame has landed in a while. At 6'-2", Williams offers a special blend of size and athleticism, which gives him the ability to go get the football and separate from the defense, making him lethal with and without the ball in his hands. Although he might not see a ton of playing time in this crowded room with a lot of experienced players, Williams is sure to have a huge impact on the Notre Dame offense in the coming years, if not this year should any injury concerns arise. Micah Gilbert - Fr. Gilbert arrives to Notre Dame as a consensus 4-star recruit, bringing a lot of speed and hype with him. The Charlotte product not only has incredible speed that really shows up on film, he also has great size to pair with it, standing at 6'-2". Gilbert has been outrunning tacklers and making players miss his entire high school career, and has been turning heads all throughout spring and summer. It wouldn't be surprising to see Gilbert crack the starting lineup given the production we've seen from him thus far, as he has easily been the best receiving threat out of the freshmen since his arrival on campus. Logan Saldate - Fr. Notre Dames brings in another talented 4-star WR, Logan Saldate, whose skills perfectly compliment the other freshmen in this group. Saldate offers a different set of skills compared to Williams' and Gilbert's size and speed. Saldate projects to be more of a slot receiver with his smooth route running, good hands, and fast feet. This, along with his smaller 5'-11" frame, gives Notre Dame an elusive target in the slot who has the ability to make contested catches in the middle of the field. He'll likely spend his freshman season learning under some of Notre Dame's finest route technicians in the slot. Looking into the future, Williams, Gilbert, and Saldate have all the potential and skills to lead the WR room, especially when they all fill the needs of an offense in their own unique way. Overall, this Notre Dame WR group seems to have more than enough talent. It has all the right amount of size, speed, route running, potential, and experience, something that Notre hasn't always had. This, along with Riley Leonard and new offensive coordinator, Mike Denbrock, Notre Dame's offense will certainly have a different feel to it. You can tell that the coaching staff made a major emphasis to fill this room with size and speed. It will be interesting to see how Denbrock uses all of these weapons, but an experienced play-caller like himself will surely have methods to open up this offense. Click Here to Join! - https://www.facebook.com/groups/legionoftheleprechaun

Written by Liam Farrell｜Senior Staff Writer｜Twitter/X: @LiamFarrell_IT Photo via The Irish Tribune Ever since Marcus Freeman arrived in South Bend, he has continued to build on a strong defensive culture instituted by Mike Elko and Clark Lea. Yet, when Freeman got promoted to being Notre Dame's 32nd head coach in the program's history, his main mission was to find a defensive mastermind to take the Fighting Irish defense to new heights. His heir at the defensive coordinator position ultimately was Al Golden, who has cemented the Irish as one of the best defenses in the country. In 2023, the Irish ranked ninth in opponents points per game (17.0), seventh in opponent yards per game (288.0), and sixth in opponent yards per play (4.4). In this part offseason, Freeman and newly initiated athletic director Pete Bevacqua, made it their mission to keep coach Golden in South Bend. They did this by inking a four-year, $9 million deal to make him one of the highest-paid coordinators in college football. With Golden's extension and the promise of a successful 2024 campaign, many key defensive pieces opted against entering the NFL Draft and chose to return to campus. This included Nagurski Trophy winner Xavier Watts, the defensive tackle tandem of Howard Cross III and Rylie Mills, and veteran middle linebacker Jack Kiser. However, there are still some question marks in this projected top five ranked defense. Let's look at some of these issues here. Secondary Depth The biggest transfer portal need for Marcus Freeman and Al Golden was finding more viable options in the Notre Dame secondary. " There's still some depth in the backend of the defense that we can continue to finalize, " said Freeman in an interview with Greg McElroy. In the offseason, Notre Dame made a splash bringing in two experienced players in the secondary through the transfer portal. The first was Arizona State's Jordan Clark, who was the first transfer to commit to the Fighting Irish last winter, and the other was Northwestern's Rod Heard II, who had to finish classes at Northwestern this spring, so he did not participate in spring ball. Clark appears to be the plug-and-play solution for Thomas Harper leaving for the NFL Draft, as Heard offers a little more versatility on the back end. In a secondary room that already features two All-Americans in Watts and Benjamin Morrison, the pieces complementing them will be imperative. There is still a position battle as to who will be the cornerback opposite of Morrison. Both Christian Gray and Jaden Mickey have shown flashes of greatness throughout spring ball, and both are extremely good options, yet the battle will not be decided until the end of summer camp. Linebacker Inexperience As it pertains to the linebacker room, Notre Dame has stayed fairly consistent over the past three years. JD Bertrand, Marist Liufau, and Jack Kiser have been the primary figures manning the middle of the defense. However, with Liufau and Bertrand heading to the NFL, Notre Dame will finally get the opportunity to showcase new faces at the linebacker position. Some guys have already made their presence known like Jaylen Sneed and Drayk Bowen who have shined in limited opportunities last season. There is also freshman Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa who has the physical look of an All-American linebacker. Jaiden Ausberry is another player that adds a sideline-to-sideline speed that the Fighting Irish have been missing at the position since Jaylon Smith. However, with the opening week in an extremely rowdy environment in College Station, communication will be crucial. Jack Kiser's experience will be huge, yet it will be a true test as to how these inexperienced linebackers can keep up with SEC-caliber play. While Notre Dame's linebacking room may have a higher upside with these more athletic options, their youth may be exploited. Click to Join! - https://www.facebook.com/groups/legionoftheleprechaun

Written by Owen O'Connor ⏐ Writer ⏐ Twitter/X: @Ocon54 Photo by The Irish Tribune As we slowly approach the season, we revisit the topic of predicting the top playmakers for the Fighting Irish this year. After reviewing the offensive side of the ball in our last piece, it's time to view our top projected playmakers for the 2024 Fighting Irish defense. When viewing the 2024 schedule for the University of Notre Dame, it's easy to find many defensive-friendly opportunities to make plays for this team. The Fighting Irish are projected to have a weaker schedule than recent years, even while facing some tough opponents. This also brings high expectations for not only the team, but for some players ready to finally fill their role as the next star of the defense. Despite the predictions on Notre Dame's strength of schedule, there are still some very tough matchups that will test this team well before the potential College Football playoffs. The first tough battle Notre Dame will face is week 1 in College Station to take on Texas A&M at 7:30 PM on ABC. Not only is this the first test of the season for this program, but arguably the toughest. In a recent article, I discussed how Texas A&M LB, Taurean York, will most likely be a problem for the Notre Dame offense as they try to get the season started in a very loud environment. He will not be the only defender causing trouble on the field, as we expect these Notre Dame stars to answer the call week 1. Take a look at who we are projecting to be the biggest playmakers on the defensive side of the ball for the Fighting Irish this season: Benjamin Morrison - CB 2023 Stats:  31 TOT Tackles, 0 Sacks, 3 INTs Projected 2024 Stats:  38 TOT Tackles, 1 Sack, 7 INTs Benjamin Morrison is currently one of the most talented and experienced defensive players in the Notre Dame program if not the entire NCAA. When looking at his upcoming matchups this season, Morrison is ready to prove he is an NFL-caliber CB worthy of a first-round draft selection. Morrison has the blessing of facing a less competitive offensive slate compared to his previous seasons. Marvin Harrison Jr is one challenge that Morrison answered the call to last season. When the 2024 season starts, Morrison will have to be at the top of his game right away. In the highly anticipated Notre Dame vs. Texas A&M matchup, Morrison will most likely have to guard Aggies WR Evan Stewart. A young up-and-coming player for A&M who is expected to have a huge role this season. After seeing him make some tremendous plays on the biggest stage for the Irish, there should be no worries about Morrison's matchups this season. Expect him to show scouts why he belongs at the professional level. Xavier Watts - S 2023 Stats: 52 TOT Tackles, 0.5 Sacks, 7 INTs Projected 2024 Stats: 57 TOT Tackles, 1.5 Sacks, 5 INTs Along with Benjamin Morrison, Watts is another top defensive back that South Bend happily welcomed back. During his 2023 campaign, he collected a vast amount of hardware along with some impressive stats. Xavier Watts was honored with being named a Unanimous All-American, the Bronko Nagurski Award winner, & the Notre Dame Defensive Player of the Year. Watts standout statistic comes from his NCAA-leading 7 interceptions, averaging an impressive 0.5 INTs per game. 2 of these impressive turnovers were against 2024 #1 overall pick Caleb Williams. This game against USC was easily his most impressive in a Fighting Irish uniform. He also managed to collect 6 solo tackles, force a fumble, and return it for a Touchdown. As we look towards week 1, projected starting Texas A&M QB Connor Weigman collected 8 TDs and 0 INTs in his limited time last season. Watts' ballhawk ability against Weigman's limited turnover percentage will be a battle to watch. Thanks to his veteran experience against former elite quarterbacks & wide receivers, this schedule should have defensive players excited. Thanks to his amazing competitiveness and playmaking ability last season, there should be no backward steps taken for Watts. Howard Cross III - DT 2023 Stats:   66 TOT Tackles, 2 Sacks, 7 TFLs Projected 2024 Stats:  62 TOT Tackles, 3.5 Sacks, 9 TFLs One of the bigger Fighting Irish news stories immediately after the 2023 season was the commitment by Cross to stay for another shot at a national championship. Like Watts, Howard Cross was one of the very productive players who was predicted to enter the NFL Draft after a solid year. He managed to collect an impressive 66 tackles, doubling his total from the previous season. He also had an impressive 2 sacks and fumbles each for the defense. It seems that Cross is in line to be a main interior defensive starter for the Fighting Irish this year. Head Coach Marcus Freeman has officially seen the potential in Cross and is assumed to have influenced Cross's decision to stay. The decision shows that Cross not only trusts his head coach to give him the proper opportunities but also believes in Notre Dame's chances to compete for a national championship. If Cross ends up starting every game this season, expect him to rack up more sacks and forced fumbles for this defense. Click to Join! - https://www.facebook.com/groups/legionoftheleprechaun

Written by Jack McMillen ｜Writer｜Twitter/X: @jwmcmillen14 Photo by The Irish Tribune In recent years, Notre Dame has had elite talent at the safety position. Kyle Hamilton and Harrison Smith are two of Notre Dame's most prolific defensive backs in the NFL who have combined for seven Pro Bowls and two first team All-Pro selections. Julian Love, though he was an All-American cornerback at Notre Dame, has gone on to become a Pro Bowl safety as well. All that to say, we're used to seeing production at the highest level from safeties in Blue and Gold. The future holds no different, as the current state of the room possesses battle tested veterans and eager emerging talent. This offseason saw the departures of DJ Brown, Antonio Carter II, and Ramon Henderson. Brown had no remaining eligibility, while Carter II and Henderson entered the portal. It also saw Chris O'Leary, the safety coach for the last 5 years, head to the NFL to join Jim Harbaugh in Los Angeles. Xavier Watts is not only the longest-tenured Irish safety left on the roster, but also the most talented and decorated. Other than the addition of Rod Heard, this safety room is lacking in experience on the field, but is packed with raw potential while simultaneously possessing the best defensive player in college football last year. Rod Heard II - Grad Sr. This past offseason, Rod Heard II transferred from Northwestern, where he played as a Nickel DB. The sixth-year senior follows in the footsteps of Brandon Joseph, who also made the short trip from Northwestern to Notre Dame to play safety. Last season, Heard led the Wildcats' secondary in tackles with 85 on the season. He also forced two fumbles and had one interception. Heard's experience and adaptability opens up avenues for him to be featured in many different defensive looks, not unlike Thomas Harper's role this past season. Heard brings athleticism and versatility to the team, with experience playing all over the secondary, which is a considerable asset based on the talent surrounding him. Ben Minich - RS Fr. Ben Minich saw little playing time for the Irish last year, appearing in just three games. Due to his lack of play, Minich is a redshirt freshman this year, and will still have four more years of eligibility. The four-star recruit played both ways in high school for the Lakota West Firebirds as a safety and a receiver. He's been excelling in spring practices, but is still behind some bodies on the depth chart. Minich brings track speed, running a 10.47 100-meter dash in high school. Expect him to marinate for at least another season under the guidance of Mike Mickens, but if number 13 is called for whatever reason, he'll be chomping at the bit to make an impact. Luke Talich - So. Talich is heading into his sophomore season. He got reps in eight games last season, earning a consistent role on special teams. He finished last season with two total tackles. Like Minich, Talich has an uphill battle to climb in order to crack the depth chart on defense. At 6'4 210 lbs, Talich is the biggest safety on the roster. His size and athleticism give him a chance to compete for a backup role should he take strides in his development over the summer. Playing quarterback in his senior year of high school, Talich joins the club of multi-position, multi-sport talents. With the uncertainty of injuries always being an issue, Talich will serve as an important depth piece this season. Kennedy Urlacher - Fr. Son of the legendary NFL linebacker Brian Urlacher, Kennedy looks to pursue similar dreams as a newly-enrolled freshman at Notre Dame. Being a freshman, seeing Urlacher on the field often isn't necessarily expected. However, Minich and Talich both saw playing time as freshmen last season, and there's no reason to believe Kennedy Urlacher couldn't do the same. Urlacher chose the Irish over teams like the runner-up Washington Huskies and Big 10 powerhouse Penn State Nittany Lions. There's a lot to look forward to in the future from Urlacher. Adon Shuler - RS Fr. Adon Shuler got playing time in a handful of games this past season, mainly in mop-up duty. In games against Pitt, Wake Forest, and Oregon State, Shuler totaled 6 tackles. Shuler's playing time should increase exponentially this season, based on both his talent and necessity. He's expected to compete for the starting back safety spot, and has the potential to really burst onto the scene. Shuler was a composite four-star, and received offers from schools such as Alabama, Georgia, and Florida State. Shuler is a smart player with great speed and length. Though he isn't as big in size as Luke Talich, Shuler has a great frame, aiding his ability to be a very physical player. Be on the lookout for a breakout season from Adon Shuler. Xavier Watts - Grad Sr. The All-American, the Nagurski winner, and the "X-Factor" on this Notre Dame defense. Xavier Watts is the leader of this safety room. Watts led the nation in interceptions last year with 7, including 2 interceptions against USC's former Heisman Trophy winner and first overall pick in the NFL draft, Caleb Williams. Watts won the Bronko Nagurski award last year, the award for the nation's best defensive player. It'll be tough to improve on his performance from last year, but Watts is no stranger to challenges. He's worked through multiple position changes in his career at Notre Dame, bouncing back and forth between receiver and safety with a stint at linebacker as well. Though it would have been completely justifiable to declare for the draft, Watts came back for his final season of college football. Watts combines speed, hands, and pure athleticism which ultimately places him amongst the best returning players in the country regardless of position. He'll undoubtedly be the leader of this secondary with his seniority and skill. The young guys under him will have the perfect example to follow by getting to watch and compete with him for another year. Watts is primed to have another excellent season this year. Overall, there are many uncertainties at the safety position this year for the Irish, however, the recruiting work that Freeman and Mickens have put in raises the floor for the talent in this room. There are a lot of guys that haven't played much that are going to have to step up, but with Mike Micken at the helm, the transition for a lot of these young players might be easier than a lot of people believe. Lots of guys are eager to earn their spot, and it's wide open for them. This season will be a fun one for another incredibly talented secondary. Click to Join! - https://www.facebook.com/groups/legionoftheleprechaun

Written by Mike Stacey ｜Writer｜Twitter/X: @MikeStaceyIT, IG: @MikeStaceyIT Photo by Notre Dame Athletics Notre Dame is going to have some big shoes to fill this year, literally and figuratively. Losing Joe Alt and Blake Fisher can't be understated from a production standpoint, however, the Irish are not short on talented options to replace these great players. The question is, who will be the guy(s) who become the next great Notre Dame linemen? Will the new faces live up to the hype set by their predecessors, or will we be looking at a down/rebuilding year? Lets take a look at each position, who I think will be the starter, what kind of production I will expect from them this year, and whether or not it will be an upgrade or downgrade compared to last season. Let's dive in! Center: Ashton Craig This one didn't take much thought. Ashton took over as the starting center for the final three games of the season, including the Sun Bowl where he earned All Bowl Team Honors. Simply put, the 6-4, 308 lb RS Sophomore took the reigns and never looked back. I expect him to take a step forward this year and be a dominant Center. Ashton came to Notre Dame with a college-ready frame, and looks eager to take that next step. He is athletic, explosive, and by all accounts has a great work ethic. The next hurdle for him will be continuing to be able to read Defenses and be the captain on this line. I fully expect him to embrace that role, and as he develops trust and continuity with his fellow lineman, absolutely dominate the Center position. Upgrade/Downgrade: UPGRADE Left Guard: Rocco Spindler If the season started today my prediction for Left Guard would be Pat Coogan. Pat was the starter last year, and he more than likely has the inside track on the starting position going into this season. However, I think Rocco has more upside and my prediction is he will surpass Coogan come fall. The RS Junior stands at 6-5 325lbs, and came to Notre Dame as a top 100 recruit according to the 247 Sports Composite rankings. Spindler has yet to make the impact that was expected from him. Part of the issue has been staying healthy. Last year, he suffered a season ending knee injury against Clemson that stunted not only his season, but his overall development. This is going to be an obstacle that Rocco is going to need to overcome if he not only wants to crack the starting lineup, but also live up to his expectations. I for one think this will be the year he begins to take a massive leap forward by becoming a starter. I expect him to have some expected growing pains early in the season, and it would be nice to see him be more explosive at the point of impact and keep his feet moving forward. I think he is going to adjust and use his great strength to his advantage and become a valuable member of this offensive line. Upgrade/Downgrade: UPGRADE Right Guard: Billy Schrauth Much like Craig, Schrauth saw himself break into the starting lineup in the final three games of the season including the bowl game. Schrauth is another "big potential" type of guy, and the one who I believe is going to have the biggest breakout year on the offensive line. The RS Sophomore stands at 6'5, 306lbs. He gave us a glimpse of how special he could be last season, and this offseason it sounds like he has taken a step forward. I expect him to really flourish in his second season under Coach Rudolph's system, and will dominate defenders with his great hands and athleticism. I think Schrauth continues the proud Irish O-Line tradition and becomes another high Notre Dame draft pick once his time in South Bend is finished. Upgrade/Downgrade: UPGRADE Left Tackle: Charles Jagusah Charles came to Notre Dame as a top 50 recruit, and one of the most sought after lineman in the country. Last season, as a true freshman, Jagusah became the first Notre Dame player to start on the O-Line with that designation since the man he was replacing, Joe Alt. That is no coincidence either, as I truly expect Jagusah to follow in Alt's footsteps and be a BIG time player for the Irish. He had a rough start in his first series during the Bowl game, however, he showed great resilience and mental toughness, and ended up having a strong overall performance. I think with a full offseason where he can continue to develop and get 1st team reps, Charles is going to be a force to be reckoned with this season. Expect him to keep the blind side well kept and give Leonard plenty of confidence while he is in the pocket. 6-7, 329 lbs of pure FREAK athlete. This guy should have Irish fans extremely excited. Joe Alt may be gone, but the man who is replacing him should carry on the dominant Left Tackle tradition for the Irish. My only ask of fans is to give him some leeway while he settles in. He may be a great talent, but this will still be his first full season starting as a true Sophomore. Upgrade/Downgrade: DOWNGRADE (Who wouldn't be after Joe Alt?) Right Tackle: Tosh Baker This one was a little tough for me. Going into the season, I thought that Aamil Wagner might be the next starting Right Tackle, but as of now, I think Baker has the inside track and I don't predict him to lose it. Baker came into Notre Dame as a top 60 recruit but never quite found his footing. Now, as a Senior, he will get his chance. Standing at 6-8, 321 lbs, obviously Baker comes with great size which is ideal for the position. The hope here is he can tap into his raw ability and finally develop it the way he was expected to when he first arrived on campus. I do have some pause as far as high expectations, simply because he has yet to show us he can live up to his potential. I think Baker will struggle at times in pass protection, especially against speedy edge guys. For that reason, I think Baker may have some up and down games and may not be a lock to stay the starter throughout the season. I wouldn't be surprised if someone like Sullivan Absher, who has been having a great camp, ends up taking over for him at some point during the season. Only time will tell. Upgrade/Downgrade: DOWNGRADE I think this unit is going to be good for the Irish this year, and very solid moving forward. I do think overall, however, that they will take a step back compared to last season. At center, I think we will see an upgrade. I think the same can be said for Schrauth at Right Guard and Spindler at Left Guard. I predict we will see a drop off at both tackle positions, which is to be expected with tow of the best tackles in college football departing from the program. The good news is I think Notre Dame still has enough talent to be very good on the line. Couple that with the addition of Riley Leonard and OC Mike Denbrock, and you have enough weapons to help make up for some of the potential O-Line shortcomings compared to last year. I think overall, the offense will take a step forward as far as being consistent and effective against all opponents, not just the non-elite teams like we saw last year. Another factor that should benefit the O-line this season is it will be their second year in Rudolph's system. Continuity at the O-line position is not only critical player to player, but player to coach as well. Having another offseason to work on Rudolph's techniques and vision should only yield better individual results. Click to Join! - https://www.facebook.com/groups/legionoftheleprechaun

The Irish Tribune's Nick Kremer and Pete Mulroy discuss the Notre Dame Blue-Gold game. What did we learn about this Irish team? Also, we give out our superlative awards from the game like Offense/Defense MVP, best O/D Lineman, biggest surprises, and more. We also discuss the NFL Draft and give our thoughts one when and where the Irish players might be drafted. Finally, we take a look at Irish LAX as they head to Charlottesville for a big matchup with Virginia. Be sure to subscribe, rate, and review if you enjoy the show! Listen on Apple Listen on Spotify First and Gold Twitter The Irish Tribune: Shows

Written by Cade Harper ⏐ Writer ⏐ Twitter (X) : @ CadeHarperIT Photo via Noah Grubbs, X (@NoahGrubbsQB) Class of 2026 four-star Quarterback Noah Grubbs has officially committed to Notre Dame. We're going to look through Grubbs' strengths and perhaps some of his weaknesses as the ball keeps rolling for Marcus Freeman and company on the recruiting trail. Grubbs is currently ranked nationally as the 165th overall recruit, 11th ranked Quarterback, and 3rd overall recruit amongst Pro-Style Quarterbacks per Rivals, and 28th overall in the talent packed state of Florida, per 247 Sports. The 6'5 QB holds several offers from other big name schools such as the defending national champions, Michigan, as well as Ohio State, Florida, Colorado, and more. However, only some of these elite offers made it inside his Top 10, which he released in April before ultimately deciding on Notre Dame. Grubbs has visited the campus a few times in the past and has been in close contact with newly acquired Offensive Coordinator Mike Denbrock, Quarterbacks Coach Gino Guidugli, and Head Coach Marcus Freeman. His relationship with the staff seems to have separated Notre Dame in the recruiting process, a testament to how good Marcus Freeman and company have been in that regard. Footage via Noah Grubbs, X (@NoahGrubbsQB) Grubbs recently completed some spring exhibition games, and was able to put together great film to evaluate his play which is linked above. His most recent high school season stats are very impressive as well. As a sophomore, Grubbs' team finished the season with a 10-2 record and managed to reach the Regional Semifinals of the Florida 4M Playoffs. For individual numbers, he posted a 58.1% completion rating out of 356 passes. He finished the full season (regular season and postseason) with 3,670 passing yards, 5th most in the state of Florida, along with 49 Touchdowns, which happens to be Lake Mary High School's new school record. He averaged 305.8 passing yards per game, and a wild 17.6 yards per completion.  Grubbs has been a starter since his freshman season, and for his size and age, his footwork and mechanics are very well put together. He has great poise and a very good understanding of the game, giving him the ability to quickly find out what defenses are doing before he goes into his cadence. He's also not just a pocket passer, as he appears to be very elusive to avoid contact, and performs well out of play-action. His arm strength is what catches my attention the most. He puts the ball in a great spot for his receivers, he extends the field which gives him the advantage of gaps in coverage to make high velocity throws. Part of that high velocity is the product of his astonishingly quick release that is a little over the top, but gives the ball a tight spin for maximum precision. In his sophomore year, Grubbs threw 11 INT's, but was very rarely rattled unless under pressure. His awareness is an elite trait to own this early in his career. In my eyes, I liken him to a much more polished Ian Book. Athletic, can really sling the ball all over the field, and makes people miss when he needs to. Grubbs committing to Notre Dame is an amazing start to the 2026 Class, as he joins 2026 3-Star WR Dylan Faison, Current WR Jordan Faison's younger brother. This is a huge get for Freeman and the staff, as Grubbs brings a ton to the table, especially under Mike Denbrock. Click to Join! - https://www.facebook.com/groups/legionoftheleprechaun

Written by Liam Farrell｜Senior Staff Writer｜Twitter/X: @LiamFarrell_IT Photo by The Irish Tribune As the Notre Dame Fighting Irish are two months away from facing the Texas A&M Aggies in College Station, the Irish come into the year as a relatively polished team. With many returning starters on the defensive front, along with retaining a large majority of position coaches, the Fighting Irish will bolster one of the top defenses in the country. On the offensive side of the ball, there was much more turmoil. The hirings of offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock and wide receivers coach Mike Brown were imperative for Marcus Freeman in his attempt to jumpstart a lackluster Irish offense. With that being said, there are still some major question marks before the 2024 season. The health of Riley Leonard, the instability of the offensive line, and the top receiving targets are questions that won't be answered until the first snap at Kyle Field. The Health of Riley Leonard The biggest splash Marcus Freeman made in the transfer portal was locking up prized recruit Riley Leonard. As soon as the Duke quarterback entered the portal, all signs were pointing at the Fighting Irish to be his next suitor. Leonard, who had an injury plagued season last year with the Blue Devils, is still recovering from an ankle injury that has forced him to get two procedures done within the past year. The latest TightRope procedure limited Leonard and forced him to be ineligible in the Irish's annual Blue-Gold game. Nonetheless, when the 6'4" dual-threat quarterback is healthy, he is one of the best in the nation. In his full 2022 campaign, Leonard threw for 2,967 yards, ran for 699 yards, and had 33 total touchdowns. Leonard's rare combination of a bigger framed, yet mobile quarterback allows the offense to open up. He is an incredible arm talent, boasting top of the industry arm strength, and has no problem throwing sideline to sideline. In a revamped, Mike Denbrock led scheme, Leonard's game should soar to new heights. The only thing holding him back: Will he be healthy enough to last the entire season? The reassuring answer to this question many Irish fans don't want to face is what waits in the wings. The Irish have an extremely bright future within the quarterback room. Steve Angeli is the assumed QB2, as he led the Irish to a Sun Bowl thrashing over Oregon State. Then there are Kenny Minchey and CJ Carr who were both top high school recruits and showed great promise in the spring game this past year. So, while a Riley Leonard led Notre Dame team might provide the best odds for a national championship, there are still more than capable options if Leonard's ankle cannot stand the wear and tear of the entire season. The Offensive Line Unit The offensive line has always been the identity attached to the Notre Dame football program. In recent years, talents like Joe Alt, Quenton Nelson, Mike McGlinchey, Zack Martin, and Ronnie Stanley have anchored the line. However, this year, there are new faces all along the front. Replacing the aforementioned Alt is Charles Jagusah, a consensus four-star recruit from the 2023 class that is primed to be the next Notre Dame great. Jagusah performed well during the Sun Bowl last year, but in the spring game, he was getting beat off the end by Duke transfer RJ Oben. While Oben might be one of the best pass rushers he might see all year, this sight was a slight cause for concern. At the other tackle position, the hole left by Blake Fisher opting for the NFL draft left the Irish in a tough position. There is an ongoing position battle between graduate student Tosh Baker and redshirt sophomore Aamil Wagner. Baker is the bigger prospect, yet Wagner has a unique blend of size and speed that Baker lacks. It will be a tough battle throughout the summer workouts that offensive line coach Joe Rudolph will be monitoring vigilantly. In the middle of the line, the question marks start to fade. Pat Coogan, Billy Schrauth, and Rocco Spindler are the names to known at the guard position with Coogan and Schrauth being the likely week one starters. Ashton Craig also jumped on the scene last year and took the center position away from Zeke Correll, who transferred to NC State. With a tough week one environment on the road in the extreme Texas heat, communication on the offensive line will be imperative. This early test will be the main thing to watch for as the Irish try to put up points against an extremely athlete Texas A&M defense. The Primary Pass Catchers The last question mark on the offensive side of the ball is within the wide receiver room. The offseason was quite hectic for the pass catching department as there was an upheaval that found the Irish dropping wide receiver coach Chansi Stuckey and adding Mike Brown. The Irish also lost four receivers to the transfer portal and brought in three, along with getting three highly-touted high school recruits. While the depth of the Notre Dame wide receivers has been the best within recent memory, there are still question marks as to who will be the difference makers. Notre Dame has lacked a legitimate big play wide receiver since Will Fuller, and the Irish need a gamebreaking talent at this position to keep up with the elite teams in the sport. Jayden Thomas is the best candidate to move into the primary role, yet he lacks the speed to be an extreme vertical threat. The next best option is Kris Mitchell, the thousand yard receiver from FIU, who can take the top off a defense with his blazing speed, but his transition into Power-5 competition football still needs to be seen. Then there are Beaux Collins and Deion Colzie who look ready to take that next step into being an elite big-bodied boundary wide receiver. Next, are the guys in the slot like sophomores Jordan Faison and Jaden Greathouse who can be extremely reliable for Riley Leonard over the middle of the field. While Notre Dame now has a plethora of options, they still need to find their guy to get them out of tough situations by being able to win a one-on-one matchup. Click to Join! - https://www.facebook.com/groups/legionoftheleprechaun