Written by Connor D'Aquila - Twitter: @ConnorDaquilaIT Last week, we published a preview of the 2025 offensive recruiting class with some key names to know. With the July cookout fast approaching, it is time to dive into the defense. Just like on the offensive side, this is a very promising group and there are some stars that should be on every Notre Dame fan’s radar. Photo by ON3 Check out the position-by-position breakdown below! Defensive Line Notre Dame is off to a great start here with an early commitment from Davion Dixon. At 6-2, 290 pounds out of Miami Palmetto High School, Dixon projects to be a force on the inside of the line. Beyond him, Coach Washington and staff have cast a wide net of offers. Priorities of the group include Bryce Davis, Isaiah Campbell, Sam Cohen, Jaquez Carter, Joseph Reiff, Brandon Caesar, London Merritt, Jayden Woods, Sharlandiin Strange, Matthew Johnson, Gabe Kaminski, Anthony Williams, Justin Hill, Nathaniel Marshall, Chris Burgess, Landon Rink, and CJ May. We can expect Carter, Burgess, Kaminski, Reiff, and Caesar to be on campus for the cookout. CJ May was also on campus this summer and is an extremely intriguing player for the Irish. Out of Alabama, standing at 6-3, 222 pounds, he possesses impressive size and athleticism to go on the edge at Notre Dame. Bryce Davis, out of North Carolina, is one of the top prospects in the entire country, and Notre Dame will be competing with the top programs, but there appears to be mutual interest, and he would be a huge get. ND fans have been frustrated with Coach Washington given some recent misses, but there are definitely some players on the board that could redeem him. Linebacker While there are many talented prospects at this position, perhaps none is more intriguing or important than Nathaniel Owusu-Boateng. Check out our interview and overview of him for more, but the Irish have a real chance at arguably the best backer in the nation. Beyond Nathaniel, the options remain top-notch. Priorities include Noah Mikhail, Gavin Nix, Josiah Kia, Christian Jones, Madden Faraimo, Elijah Barnes, Marco Jones, Brett Clatterbaugh, Abduall Sanders, Landon McComber, Anthony Sacca, and Dominik Hulak. While Hulak will be the only one on campus for the cookout, there are a number of prospects with a lot of interest. Mikhail called Notre Dame his dream school, while Nix, Clatterbaugh, Faraimo, and Sanders have all been to campus or will be soon. Josiah Kia is particularly interesting, as he is the brother of Vyper, and 2021 recruit, Kahanu Kia, who is currently on his LDS mission. Christian Jones is also the high school teammate of 2024 commit Teddy Rezac. Nebraska will be a tough team to beat for Jones, but the Irish have a chance with the talented backer. The depth of options at this position is impressive, so Coach Golden and the staff should be in good shape no matter who they end up with. Photo by 247 Cornerback Coach Mickens has solidified himself among the best position coaches on the ND staff, so there is a lot to be excited about here. His ability to identify and recruit talent has been top-notch, and for this cycle, that starts with top-20 player Dorian Brew. Notre Dame is fighting hard with Ohio State for this recruitment, and while they were once the presumed leader, OSU is definitely making moves. The 6-2 cornerback has a ton of speed and athleticism, and he could be a game-changer for the Irish defense. Some other priorities include Mark Zackery, Blake Woodby, Devin Williams, Tariq Hayer, Cree Thomas, Kevyn Humes, Jett White, Dallas Golden, and Jahimr Joseph. Also, keep an eye on the duo out of Mater Dei comprised of Chuck McDonald III and Darius Dixson. Notre Dame has offered both, but the amount of traction they have is unclear currently. A couple of particularly interesting prospects are Devin Williams and Cree Thomas. Williams camped for the Irish and put some really impressive film together, and getting a guy out of Buford, Georgia would be huge. Thomas, on the other hand, is out of Brophy College Preparatory, the school that Benjamin Morrison came out of just a couple years ago. We have no reason to doubt Coach Mickens after everything he’s done at the position so far, and he has a great opportunity to continue success this year. Photo by 247 Sports Safety Notre Dame fans have been understandably frustrated with the safety position in recent years. Coach O’Leary has gotten some high-end prospects in the last couple of classes, but the misses have been concerning. 2025 offers yet another chance for him to prove himself on the recruiting trail. If he could pair some high-end prospects with guys like Brauntae Johnson, Ben Minich, and other players from the last two years, the outlook at the position would look far more positive than it once did. Some names to watch as recruiting heats up are Ivan Taylor, Jadon Blair, Remington Moss, Ethan Long, Jordan Young, Matai Tagoa’i, Kendall Daniels Jr., Tre Harrison, Alex Graham, Bo Jackson, and Trey McNutt. Taylor, Blair, and Long will be on campus for the cookout, which will be a great chance to make a move. Ivan Taylor is a particularly intriguing prospect out of Florida. Ranked as a high four-star, Ivan camped at Notre Dame for the Irish Invasion and flashed impressive athleticism. The son of former NFL cornerback Ike Taylor definitely has interest and would be a huge addition to the 2025 class. The other players have also spoken very positively about ND and their relationship with the coaches so far, creating a lot of hope for the class. Hopefully, we’ll have more clarity on the major priorities coming out of the cookout.

By Writer: Mike Stacey Twitter: @MikeStaceyIT IG: @mikestaceyit Photo Credit: 247 Sports 2024 Offensive Lineman Guerby Lambert has stated he plans to make his commitment in August. The 6'6 280 LB Offensive Tackle out of West Roxbury Mass is an absolute unit! He is currently ranked as the 47th overall player in the country and #2 Offensive Tackle according to 247 Sports Composite. As of now, the Irish have 4 crystal balls from Tom Loy, Kevin Sinclair, Steve Wiltfong and Brian Dohn, all with a confidence level of 6. Needless to say, this would be a HUGE land for the Irish if he commits to an already impressive 2024 class which currently ranks 7th in the country according to 247 Sports. Lambert would be the 4th O-Line commit to the class and the highest ranked of the four. He would be the kind of anchor for this class the Irish need if they are going to continue their path to be an elite team in college football. To say this is a must get, in my opinion, is a big understatement. Coach Joe Rudolph has been off to an impressive start so far in his short tenure with the Irish, but landing Lambert would be an absolute home run commitment for him in his first year. After watching the film on Lambert, the first thing that jumps out is his size and length. (Wingspan of +6 inches according to 247 Sports) He looks every bit the type of elite Offensive Tackle he projects to be at the next level. Once you hit play, the next thing I noticed is his power and his speed for someone his size. Several of his highlights looked like they came straight from the movie "The Blind Side." In run block, I saw highlights where Lambert took the defender 20+ yards down the field like he was escorting him out of the stadium, aggressively. In pass block, there were a couple highlights of him whipping a defender to the ground like they were his much younger brother in the backyard. Granted, this kind of technique works better against a smaller defender at the high school level than it will against a college athlete, but the nastiness he plays with is still a plus in my view. Lambert also had clips where he showed a more traditional pass pro approach and kept his QB clean, which was very encouraging to see. He also did a good job of getting to the next level, and staying engaged with his blocks. Watching his film reminded me of current Irish player Blake Fisher, who as you all know is a terrific Tackle and poised for a breakout year this season. Lambert possesses that same type of size, length and athleticism that we see with Fisher. At the end of the day, his attributes are an O-Line coach's dream. Wherever he ends up, the sky is the limit for his potential growth as a player. All in all, I am VERY impressed with this young player and the great thing about his frame is there is still plenty of room to add more weight and strength. I can only imagine what he would look like after a year in Notre Dame's strength and conditioning program. (If the successor can continue in Coach Balis' footsteps, but I digress...) Hopefully, come this August the predictions are correct and Lambert chooses the Irish. The ND coaches can NOT let this one slip out of their fingers. The other teams to beat are Ohio State, Harvard, and Boston College. Lambert has already taken Official Visits with all four of these teams including Notre Dame, and was rumored to be taking another visit to BC at the end of July. However, in a recent interview with Tom Loy he has stated that he is currently "leaning" towards Notre Dame and plans to make a decision sometime, probably, in mid August. The Irish Tribune will continue to follow this story and provide more updates as they come, but for now, the Irish look to be in a fantastic spot!

By Liam Farrell｜Writer｜Twitter @LiamFarrell_IT Via James Gilbert/Getty Images As the calendar is fast approaching the month of August, many college football fans are starting to dissect the strengths and weaknesses of their respective teams. Across many Notre Dame twitter threads and message boards, the biggest question mark that most fans have is within the Notre Dame receiving core. "How will Sam Hartman be useful if he can't throw the ball to anyone?" is the major gist of many of these discussions. Yes, the Irish don't have Mr. Reliable, a.k.a. Michael Mayer, to bail the offense out if no option is open; however, this sense of unknown might actually work in the Irish' favor. With so many young options awaiting to burst onto the scene, let's dig deep into the receiving unit in South Bend. Jump-Ball Trio Via USA TODAY Sports During his time at Wake Forest, Sam Hartman's favorite target was A.T. Perry, who was a tall, physical receiver who made 50/50 balls more like 80/20 completions. With this in mind, there are three Notre Dame wide receivers who fit this criteria. The first is Tobias Merriweather, a sophomore wide receiver whom fans were clamoring for more playing time during his freshman campaign. A track-star in high school, Merriweather has that unique combination of speed and size that every school in the nation was vying for. In his recruitment, the Irish beat out the likes of Oregon and Washington to secure the commitment from the 6'4" West Camas, Washington native. His shining moment last season was a 41-yard touchdown in Notre Dame's disappointing loss to Stanford. A concussion limited Merriweather's playing time as the calendar turned to November, but the sophomore is primed for a breakout campaign. Via Mark J. Rebilas- USA TODAY Sports The next of the athletic receivers Notre Dame has on their roster is quite possibly the most reliable target returning for the Fighting Irish, Jayden Thomas. Thomas' skillset interests me the most out of anyone in this wide receiver room because of what he has shown in the 2022 season. Thomas could stretch out defenses by running posts over the middle of the field, but also displayed the ability to make tough contested catches through the contact. I believe Thomas will be Notre Dame's "guy" to make the difference this season and his play style reminds me of a more physically built, TJ Jones. Via Gary A. Vasquez- USA TODAY Sports The last of the three big-bodied receivers is the tallest of the group, Deion Colzie. Most people argue that Merriweather has the most upside, but I actually think that answer lays in Colzie. The 6'5" receiver is so talented with his hands and has displayed great body control on contested catches. He was also a very trusted target for Drew Pyne last year, as it felt a large majority of Colzie's catches came on 3rd down. Colzie can be a difference maker and definitely a scape goat for Hartman if he sees the defense matching up one-on-one with him on the outside. Speed Kills Via ESPN Chris Tyree has been a name Fighting Irish fans are very familiar with since the Virginia product burst onto the scene his freshman year. Tyree's speed is his biggest attribute, and after a position change from running back to wide out, Tyree will be utilizing this in the slot for the Irish. He has displayed his ability to have big runs after the catch in some of Notre Dame's most recent bowl games. Tyree got the Irish offense moving against Alabama in the Rose Bowl in 2020-2021 season on a bubble screen pass, and he also had a touchdown catch against Oklahoma State in the Fiesta Bowl loss. Chris Tyree is such a good athlete that this position change should not worry fans in the slightest. Freeman and Parker just had to get a way for him to see the field more often, and with a loaded running back room, Tyree's move to wide receiver should be very natural. The Young Guns Via NBC Sports As most fans are aware, this Notre Dame receiving group got a big jolt in the last recruiting cycle. Wide Receivers coach Chansi Stuckey has done a phenomenal job putting together a highly-touted array of receivers from many of the biggest recruiting states, Texas and California. The first, and probably most notable, of the freshman wide receivers is Jaden Greathouse. Greathouse made his presence known during the Blue Gold game where he served as one of Sam Hartman's favorite options. Greathouse, who went to school at Texas powerhouse Westlake, is used to winning, and winning often. The 6'1" 213 pound receiver has great knowledge of the game and has the ability to decipher soft zones in defenses and exploit them. Along with his high IQ play, Greathouse has plus hands, is a great route runner, and as a result of this, will see playing time early and often. Via NBC Sports The next of the young wide receivers is Rico Flores Jr. from Folsom, California. Simply put, Flores does not look like your typical college freshman. He displays great size, and knows how to utilize his bigger frame to create separation with smaller defense backs. Like Greathouse, Flores played against great competition during his high school years, and is coming from the same high school that produced the Ngata brothers that played their collegian ball at Clemson. While not possessing blazing speed, Flores is a well-rounded receiver. He can go over the middle, while also having the ability to be a redzone fade threat due to his fantastic body control ability. Via Notre Dame Athletics The last of the young guns is actually the first one to pledge his commitment to the Fighting Irish and that is Braylon James. James is a gamer who has the most "jumps off the screen" tools when looking at his game film. The first minute and a half of his high school highlights are him returning kickoffs to the house. The kid has great speed with a little slimmer build than that of the other two receivers. James utilizes this speed to create separation from defenders and can run down balls like that of a great centerfielder. James also displayed his vertical ability in his highlight tapes and the raw natural athleticism is something to get people very excited. Wrap-up While most fans eye the wide receiving room as the biggest question mark for Notre Dame heading into the 2023 season, I believe there is nothing to worry about. The tools and natural ability are present on campus. Coach Stuckey did his job on the recruiting trail, and his ability to coach guys on campus is what makes him so special as the position coach. Sam Hartman will elevate all these young wide receivers and there should be no sweating the passing threat for this upcoming season. What receiver are you most excited about? Let me know below or on Twitter, @LiamFarrell_IT .

By Liam Farrell｜Writer｜Twitter @LiamFarrell_IT Via Notre Dame Athletics As we approach Week 0, the days are dwindling before Notre Dame's Kickoff in Dublin on August 26th against Navy. The anticipation to see Marcus Freeman and Sam Hartman lead Notre Dame grows exponentially as the calendar begins to turn. With that being said, nothing always goes to plan. While the fan base may already have preconceived notions on who the difference making players will be in the 2023 season, let's take a deep dive at some my hot takes. Jaden Mickey will Lead Notre Dame in Interceptions With opposing offenses being scared to test Preseason All American Ben Morrison, Jaden Mickey will have a breakout 2023 campaign. Last summer, Mickey was the freshman stealing the show with his flashy play style, and the trash talk to back it up. What Mickey lacks in experience, he sure makes up for in confidence. Mickey, a product of Southern California football powerhouse Corona Centennial, totaled 9 interceptions through his high school career (with a shortened 2020 junior campaign). In fact, his first high school interception came in the first game of his sophomore year against this past year's number 1 overall draft pick, Bryce Young. A natural ball-hawk, Mickey showed his ability to play the ball in the air during Notre Dame's spring game when he picked off a Tyler Buchner jump ball. With opposing teams scared to test Morrison, I expect Mickey to lead the Irish in interceptions. Jaden Greathouse will be Hartman's First Option by the End of the Year Via 247Sports One may argue that Notre Dame's biggest question mark going into the 2023 campaign is the lack of production at the wide receiver position. Some are looking for the combination of Jayden Thomas, Deion Colzie, and Tobias Merriweather to step up and be the difference makers for the Irish. While Notre Dame needs those big three to play to their capability, Jaden Greathouse will be Hartman's go to option as the calendar hits November. As shown in the spring game, it is clear that the freshman wide receiver from Texas has built a great rapport with the veteran transfer quarterback. Greathouse's size is unlike that of a true freshman, and his advanced route running ability should have him see early playing time into his college career. By the end of the year, the 6'1" 213 lb receiver will be Hartman's safety net as the Irish make their playoff push. Jeremiyah Love will be Top 3 in Notre Dame Rushing Touchdowns Via 247Sports The true freshman running back is too talented to keep off the field. Love is one of the only backs in the Notre Dame running back room to have that home run speed that the Irish have been missing in an every down back. Obviously, Audric Estime will be the workhorse of the group, and has all the tools to be a top 5 running back in all of college football. However, with Logan Diggs transferring to the Bayou and Chris Tyree changing positions, a once stacked running back room will look for answers behind Estime. The fact that Love wasn't an early enrollee will hurt his playing time especially at the beginning of the year, where Jadarian Price or Gi'Bran Payne will get most of those RB2 looks. As the year progresses and Love gets accustomed to the schemes and the playbook, the Missouri native will burst on the scene much like another tall, freshman running back did in 2015, Josh Adams. Notre Dame will go 11-1, but 3-0 against "The Big Three" Via Notre Dame Athletics Here is the hottest take so far. What happens if Notre Dame handles business against Ohio State, USC, and Clemson? This is the dream. Although, there are many tough games that could very well give Notre Dame trouble throughout the season. The first road test is a scary one against NC State, who revamped their offense by "acquiring" Virginia's old gunslinger, Brennan Armstrong, to reunite with his former offensive coordinator, Robert Anae. Another tricky game that I do not like for the Irish is against Louisville, and their complete roster turnover courtesy of the transfer portal. Then, a game against Duke, who displayed that they are a really sound football team last year is yet another scary test. Say the Irish go 11-1, but suffer a loss against Duke. Are they in the playoff? A scary question, I hope we do not have to ask. Notre Dame has a Rematch in the CFP against one of "The Big Three" Via Notre Dame Athletics Notre Dame makes it to the College Football Playoff with an 11-1 record; however, in their 2 vs 3 matchup, the Irish have to play a one-loss conference champion. Imagine USC, Clemson, and Ohio State all run the table besides the Notre Dame game. Notre Dame has the opportunity to beat the conference champions in all three of those power 5 conferences, and still have to possibly play them again? I foresee the Irish having the opportunity to beat Clemson for a second time out of these three teams. I believe Michigan will once again dismantle Ohio State for the 3rd year in a row. It is also known that the Pac 12 continuously beats up on each other year in and year out, and I believe USC will be struck by this curse in the last year they will be in the conference. Wrap-Up These are my hot takes for the 2023 Notre Dame season. While some may be more realistic than others, I would like to know some of your hot takes for this year as well. A Hartman Heisman? An Offensive Line Joe Moore Award? Let me hear your predictions! As always, Go Irish! 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By Writer: Mike Stacey Twitter : MikeStaceyIT IG: mikestaceyit Graphics By: Ruben Kelly Ysasi Yeah I know, it's only July, we still aren't sure what the depth chart is going to look like with 100% certainty come this fall, but who doesn't like a good preseason schedule prediction regardless of what time of the year it is. So you may take it with a grain of salt, but here is my schedule prediction for each game this season. Please feel free to scream, yell, and throw obscenities my way if you disagree....I'm ready for it....I think.... Week 1 : Notre Dame vs Navy in the motherland When: Aug 26th/2:30PM Where: Aviva Stadium, Dublin, Ireland Watch: NBC/Peacock Navy is coming off of a disappointing 4-8 season and is entering this year with new head coach, Brian Newberry. Newberry was previously the Defensive Coordinator for the midshipman and comes into the position with thoughts of revamping the offense. Even with Navy returning 17 starters, however, Brian has a lot on his plate in year 1. Navy is dealing with a new coach, changing offense, and coming off of a really poor year. I get it, it's still a Navy game which gives all of us ND fans heart burn, but I think this game is Sam Hartman's official coming out party and the Irish win comfortably. ND-45 Navy-21 Week 2: Notre Dame vs Tennessee State Tigers When: Sep 2nd/3:30PM Where: Notre Dame Stadium Watch: NBC/Peacock Notre Dame will make history in it's season opener as it will face for the first time a historically black college/university. It will also be the first time that ND has played an FCS opponent. Although this game will not help their strength of schedule, the sentiment behind it is aimed to be the bigger focus. As far as the game goes, this one should not give the Irish any trouble. Tennessee State is coming off of a 4-7 season, and once again, they are an FCS opponent. The talent level simply does not match, nonetheless the Irish need to come in focused. This is the type of game that can tell you the maturity of your football team. If the Irish come in here to take care of business, this one should be out of doubt early. I don't envision us running up the score like some other teams might, but I still expect a route. Notre Dame-56 Tennessee State-7 Week 3: Notre Dame at NC State When: Sep 9th/12PM Where: Carter-Finley Stadium, Raleigh, NC Watch: ABC The Irish should get their first real test in their first real road trip in week 3. NC State is coming off of an 8-5 season, however there is some excitement in the program with recent transfer QB Brennan Armstrong coming to town. Most of you will remember Armstrong for his brilliant 2021 season at Virginia. However, Brennan was unable to recreate that same kind of production last year and found himself in the portal this offseason. However, not only has NC State landed Armstrong, but their offensive coordinator is the same coach Armstrong had in 2021 at Virginia, Robert Anae. NC State is noted for their defense and that should not be much different this year. They do need to replace some studs at linebacker and safety, but the Wolfpack should once again be stout on the defensive side of the ball. This will be a tough test, but NC State has some questions at receiver which make me wonder if Armstrong can be the QB they expect/want him to be this year. I think this is a slug it out game, but the Irish pull away late. Notre Dame-34 NC State-20 Week 4 : Notre Dame vs Central Michigan When: Sep 16th/2:30PM Where : Notre Dame Stadium Watch: Peacock Notre Dame returns home in week 4 to square off with the Chippewas of Central Michigan. Central Michigan is coming off of a 4-8 rebuilding season but there is hope for improvement this year. They return a lot on a defense that actually played well last year considering how turnover happy their offense was, giving up 28ppg, and their coach is regarded as one of the best outside of the Power 5, but they simply can not match the talent that ND has on the other side of the ball. The biggest concern I have about this game is the fact that Ohio State comes to town the following week, so this has all the makings of a dreaded let down game. But as I mentioned earlier, these games tell you a lot about your teams mindset and maturity. I expect this one to start out slow for ND, but things will get rolling in the second half. ND-42 CM-17 Week 5: Notre Dame vs Ohio State (Green out) When: Sep 23rd/7:30PM Where: Notre Dame Stadium Watch: NBC/Peacock Well boys and girls, week 5 is the first HUGE test for Notre Dame of the season. This game will give us a good idea whether or not this team is a contender or a pretender. We all remember coming close but falling short to Ohio State last year in Columbus. This year the Irish will look to avenge their loss against another extremely talented Ohio State team who comes into the regular season ranked #1 in ESPN' preseason poll. No way to sugarcoat it, the Buckeyes are EXTREMELY talented. Marvin Harrison Jr. is the best wideout in the country and has a great chance to be drafted #1 in next year's NFL draft. Running Back TreVeyon Henderson is an absolute stud and also returns for the Buckeyes. They will not be short of explosive weapons on the offensive side of the ball, that is for sure. Jim Knowles in year 2 should only make a solid Ohio State defense even better this year. But, the Buckeyes still have to replace CJ Stroud which is no easy task, and as of now have not named a starter for the opener which is a battle between Kyle McCord or Devin Brown. For this reason, and the fact that I think Notre Dame is going to be highly motivated with a much improved offense, I think the Irish stun the Buckeyes in South Bend. If I am right, this will be a major win for the program and the legacy of Marcus Freeman's young coaching tenure. This is the kind of win that could help define a season. ND-34 OSU-28 Week 6 : ND at Duke When : Sep 30th/TBA Where : Wallace Wade Stadium, Durham, NC Watch: TBA This one can get tricky. Notre Dame will travel to North Carolina to play Duke in week 6. This game will be played with Notre Dame coming off of an extreme high or extreme low following the Ohio State game. These games typically can lead to some let downs, and although Duke is better know for basketball this is not the type of team you can afford a let down game against. Duke went 9-4 last season under first year coach Mike Elko. Yes, the same brilliant defensive coordinator who coached at ND for one season followed by 3 years with Texas A&M. His first year was a huge success as Duke had only won 10 games in their previous 3 seasons. In year two, I would expect Duke to continue to make strides under coach Elko making this a very intriguing game for the Irish. One of the things I love about Coach Freeman is the message he continues to preach to his players about the "bumpy road to getting better". He tells them they need to stay in the middle, they can't get too high, and they can't get to low. Stay in the moment and do not let the past dictate your future. That message will be perfect for this game, and I am sure Coach Freeman will have it on loop during practice that week. Notre Dame-27 Duke-17 Week 7: ND at Lousiville When: Oct 7th/TBA Where: Papa John's Cardinal Stadium, Louisville, Kentucky Watch: TBA The Irish continue their ACC road trip in Week 7 at Lousiville. The Cardinals went 8-5 last season, but there is a lot of buzz surrounding this season as Jeff Brohm returns home to take over the head coaching position. Brohm saw some success at Purdue, including playing in the BIG 10 Championship game last year. With more weapons to work with at Louisville, it is expected that Brohm can bring improved success to the Cards. Ville had veteran QB Jack Plummer, who previously played under Brohm, transfer onto the team and will likely be the starter this fall with hopes of improving the passing game. Ville had a stellar defense last season but they will have to replace a lot up front, with most of the help coming from the transfer portal. I think this can be a VERY tricky game for the Irish, and another example of them needing to be focused at the task at hand and not looking ahead (USC) however, I think the Irish get the job done in one that may not be for the faint of heart.... ND-38 Ville-33 Week 8: ND vs USC When: Oct 14th/7:30pm Where: Notre Dame Stadium Watch: NBC/Peacock Get your popcorn ready for October 14th. Night game, one of the biggest rivalries in sports, playoff implications likely on the line, and painted fingernails....All of these are likely in play for this game and I for one can't possibly be more fired up/revenge hungry for it. We all remember how USC easily took us down last year as Caleb Williams had an incredible performance that was only overshadowed by his behavior and now infamous painted fingernails which would have got him 3 Hail Mary's, 2 Our Father's and likely a suspension had he been playing for Notre Dame. However, if any good came from that game, it was that the rivalry has been amplified. For too long this rivalry has been a one sided affair, with Notre Dame being in the driver's seat over the last 5 years, but now with USC back on the rise this rivalry should be as intense as in times past. USC enters this season as a playoff hopefuls will their Heisman QB, the before mentioned Caleb Williams, back for a quest to win a National Championship. Forget the stats, forget the record, forget the recruiting stars next to a player's name, this game is going to come down to who wants it more. Both of these teams are talented, and both have plenty of fire power to upend the other. This will come down to attention to detail and heart. After what USC did last year, and HOW they did it, I would be shocked if the Irish do not have some serious bulletin board material for this game. Although I am going back in forth in my head on this one, I just can't pick USC to win. And if Notre Dame has the heart I think it will under Marcus Freeman, the Irish should come out of this one victorious. ND-42 USC-30 Week 9: ND vs Pitt When: Oct 28th/3:30pm Where: Notre Dame Stadium Watch: NBC/Peacock Yet again, this is a game where ND will be coming off either a huge win or disappointing loss. So once again, this game will come down to the Irish staying focused at the task at hand and staying in the middle of the road. Pitt always seems to be a tough game for the Irish, regardless of the records. Add to the fact that former Irish QB Phil Jurkovek is now with the Panthers, a player who has had no issue with talking about his former team, and there will be plenty of motivation for coach Narduzzi and his squad to take down ND in South Bend. Pitt will 100% be up for this game, the Irish will need to follow suit. Once again, I don't care about records going into a game like this. It is going to be a slug it out, who wants it more situation. The Irish have the talent, but will they have the mindset to continue to avoid the let down game? I sure hope so.... ND-28 Pitt-24 Week 10: ND at Clemson When: Nov 4th/TBA Where : Memorial Stadium, Clemson, SC Watch: ABC Once again we have a SERIOUS matchup for the Irish on the schedule, this one taking place in the first week of November down in Clemson, SC. Last year the Irish had one of their most memorable victorious this decade when they absolutely destroyed the Tigers in South Bend. The Irish looked like a team possessed, as they man handled Clemson on both sides of the ball. It was the type of performance we got used to seeing happen to Notre Dame in past big games, but not on this night. The Irish showed that they have the talent to play with the big boys. Even though Clemson finished the season 11-3 and ranked in the top 15, it was a down year for them. I fully expect Dabo Sweeney and his team to come out swinging this year, and get their way back into the playoff discussion. Much like Notre Dame has against USC, Clemson has plenty of bulletin board material after their embarrassing loss last year in South Bend. That ammunition, along with a very talented team lead by Cade Klubnik who was the #1 QB in his class coming out of high school, who now has some experience under his belt is going to make this a VERY dangerous game for the Irish. Are the Irish good enough to go into Clemson's house and get a W? Absolutely. Will they? Unfortunately, I do not think so. Clemson- 34 Notre Dame-21 Week 11 : ND vs Wake Forest When: Nov 18th/3:30pm Where: Notre Dame Stadium Watch: NBC/Peacock Notre Dame will get a much deserved bye week before returning to action at home against Wake Forest. Sam Hartman will be facing his former squad as the Irish look to finish strong on senior night. Wake Forest finished last year with an 8-5 regular season record. The Demon Deacons started the season 6-1 before losing 4 of their last 6. Similar to last year, their schedule will be much more difficult on the back end, with games against FSU, Duke and NC State before they travel to South Bend. Wake Forest has improved in recent years, currently riding a 7 consecutive season winning streak, and the Demon Deacons project to have one of the best wide receiver cores in the ACC, but they will have a new starter replacing Sam Hartman at QB and a defense that allowed 28 ppg last season. I think the difference in skill level, coupled with a grueling end of the schedule for Wake vs a rested Irish team on senior night will prove too much for the Demon Deacons. ND-56 Wake Forest-23 Week 12: ND at Stanford When: Nov 25th/TBA Where: Stanford Stadium, Palo Alto, CA Watch: TBA Last season's loss to Stanford at home was almost as bad as the Marshall loss. Stanford was straight up abysmal last year, going 3-9 and finishing tied for last place in the PAC-12. The fact the Irish lost to THAT team on their own field was beyond a head scratcher, especially after we thought they had started to right the ship following the Marshall debacle. This season, Stanford doesn't project to be much better with David Shaw out and new coach Troy Taylor stepping into a program that is in rebuild mode, especially after taking some big hits in the transfer protal. I fully expect the Irish will avenge last year's loss against their rivals and take back home the Legends Trophy to end the season on a positive note en route to a playoff birth! (I hope...) ND-52 Stanford-14

Written by Liam Gaudet, Senior Editor - Twitter: @LiamGaudetIT Photo via 247 Sports I am so amazed by Notre Dame's consistent ability to miss on their priority targets since I began following recruiting about a decade ago. I understand that it may not be the Notre Dame of old, but to me, Notre Dame still holds some of the highest prestige in college football and will continue to do so for the foreseeable future. In the Brian Kelly era, I understood what the issues were. It was understood by everyone who followed recruiting in the 2010s that Notre Dame never really swung for the fences to revolutionize the talent on the roster, but would rather settle and cherry pick the ideal "Notre Dame" athlete. These were often kids that did not need to be recruited with a thorough and constant effort, but were enamored with the prospect of Notre Dame and did not necessarily have competitive offers from schools of the same pedigree. This philosophy is acceptable for a school that is content with winning eight to ten games a season, but will fade into irrelevance on the national stage. And for a long while, this was the reality for Notre Dame football. Great regular seasons, but embarrassed when the lights are brightest in large part due to the talent gap that stemmed from a lackluster recruiting effort. A change needed to be made, and that seemed to take care of itself with the departure of Brian Kelly. Enter Marcus Freeman, and injection of youth into a program so hellbent on the past. Hailed as a recruiting genius, Freeman was considered to be the catalyst for a program that could never seem to find its way over the hump, and had proven success after bringing in one of the best defensive classes in recent history after one season as defensive coordinator. The program seemed to be trending upward for a while, and the recruiting followed suit with a great start to the 2023 class, including pledges from some of the countries top playmakers. People were praising the early success of Marcus Freeman on the trail, along with a new staff including Al Golden, Al Washington, Chansi Stuckey etc. At one point, Notre Dame had the number one recruiting class in the country, headlined by 5-star talent in a talent pool that seemed too good to be true. Photo via ON3 Freeman and his staff would learn the hard way, however, that this elite class of talent poses new issues for recruiting success. Decommitments came at mass on the top end of Notre Dame's 2023 class which the staff worked tirelessly to pull together. Fingers were pointed in every direction, but the results still remained the same - a result that left most fans disappointed. Fast forward to yesterday, where consensus five star defensive lineman Justin Scott, a priority target for Notre Dame out of Chicago chose the buckeyes in a shocking move. This serves as the latest example of Notre Dame whiffing on a prospect with interest in their own backyard. So the question still remains, what is the root cause of these recruiting failures? The obvious, and in my opinion, copout answer would be to blame NIL for the majority of these losses. A year ago, sure, you could say that these bags of money being dropped on high school kids out in the open was unprecedented, and perhaps Notre Dame needed time to develop a winning formula. It's been well over a year now, and the fact that Notre Dame still does not have an NIL program that can compete in the modern football landscape is deeply concerning for the future of this program. Maybe that changes under Pete Bevacqua, but I'm not going to hold my breath. The administration has to turn things around and find a way to deliver competitive NIL opportunities for these kids in a way that is unique to Notre Dame. Whatever they're doing is simply not cutting it for the time being, and that's the honest truth. Step up or get left behind. We also can't absolve the staff of the blame entirely, and names I see being tossed around angrily are that of Al Washington and Chris O'Leary. Both have managed to lose commitments from high value targets in the last two classes, and have missed on players who Notre Dame should have the upper hand in bringing them in. With Washington, Keon Keeley and Justin Scott are probably the two largest examples of this, and O'Leary couldn't land some of his priority targets either. I'm not saying this hasn't been from a lack of effort, but perhaps a crippled philosophy. If some of these coaches on the defensive side of the ball can't reel in the talent that is expected under this new regime, it might be time to have some difficult conversations in the near future. While I can appreciate what a convoluted nightmare the modern recruiting game is, I cannot accept Notre Dame standing idly by and admitting defeat, reverting to their past. That is not how championship caliber teams are built, and I think most would agree. Whether it be an issue in recruiting philosophy, or a lack of willingness to change with the times - something has to give, sooner rather than later. Note: This is an article that is testing out ads - If you had a negative ad experience, please contact us so we can make it right: Email: irishtribunecontact@gmail.com - Text: (269)-588-0514 - DM @theirishtribune (IG/Twitter)

Written by Liam Farrell｜Writer｜Twitter @LiamFarrell_IT Graphic Courtesy of Ruben Kelly Ysasi As it stands, Notre Dame and Marcus Freeman have built a top 5 recruiting class for 2024. This 2024 class has the opportunity to be one of the best in recent memory, and most of it can be attributed to the true talent they have on the offensive side of the ball. The 5 star-talent tandem of CJ Carr and Cam Williams have the Irish passing threat destined for success; however, what Gerad Parker and Deland McCullough have done in recruiting top tier running backs is equally as impressive. The first piece of the ground game puzzle was locking in the Swiss army knife of running backs, Aneyas Williams. Then, to complement and build off Williams' toolset, the Irish went out and locked up the brute from the lone star state, Kedren Young. Even though the two backs have their own unique skillset, there are similarities between these two talents. The determination and grit, in which these two backs play with are where both four star running backs shine. Upon looking at their junior year film, each back displays the ability to shake off arm tackles and keep pushing through any contact. While Young is slightly physically bigger than Williams, both backs can play between the tackles and show the ability to hit the home run on a simple halfback dive. Let's take a look at what makes each talented back so special in there own unique way. Runs in the Last Name Via 247Sports We'll first start with the back who committed to the Irish first, and that's Aneyas Williams. Williams is a 5'10" 195 lb all-around physical rusher from Hannibal, Missouri. Notre Dame beat out the likes of Alabama, Kentucky, and Tennessee to land the 18th overall running back according to the 247 rankings. While it may be an easy connection to make, Aneyas' skillset is strikingly similar to a former Notre Dame star who also hailed from the great state of Missouri, Kyren Williams. Aneyas can do it all on the football field, much like Kyren. He can get physical and run between the tackles, or if you need him to, he can show off his speed and break something to the outside. An added bonus is that he is a great pass catcher out of the backfield, and can more than hold his own in the pass pro game. Aneyas Williams is a difference making running back who can provide stability to a roster and simply be an every down back. Not the Lone Star Via 247Sports Next up, we have Kedren Young. I was blown away watching Young's junior year highlights. The explosiveness of Young is absurd, but the most valuable part of Young's game is his ability to see the field. Young's vision and jump cutting ability were the two things that really stood out to me. He has the ability to make a 5 yard rush a 50 yard one really fast. Young's overall size is something that should make Notre Dame fans really excited. He currently stands in at 5'10" 220 lbs. His lateral speed and how frequently he uses his jump-cuts reminds me a little of Dexter Williams. Young is a little heavier than Williams and might not have that breakaway burst of speed yet, but both backs' ability to run behind their blocks and make linebackers miss in the trenches is quite a special trait. The Mastermind Behind it All Via ON3 Deland McCullough has down a tremendous job since taking over the reins of the Notre Dame running back room. Last year, he masterfully put together and developed the different skillsets of the three headed combination in Estime, Diggs, and Tyree. On the recruiting front, McCullough has been exceptional locking down these two highly touted recruits in addition to Jeremiyah Love and Gi'Bran Payne in 2023 and 2022. McCullough has been one of the bright spots in the Notre Dame coaching staff under the new Marcus Freeman regime, and his loyalty and love for the university is evident. In my personal opinion, he and Chansi Stuckey are the two best position coaches Notre Dame hosts on their staff. Wrap-Up Irish fans should be beyond excited to know that they have one of the best running back tandems in the class of 2024. It should also be exciting to see the production that each of these backs do in their senior season. All signs are pointing up for the Notre Dame football program, with the elite job that the staff is doing on the recruiting trail, while cultivating the talent they have on campus. It is a great time to be a Notre Dame football fan, and I can't wait for the upcoming future. Note: This is an article that is testing out ads - If you had a negative ad experience, please contact us so we can make it right: Email: irishtribunecontact@gmail.com - Text: (269)-588-0514 - DM @theirishtribune (IG/Twitter)

Written by Liam Farrell｜Writer｜Twitter @LiamFarrell_IT Via University of Notre Dame The Notre Dame linebacker room drew much criticism with their play early on in the 2022 season. As the metaphorical seat was getting hotter for first year linebacker coach and defensive coordinator, Al Golden, the Irish found more success in their linebackers as the year progressed. Headlining the group is 2022 captain, JD Bertrand, along with two other two-year starters in Marist Liufau and Jack Kiser. With the news of Prince Kollie entering the transfer portal during spring ball, this linebacker room grew a little more thin; however, the raw natural talent more than makes up for the lack of experience. Let's take a look at the 2023 Notre Dame linebackers. Mike Linebacker Via University of Notre Dame We might as well start with the captain of the defense, JD Bertrand. Bertrand has been Notre Dame's leading tackler for the past two seasons. In 2021, Bertrand notched 65 solo tackles, along with 102 total tackles. In 2022, Bertrand took a minor step back by totaling 45 solo tackles, and 82 total tackles. Bertrand also was on the field less last year because he had to sit out a half in two separate games due to targeting penalties. Besides this setback, every player on the defense acknowledges that Bertrand is the leader of the pack. His leadership and ability to recognize plays are what will push this Notre Dame defense from being good to excellent. Bertrand has also stated in many interviews that he wants to be more of a playmaker and cause more havoc. If Bertrand can take this next step, the Irish should be in for a great year. Behind Bertrand at the Mike position are sophomore Nolan Ziegler and highly-touted incoming freshman Drayk Bowen. Ziegler saw limited playing time his first year on campus, but retained his eligibility while doing so. The product from Caledonia, Michigan, recorded one assisted tackle in the Irish's thumping of Boston College. For Bowen, the homegrown prospect from St. John, Indiana, is expected to make an impact since he stepped foot on campus. Bowen got to see some action during the Blue Gold game, but the 2022 Indiana Mr. Football winner will definitely be taking his time learning the ways from Bertrand and company. Will Linebacker Via Associated Press (Adrian Kraus) Next, let's take a look at the weak side linebackers for Notre Dame. Last year, Marist Liufau was the man at Will linebacker for the Irish. Liufau burst onto the scene in the shortened 2020 season with his explosiveness and playing with a controlled reckless abandonment on the field. Liufau was an energy plug in 2020 that fans couldn't wait to see more of. Sadly, in 2021, Liufau broke his ankle at the end of summer camp that sidelined him for all of the 2021 season. In 2022, Liufau came back and was the team's third leading tackler along with having an interception and an assisted sack. However, there were many plays last year where Liufau would get stuck behind blocks and get beat to the outside. There were flashes of greatness from Liufau, but in 2023, Irish fans are praying that Liufau can be the quick as lightening, hard-hitting linebacker prospect that he once showed. Behind Liufau at the Will position are Jaylen Sneed, Preston Zinter, and Tre Reader. The biggest name out of this group is Jaylen Sneed, who also can take reps at the rover position due to his speed and ball-hawking ability. Sneed looks to be the future of the linebacker position at Notre Dame. Whenever Sneed got the opportunity to get into the game last year, I saw a lot of former Irish star Jeremiah Owusu-Koromoah in his game. The former South Carolina Mr. Football is everything you want in the linebacker position, with great size and speed. Especially with Sneed making the number change to a single digit, Sneed can very well be the next Owusu-Koromoah that this Irish defense needs. As for the rest of the group, Zinter and Reader will simply be learning from the guys ahead of them and continue to develop their bodies. Zinter showed flashes of good instincts during the Blue Gold game, but just needs a summer built by Balis to continue his development. Rover Position Via NBC Sports Last, but certainly not least, we have the Rover position. The Rover position has been manned by Jack Kiser for the last couple years. Kiser has had great success at the rover position, but there are rumblings that me might make the move over to Will. Nonetheless, the Rover position is Kiser's until there is a successor to be named. Over the past years, Kiser has 124 total tackles along with 3 career interceptions. The biggest interception that comes to mind was Kiser's pick six against Wisconsin during the 2021 Shamrock Series game at Soldier FIeld. Behind Kiser in the Rover position is the aforementioned Sneed, and freshman Jaiden Ausberry. Ausberry is someone that really jumped off the screen to me during Notre Dame's spring game because of his freakish athletic ability, and his mental toughness. During the game, Ausberry made a great break on a Tyler Buchner pass that should've been intercepted, but the ball clanked off Ausberry's hands. Instead of letting that play get the best of him, Ausberry reset, and made a great play on Chris Tyree in the flat on a designed wide receiver screen. Ausberry, much like Sneed, has all the physical tools to be a difference maker for the Fighting Irish in the near future. Wrap Up With Notre Dame returning all three starters at linebacker, this Notre Dame defense should be set to have great success in 2023. It should also be interesting to see which young linebacker talent will be the first to jump on the scene for the Irish. Will it be Sneed making plays sideline to sideline? Or Bowen filling the gap and stuffing rushing attempts? Maybe it could be Ausberry making a big 1-on-1 tackle in open space? The possibilities are endless, and I cannot wait to see it. Note: This is an article that is testing out ads - If you had a negative ad experience, please contact us so we can make it right: Email: irishtribunecontact@gmail.com - Text: (269)-588-0514 - DM @theirishtribune (IG/Twitter)

By Writer: Mike Stacey Twitter: MikeStaceyIT IG: mikestaceyit On Saturday morning very talented 4 star Safety Brauntae Johnson officially committed to Notre Dame. Johnson is the 3rd safety to join Notre Dame's 24' class and the highest rated safety of the three. Johnson is from Fort Wayne, Indiana which certainly helped with the Irish landing this talented player. This was a MUST GET for Notre Dame and Coach O'Leary as the Irish need some help/depth at the safety position. Not only did they get another body, but a very talented one at that. This was not simply a numbers grab but a big win for ND. Brauntae played for Fort Wayne North High School and was listed as a 4 star athlete by 247 Sports. His Composite ranking on 247 was the 168th player in the country. He stands at 6'3, 170 pounds, and brings versatility to Notre Dame, even though he is being recruited specifically to play Safety. In high school, he racked up 1974 receiving yards and 26 touchdowns in 28 games as a receiver. He also was a star on the basketball court who averaged nearly 20 points per game. (Attention Coach Shrewsberry) Needless to say, this guy is every bit the athlete his recruiting tag designates. After watching his tape, his athletic frame is the first thing that stands out. He is LONG! And he has plenty of room to grow some size/muscle in coach Balis' strength program. He does an excellent job going sideline to sideline and his lengthy 6'3 frame is going to make jump balls a nightmare for whichever wide receiver he is going up against. He does not seem to shy away from contact either even with his thin frame. The biggest thing he needs to work on right now is getting bigger, but with another season of high school football left that gives him plenty of time to fill out and be even better when he arrives at Notre Dame. Once Coach Balis gets his hands on him and he fills out his frame, LOOK OUT!

Written by Liam Gaudet, Senior Editor - Twitter: @LiamGaudet.IT When evaluating Notre Dame's recruiting efforts since the beginning of Marcus Freeman's tenure with the university, it's been a bit of a rollercoaster to say the least. As fans, we've been conditioned for disappointment in the recruiting department over the last decade or so, which has come to a climax in the era of name, image and likeness. It's arguable that no position group has been hit harder than safety, specifically in the 2023 class with the loss of pledges from highly ranked players such as Peyton Bowen and Brandyn Hillman. In fact, one might argue that this is the weakest position in the program moving forward. Now, it would be extremely naïve to buy into the narrative that stars mean everything, because most fans can come up with at least a handful of three stars outside of the top 300 or so that ended up being huge additions. I'm here to tell you that Kennedy Urlacher, the 6'0 190 pound athlete from Chandler Arizona is going to be one of those players. Photo via ON3 If you followed this recruitment at all, you would know that his name is no coincidence. Kennedy is in fact, the son of NFL legendary linebacker Brian Urlacher. Brian played 13 NFL seasons, and in that time racked over 1000 solo tackles, 41.5 sacks and eight pro bowl nods, and is now immortalized in Canton, Ohio. In his time, he was regarded as one of the fiercest tacklers to grace the gridiron - and Kennedy is looking to carry on that tradition. Urlacher is a three star recruit, but looking beyond the rankings there is plenty to be excited about on tape. Urlacher played the majority of his snaps at strong safety, which is a desperate position of need for the Irish, but that's not all - Urlacher is classified as an athlete: someone capable of playing multiple positions at a high level. For now, let's just focus on what he brings defensively. Photo via MaxPreps Fearless. If I had only one word to describe the play of Kennedy Urlacher, I wouldn't have to think twice about it. Despite not being the biggest player on the field, he isn't hard to miss with the playstyle that he brings. He has all of the intangibles of a 5 star for his position, and with plenty of time for growth and workouts from Matt Balis, it wouldn't surprise me at all to see him reach that potential. After watching some of his tape, Urlacher's hits almost appear to be straight out of a videogame, launching opponents with such force that will have offensive skill positions thinking twice about meeting him head on. He tackles downhill with great form and leverage to stop receivers and backs dead in their tracks. His defensive angles are something to be admired, as he almost never takes the wrong trajectory, which makes him so effective. Obviously, the level of talent at the next level will provide more of a challenge for Urlacher, but with that "hit everything" mindset, I doubt the adjustment period will take long. Urlacher's speed and coverage ability has also made him a standout special teams player in high school, as there are examples of him blocking PATs and field goals, as well as exceptional coverage on kick returns. Speaking of coverage, he shows good instincts in both man and zone, breaking on balls and sinking deep when needed, while also honing in at full speed to make tackles from seemingly out of nowhere. It's often easy to overlook some of the players in Notre Dame's recruiting classes who aren't ranked at the very top, but it's important to remember that these rankings aren't an exact science. Marcus Freeman has a keen eye for talent when it comes to players like Kennedy Urlacher - and after watching his tape there's no reason you shouldn't be a believer too. Note: This is an article that is testing out ads - If you had a negative ad experience, please contact us so we can make it right: Email: irishtribunecontact@gmail.com - Text: (269)-588-0514 - DM @theirishtribune (IG/Twitter

By: Nick Kremer⏐Editor⏐Twitter: @NickKremerIT ⏐Profile: @NickKremer It's the end of an era as Jack Swarbrick wraps up his impressive career as the Athletic Director of Notre Dame in 2024. Swarbrick's done some incredible things for Notre Dame athletics. Under his watch, Swarbrick completed the stadium upgrade, the deal with the ACC while keeping independence in football, helping expand to a 12 team playoff, and many other great accomplishments for the university. Enter Pete Bevacqua, the man chosen to fill Swarbrick's shoes, and boy, does he bring a lot to the table. Photo Credit - Notre Dame Athletics Bevacqua's ties to Notre Dame go way back, as he played as the reserve punter under the legendary Lou Holtz from 1989 to 1993. After graduating with an English degree, he went on to study law at Georgetown University. Bevacqua's career took him on an impressive path in the sports industry. He spent over a decade working for the U.S. Golf Association, gaining valuable experience and understanding of managing a major sporting organization. Then, in 2012, he became the CEO of the PGA of America, where he made a significant impact by bringing fresh ideas and getting fans and players more engaged in the sport. Bevacqua was the one who pushed to move the PGA Championship to May and also restructured the US Ryder Cup team. In 2018, Bevacqua moved into the role of NBC Sports President, leaving his mark on the sports media landscape. His expertise in negotiations, marketing, and overall business savvy made him a standout in the industry. Bevacqua played a pivotal role in bringing the US Army All American game to NBC, providing a platform for showcasing talented high school football players to a wide audience. His involvement in securing the Olympics broadcasting rights for NBC demonstrates his influence and negotiation skills on a global scale. Bevacqua's efforts helped bring the world's most prestigious sporting event to millions of viewers, solidifying NBC's position as a premier sports broadcaster. Also, he played a key role in negotiating an extension with the NFL for Sunday Night Football, ensuring that one of the league's prime-time programs remains on NBC. Additionally, Bevacqua was involved in securing the complete US media rights for all US Golf Association championships, including the prestigious US Open. This move solidified NBC's position as a leading broadcaster in the golfing world. As the co-chairman of RISE (the Ross Initiative in Sports for Equality), Bevacqua has shown his commitment to promoting racial equality and social justice within the sports community. Through RISE, he has played an active role in providing inclusive environments and having important conversations about diversity and equality. Photo Credit - NBC Sports Group Now, as Notre Dame's future Athletic Director, Bevacqua will start at the university on July 1, 2023. This will give Bevacqua a chance to learn from Jack Swarbrick for six months before he fully takes over the role. During this time, Bevacqua will get to work with Swarbrick in getting the Gug renovations up and running, signing a new apparel deal, and negotiations for the future TV rights for the Irish. In a statement put out by the University of Notre Dame, Bevacqua talked about his future position as Athletic Director. “This is an unbelievable honor for me and a dream come true. With the exception of my family, nothing means more to me than the University of Notre Dame,” Bevacqua said. “As a Notre Dame alum, I have a keen understanding and deep appreciation of the lifetime, transformational benefit our student-athletes receive in a Notre Dame education, one that is unique and unlike any other institution in the world. I am so grateful to Father Jenkins, the Board of Trustees and, of course, Jack Swarbrick. Jack has become a true friend over the course of the past several years and I am looking forward to working alongside him and learning as much as I can from the person I admire and respect the most in college athletics.” One worry among Irish fans has been the future of Notre Dame football and whether the team will remain independent. But Bevacqua has already put those concerns to rest. He's made it clear that he fully supports Notre Dame's independence, recognizing the importance of independence to the program's identity. As Pete Bevacqua prepares to take charge at Notre Dame, Irish fans can be excited about what's to come. With his diverse background and experience, he's prepared to build upon the foundation laid by Swarbrick. The future of Notre Dame athletics is in good hands, Irish Nation.

Written by Liam Farrell｜Writer｜Twitter @LiamFarrell_IT Via ON3 With the news breaking of Jack Swarbrick's departure as Notre Dame athletic director in 2024, the Chairman of NBC Sports Group, Pete Bevacqua, is the known successor for the demanding job. Atop the long list of responsibilities Mr. Bevacqua will face is the possible move to a powerhouse football conference. With the SEC and Big Ten making a splash with the additions of blue blood schools such as Texas, Oklahoma, USC, and UCLA: a conference must think adding a program with the notoriety of Notre Dame could totally change the college football landscape. This article will dive into the differing scenarios of staying independent or joining one of these super conferences. The Case for Staying Independent Via ESPN For decades, the University of Notre Dame have enjoyed the luxuries and freedoms of being independent. These luxuries include the opportunity to keep long lasting rivalries on the schedule, control the strength of schedule, and have their own media network deal. First, as a fan base, we must appreciate the fact Notre Dame has gotten to handpick their schedule for the last 100 years. By doing this, the Irish have been able to elevate their performance on the field and give college athletes opportunities that they wouldn't get at other division 1 institutions. This includes the Shamrock Series, which has Notre Dame play at venues all across the globe. By giving kids the opportunities to play all over the world at some of the most historic stadiums known to man, the University of Notre Dame is able to broaden its fandom and reach new heights. Another way Notre Dame continues its to grow its brand is the media tie in with NBC sports. I can imagine as the new AD is the Chairman of NBC Sports Group, this tie-in wouldn't be an issue even if the Irish were joining another conference. However, with Notre Dame being the sole college football program sponsored with NBC, every Irish home game can be seen every single week (despite the one game that will be televised on Peacock). The biggest hurdle that Notre Dame faces with their lack of conference status is the fact that they don't play on conference championship week. This has hindered Notre Dame's reputation in some years, and could always be a determining factor in whether or not the Irish can clinch a playoff berth. Another interesting thing to keep in mind are the conference tie-ins to the new college football playoff format in the upcoming years. These tie-ins could be yet another motivating reason for Notre Dame to switch into a conference. The Move to the Big Ten Via NBC Sports Now, how much fun would this be? If Notre Dame would join the Big Ten, they would most likely need a partner to do so to even out the conference. One name that might be enticing is someone from the ACC, or even a school like Oregon. The college football landscape is shifting from the power 5 conferences to simply the power 2 conferences. The SEC and Big Ten are creating the epicenter for all college football talent. With the top teams in the Pac 12 and Big 12 being poached, the ACC is somewhat left out of the loop. If Notre Dame was to go to any conference, the Big Ten would definitely be the best fit, both geographically and skill wise. How awesome would it be to have the Michigan rivalry back? Or maybe a November game under the lights in a sellout whiteout in Happy Valley? The Big Ten makes the MOST sense for Notre Dame. This would also be a great opportunity to keep the USC game on the schedule every year. Conclusion At the end of the day, most people are afraid of change. This is no different when looking at Notre Dame and their lack of a conference. While the addition to a conference may be nice, Mr. Bevacqua already stated in an interview with Pat Forde of Sports Illustrated that, " I’m a fan of independence, for sure, it’s another element of what makes Notre Dame different." Then again, anything can change over time, and this transition of power to Athletic Director could definitely sway the mind of Bevacqua. Only time will tell. Note: This is an article that is testing out ads - If you had a negative ad experience, please contact us so we can make it right: Email: irishtribunecontact@gmail.com - Text: (269)-588-0514 - DM @theirishtribune (IG/Twitter)