Former Notre Dame Head Coach Brian Kelly appeared on ‘The Independent’ podcast and explored the impact Marcus Freeman could have made as a LSU Coordinator. The vast majority of Irish fans know the name Brian Kelly and have plenty of takes regarding him. Oftentimes, it is forgotten or intentionally ignored that Kelly currently has the most wins in Irish history. Irish fans can be forgiven for harsh feelings regarding the former coach, especially given his untimely and arguably disrespectful departure in 2021. After Kelly notified the then 11-1 Notre Dame football team that he was leaving for LSU, he cooked up a storm of disgust and disbelief from fans and players alike. In the midst of the situation, Kelly attempted to nab his coordinators and make them Tigers. For a short while, Offensive Coordinator Tommy Rees, who is a former Notre Dame Quarterback, and Defensive Coordinator Marcus Freeman were expected to follow their coach and complete the move. Want the inside scoop on all things Notre Dame? Subscribe to Tribune+ today! However, on December 6th, 2021, the announcement of Freeman taking the helm sent a wave of relaxation throughout the Irish Nation. On top of the announcement, Rees would retain his job as offensive coordinator under Freeman. Freeman was somewhat of a nervous pick for any Irish fan, as he was a first-time head coach. However, he would alleviate the shakiness and second-guessing from everyone after he led the Irish to the 2025 National Championship in only his third year. Notre Dame fans are a near consensus in support of Freeman over Kelly. However, what if LSU had snagged both coordinators? Brian Kelly gave insight into this very topic in the interview. Kelly agreed that having coaches who he knew spoke his coaching language and philosophy would've meant a lot. He later went on to double down on how having an unfamiliar staff probably made the process worse. “One of the things that may have made this process slower than they wanted it to be was coordinator hires” “I had to make a change after year two in defense. That’s never a great thing” Kelly then followed up with a modicum of praise for his former Defensive Coordinator, Brian House. “I think the world of Brian House,” Kelly said. “He’s a great man and a smart football coach, but it just didn’t work.” Kelly then showered understanding upon House’s eventual replacement, Joe Sloan. “He was handed an obviously tough situation,” Kelly remarked. “He was inexperienced in some areas and outstanding in others.” Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle Finally, Kelly answered the question everyone had been waiting for. “Those two that you mentioned [Freeman and Rees], if they were able to make the move, it would’ve been an easier transition, no doubt.” Finally, Kelly shed some light on why Freeman had decided to stay in South Bend after all. “Well, I didn't ask him directly what changed his mind, but I know his family was very strong in this decision-making process. So, I will just assume without knowing that I don't have the answer. I think his family had a very strong influence in where they wanted to be and where they wanted to raise their family.” According to Kelly, it was ultimately Freeman’s family that kept him at Notre Dame, and in turn, assured Notre Dame would be relevant as well. Perhaps karma is real, and Freeman simply caught the sweet end of its tail. Want the latest intel on Notre Dame football? Subscribe to Tribune+ and get access to recruiting and team intel from The Irish Tribune team, as well as access to our intel community, exclusive app, and more Notre Dame content: Subscribe here to support our independent journalism. Follow The Irish Tribune on social media: Facebook / Instagram / X / Threads / TikTok Liked this story? Subscribe to our mailing list and get every story in your inbox. Check out our Irish partners: TMPR Sports - Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle here! Legion of the Leprechaun - Join the #1 Notre Dame fan community on Facebook today!

Ranking the loudest and most difficult places Notre Dame will travel to this season. There are few feats in sports more difficult than winning a college football game on the road in a hostile environment. Something about the thunder of stadium bleachers can cause an entire offense to lose focus. Six opposing teams will have to take on the enormous task of beating the Irish at home. On the flip side, Notre Dame will travel outside South Bend six times as well, with two neutral-site games and four true away games. We ranked the opposing stadiums the Irish will play in, using factors such as stadium capacity, average attendance, and more. No. 1 - BYU at LaVell Edwards Stadium - Provo, UT Notre Dame will travel west to take on loaded BYU in this marquee matchup. (Photo via BYU Athletics) Capacity- 62,073 Average Attendance- 63,789 (100%+) BYU 2025 Home Record- (6-0) The October 17th matchup between the Irish and Cougars will prove to be the toughest in terms of opposing environments. The game is guaranteed to be sold out, which is the norm in Provo, where they haven’t lost a game since 2024, going undefeated in Provo last season. The Irish will have to prepare for the deafening roar of over 63,000 screaming fans as they take on the already talented Cougars in the latest edition of the BYU/ND Rivalry. No. 2- Wisconsin at Lambeau Field - Green Bay, WI The Irish will kick off 2026 by playing in a stadium named after a former Notre Dame player. (Photo via University of Wisconsin Athletics) Capacity- 81,441 Average Attendance- 78,003 (96%) Although the September 6th season opener between Wisconsin and Notre Dame is officially "neutral," the Irish are traveling to the Badgers’ backyard. The official distance between Lambeau and Wisconsin’s campus is less than 135 miles, which is a field trip compared to the 300+ miles between Notre Dame and Lambeau. Although the Packers’ home stadium is named after Curly Lambeau (who played under legendary Irish coach Knute Rockne), it’d be no surprise if a sea of red appears in the stands. Notre Dame also typically struggles in hostile environments early in the season. Want the inside scoop on all things Notre Dame? Subscribe to Tribune+ today! No. 3 - Navy at Gillette Stadium - Foxborough, MA The Irish will take on perennial rival Navy in the New England Patriots' home stadium this season. (Photo via Naval Academy Athletics) Capacity- 64,628 Average Attendance- ~64,628 (100%) On October 31st, the Irish and Midshipmen will once again add another year to the storied rivalry between the two schools. The rivalry typically takes place either in South Bend or in an NFL stadium. This time, the game will host potentially up to 64,000-65,000 fans in Gillette Stadium, the home of the New England Patriots. The Midshipmen had a great year in 2025, going 11-2 with the only losses coming against Notre Dame and a very talented North Texas squad. Navy also went undefeated at home last season. No. 4 - North Carolina at Kenan Memorial Stadium - Chapel Hill, NC The Irish will travel to North Carolina to take on a sneaky Tar Heel squad. (Photo via University of North Carolina Athletics) Capacity- 63,000 Average Attendance- ~50,050 (79%) North Carolina 2025 Home Record- (2-4) On October 3rd, Marcus Freeman and the Irish will travel south to take on the Bill Belichick-led Tar Heels. Although North Carolina didn’t fare great last season, finishing 4-8, this game is no pushover, as ACC fans tend to show up when Notre Dame is in town. That means potentially 63,000 fans screaming at the Irish while they attempt to defeat a team led by one of the coaching greats in football lore. I anticipate Kenan Memorial Stadium to become likened to the Smith Center (where North Carolina dominated in basketball). Needless to say, the Irish will be on upset alert for this matchup. Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle No. 5 - Purdue at Ross-Ade Stadium - Lafayette, In The Irish will travel down south to take on in-state rival Purdue in the fourth game of the 2026 season. (Photo via Purdue Athletics) Capacity- 61,441 Average Attendance- ~59,887 (97%) Purdue 2025 Home Record- (2-5) On September 26th, Notre Dame will travel just over 110 miles to take on in-state rival, Purdue. Although Boilermaker football has struggled in previous years, Purdue fans still pack Ross-Ade Stadium. The atmosphere will be electric as they attempt to upset the Irish in this early-season matchup. I expect plenty of Notre Dame fans to venture with the team, so for that reason, Ross-Ade is lower than it otherwise would be. No. 6 - Syracuse at JMA Wireless Dome - Syracuse, NY Notre Dame will close out the regular season by taking on Syracuse in a unique venue. (Photo via Syracuse University Athletics) Capacity- 42,784 Average Attendance- ~38,605 (90%) Syracuse 2025 Home Record- (2-4) Notre Dame will travel east to close out the 2026 regular season. The season finale against Syracuse will take place in the only venue used for football and basketball in the entirety of NCAA Division I athletics. The Orange struggled last year and still brought in 90% average attendance at home. It’s a shame the venue is among the smallest in the Power Four, with seating less than 43,000. I expect this game to sell out, considering the plethora of Irish fans in New York. I don’t expect the game to be a 70-7 Irish blowout like last year, but I also expect the matchup to be a relatively calm one as the Irish hopefully head into the postseason. Want the latest intel on Notre Dame football? Subscribe to Tribune+ and get access to recruiting and team intel from The Irish Tribune team, as well as access to our intel community, exclusive app, and more Notre Dame content: Subscribe here to support our independent journalism. Follow The Irish Tribune on social media: Facebook / Instagram / X / Threads / TikTok Liked this story? Subscribe to our mailing list and get every story in your inbox. Check out our Irish partners: TMPR Sports - Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle here! Legion of the Leprechaun - Join the #1 Notre Dame fan community on Facebook today!

Notre Dame reached into its backyard of Chicago to secure its newest commitment, LB Roman Igwebuike, who announced his pledge to the Irish on Saturday afternoon. Photo via Roman Igwebuike/IG (@romanigwebuike) Igwebuike, a consensus four-star recruit, chose Notre Dame over Indiana, Clemson, Missouri, and Tennessee. The 6-3, 225-pounder ranks as the #134 overall prospect, #10 LB, and #7 player in Illinois in the class of 2027, per Rivals Industry. Want the inside scoop on all things Notre Dame? Subscribe to Tribune+ today! The Chicago native attends Mount Carmel High School, where he helped the program to its fourth consecutive State Championship last season. On the way to getting his ring, Igwebuike tallied 115 tackles, 13.5 TFLs, 7 sacks, 17 QB pressures, 3 PBUs, 3 forced fumbles, 2 INTs, and a fumble recovery. Highlights vs Loyola Chasedown Tackle INT in the State Championship Igwebuike possesses an elite frame, which helps contribute to his success as a potent run-stopper. Additionally, the explosive LB offers valuable sideline-to-sideline speed. He projects as an inside backer who offers the versatility to occasionally rush off the edge. Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle Notre Dame’s 2027 class now stands at 22 commitments, with Igwebuike’s announcement giving the Irish their first LB. Igwebuike also marks the class’s second addition from Illinois, joining DL David Folorunsho. Want the latest intel on Notre Dame football? Subscribe to Tribune+ and get access to recruiting and team intel from The Irish Tribune team, as well as access to our intel community, exclusive app, and more Notre Dame content: Subscribe here to support our independent journalism. Follow The Irish Tribune on social media: Facebook / Instagram / X / Threads / TikTok Follow @Brenden_Duffy on X Liked this story? Subscribe to our mailing list and get every story in your inbox. Check out our Irish partners: TMPR Sports - Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle here! Legion of the Leprechaun - Join the #1 Notre Dame fan community on Facebook today!

While Notre Dame may have its most star-studded roster in a while, there will be no shortage of talent lining up on the other side of the Irish as we preview the top ten players Notre Dame is set to face during the 2026 regular season. Photo via University of Miami Athletics I released the bottom half of my top ten on Thursday, and now we can get into the elite-level game changers. Below are my top five players Notre Dame will take on in 2026: 5. Darian Mensah; Miami QB Coming in at number five is Miami’s newest transfer signal-caller, following in the footsteps of Cam Ward and Carson Beck. Mensah, a 6-3 and 205-pound Redshirt Junior, was originally a three-star QB out of San Luis Obispo, CA, who committed to Tulane out of high school. After redshirting his freshman season in 2023, Mensah earned the starting role at Tulane in 2024. That season, he completed 65.9% of his throws for 2,723 yards and 22 touchdowns with six interceptions across 13 games played. Mensah and the Green Wave finished the year with an AAC Championship Game appearance and a 9-4 record. Following his breakout campaign at Tulane, Mensah would enter the portal and transfer to Duke, reportedly signing a two-year, $8 million deal with the Blue Devils. Last season at Duke, Mensah excelled with a 66.8% completion percentage while throwing for 3,973 yards (Duke single-season record) and 34 touchdowns with six interceptions across 14 games played. With Duke’s high-octane passing offense, Mensah led the Blue Devils to ACC Champions as the QB earned MVP honors during the conference title matchup. He then went on to earn the Sun Bowl MVP after throwing for 327 yards and four touchdowns in a win over Arizona State, improving Duke’s final record to 9-5. This offseason, Mensah violated his original contract with Duke and transferred to Miami following a controversial settlement between the Blue Devils and their former QB. The Hurricanes’ freshly poached QB possesses good accuracy, nice touch on his deep throws, and demonstrates a very high football IQ. However, he is prone to turnovers, getting lucky with a few missed interceptions last season, and has had fumble issues in the past. Want the inside scoop on all things Notre Dame? Subscribe to Tribune+ today! 4. Damon Wilson II; Miami EDGE The first of two Miami DL in this list is another transfer for the Hurricanes, Senior Damon Wilson II. The 6-4, 250-pound EDGE out of Nokomis, FL was a highly-touted five-star recruit at Venice High School who had committed to Georgia. Across two seasons in Athens as a Bulldog, Wilson posted 26 tackles, six TFLs, 3.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries in 26 games played, including two starts. Seeking an increased role, Wilson would enter the portal and transfer to Missouri for the 2025 season. Last year at Missouri, Wilson showed why he is an elite pass rusher as he tallied 23 tackles, 9.5 TFLs, nine sacks, two PBUs, one interception, and one fumble recovery in 13 games played. He earned an All-SEC Second Team selection following this campaign, in which he generated 54 pressures. This offseason, Wilson entered the portal again, this time taking his talents back to his home state of Florida and the Miami Hurricanes. With elite measurables, a great burst, and an explosive skillset, the ‘Canes found themselves another elite pass-rushing EDGE to replace Tampa Buccaneers first-round NFL Draft selection Rueben Bain Jr. 3. Ahmad Moten Sr.; Miami DL The leader on the interior of Miami’s DL is, undoubtedly, Redshirt Senior Ahmad Moten Sr. The 6-3, 300-pound DL decided to return to the Hurricanes this offseason despite receiving early-round NFL Draft buzz. Moten committed to Miami as a four-star recruit out of Cardinal Gibbons HS in Fort Lauderdale, FL. The DL really broke out last season as a Redshirt Junior, tallying 31 tackles, nine TFLs, and 4.5 sacks across 14 games played, helping the ‘Canes to a CFP Championship Game appearance. Moten made his mark against Notre Dame, finishing the contest with three tackles and was credited for a sack on the costly intentional grounding penalty against CJ Carr. The All-ACC Second Team DL is a great athlete for his size; however, he performs better as a pass-rusher compared to a run-stopper despite the massive frame. The key to countering Moten is not to run plays at him, as he does tend to be a non-factor and give up if the ball is not around him. Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle 2. LJ Martin; BYU RB The most talented RB on the Irish’s schedule is not much of a debate with this 6-2, 225-pound Senior looking to build off an outstanding Junior campaign. An El Paso, TX native, Martin committed to BYU coming out of high school as a three-star RB. Martin made an impact early in his BYU career, totaling 1,379 yards and 14 touchdowns across 20 games played as a Freshman and Sophomore. However, last season was when the Cougars RB became a national star. Across 13 games, Martin tallied 1,305 yards and 12 touchdowns on 236 carries. The BYU Team Captain was named Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year after leading the conference in rushing yards and yards from scrimmage (1,560). As a receiving option, Martin contributed 36 receptions for 255 yards. The 6-2 RB offers great measurables, including a 4.46 40-yard dash time. He is an elite contact-seeking runner who always falls forward and fights for every yard. Martin carries his frame well, and despite not being the cleanest route runner, his hands are very reliable out of the backfield. 1. Malachi Toney; Miami WR And finally, the number one player that Notre Dame will line up against in 2026 is the Hurricanes’ Sophomore WR. Coming out of Liberty City, FL, Toney was a four-star recruit at American Heritage who reclassified from ‘26 to ‘25 to join Miami early. At just 17 years old, Toney had a historic freshman campaign last season, setting Miami single-season records in receptions (109) and receiving yards (1,211). He also ended up with 10 receiving touchdowns, with his first coming in his first collegiate game against Notre Dame, where he finished with 82 yards across six catches. Toney’s 109 receptions led the country, while his 1,211 yards led the ACC. These are two major reasons he earned the following accolades in 2025: AP All-American Second Team, Consensus Freshman All-American, ACC Rookie of the Year, and All-ACC First Team. Toney is an extremely versatile threat, as evidenced by his usage last season. The 5-11, 188-pound WR rushed for 113 yards and added another touchdown across 23 carries. He totaled 298 yards across 23 punt return attempts. To top it off, he even threw 4/7 for 82 yards with two touchdowns and no turnovers as a passer. There is not much the 2028 NFL Draft top-10 pick lock can not do. Toney is an elite route runner who burns defenses after the catch, and he maintains great ball skills. Honorable Mentions: Bryce Fitzgerald (Miami DB), Addison Nichols (SMU OL), Joshua Bates (SMU OL), Melkart Abou Jaoude (UNC DL), Mason Posa (Wisconsin LB), Bruce Mitchell (BYU OL), Kevin Jennings (SMU QB) Want the latest intel on Notre Dame football? Subscribe to Tribune+ and get access to recruiting and team intel from The Irish Tribune team, as well as access to our intel community, exclusive app, and more Notre Dame content: Subscribe here to support our independent journalism. Follow The Irish Tribune on social media: Facebook / Instagram / X / Threads / TikTok Follow @Brenden_Duffy on X Liked this story? Subscribe to our mailing list and get every story in your inbox. Check out our Irish partners: TMPR Sports - Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle here! Legion of the Leprechaun - Join the #1 Notre Dame fan community on Facebook today!

While Notre Dame may have its most star-studded roster in a while, there will be no shortage of talent lining up on the other side of the Irish as we preview the top ten players Notre Dame is set to face during the 2026 regular season. Photo via SMU Athletics Last season, I wrote a similar piece, featuring just nine players, and all nine went on to be selected in the 2026 NFL Draft, including three first-round picks. This year was much more difficult to cut the list down, in large part due to Miami’s emerging talents and the additions of BYU and SMU to the schedule, but I gave it a try below, starting with numbers ten through six. 10. Cooper Barkate; Miami WR The first of six Hurricanes to appear on this list is also one of two former Duke stars who transferred to Miami this offseason. Barkate, a 6-1 and 195-pound Redshirt Senior, was a former Notre Dame target as a three-star recruit out of Mater Dei. He would end up committing to Harvard, where he waited until his third year to break out as a star. In 2024, Barkate hauled in 63 receptions for 1,084 yards and 11 touchdowns in 10 games played. After the Harvard WR earned All-Ivy First Team and FCS All-American Second Team honors following this campaign, he would hit the portal and transfer to Duke for the 2025 season. Barkate saw his numbers rise last season at Duke, despite the jump in competition. Across 14 games played, he tallied 1,106 yards on 72 receptions for seven touchdowns as the Blue Devils went on to win the ACC Championship. The All-ACC Second Teamer’s best outing came against Georgia Tech, where he finished the game with a season-high 13 catches for 172 yards. Following his Duke QB, Barkate transferred with Darian Mensah down south this winter. The former Harvard WR boasts polished route running and high IQ, and should be one of the biggest beneficiaries of playing alongside elite WR Malachi Toney and the coverage he demands. 9. Chris Peal; Syracuse CB Coming in at number nine is a product of his HC, Fran Brown. Peal, a Redshirt Junior, was originally a four-star two-way athlete from Charlotte, NC. The 6-1, 200-pound CB committed to Georgia and, at the time, DB Coach Brown, coming out of high school. Peal appeared in just five games across two seasons with the Bulldogs, opting to enter the transfer portal and reunite with Coach Brown at Syracuse in 2025. Last season, Peal started all 12 games played and tallied 47 tackles, seven PBUs, and one forced fumble. He was able to come up with five tackles and one PBU during Notre Dame’s 70-7 shellacking of Syracuse. Regardless of the team's success, Peal was and will continue to be a bright spot for the Orange. He is an elite zone CB, possessing a 6-1 frame with a 4.35 40-yard dash. He is a good tackler, accounting for just three misses last fall, and is also solid in run support. The obvious poking point with Peal is his lack of an interception, but I can guarantee that changes in 2026, ideally not at CJ Carr’s expense. Want the inside scoop on all things Notre Dame? Subscribe to Tribune+ today! 8. Mark Fletcher Jr.; Miami RB Hurricane number two on this list, and one of two American Heritage High School products, is Miami’s Senior RB. Fletcher, 6-2 and 225 pounds, is a native of Fort Lauderdale, where he was a four-star recruit before committing to Miami out of high school. The workhorse RB broke onto the scene last season as a Junior, when he rushed for 1,192 yards and 12 touchdowns on 216 carries across 14 games played as the Hurricanes marched all the way to the CFP Championship Game. Fletcher recorded over 100 rushing yards in six games, including a season-high of 172 at Texas A&M in a CFP matchup. He also set a CFP record as he rushed for 507 total yards during the Canes’s postseason run. While not as much of a receiving threat, he still racked up 140 yards and two scores on 17 receptions last year, including one eight-yard catch against the Irish. Notre Dame did well stuffing Fletcher in last season’s meeting, holding him to just 66 yards on 15 carries, marking the first of five outings in which he did not surpass at least 80 rushing yards. The Irish will need to match this performance in 2026 when the All-ACC Third Team RB comes to South Bend. 7. Evan Johnson; BYU CB Next is BYU’s ballhawking CB, Evan Johnson. The six-foot, 185-pound Redshirt Senior comes from Monterey, CA, where he was a three-star WR coming out of high school before committing to BYU. Upon arrival at BYU, Johnson was converted to a CB, and that switch has paid off tremendously. Last season is when the lockdown CB broke out, compiling 47 tackles, 13 passes defended, eight PBUs, five interceptions, including a pick-six, and one sack. Johnson’s five picks tied for the most among Big 12 defenders as the Cougars reached the Conference Championship Game and finished the season with a 12-2 record. His best performance came against East Carolina, when he recorded six tackles, three passes defended, and two interceptions, including his pick-six. Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle 6. PJ Williams; SMU OL SMU’s offensive line is, in my opinion, the strongest of any other opponent on the Irish’s schedule, even Miami. But the leader of the group is Senior RT PJ Williams. The 6-5, 313-pound OL out of Dickinson, TX, was a four-star Texas A&M commit out of high school. However, after playing in just one game and redshirting his freshman year, Williams entered the portal and transferred to SMU. Williams has started the past 27 games for the Mustangs, earning 2024 All-ACC Third Team honors and a 2025 All-ACC Second Team nod. Last season, the SMU RT ranked among the top five ACC OL in pressure rate, allowing just two sacks while serving as a team captain. Overall, Williams is an all-around very talented blocker. His matchup with Notre Dame will be interesting, though, as Williams struggled against Miami’s lengthy EDGEs last year, something Notre Dame can offer with Boubacar Traore and Bryce Young. Stay tuned for the top five talents that Notre Dame will face in 2026. Want the latest intel on Notre Dame football? Subscribe to Tribune+ and get access to recruiting and team intel from The Irish Tribune team, as well as access to our intel community, exclusive app, and more Notre Dame content: Subscribe here to support our independent journalism. Follow The Irish Tribune on social media: Facebook / Instagram / X / Threads / TikTok Follow @Brenden_Duffy on X Liked this story? Subscribe to our mailing list and get every story in your inbox. Check out our Irish partners: TMPR Sports - Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle here! Legion of the Leprechaun - Join the #1 Notre Dame fan community on Facebook today!

The special uniforms feature nods to the Green Bay Packers, Acme Packers, Paul Hornung, and America's 250th birthday. Photo by Notre Dame Athletics Notre Dame has released the 13th edition of the Shamrock Series uniform for the Fighting Irish's opening game against Wisconsin at Lambeau Field. The reveal comes after a teaser trailer was released on Notre Dame football's social media pages, prior to the official reveal. The trailer featured old film reels of Green Bay Packers highlights alongside a 1900s-era football helmet with the caption, "For a century, our stories have been stitched together..." With this video and the appearance of the 2026 Shamrock Series uniforms, it appears that Notre Dame and Under Armour have taken inspiration from the storied history shared between both the Irish and the Packers as the main focus for this year’s Shamrock Series matchup. The Shamrock Series game will kick off the Irish’s season and will be held at the legendary venue of Lambeau Field. Curly Lambeau, the stadium's namesake, started his football career playing fullback at Notre Dame under legendary head coach Knute Rockne in 1917. An illness forced the freshman to return to his hometown of Green Bay, Wisconsin, and Lambeau founded the Green Bay Packers the following year. Lambeau both played and coached for the Packers, where it was clear his old coach had left an impression on the young man. The Professional Football Hall of Fame claims that Lambeau was the first pass-minded coach in professional football. Rockne is often cited as the pioneer of the pass in collegiate athletics. Lambeau and his passing setup brought six NFL Championships home to Green Bay before a backhanded scheme by league higher-ups forced him to resign in 1950. Throughout Lambeau’s career, the Notre Dame influence is more than prevalent. Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle Since the 2009 founding, the Shamrock Series has become an anticipated aspect of every Notre Dame Football season. Back when Notre Dame was first emerging as a national powerhouse under coach Knute Rockne, hardly any Midwestern teams were willing to play the Irish. A large reason for this was rampant anti-Catholicism gripping the Midwest in the early 1900s. Furthermore, the Fighting Irish would have to compete against teams exceedingly far away, which the Irish traveled to on subways. This allowed Notre Dame Football to be featured in front of largely immigrant-based Catholics, who otherwise wouldn’t have come into contact with Notre Dame. Thus, the Subway Alumni phenomenon and the largest brand in college football were born. The Shamrock Showcase is traditionally a marquee game for the Irish and is always played at a neutral site. It has allowed Notre Dame to play at legendary venues such as Yankee Stadium, Fenway Park, and Soldier Field. Each year, the Irish compete in a unique uniform representing an aspect of Notre Dame Football. Recently, fans speculated that the jersey revealed would be the same one leaked earlier this week. This would later be confirmed to be the case following the announcement post by Notre Dame socials. The jersey is reportedly a spin-off of the 1923 Green Bay Packers jerseys, with shamrocks woven into the back thread. A key component of the match-up is the mesh design in the gold lining of the numbers. Thread was traditionally used for jerseys before more practical materials became available. Notre Dame is representing that shared vintage look between the two programs, as well as a testament to the longevity between the Irish and the Packers. The Jersey features an array of iconic additions specifically tailored to this year's edition of the Shamrock Showcase. Nameplate The nameplate is typically only reserved for playoff games, but is featured on this year's jersey. Striping A direct throwback to the iconic Green Bay Packers jersey striping. Flag Patch The all-gold American flag patch is in commemoration of the nation's 250th anniversary. Paul Hornung The numbers are inspired by the PAUL HORNUNG era and are a nod to the Notre Dame Heisman winner and legendary Green Bay Packers. 11 Golden Shamrocks Notre Dame’s eleven claimed National Championships are represented in the eleven golden shamrocks running across the collar of the jersey. Here is a closer look at the uniforms: Photos via Notre Dame Athletics The uniqueness of the iconic Shamrock Series jerseys has typically been a hot/cold affair between Irish fans. Some years, fans welcome the refreshing new twist to the classic Notre Dame uniforms; other years, fans widely reject the new iteration of the jersey, and thank the Lord it was only for one game. As always, the pure traditionalists are totally against the idea of changing the iconic blue and gold that Notre Dame sports game after game. In the hours leading up to the reveal, a post showing the leaked jersey was widely circulated in the Notre Dame subreddit. Fans shared various opinions on the jersey. “If it is those awful leaked uniforms, I’m going to be very upset.“ - (via Reddit/ErasetheDoubt) “Excited to see them! We are the home team, so dark navy as the primary top?” - (via Reddit/God_Country_ND) (via X/nd_unitracker) This image has appeared all over social media for the past week as the leaked Shamrock Series jersey. Want the latest intel on Notre Dame football? Subscribe to Tribune+ and get access to recruiting and team intel from The Irish Tribune team, as well as access to our intel community, exclusive app, and more Notre Dame content: Subscribe here to support our independent journalism. Follow The Irish Tribune on social media: Facebook / Instagram / X / Threads / TikTok Liked this story? Subscribe to our mailing list and get every story in your inbox. Check out our Irish partners: TMPR Sports - Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle here! Legion of the Leprechaun - Join the #1 Notre Dame fan community on Facebook today!

Rivalries can be seen as the engine powering the super machine that is college football. The massive tailgating, major pregame shows, and national television audiences drive the hype for these matchups. However, due to conference realignment, many of these Intraconference Matchups have fallen to the wayside. That is, unless you are protected by the title of Independent, such as Notre Dame. The University of Southern California (USC) rivalry notwithstanding, the Irish have done an exceptional job of keeping rivalries on the schedule. Although not playing every year, Notre Dame has Purdue, Michigan State, and Stanford on the docket this year. That leads us to one of the most esteemed and respected rivals, the Navy Midshipmen. Want the inside scoop on all things Notre Dame? Subscribe to Tribune+ today! That matchup has been scrutinized by detractors of "Our Lady." They use it to deride the Irish and to throw the flimsy accusation that the Irish schedule cupcakes. All while ignoring certain teams in the south playing Division II schools in the second-to-last week of the season, a practice that only ends this season with the requirement of teams playing nine Power Five teams on a schedule. By doing this, they ignore the esteemed history of this rivalry and what it means to the Navy as a whole. The rivalry started in 1927. It was born out of the fact that Notre Dame, at the time an all-boys college, had many students fighting in World War II. The Navy used the campus as a training ground that provided enough money for the institution to stay afloat. Because of this, Notre Dame has played Navy yearly out of gratitude; it was played annually from 1927 to 2019, making it the longest uninterrupted intersectional rivalry. That was until the COVID Pandemic ended the streak in 2020. Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle As much as the game means to Notre Dame in terms of gratitude and reverence, it means that much more to Navy. When the rivalry was renewed in 2016, then Navy Athletic Director Chet Gladchuck said, "...it is of great interest to our collective national audience of Fighting Irish fans, Naval Academy alumni, and the Navy family at large." The benefits far outweigh what it means for the fans, alumni, and even players. It is the Navy's largest athletic financial windfall each year. Notre Dame does not make money from away games and does not share revenue from home games. That is why when the Navy hosts this game, it is played in NFL stadiums. This allows the Navy to generate millions of dollars in revenue from municipal payouts, ticket sales, and sponsorships. It also gives players who serve our country the opportunity to play in a “big game” atmosphere that they would only get otherwise by playing the annual showdown against Army. History is the very fabric of tradition. By people deriding Notre Dame for scheduling this game, they show their ambivalence to tradition and biased ignorance of the meaning of this game. As rivalry and tradition give way to “super conferences” and “grabbing the bag”, we need this game to remind us of the purity and history of college football. Anything to diminish this game is simply an advancement of the game we love, becoming a bludgeoned body of capitalism. Want the latest intel on Notre Dame football? Subscribe to Tribune+ and get access to recruiting and team intel from The Irish Tribune team, as well as access to our intel community, exclusive app, and more Notre Dame content: Subscribe here to support our independent journalism. Follow The Irish Tribune on social media: Facebook / Instagram / X / Threads / TikTok Liked this story? Subscribe to our mailing list and get every story in your inbox. Check out our Irish partners: TMPR Sports - Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle here! Legion of the Leprechaun - Join the #1 Notre Dame fan community on Facebook today!

*Updated June 29th, 2026 Notre Dame has cemented itself among the nation's best on the recruiting trail, as the Fighting Irish are once again tracking for a Top-5 class come signing day. Offense Albert Simien - Interior Offensive Line Ranking: 5-Star, 14th Nationally (247Sports Composite) Height/Weight: 6'4", 280 lbs Location: Lake Charles, LA Notable Offers: Texas A&M, LSU, Nebraska Stats: N/A Julius Jones Jr. - Wide Receiver Ranking: 4-Star, 75th Nationally (247Sports Composite) Height/Weight: 5'10", 175 lbs Location: Fort Lauderdale, FL Notable Offers: Miami, Oregon Stats: Junior season: 58 receptions, 876 yards, 14 TDs (via Andrew Ivins) Wonderful "Champ" Monds IV - Quarterback Ranking: 4-Star, 256th Nationally (247Sports Composite) Height/Weight: 6'2", 225 lbs Location: Vero Beach, FL Notable Offers: Ohio State, Alabama, Michigan, Oregon, Texas A&M Stats: Freshman season: 2,234 passing yards, 23 passing TDs, 68% completion. 502 rushing yards, 9 rushing TDs in 12 games. Injured ankle during sophomore season, limited to four games (MaxPreps) Titus Hawk - Tight End Ranking: 4-Star, 374th Nationally (247Sports Composite) Height/Weight: 6'7", 210 lbs Location: Choctaw, OK Notable Offers: Alabama, Michigan, Miami, Texas A&M, Florida Stats: Junior season: 31 receptions, 644 receiving yards, 8 TDs (via Andrew Ivins) Jackson Coleman - Wide Receiver Ranking: 3-Star, 883rd Nationally (247Sports Composite) Height/Weight: 6'3", 185 lbs Location: Littleton, CO Notable Offers: Michigan, Miami, Oregon, Colorado Stats: Junior season: 45 receptions, 975 yards, 9 TDs in 13 games (via Andrew Ivins) Oluwasemilore Olubobola - Offensive Tackle Ranking: 5-Star, 13th Nationally (247Sports Composite) Height/Weight: 6'6", 295 lbs Location: Jersey City, NJ Notable Offers: Ohio State, Miami, Oregon, Texas A&M, LSU Stats: N/A James Halter - Offensive Tackle Ranking: 4-Star, 88th Nationally (247Sports Composite) Height/Weight: 6'6", 270 lbs Location: Pittsburgh, PA Notable Offers: Ohio State, Auburn, Indiana, Duke, North Carolina Stats: N/A Jackson Hill - Offensive Tackle/Offensive Guard Ranking: 3-Star, 627th Nationally (247Sports Composite) Height/Weight: 6'5", 280 lbs Location: West Hills, CA Notable Offers: UCLA, Stanford Stats: N/A Isaiah Rogers - Running Back Ranking: 4-Star, 194th Nationally (247Sports Composite) Height/Weight: 5'11", 205 lbs Location: Springfield, MA Notable Offers: Florida, Florida State, Michigan, Penn State Stats: Junior season: 986 rushing yards in 10 games (7.8 yards per carry), 15 rushing TD, 401 receiving yards, 3 receiving TDs. (via Andrew Ivins) Lathan Whisenton - Running Back Ranking: 4-Star, 156th Nationally (247Sports Composite) Height/Weight: 5'11", 194 lbs Location: Waco, TX Notable Offers: Oregon, Texas, Texas A&M, Florida, Michigan Stats: Junior season: 1,502 rushing yards in 11 games (9.1 yards per carry), 24 rushing TD, 102 receiving yards (MaxPreps) Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle Defense Segun Alexander - Defensive Line Ranking: 3-Star, 451st Nationally (247Sports Composite) Height/Weight: 6'2", 295 lbs Location: Rabun Gap, GA Notable Offers: Clemson, Georgia Tech, Texas A&M Stats: Junior season: 36 tackles (18 TFL), 13 sacks, 1 FF, and 1 FR (via 247 Sports) Abraham Sesay - Edge Ranking: 4-Star, 47th Nationally (247Sports Composite) Height/Weight: 6'5", 215 lbs Location: Exton, PA Notable Offers: LSU, Florida State, Alabama Stats: Junior season: 13 sacks, also got snaps at TE (via Andrew Ivins) Jackson Vaughn - Defensive End Ranking: 4-Star, 247th Nationally (247 Sports Composite) Height/Weight: 6'3", 225 lbs Location: Oradell, NJ Notable Offers: Alabama, LSU, Oregon, Ohio State, Miami Stats: Sophomore season: 40 tackles, 12 TFL, 8 sacks, 3 PBU (Via Andrew Ivins) Xavier Hasan - Cornerback Ranking: 4-Star, 42nd Nationally (247Sports Composite) Height/Weight: 5'11", 195 lbs Location: Raleigh, NC Notable Offers: Michigan, Penn State, Georgia, Miami, Ohio State Stats: Junior season: 17 total tackles, 3 interceptions, and 3 kickoff return TDs. (MaxPreps) Ace Alston - Cornerback Ranking: 4-Star, 84th Nationally (247Sports Composite) Height/Weight: 5'11", 175 lbs Location: Cincinnati, OH Notable Offers: Miami, Florida, LSU, Ohio State, Oregon Stats: Junior season: 53 total tackles, 1.5 TFL, 16 PBU, 1 interception (via Andrew Ivins) Zayden Gamble - Safety Ranking: 4-Star, 146th Nationally (247Sports Composite) Height/Weight: 5'11", 190 lbs Location: Fort Lauderdale, FL Notable Offers: Penn State, Ohio State, Oregon, Georgia, Texas Stats: Junior season: 65 tackles, 3 TFL, 5 PBU, 3 interceptions, 1 forced fumble (via Andrew Ivins) John Gay - Safety Ranking: 3-Star, 764th Nationally (247Sports Composite) Height/Weight: 6'1", 185 lbs Location: Hollywood, FL Notable Offers: Florida, Ole Miss, Auburn, Texas A&M Stats: Junior season: 32 tackles, 3 PBU, 1 interception (via Andrew Ivins) Aidan O'Neil - Edge Ranking: 4-Star, 143rd Nationally (247Sports Composite) Height/Weight: 6'5", 240 lbs Location: Ramsey, NJ Notable Offers: Miami, Ohio State, Florida, Georgia, LSU Stats: Junior season: 54 tackles, 16 TFL, 7.5 sacks, 2 forced fumbles (via Andrew Ivins) David Folorunsho - Defensive Line Ranking: 5-Star, 27th Nationally (247Sports Composite) Height/Weight: 6'3", 280 lbs Location: Chicago, IL Notable Offers: Miami, Alabama, LSU, Ohio State, Michigan Stats: Sophomore season: 24 total tackles, 1 sack (MaxPreps) Richie Flanigan - Defensive Line/Offensive Line Ranking: 4-Star, 408th Nationally (247Sports Composite) Height/Weight: 6'3", 265 lbs Location: Green Bay, WI Notable Offers: Michigan, Duke, Wisconsin, Stanford Stats: Sophomore season: 24 total tackles, 1 sack (MaxPreps) Special Teams Sean Kraft - Long Snapper Ranking: 3-Star, 1,818th Nationally (247Sports Composite) Height/Weight: 6'4", 215 lbs Location: Swannanoa, NC Notable Offers: North Carolina, Wake Forest Stats: N/A Want the latest intel on Notre Dame football? Subscribe to Tribune+ and get access to recruiting and team intel from The Irish Tribune team, as well as access to our intel community, exclusive app, and more Notre Dame content: Subscribe here to support our independent journalism. Follow The Irish Tribune on social media: Facebook / Instagram / X / Threads / TikTok Liked this story? Subscribe to our mailing list and get every story in your inbox. Check out our Irish partners: TMPR Sports - Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle here! Legion of the Leprechaun - Join the #1 Notre Dame fan community on Facebook today!

OL Albert Simien announced his commitment to Notre Dame on Friday afternoon, live on SportsCenter, giving the Irish a huge recruiting win in the SEC’s backyard. Photo via Albert Simien/IG (@albert_simien33) Simien, standing at 6-5 and around 280 pounds, chose Notre Dame over LSU, Texas A&M, Nebraska, and others. Rivals lists the elite talent as a five-star prospect, ranking as the #10 overall recruit, #2 IOL, and #2 player in Louisiana in the class of 2027. A native of Lake Charles, Simien attends Sam Houston High School. While lining up at LT at Sam Houston, Simien projects as an IOL at Notre Dame with the natural tools to become a future early-round NFL Draft selection. On tape, the Louisianan oozes dominance and power. Using his athletic background in basketball and shot put, Simien is an elite run blocker with great mobility, which is evidenced by his ability to get to the second level with ease. He is also a consistently productive pass-blocker whose skill compensates for a slight lack of size. However, Simien does have good length, including 34-inch arms. With some lower-body bulking needed, the Irish likely just landed themselves a multi-year starter on their offensive line. Want the inside scoop on all things Notre Dame? Subscribe to Tribune+ today! Notre Dame’s 2027 recruiting class now stands at 21 commits, including four listed OL, following Simien’s pledge. Simien also marks the Irish’s first ‘27 addition out of Louisiana. Want the latest intel on Notre Dame football? Subscribe to Tribune+ and get access to recruiting and team intel from The Irish Tribune team, as well as access to our intel community, exclusive app, and more Notre Dame content: Subscribe here to support our independent journalism. Follow The Irish Tribune on social media: Facebook / Instagram / X / Threads / TikTok Follow @Brenden_Duffy on X Liked this story? Subscribe to our mailing list and get every story in your inbox. Check out our Irish partners: TMPR Sports - Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle here! Legion of the Leprechaun - Join the #1 Notre Dame fan community on Facebook today!

Notre Dame, Offensive Coordinator Mike Denbrock, and QB Coach Gino Guidugli secured a commitment from QB Trey Tagliaferri, locking down a potential recruiting leader for the Irish’s 2028 class at a key position. Photo via Trey Tagliaferri/IG (@treytagliaferriqb1) Tagliaferri, a 6-2 Pro Style QB, chose Notre Dame over Oklahoma, Penn State, and 31 other listed offers, per 247 Sports. Rivals ranks the Irish’s newest commit as a four-star, rated as the #110 overall recruit and #11 QB in the class of 2028. Want the inside scoop on all things Notre Dame? Subscribe to Tribune+ today! The QB’s pledge could mark a new pipeline between Notre Dame and New Jersey’s Bergen Catholic, the former home of Irish WR Quincy Porter and ‘27 EDGE commit Jackson Vaughn. As a Sophomore last season, Tagliaferri led Bergen Catholic to an 8-3 record, falling to Don Bosco and ‘27 EDGE commit Aidan O’Neil in the New Jersey State Semifinals. The Bergen QB performed well all year, compiling a 62.3% completion percentage while throwing for 2,238 yards and 29 touchdowns with just three interceptions. The 6-2 Sophomore offers good size and is fairly close to Denbrock’s ideal QB. Tagliaferri has a very clean delivery, consistently throwing absolute darts all across the field. He demonstrates good IQ with his timing and anticipation displayed on film. Tagliaferri is not the most athletic QB, but he has solid footwork and can get out of the pocket when needed. Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle Tagliaferri becomes the Irish’s third 2028 commit, joining S Andre Jones and K Owen Davies. Want the latest intel on Notre Dame football? Subscribe to Tribune+ and get access to recruiting and team intel from The Irish Tribune team, as well as access to our intel community, exclusive app, and more Notre Dame content: Subscribe here to support our independent journalism. Follow The Irish Tribune on social media: Facebook / Instagram / X / Threads / TikTok Follow @Brenden_Duffy on X Liked this story? Subscribe to our mailing list and get every story in your inbox. Check out our Irish partners: TMPR Sports - Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle here! Legion of the Leprechaun - Join the #1 Notre Dame fan community on Facebook today!

In a way to combat the chaotic nature of college athletics, the NCAA has reformed its eligibility rules, granting all student-athletes five years to play five seasons. One major point of contention regarding the changes to college athletics has been the increasing number of older players being allowed to compete in their respective sports. This started in the wake of COVID, where players were granted a COVID year on top of their normal redshirt and medical redshirt year. While it did make sense at the time, it began to blur the lines regarding the rules of eligibility, causing many athletes to challenge the NCAA on the retention of their college eligibility. The situation only got worse when NIL blew up into what it is today, incentivizing athletes to stay in college for as long as they can while claiming the NCAA rules were hindering their ability to make money. All of this caused college athletics to be riddled with 24-26-year-olds, with some even coming back to college after playing professionally. While many of these older players were beneficial to their programs, many argued that it was beginning to spoil the nature of college sports. Want the inside scoop on all things Notre Dame? Subscribe to Tribune+ today! Now, the NCAA seems to have regained some control over the eligibility conversation, stating that all student-athletes have five years to play five seasons, taking out the redshirt year. The five-year clock starts when the athlete enrolls in school or after the first academic year following their 19th birthday. While the NCAA will no longer consider waivers for players trying to extend their eligibility under the new rule, there are still exemptions for maternity leave, religious missions, and active-duty military service. For athletes still in college, the NCAA has granted them and the schools some freedom to decide how the rule will be used. Athletes who still have eligibility following the 2025-26 academic year will be given the option to decide, with the help of their school, whether to follow the old rule or the new one. For those who have recently run out of eligibility following the 2025-26 year, the NCAA has stated that they are officially ineligible. The 2027 class of athletes will be the first group to which this rule applies in its entirety. For them, they have exactly five years to play up to five seasons of their sport. Looking at Notre Dame football, this new ruling does give them a lot more roster flexibility, as it has granted 19 players an additional year of eligibility. This not only gives Marcus Freeman a chance to retain talented and experienced players, but it also gives players some level of reassurance that they have an extra year in the event of an injury. Here are the 19 players affected: Drayk Bowen Jordan Faison Elijah Hughes Luke Talich Christian Gray Aneyas Williams Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa Anthonie Knapp Bryce Young Leonard Moore Francis Brewu Loghan Thomas Spencer Porath Jayden Sanders Madden Faraimo Quincy Porter Mark Zackery IV Erik Schmidt Dallas Golden Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle For players who are not directly affected by the ruling, the change might still be felt. With the redshirt year gone (if Notre Dame decides to use the new model), Freeman might feel more inclined to use many of his very talented players from the 2026 recruiting class. With their clock already potentially starting, players like Joey O'Brien and Rodney Dunham might see the field sooner than expected. This rule has been a long time coming for the NCAA. It was a change that seemed necessary to make, considering the current state of college athletics, and most importantly, it is simple to understand. Want the latest intel on Notre Dame football? Subscribe to Tribune+ and get access to recruiting and team intel from The Irish Tribune team, as well as access to our intel community, exclusive app, and more Notre Dame content: Subscribe here to support our independent journalism. Follow The Irish Tribune on social media: Facebook / Instagram / X / Threads / TikTok Liked this story? Subscribe to our mailing list and get every story in your inbox. Check out our Irish partners: TMPR Sports - Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle here! Legion of the Leprechaun - Join the #1 Notre Dame fan community on Facebook today!

Sonia Citron has quickly established herself as one of the top guards in the WNBA, but she had a long journey before she found herself at the top. Photo via Notre Dame Athletics Born in White Plains, New York, Sonia Citron was raised in a basketball family. William Citron, her father, played basketball at Bradley University and encouraged his daughter to pick up the sport at an early age. As an eighth grader, Citron joined The Ursuline School varsity basketball team, where she averaged 10.5 points, 10.5 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 4.0 steals, and 3.8 blocks in 22 games. As a senior, she led her team to the 2A state championship after winning two New York Player of the Year awards and being named a McDonald's All-American. Want the inside scoop on all things Notre Dame? Subscribe to Tribune+ today! In 2019, Citron was named to the United States U16 National Team, where she averaged 13.3 points and won gold with a 6-0 record. Her play also earned her a spot on the All-Tournament team. Two years later, she joined the U19 national team and averaged 13.7 points per game and once again helped lead Team USA to an undefeated 7-0 record and the gold medal while making the All-Tournament team. Her stellar high school play earned the attention of Niele Ivey, whose plans for the future of the Fighting Irish Women's Basketball program ultimately won over the star shooting guard. Sonia Citron started her Notre Dame career off strong. Citron immediately made her presence felt with the Irish in her debut, where she put up 13 points, 7 rebounds, and 6 assists on only 8 shot attempts in a win over Ohio. She had an extremely strong freshman season, featuring a 29-point explosion in a win over Michigan State and another performance where she dropped 21 in a win over conference opponent Clemson. The Irish finished the season 24-9 with a trip to the Sweet Sixteen. The highlight of the season for Citron came during March Madness, where she showcased her skills with a 25-point, 6-rebound, 4-steal outing in the Round of 32 against Oklahoma, where she shot 53.8% from the field and 11/11 from the free throw line. She went on to finish her first season with the blue and gold, averaging 11.8 points, 6.6 rebounds, 2.2 assists, and 1.6 steals, all top three on the team. Citron only leveled up her game in her sophomore season, raising her scoring average and drastically improving her efficiency from the field. Joined by star teammates Olivia Miles and Maddy Westbeld, as well as future Washington Mystics teammate Cassandre Prosper, Citron helped lead the Irish to a 27-6 season and a second-straight Sweet Sixteen appearance for the rising star despite an ACL injury sidelining Miles. The Irish fell short yet again, this year falling to Maryland. This season peaked in the first round of the ACC tournament for Citron as she poured in 28 points, 9 rebounds, and 5 assists in a win over NC State. Sonia Citron posted the best season of her collegiate career in her junior year. With Olivia Miles sidelined for the season, Citron took her opportunity to showcase her skills. She posted career highs in points and assists per game while maintaining her strong efficiency. After adding star freshman Hannah Hidalgo to their already stacked roster, Notre Dame went on to finish the season with a 28-7 record and a conference championship before once again falling in the Sweet Sixteen to Oregon State. This season also included arguably Citron's best game of her career with the Fighting Irish. She scored 29 points in the first round of the NCAA tournament while also contributing 6 rebounds, 4 assists, and a pair of steals. In this win over Kent State, Citron shot 13/20 from the field, including three shots made from beyond the arc. Entering her senior year in the 2024-25 season, Citron took a step back, embracing being the third option on a team that featured five current WNBA players and Hidalgo. The Fighting Irish boasted one of the greatest guard rotations in Women's College Basketball history with the return of Olivia Miles, the ascent of Hannah Hidalgo, and, of course, Sonia Citron. Her senior season was the most efficient season of Citron's college career, with 59.3% true shooting. Despite her scoring numbers being down from her previous two seasons, Citron saw career highs in steals, blocks, and assists per game. The stacked Irish roster finished the season first in the ACC with a 28-6 record, the fourth straight year of improvement. Also, for the fourth straight year, the Irish would go on to fall in the Sweet Sixteen, this time to TCU. This year was up and down for Citron as she had plenty of great games, including eight games where she scored 20-plus. However, the lows were just as prominent; she had 13 games where she scored in the single digits. Citron had an elite game in the first round of March Madness in the matchup against Stephen F. Austin, posting 24 points, 7 rebounds, and 7 stocks. Despite that performance, she still struggled in the postseason, only averaging 13.4 points on 42.6% from the field, a significant dip from her regular-season production. Throughout her career with the Fighting Irish, Citron piled up the awards. She was the ACC Rookie of the Year, a 3x All-ACC team member, a 2x All-ACC Tournament Team member, and a member of the 2024-25 ACC All-Defensive team. Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle Following her strong college career, Sonia Citron immediately started turning heads at the pro level. Her stellar career in South Bend helped her gain major attention in the WNBA, ultimately culminating in her being selected third overall by the Washington Mystics in a year highlighted by UConn megastar Paige Bueckers. She was joined on the Mystics by fourth overall pick and USC standout Kiki Iriafen, a duo that would soon prove to be one of the best rookie duos in history. In her WNBA debut, Citron took over. She scored 19 points in 23 minutes on only seven shot attempts, setting the tone for a tremendous rookie season. She finished the season averaging 14.9 points, 4 rebounds, and 1.7 stocks on 47.0/44.5/87.2 shooting splits. These numbers were good enough to earn Citron her first All-Star nod and place her second in Rookie of the Year voting behind Bueckers. While the Mystics as a whole struggled in her first season, finishing with a 16-28 record, they had a strong young core and several draft selections in the 2026 WNBA draft, putting together a much stronger roster around Citron and Iriafen for this current season. 14 games into her second pro season, Citron is averaging 17.6 points, 3.9 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 2.0 stocks per game on an elite 63.4% true shooting. She has led the Mystics to a .500-plus record and is currently on pace to make the playoffs for the first time since 2023. Citron has had several clutch moments this season, including a fade-away game-winner against the Toronto Tempo and a late-game takeover to lead the Mystics to an overtime victory over the Indiana Fever in a game where she dropped a career-high 30 points. While it's extremely early in her career, Citron has shown potential to be an all-time great guard at the WNBA level and has been one of the best guards in the league early in the season. Time will tell if she can continue that trajectory. Want the latest intel on Notre Dame football? Subscribe to Tribune+ and get access to recruiting and team intel from The Irish Tribune team, as well as access to our intel community, exclusive app, and more Notre Dame content: Subscribe here to support our independent journalism. Follow The Irish Tribune on social media: Facebook / Instagram / X / Threads / TikTok Liked this story? Subscribe to our mailing list and get every story in your inbox. Check out our Irish partners: TMPR Sports - Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle here! Legion of the Leprechaun - Join the #1 Notre Dame fan community on Facebook today!