Fans were hopeful that Marcus Freeman's lack of experience when hired would be countered by immense success on the recruiting trail. After incredible success on the field in 2024, Freeman and the staff's ability to recruit in 2025 has also reached new heights. Photo by The Irish Tribune Notre Dame's 2026 recruiting class currently ranks fourth in the country, with much of the class already filled out. Like most years under Freeman, the prioritization of relationship building early in the cycle has positioned Notre Dame well as the summer progresses. Now would be a great time to grade out how the Irish have filled out their class. Let's start on offense. Quarterback: A Make no mistake about it, Gino Guidugli can recruit with the best of them. The Irish secured the commitment of Noah Grubbs early in the cycle, and unlike Deuce Knight last cycle, there doesn't seem to be any indication that Grubbs is focused on anything other than Notre Dame. Grubbs, a composite 4-star out of Lake Mary High School, has been committed to the Irish since last June. In his junior season, Grubbs tossed for over 3,000 yards and 37 touchdowns, leading Lake Mary to a 12-3 record overall. He shows great upside as a passer and possesses a frame that should translate well at the next level. Grubbs will continue to hone his skills as a passer for one more year and looks set to eclipse over 10,000 passing yards in his high school career before heading to South Bend. A great effort from Gino Guidugli and Marcus Freeman in making Grubbs a priority early on has cemented him in the class. As Grubbs told us after he committed last June: “I’ve been to Notre Dame several times now, and each time feels more and more special. The fact that they chose me to be their guy is an honor in itself. Every time I’m there, the coaches make me feel like their top priority, regardless of whoever else is on campus. The first time I was there last summer, they offered me a scholarship, and I wasn’t expecting it. The second time I was there was for the Ohio State game, and I was the only 2026 recruit invited, so I knew they really valued me as a player. Then, before the game, Coach Freeman skipped all the recruits, came up to my QB trainer and I and said, “Glad we got you here, now let’s keep you here.” That statement, combined with my QB Trainer's relationship with Coach Gino, made my experience at Notre Dame that much better than anywhere else I’ve been.” Want the inside scoop on all things Notre Dame? Subscribe to Tribune+ today! Running Back: A+ Replacing Deland McCullough would be no small feat for Marcus Freeman, but getting the man who developed the best running back tandem in college football last season seems to be paying dividends no matter how you slice it. Ja'Juan Seider hit the ground running at Notre Dame, and it didn't take him very long to secure his top targets in the class. Javian Osborne and Jonaz Walton are two of the most talented backs in the class, and getting both on board is what helps make a good class an elite one. Osborne, the first of the two to commit to the Fighting Irish, was down to Notre Dame and Michigan before ultimately choosing the Irish. Last season, the 4-star talent out of Forney, TX, unleashed for over 1,000 yards on the ground and capped the year with 21 touchdowns, averaging 7 yards per carry. He has also been one of the most vocal recruiters in Notre Dame's class, pushing other highly touted recruits toward the Fighting Irish on social media. It should also be no surprise that he's a huge advocate of Ja'Juan Seider, as he told us after committing: "Coach Seider has been real with me from day one. He’s more than just a coach, he’s someone who genuinely cares about me as a person. We’ve built a strong bond, and I know I can trust him to push me and help me reach my full potential as a young man, ball player, and student athlete." Walton, in a similar fashion, committed to Notre Dame shortly after Osborne. A product of Carrollton, GA, Walton has also been tearing it up at the high school level. Last season, he amassed nearly 1,400 rushing yards with 646 receiving yards to boot. The two of them will be making life a living nightmare for front sevens for years to come. Full marks on this one. Offensive Line: A+ After the concerning number of injuries that plagued the Irish up front last season, as well as the loss of meaningful depth to the transfer portal, the importance of recruiting offensive linemen cannot be understated. Joe Rudolph certainly understood the assignment this cycle and gets full marks for his efforts. Notre Dame's offensive line class features plenty of size and skill from the midwest with Sullivan Garvin, Ben Nichols, Grayson McKeogh, Gregory Patrick, Charlie Thom, and Tyler Merrill all in the fold. A class this deep up front will undoubtedly serve the Irish well moving forward, and the effort on the trail put forth by Rudolph should be commended. Offensive line recruiting hasn't historically been a stickler for Notre Dame, and nothing has changed here. Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your Notre Dame Pickleball Paddle Here Wide Receiver: A- There's no sugarcoating it; last cycle's wide receiver recruiting just wasn't good enough, and I think Mike Brown took it personally this time around. Last July, Notre Dame was in prime position to land three of their top targets at the position in Derek Meadows, Dylan Robinson, and Tanook Hines. Ultimately, they ended up with none of these players in the class. This cycle, Brown kicked things off early by securing the commitment of Dylan Faison, brother of current WR Jordan Faison, and if he ends up being anything like his brother, Notre Dame is sure to have another great slot option on their hands. Uber-electrifying playmaker Bubba Frazier also joined the fold, and has soared up the recruiting rankings due to his stellar play on the field. The fireworks rolled onward over the Fourth of July weekend, as Mike Brown flipped the script from last cycle and went 3-for-3. He secured the commitments of Devin Fitzgerald, Kaydon Finley, and Brayden Robinson on a three-day run. These players were all key targets for the Irish, and they certainly didn't settle for anyone. Blue chip talent at the receiver position is not a luxury for Notre Dame, it's a necessity. Great job from Mike Brown this cycle in getting his guys. What I will say is that I would like to see Notre Dame recruit some more height on the outside. Although they can chase this in the portal like they did this year with Malachi Fields, a true red zone threat like Chase Claypool or Miles Boykin is something I'd like to see them target moving forward on the trail. The average height of the wide receiver commits in this class is 5'11", so getting some more size should definitely be a priority moving forward. Tight End: A+ It's hard to give the tight end position anything other than full marks. When the Irish secured the commitment of Preston Fryzel, he was a highly underrated prospect and an incredible receiving threat. He's since earned some respect in the recruiting rankings and would have been an amazing get on his own. When Ian Premer committed, that really kicked things up a notch. Premer is viewed as a top-50 recruit overall in the country, and securing a commitment like that at any position is a huge deal. The Irish weren't viewed as the favorite to land Premer through the majority of his recruitment, and beat out in-state favorite Kansas State to land him. These aren't recruiting battles that Notre Dame has a good track record in winning, so a narrative-altering commitment certainly will give Notre Dame some palpable momentum on the trail moving forward. Mike Denbrock knows a thing or two about developing tight ends, and when a high-floor prospect like Premer enters the building, it's the dream scenario. I'd argue that this is the best tight end class in the country. Click to Join! - https://www.facebook.com/groups/legionoftheleprechaun

Ranking high school recruits is not a perfect science by any means, and often it is met with its fair share of criticism, some of which is warranted, some overblown. This past Monday brought a new wave of debate regarding Notre Dame's 2026 class when the updated Rivals Industry rankings were released. Photo via Joey O'Brien, Instagram (@joey__obrien) These rankings now weigh the averages between the recruiting rankings of 247Sports, ESPN, and Rivals (Formerly On3). Having studied all of these recruits myself, I want to go over where I feel the rankings are most out of whack, and where I would more or less agree. Most Underrated 1) Noah Grubbs (QB) Grubbs is a player that I have followed closely since his Sophomore campaign and have had the opportunity to watch in person. His arm strength took a noticeable jump between his second and third year at the high school level and should continue to improve. His processing time pre and post-snap also continues to get better, which gives him an advantage over other QBs at his competition level. Accuracy has always been a very strong part of his game, and his clean throwing mechanics allow for repeated success. He is someone who truly loves the game of football and doesn't shy away from striving to get better. Rivals currently has Grubbs listed as a 3-star sliding down the rankings, which, based on all of my analysis, is entirely too low. With his Senior season still coming up, I expect a jump in his rankings across the board. Rivals Grade - 89 (3-Star) My Grade - 92 (4-Star) Want the inside scoop on all things Notre Dame? Subscribe to Tribune+ today! 2) Brayden Robinson (WR) "Quick6ix" Robinson is one of the most electrifying players in the 2026 cycle. He has a gear that a lot of other players at his position just don't have, and as I noted in my scouting profile, he always appears to be playing at a different speed than his defensive counterparts. But speed is not the only thing Robinson brings to the table. Although he is on the smaller side, listed at around 160 pounds, his competitive toughness can not be understated. There is no fear when venturing over the middle through second-level defenders to make plays in traffic, and his willingness to block on the perimeter stands out. He is already an above-average route runner that, when paired with his speed and ability to get in and out of breaks, makes him a hard cover for any defensive back. He can go up and high point the ball even at his limited size and displays all the manual dexterity needed to be a reliable pass catcher. There is a reason Robinson was voted a captain by his fellow teammates. Rivals Grade - 88 (3-Star) My Grade - 91 (4-Star) 3) Thomas Davis Jr. (LB) The Matthews, North Carolina native was one of Notre Dame's earliest commits in the 2026 class and one of the players I was most excited about after watching his film in late 2024. Davis Jr. is an athletically gifted linebacker who has filled in at multiple roles for his high school squad. He is a sure tackler who consistently flows to the ball and should rack up a lot of TFLs at the next level. He is more than capable of dropping back into Zone Coverage with enough foot quickness to carry tight ends and running backs in Man. He is a multi-use LB who can also be used as a rusher off the edge, which means he is capable of staying on the field all three downs. There is a reason that some other big-time programs were trying to land him, and Notre Dame being able to keep him committed was one of the biggest wins of the 2026 cycle. Rivals Grade - 89 (3-Star) My Grade - 91 (4-Star) 4) Sullivan Garvin (OT/OG) Garvin took a bit of a tumble on the latest Rivals rankings, and based on the tape, I don't think it is justified. Although Allegan High School, where Garvin plays, does not participate in the highest division of Michigan High School Football, Garvin as a stand-alone prospect still offers plenty of upside. He plays every bit as physical as a 6'5" 300-pounder should. He possesses elite play strength and routinely clears out both front-line and second-level defenders in the run game. Garvin fits a Power Scheme to a tee and displays the type of nastiness you want out of an offensive lineman. He shows a good level of processing in both the pass and run game. He also does a good job of shuffling without crossing feet in pass pro and has excellent patience with his punch timing. He can really lock out and anchor down against power rushes, and could be an excellent fit as an interior lineman at the next level, but has the versatility to play in multiple spots. Rivals Grade - 88 (3-Star) My Grade - 90 (4-Star) Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your Notre Dame Pickleball Paddle Here Properly Rated I also have to give credit where credit is due. Rivals had a couple of players that were more in line with my grades as opposed to some of the other recruiting services. 1) Chaston Smith (CB) I have made it known that I think Chaston Smith is one of the most underrated prospects in the 2026 class. I understand that his injury during his Junior season may have contributed to what I feel is too low of a mark for him, but I don't think there will be any questions left about what he is capable of with a healthy Senior year. Smith has elite mental processing from the cornerback position, playing with very good eye discipline based on the coverage he is in. At 6'1", he has very good length, which he knows how to use when locked up man to man and can be left on an island on the perimeter. His Zone Coverage technique is just as good, and he excels at reading the QB's eyes and timing his break on routes. Add all that to the fact that he is also reliable in run support, and you have a total package defensive back. Smith currently has a 3-Star ranking from 247 and ESPN, but I can't imagine that lasts long. Rivals Grade - 91 (4-star) My Grade - 92 (4-Star) 2) Preston Fryzel (TE) The 6'4" tight end from Toledo, Ohio, got a deserved bump up to a 4-Star from Rivals as compared to his 3-Star status with 247 and ESPN. Fryzel has excellent footwork on his releases off the LOS and is a good route runner who understands how to stem and play with leverage. Very good athlete who can be a playmaker at all three levels of the field. Big time Red Zone threat who knows how to high point the ball as well as how to use his big frame to box out and shield defenders that are behind him. He understands when to throttle down and find the void in coverage when working across the middle of the field. Although he has not really been asked to be an inline blocker, he shows aggressiveness when blocking on the perimeter, using good leg drive and hand placement. Rivals Grade - 90 (4-Star) My Grade - 90 (4-Star) Biggest Surprise Grayson McKeogh (OT) No player saw a bigger jump in the new rankings than McKeogh did. He shot up to the No. 4 offensive tackle in the country and the No. 13th prospect overall according to Rivals. My surprise is not to say McKeogh doesn't have a skill set that projects nicely at the next level, but it is more so rooted in the fact that, ultimately, McKeogh has still only played one season as an offensive tackle. With no new data to work with, I don't know where exactly the rise came from, but it's clear he has a lot of believers. I broke down his film for a report in June, and there are definitely some intriguing things about his game. The first thing that stood out was his athletic ability at his size. He will need to put on some more mass, currently hovering around 275 pounds, but his explosiveness off the snap jumps off the screen, and he should be able to fit in a variety of blocking schemes. He is a good run blocker, with the lateral agility to be used as a pull tackle and get up to the second level, and his play strength allows him to wash out linebackers fairly consistently. His pass pro will need some more fine-tuning as he is still raw, but he shows that he can mirror vs speed rushers and has the recovery speed that allows him to run defensive ends past the QB. Of all the 2026 commits in Notre Dame's class, McKeogh is one I am most locked in on to follow his development as a Senior. Rivals Grade - 97 (4-Star) My Grade - 91 (4-Star) Once the whistle blows and the game is played, rankings are nothing more than numbers on paper, and opinions can be completely changed within a matter of weeks. For Notre Dame's 2026 class, they still have one more season to go out and change the minds of prognosticators across the board who undervalued their game, or in some cases, simply solidify their already lofty rankings. I look forward to updating and adjusting my own rankings as next season unfolds, and will always be honest about my thoughts on a prospect. Click to Join! - https://www.facebook.com/groups/legionoftheleprechaun

When presumed starter at left tackle, Charles Jagusah, tore his pectoral muscle during last year's fall camp, it forced Notre Dame to retool what they wanted their front to look like. The shuffling included starting a true freshman, Anthonie Knapp, as a blind side protector among other moves that were made throughout the season. As the new look unit began to gel, it helped pave the way to a National Championship appearance. Photo by The Irish Tribune The run game was among Top 20 in the country, and pass protection, albeit aided by Riley Leonard's ability to break tackles and escape the pocket, was solid nonetheless. Fast forward to the 2025 off-season, and Notre Dame once again finds itself in the unenviable position of having to piece together what they think the offensive line should look like after another unexpected summer injury. Charles Jagusah, who is arguably the most talented lineman on the roster, and once again figured to play a prominent starting role this upcoming season, will have to wait for some time to take a snap after suffering an off-the-field arm injury. The good news for Irish fans is that the offensive line might be the deepest position group on the team, with a good mix of young and experienced talent. The key for Offensive Line Coach Joe Rudolph, Offensive Coordinator Mike Denbrock, and Head Coach Marcus Freeman will be finding the five players that can mesh together quickly and play as a cohesive bunch. The passing attack figures to be more of a focal point in 2025, and for those hopes to become realized, the big men up front will need to do their job and live up the standard Notre Dame has set for offensive line success. After reviewing film from the 2023 and 2024 seasons, as well as revisiting high school tape in some cases, this is my honest assessment of the best solution for the offensive line. Want the inside scoop on all things Notre Dame? Subscribe to Tribune+ today! Left Tackle Marcus Freeman proved emphatically last year that he does not care if you are an underclassman or 7th-year player when he named Anthonie Knapp the starter for the Week 1 opener at Texas A&M. Although Knapp was not a perfectly polished product, throughout the season there was certainly more good than bad. The following clips are from my "Freshman Spotlight" piece I did on him earlier this year. Here he is 1 on 1 with one of the better pass rushers in the country in Nic Scourton. He shows excellent punch timing and play strength here as he gets his hands into Scourton's chest, anchors down, and pancakes him. On what turned out to be one of the most important plays of the game, Knapp once again shows off some major play strength as well as some high football IQ. He feels Nic Scourton drop off the edge into a delayed stunt and picks up the looping 3-tech defensive tackle instead. Once engaged, he uses powerful hands to chop the defender's arms and knock him off balance. Leonard received a clean pocket and was able to make a huge completion because of it. For a true freshman, this is an elite rep. This play stood out because it showcases that he processes bad reps and learns from them. Here, the defender makes a similar move to what had given Knapp some issues in previous clips in this article, with a quick jab step and outside rush. Unlike some of his other times facing this move, Knapp does a good job of not oversetting and staying square to the defender, showing good lateral agility as he mirrors him on the outside counter and completely neutralizes him on this play. Knapp deserves a lot of credit for what he did during his first year, but is another first-year player a possibility to unseat him? Will Black will be entering his Freshman season as a much more highly touted prospect than Knapp was coming out of high school. Black was a consensus top 10 tackle in the nation and is, by my estimation, more than capable of stepping into a starting blindside role like Knapp did one year before. Black possesses a more prototypical frame than the 6'4" Knapp, and has the skill set to match. Excerpts from my September 2024 Scouting Profile on Will Black "We've seen Black be deployed as a lead pull tackle, a front-side zone blocker, and everything in between. Black is efficient in most areas of run blocking, but when he is used in a Power Scheme, he shines brightest. As mentioned above, his strength is off the charts, which allows him to get a consistent push on the man lined up in front of him. He does an excellent job of turning himself and sealing edge defenders, allowing ball carriers to come right off his backside." "I was very pleased to see where Black is as a pass blocker, considering he is just now entering his senior season, and run blocking is usually much further ahead at the high school level. Has very good punch timing, getting his hands into the chest of the defender right before he gets into his rush moves, essentially stopping him in his tracks. Moves feet well against edge players that try go wide around him, and once he is engaged, stays in control and does not allow many attempts at double moves. Also shows glimpses of his Football IQ in the way he recognizes defensive line stunts, and stays in good position to take on the looping defender. He will need to become more polished on his hand placement as he can get a little outside and grabby, which does not get called much now, but refs are a little more flag happy in college." "Will Black is an outstanding prospect and well deserving of his high composite recruiting score. He already shows proficiency in both the run and pass game, and looks the part from a physical stature standpoint. When he arrives next season, he will join a very talented position group and very well may find himself as the next underclassmen contributing early on for the Blue and Gold." Black continued to shine through his Senior campaign and is now positioned to possibly earn a role from day 1 in South Bend. My Pick for Left Tackle - Will Black Could Marcus Freeman roll out a true freshman at the most important position on the offensive line in back-to-back years? If it helps the team compete at the highest possible level, then my guess is yes. This pick is not a knock on Anthonie Knapp, who I think separated himself from almost every other freshman tackle a season ago, it is more so related to the high upside of Black, and the chance to get as much talent on the field at once. Left Guard In 2024, this spot was manned by Sam Pendleton for the first seven games of the season before Billy Schrauth took over vs Navy in October. Schrauth had started the year on the right side of the offensive line, but after an injury caused him to miss a chunk of the year, he was reinserted as left guard upon his return and made the most of his opportunity. On the year, he only allowed eight quarterback pressures and had the highest pass blocking grade on the team. As he enters his Junior campaign, can he become one of the best guards in the country? A lot of what makes Schrauth so good in pass pro is his mental processing. He does a good job when it comes to scan protection, and in the above clip, you can see how quickly he diagnoses the stunt along the defensive line and gets himself in position to take on the looping defender. He is able to lock out and keep the defender from making any progress towards the QB. The question for Schrauth will be how consistent he can be in the run game. In the above clip vs Army, he does a good job working off the double team with the center and getting to the second level to occupy the linebacker and create a hole for the running back. In what might have been the most memorable play of the season for Irish fans, Schrauth played a pivotal role. It was a straight gap scheme play for the offense, which just means that it is "mano a mano" with the man in front of you. Schrauth is able to utilize his play strength and stay completely locked on the defensive tackle, not allowing him to disengage, which opens up the hole for Jeremiyah Love to get outside and score the first touchdown in the history of the 12-team playoff format. Another excellent rep in pass protection for Schrauth above. Although the pass resulted in an interception off a tip drill, Schrauth shows the ability to reset his hands as he anchors down vs a power rush, completely stonewalling the defensive tackle at the point of attack. My Pick for Left Guard - Billy Schrauth This one feels like a no-brainer. Schrauth possesses all of the necessary tools to continue to be successful, with experience to boot. He is one of the better pass protectors at the position in the country, with plus value as a run blocker as well. Center Here is where I think things start to get interesting. Ashton Craig started the first three games of the 2024 season before suffering a season-ending injury. He was replaced by Pat Coogan, who filled in admirably, but decided to hit the transfer portal after the National Championship game. With Craig working his way back, and Coogan now three hours away in Bloomington as a member of the Indiana Hoosiers, who will take the reins at this vital spot along the line? With Craig, let's go back to the 2023 season. Against Clemson, starting center Zeke Correll went down with an injury. Andrew Kristofic came in to replace him but didn't last long, going down with a season-ending injury shortly after. That's when Craig's number was called, but it wasn't an easy situation to step into. In this first clip, you can see the defensive tackle attack with a Bull Rush, and Craig is never really able to anchor down and stop the defender's momentum. The pressure speeds up Sam Hartman's processing time, which leads to an errant pass. In the above video, after snapping the ball, Craig works to the 3-tech defensive tackle on a double team with the right guard. Although he was not the only one at fault on this play, as the whole offensive line basically broke down, he again failed to exhibit the leg drive and power to help stonewall a defender. Fast forwarding to the 2023 Sun Bowl against Oregon State, there was some inconsistency in the run game for Craig. First, the good. Oregon State is selling out vs the run on this play, blitzing all of their linebackers. Craig does an excellent job of standing up the LB at the point of attack, and maintaining his block long enough to eliminate him from the play before working up to the second level and getting hands on the safety. Jadarian Price follows him right up the hole for an easy touchdown. The problem is that there were also plays where he was blown up off the line and completely knocked off balance into the backfield, allowing the defense to penetrate for tackles for loss. The first of the three games Craig played in 2024 was the opener against Texas A&M. After a few inaccurate snaps, Craig settled in, and once again showed some good and bad. On this play, he displays good patience before working up to the middle linebacker. He throws the block that springs Price for the big run, but allows his hands to get outside of the defender and draws the holding penalty. Hand placement is something that popped up in multiple instances while watching his film. The above clip is an excellent rep for Craig. He works a combo block on the defensive tackle, and then disengages and gets up to the linebacker and pancakes him, which allows Jeremiyah Love to pick up a nice gain. Overall, Craig has some good athletic ability in his game and can get out in space on screen passes and quick throws. He shows high football IQ when it comes to processing stunts along the defensive line and being patient. My biggest concerns are his ability to anchor vs power to stop the pocket from collapsing, and his hand placement once he engages second-level defenders. There is not much experience beyond Craig on the depth chart with Joe Otting, who has never started a game, and true freshman Cam Herron, rounding out the current three-deep. So, is there anyone else who can realistically challenge Craig for the starting role? I think the answer to that is yes, and it is not someone generally brought up in regards to the center position. If you turn back the clock to spring ball of 2024, Anthonie Knapp was taking reps at both guard and center before eventually landing in his left tackle role. After a full season of sharpening his game by having to deal with top edge rushers week in and week out, he is now well equipped to play along the interior, where defenders have much less space to work with. His play strength was on display all season, and he is a very athletic lineman who has no problem climbing to the second level in the run game. One of the very few issues he had last year was at times oversetting vs speed rushers, but that would no longer be a concern with him moving to a more confined area. Although he held up well at tackle, his 6'4" frame is still better suited for an inside role, and with some development, he could easily become one of the best centers in the country. The following is another clip from the "Freshman Spotlight" piece. No offensive linemen is a viable option without being able to hold their own in the run game. In game one for Knapp, he passed that test on multiple occasions, none bigger than the above play, which was the go-ahead touchdown for the biggest road win in Marcus Freeman's tenure at the time. Knapp works up to the second level and gets enough of the linebacker to spring Jeremiayh Love for the touchdown. I would like to see Knapp attack the outside shoulder of the defender just a little more to be able to turn him, but he still threw the most important block on this play. My Pick for Center - Anthonie Knapp Knapp may not seem like the most obvious choice, but when you really break down his skill set, he is a natural fit and could elevate this offensive line even further, especially with a full year of starting experience under his belt, albeit at another position Right Guard With the left side and center spots solidified with plenty of talent, it is now time to turn attention to the right side of the line. This is another position that was held down for the majority of the year by a player who is no longer with the team. Rocco Spindler, who took over in week four and never relinquished the role after that, is now with Nebraska. Charles Jagusah was figured to be in contention for this spot, but his injury threw a wrench in those plans. Some other mainstream options include Chris Terek, Devan Houstan, or possibly Sullivan Absher, who has mainly played in clean-up duty. However, I think there is another option with more upside, but would involve another position change. Guerby Lambert is a 6'7", 341-pound behemoth who plays with surprisingly good pad level for his size. He is yet to start a game, but when he did get snaps, I think there was a lot put on tape that backs up my projection for him as a guard. In the above clip, yes, Notre Dame had already put the game out of reach, but for Lambert, these are meaningful snaps, and there is a lot of good to take away. From his right tackle spot, Lambert is able to locate the second-level defender to attack and climbs with very smooth movement skills for his size. He does a good job staying engaged until Aneyas Williams bounces the play outside. Here is where I get excited about a player like Lambert. Although the play itself goes for a modest gain, Lambert is asked to pull across the formation and shows at his size that he has the lateral agility to do so. He locates the linebacker through traffic and gets enough of him to allow the running back to use his momentum to fall forward for some extra yardage. I would like him to stay engaged at the point of attack and continue to drive, but it is an overall good rep. Here is a pass pro rep for Lambert. He does an excellent job of getting into his drop vs a speed rush and continues to shuffle and mirror the defender to push him wide of the QB. Lambert will not have to worry about covering so much space as a guard, but once again shows off his natural movement skills that will make for an easy transition inside. One final clip of Lambert being used as a puller. He gets across the LOS with good balance and agility, locates the linebacker, and seals him to the outside to allow the running back to run right off his backside for a chunk play. My Pick for Right Guard - Guerby Lambert Even going back to his high school days, Lambert has always been a mover in the run game, who is a pancake machine. He is comfortable on the right side of the line, and kicking inside to guard will coincide with a lot of what he does well. It puts even more mass on the front line and, in my projection, would have Anthonie Knapp flanked by two very talented guards to help secure the middle of the pocket. Right Tackle The right tackle spot is one that I think will be the least controversial. Aamil Wagner started every game for the Irish last season through the National Championship. It was not a perfect season for Wagner, and there are some things to clean up, but when it all shakes out I expect him to find himself as the right side protector once again. The 6'6" Wayne High School product proved his durability during what ended up being the longest season in college football history (16 games) and is by far the most experienced right tackle on the roster. Behind Wagner are a couple of true freshmen in Owen Strebig and Matty Augustine, neither of whom I think would be ready to fill in a starting role. Guerby Lambert is also a name that could compete for the role, but I believe he could find himself a gig at guard as stated above. Like I said, it wasn't always a perfect season for Wagner. In the Orange Bowl, he was matched up with the best pass rusher in the country in Abdul Carter. No tackle is going to win every rep vs a player of Carter's caliber, but in the above play, some specific things led to Wagner losing the matchup. Firstly, he was a little slow on his kick step and did a poor job of getting to the depth to be able to try to cut off Carter's speed. Secondly, his punch timing was off, and violence through his hands is something he struggled with at certain points throughout the year. But there is a reason I still think Wagner is the man for the job. Completely contrary to the previous play I showed, in the above clip, you can see the difference in the way Wager gets out of his stance. Carter once again is coming on a speed rush, but because Wagner takes a great angle on his initial step, he is able to stay on Carter's inside shoulder and ride him past Riley Leonard, allowing Leonard to step up in the pocket and deliver a throw. My Pick for Right Tackle - Amil Wagner The key with Wagner is consistency. On his good reps in pass pro, he looks like he is one of the best right tackles in the country. He just can not allow his mechanics to break down, and needs to play with a more sustained aggression in both the pass and run game. Projected Offensive Line: LT- Will Black LG- Billy Schrauth C- Anthonie Knapp RG- Guerby Lambert RT- Aamil Wagner With fall camp gearing up to get underway, the pieces on the offensive line will start to fall into place sooner rather than later. For my money, if the Irish want to get the most talented five players on the field with the highest upside, it is the combination I laid out in this article. In any case, having this many options to mix and match is a good problem to have, and you very well may be looking at a Joe Moore Award finalist when it is all said and done. Click to Join! - https://www.facebook.com/groups/legionoftheleprechaun

Notre Dame has built an offensive line that rivals anyone's in the country, but with another off-season injury to Charles Jagusah, the depth will have to be tested once more. Photo by The Irish Tribune The offensive line has undergone significant change over the past year. To start, it was just last summer that news broke that Jagusah was likely to miss the entirety of the 2024 season due to a torn pectoral. That immediately put the whole line into question, as it was not seen as a deep group before the year started. Then, Marcus Freeman chose to favor talent over experience to start the year against Texas A&M. That meant freshman Anthonie Knapp was starting at left tackle, along with guys like Aamil Wagner and other players with little experience. This starting lineup played well to start the year, but injuries began to take their toll. Ashton Craig suffered a torn ACL, and Billy Schrauth sprained his ankle in the same game. This left Notre Dame to revert to players like Rocco Spindler and Pat Coogan, players who were the most experienced. Notre Dame did not skip a beat, however, as that offensive line unit took them to the National Championship with some late help from Jagusah. The changes didn't stop there, though. After the season, Coogan, Spindler, Sam Pendleton, and Ty Chan all decided to hit the portal. A decision likely made due to their playing time being at risk once the original starters returned to full strength. Now, the offensive line will have to adapt once again, as Jagusah will likely miss a chunk of the season after an accident during the 4th of July. With that being said, it is Notre Dame's depth that could prove once again why this team is as talented as anyone in the country. Want the inside scoop on all things Notre Dame? Subscribe to Tribune+ today! Even with Jagusah missing time, the starting offensive line is a really strong group. Knapp proved himself as a reliable left tackle as just a freshman, so year two should be more of the same and maybe even better. Although a little short for the position, he uses his leverage and footwork to be good in the run game and solid in the passing game. Younger talent, including Will Black, a highly touted incoming freshman, could be a dark horse for the position, or may find himself thrust into a starting role at the tackle position if injuries pile up. The position of right guard is now up in the air because of the Jagusah injury. Luckily for Notre Dame, they have options for his replacement. One option would be Sullivan Absher. Absher does have in-game experience from the 2024 season and would be a safe option, albeit he projects better on the left side of the line. He started his career as a tackle, but due to his struggles in pass protection, he was moved to guard. At 6'8", Absher is a big, physical force that would be useful to have on the inside of the line. Another option would be Chris Terek, a 6'6" sophomore with little experience, but more comfort on the right side of the line. Redshirt sophomore Joe Otting has served as a backup guard for a couple of years and possesses all the size and athleticism to be effective as a starter. At center, Ashton Craig will be returning from a torn ACL against Purdue that ended his season. Before the injury, Craig was excelling at the position, but his ACL surgery could mean some setbacks. Craig is tough, physical, and has great feet that allow him to create space for Notre Dame's explosive running backs to find open field. If Craig's injury is still a problem, this is also where you could see Otting fill in. Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your Notre Dame Pickleball Paddle Here There should not be any change for Notre Dame at left guard with the return of Billy Schrauth. Schrauth was an integral part of Notre Dame's offensive line last year. At guard, he was able to open running lanes for Love, whether that was just moving his defender or pulling to a side to block a defender out in space. Schrauth was also solid in pass protection, which will be critical for Notre Dame's young quarterback. Lastly, Aamil Wagner will also be returning to start at right tackle once again. Wagner was a bright spot on Notre Dame's offense last year and a bit of a surprise. He was an unknown commodity going into last season, and left it as one of the best returning tackles in the country. Still young, Wagner should be a staple of Notre Dame's offensive line for the next few years, and maybe one of Notre Dame's next linemen to make it to the NFL. Behind him is Guerby Lambert, a redshirt freshman looking to get his feet wet. Like Will Black, Lambert was a highly touted prospect who possesses all the physical tools to succeed on the outside, and some meaningful experience would go a long way. This 2025 offensive line is coming in with a lot of expectations. They all played on last year's team and are now expected to be better. Injuries have already begun to take their toll, but it is depth that makes this unit so strong. They have quality options for every position, with excellent talent still waiting on the bench. This line will also have the best running back in the country running behind it, a dangerous combination for opponents. They will, however, have to block for an inexperienced quarterback who will surely need all the time they can give him. All in all, if they live up to the hype, this line will be the best in the country and have Notre Dame in a position to win every game on their schedule. Click to Join! - https://www.facebook.com/groups/legionoftheleprechaun

With 50 days until a new season kicks off, five Notre Dame Fighting Irish football stars have earned preseason All-American nods from at least one national magazine. We look at the select group projected to have stellar years below: Photos via Notre Dame Athletics RB Jeremiyah Love - First Team per Lindy’s, Athlon, and Phil Steele The face of the Irish offense is one of two Notre Dame players who earned unanimous preseason All-American honors. Junior Jeremiyah Love enters this season looking to build off a monster year in 2024-25. During the National Championship season, Love rushed for over 1,100 yards and 17 touchdowns on 6.9 yards per carry, the sixth-most in the nation. Looking ahead, Love has received some preseason Heisman Trophy talk with 50:1 odds to bring home the prestigious honor. These odds are the best for a running back and second-best among all non-quarterbacks. With a repeat performance of last year, Love will become Notre Dame’s first running back selected in the first round of the NFL Draft since 1993 when Jerome Bettis was taken tenth overall.  CB Leonard Moore - First Team per Lindy’s, Athlon, and Phil Steele The lockdown sophomore defensive back comes as the second Irish player to earn unanimous preseason All-American honors. In an unexpected but welcome fantastic freshman year, Moore made ten starts and appeared in every contest. He finished the year with 48 tackles, two interceptions, two forced fumbles, and a team-leading 11 pass breakups. In recognition of his efforts, Moore was named the FWAA Freshman Defensive Player of the Year. According to PFF, among cornerbacks with at least 100 snaps in coverage, the former three-star recruit ranked 14th in the FBS, allowing just 26 receptions for 293 yards and two touchdowns on 56 targets. With a full season of starting time ahead of him, expect Moore to stake his claim as the best cover corner in college football this year. Want the inside scoop on all things Notre Dame? Subscribe to Tribune+ today! OL Aamil Wagner - Second Team per Athlon Last year, Notre Dame was repeatedly battered by injuries in the trenches, forcing new starters, different units, and a lot of uncertainty when it came time to face “big dogs” like Georgia and Penn State with Abdul Carter. However, the one constant was always at right tackle, Aamil Wagner, who started every game last year. The junior is a good pass protector, having allowed just two sacks on 529 pass block snaps, but he will make his money as a run blocker. If Wagner stacks another healthy and solid season, he will hear his name called earlier rather than later come NFL Draft time. LB Drayk Bowen - Third Team per Athlon, Fourth Team per Phil Steele It is nice to see the junior tackling machine earn some love this preseason after starting every game a year ago. Bowen finished third on the team in tackles with 78, including at least one in each game, and led the Irish with three forced fumbles. The linebacker is already extremely well-rounded, a noticeable force against the run and pass, and should receive the appropriate national attention now, given Jack Kiser’s departure to the NFL. WR Malachi Fields - Fourth Team per Phil Steele The 6-4 transfer from Virginia rounds out this list of Irish players to earn preseason All-American mentions. Over the last two seasons at UVA, Fields totaled 113 catches for 1,619 yards and ten touchdowns, earning Third Team All-ACC honors last year. In a 35-14 loss at Notre Dame last season, Fields led all receivers with 81 yards on four receptions. With improved quarterback play, the transfer weapon has a chance to crack 1,000 yards this season before entering the NFL. Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your Notre Dame Pickleball Paddle Here Snubs: WR Jaden Greathouse, S Adon Shuler I would not say either of these two are ‘obvious’ snubs, but they each deserve some preseason love in my opinion. Greathouse is harder to project, given a new quarterback and his general up-and-down trends. The receiver was fantastic against Penn State and Ohio State, totaling 13 receptions for 233 yards and three touchdowns. However, in the five games before the CFP Semifinal, Greathouse combined for just 6 catches for 49 yards and no scores. He does not need to go for 100 yards every week, but some solid consistency would be more than appreciated in this season’s Irish offense. Somewhat like Bowen, I believe Shuler should be in line to start receiving more national attention now that the star of the position group, Xavier Watts, is in the NFL. Last year, the safety started each game and finished the season with 59 tackles, fourth-most on the team, three interceptions, including a pick-six, a forced fumble against Georgia, and, just for good measure, a blocked kick. If Shuler can clean up his tackling issues, he should be in line to be a true leader of another stout Irish defense. Click to Join! - https://www.facebook.com/groups/legionoftheleprechaun

Notre Dame's 2026 class already boasts some elite blue-chip talent in the secondary, with players like Joey O'Brien, Khary Adams, and Ayden Pouncey. Wildly underrated 3-star Chaston Smith is also a part of that position group, but the Irish were not quite finished there. Art by The Irish Tribune Defensive Backs Coach Mike Mickens has been an absolute star this recruiting cycle, and just helped secure another commitment, this time 3-star safety Nick Reddish, out of Charlotte, NC. It's hard to put into words how special this 2026 class has become as a whole, but the secondary specifically is now littered with talent that could be the defensive staples for years to come in South Bend. Reddish, who missed the majority of his Junior season with an injury, has the type of skill set that makes him likely to see a jump in his recruiting ranking with what should be a strong Senior campaign. There was plenty to take away from his earlier game film that makes me confident in his abilities, and I will break down some of the things that stood out the most. As always, each trait will be graded on a scale of 1 (Poor) to 7 (Elite). Let's get into it! Want the inside scoop on all things Notre Dame? Subscribe to Tribune+ today! Mental Processing: Very Good (6) Reddish is a player who has strong recognition skills, even going back to his Sophomore year. He does an excellent job of locking up his assignment while still reading the eyes of the QB, allowing him to disengage at the last second and jump another route in his area. He also has good read and react time vs the run and quick pass game, getting downhill in a hurry from a split safety look, limiting yardage by the offense. When he is lined up as a single high safety, he understands when to match with a player running through his zone, making it difficult for the quarterback to find an open window to throw to. Although his injury cost him his Junior season on the field, off the field, he was still able to learn and soak up even more knowledge, which should have him even more prepared as he enters his final high school season. Run Support/Tackling: Very Good (6) When Reddish is playing as a deep safety, he displays very good change of direction with the way he can plant his back foot and drive, allowing him to help play the run from depth. He is a big hitter who knows how to attack the ball as he tackles, leading to some forced fumbles. He has the ability to play in the box as well, doing a good job of keeping his outside shoulder free when he is the containment player near the line of scrimmage. Reddish has an excellent pursuit and hustle quality about his game, with a willingness to chase down ball carriers from the opposite side of the field and never giving up on the play. Reddish is definitely a player you can move around based on the down and distance, with run support not being an issue regardless of alignment. He could also carve out a role for himself on special teams coverage units due to his pursuit, hitting, and proficiency at leveraging ball carriers. Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your Notre Dame Pickleball Paddle Here Coverage Skills: Very Good (6) A lot of safeties, especially young ones, excel in Zone OR Man Coverage, rarely both, but Reddish shows some plus value in both areas, which makes him an even bigger get for Notre Dame. Because of his awareness and ability to read the QB's eyes in Zone, he is often able to close on a receiver before the ball is even delivered. He possesses the recovery speed to get over the top on vertical routes when playing from a Cover 1 look, and has a good feel for when to turn and locate the ball to try to make a play on it. He has the foot quickness and mirroring ability to play tight ends and slot WRs in Man Coverage with the uncanny skill to take the proper angle to undercut out-breaking patterns. Reddish does a good job of flipping his hips and staying right on the hip pocket of receivers running slant routes. I was pleasantly surprised to see how well he held up as a cover safety regardless of where he lined up, and I believe this will be the trait that bumps him to a 4-star before his high school career is finished. Ball Skills: Good (5) Although Nick Reddish may not possess elite hands or catch radius, he makes more than enough plays on the ball to solidify himself as a blue-chip safety. Because he does such a good job of staying in phase in Man Coverage, he is in a position to use his off-hand to break up passes more often than not. Snagged multiple interceptions as a Sophomore by getting a good jump on a pass because of his high football IQ. He is very physical at the catch point, playing through the receiver's hands to disrupt passes. As mentioned above, he does not panic when he is taken vertically, choosing the right time to turn and locate the ball in the air so he can try to make a play on it. I'm excited to see how this area of his game improves as a Senior, and he has the potential to be a ball hawk at the next level. Reddish will most likely be the last safety added this recruiting cycle, but certainly not the least. His skill set meshes well with the other players that have already committed and sets Notre Dame's defensive back room up for a long time. Mike Mickens has done an excellent job reeling in top-level talent under Head Coach Marcus Freeman, and Notre Dame continues to be at the center of conversations around who will end up with the best 2026 class, which is a testament to how far the Fighting Irish have come in the world of recruiting. 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Notre Dame's recruiting run throughout the summer continues to impress, as the Irish land yet another top target on the defensive side of the football in North Carolina Safety, Nick Reddish. Art by The Irish Tribune Notre Dame's recruiting staff went on a heater after landing three top-tier wide receivers in the 2026 class on back-to-back-to-back days over the Fourth of July weekend, as the Irish landed 4-star Kaydon Finley, 3-star Devin Fitzgerald, and 4-star Brayden Robinson. Just five days later, they've added yet another talented recruit in the 2026 class, as Nick Reddish announced his commitment to the University of Notre Dame today. Reddish is a 5’11", 185lbs, Safety out of Independence High School in Charlotte, North Carolina. 247 Sports Composite ranks him as the No. 57 overall Safety nationally and the No. 31 overall recruit in the state of North Carolina.   Want the inside scoop on all things Notre Dame? Subscribe to Tribune+ today! He joins Joey O'Brien, a 5-star Safety out of La Salle College High School in Glenside, PA, Khary Adams, a 4-star CB out of Loyola Blakefield High School in Towson, MD, Ayden Pouncey, a 4-star Safety out of Winter Park High School in Winter Park, FL, and Chaston Smith a 4-star CB out of Knoxville Catholic High School in Chattanooga, Tennessee, as the current defensive back commits for Notre Dame in the class of 2026.   Prior to committing to the Irish today, Reddish held 21 D1 Offers from such notable schools as Virginia Tech, Wisconsin, Indiana, Ole Miss, Tennessee, North Carolina, Duke, Cincinnati, and Notre Dame, among others. Click to Join! - https://www.facebook.com/groups/legionoftheleprechaun

Notre Dame's regular season schedule could look drastically different with potential SEC and Big Ten scheduling realignments. With this being said, here are a list of teams that would be classic matchups to travel to Notre Dame Stadium and face the Fighting Irish. Photo by The Irish Tribune Last season, Notre Dame and Indiana welcomed the college football world to the 12-team playoff. In what resembled a state championship game, the Fighting Irish took care of the Hoosiers in a hostile and historic environment. With the regular season schedule in a bit of turmoil, with the USC rivalry potentially in jeopardy and the Fighting Irish adding the Clemson Tigers to their yearly schedule, some of these home playoff games could create lifelong memories.   Much of the joy that surrounds the playoff is also the opportunity for Notre Dame to play teams they don't normally play. Kind of like the 2029 season, where the Irish are already confirmed to travel to Austin to play Texas, Tallahassee to play the Seminoles, and also have to travel to Clemson, while opening the year at home to host the Alabama Crimson Tide.   The ever-changing landscape of college football could produce some out-of-character matchups for Notre Dame, and knowing this, I'd like to take a deep dive into some teams I'd like to see travel to Notre Dame Stadium for a college football playoff game. Want the inside scoop on all things Notre Dame? Subscribe to Tribune+ today!   Penn State     Coming off one of the most historic Orange Bowl games of all time, this matchup between the Nittany Lions and the Fighting Irish could be the continuation of great matchups. They are both two college football programs on the rise, especially in the NIL era.   With James Franklin’s handling of the Orange Bowl media day, Drew Allar’s late-game interception, and Mitch Jeter’s kick that will be etched in the history books, this game would be hyped like no other.   This time, under the lights in South Bend, there would surely be no bigger moment in the weekend than this matchup. A yearly rivalry with the Nittany Lions could be another exciting opportunity as well, with a White Out game in Beaver Stadium being a daunting, yet thrilling challenge.   Alabama   The history behind the two programs would also lead to a ratings extravaganza for whoever has the media rights down the road for the CFP. Especially with the recent bloodbaths the Irish have endured from the Crimson Tide, the chance to rewrite the number of bad losses in the past decade with a playoff victory would be so satisfying.   The chance for an SEC program to come to a snowy South Bend in December would surely be an advantage for Notre Dame as well, and one Marcus Freeman and company would appreciate the opportunity to play in. LSU   Picture this: Brian Kelly returning to Notre Dame Stadium to face a Marcus Freeman-led Notre Dame team. To get the opportunity to face Kelly in a big game would be a moment Notre Dame fans have been waiting for; a shot at redemption for the bitter ending to the Kelly era. It is similar to Alabama as well that the Tigers have a storied history and are an SEC school that "shops down a different aisle than the Fighting Irish." To see LSU try and adapt to the physical front of the Fighting Irish in the snow and treacherous conditions would be must-see tv. Also seeing Kelly and Freeman in the postgame handshake at midfield would be another snipped Notre Dame fans would die for. Click to Join! - https://www.facebook.com/groups/legionoftheleprechaun

Anyone who follows Notre Dame, or recruiting, or both, is well aware of some of the angst around the program's ability to land game-changing receivers in recent years. Some lost recruiting battles with other schools, paired with some developmental issues, have kept the WR room from achieving the elite status that Notre Dame is accustomed to having across the board - until now. Photo via Devin Fitzgerald In 2025, the Fighting Irish will roll out a very talented two-deep that includes CFP hero Jaden Greathouse, excellent slot receiver Jordan Faison, and a couple of transfers in Malachi Fields and Will Pauling that are poised to have a significant impact. Outside of those four, there is a lot of talent waiting in the wings. Blue chip WRs like Micah Gilbert, Cam Williams, and Scrap Richardson have been waiting for their opportunity, Elijah Burress, who had a solid spring game could potentially carve out a role for himself as a true freshman, and other players like Logan Saldate, Jerome Bettis Jr and KK Smith give the roster some more depth. The class of 2026 has now added a pair of pass catchers that could push that position room over the top for years to come. Notre Dame was able to lock down commitments from a couple of big-time players, both of whom happen to be sons of former NFL stars. 4-star Kaydon Finley and 3-star Devin Fitzgerald both made it official during the July 4th weekend, and both players are exactly the type that Notre Dame needs to get the WR room back to the standard of excellence that Irish fans are looking for. Want the inside scoop on all things Notre Dame? Subscribe to Tribune+ today! Kaydon Finley - (Aledo, Texas) Finley has compiled some impressive numbers over his high school career, racking up over 2,500 yards to go along with an eye-popping 34 touchdowns. Based on what he did as a Junior, it is conceivable that he will get to 50 TDs by the time his Senior season concludes, which is a remarkable feat as a WR. Finley has proven effective as both a slot WR and when playing on the perimeter. He is not a blazer, but possesses enough speed to eat up cushion vs off coverage and put stress on the defensive back. Finley has elite-level tracking and is very smooth when it comes to adjusting himself mid-route and playing with body control near the sidelines. He is a crisp route runner with no wasted movement on short, in-breaking patterns. There are times when he is lined up in the slot where he could benefit from pushing upfield and selling vertical a little more before making his break, but he is solid overall in this area. He can go up and get the ball, especially in the red zone, and plays with strong hands through the catch point. His physicality after the catch is one of his greatest attributes, as he has routinely turned what should be a modest gain in the short and intermediate passing game into highlight reel plays with his balance and play strength. That skillset has allowed him to be used on jet sweeps, where he has been very efficient at the high school ranks. He can make plays at all three levels of the field. Finley is also a very willing blocker, using good leg drive and playing through the whistle. Any Notre Dame fan who watched the playoff game vs Indiana, where Jeremiayh Love had his 98 touchdown run, knows how crucial a block from a perimeter receiver could be. In the case of Finley, the skillset certainly matches the numbers, and his 4-star status is well earned. A multi-alignment receiver with the type of elite after-catch ability he has could catapult him into playing time early in his college journey. Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your Notre Dame Pickleball Paddle Here Devin Fitzgerald - (Phoenix, AZ) The Brophy College Prep product has not accumulated the same type of gaudy numbers as Kaydon Finley thus far, but playing at the highest level of competition Arizona high school football has to offer, he has very much still made a name for himself. Already at 6'2" and 200 pounds, Fitzgerald certainly has the prototypical size you would look for in a boundary receiver. Fitzgerald handles press coverage well, with a blend of strength and foot quickness to get him off the line of scrimmage. As he sharpens the hand-fighting aspect of his release package, it will make him even more efficient in this area. His route running, specifically his ability to find and fill the void vs zone coverage, is an impressive trait and one that is more polished than a lot of his other high school counterparts. He also does a good job of working back to the QB when a play breaks down, earning the trust that he will always be in the right spot. Fitzgerald has very strong hands at the catch point and has no issues going over the middle and maintaining his concentration, which isn't always easy for young receivers. Similar to Finley, Fitzgerald is tough to bring down once the ball is in his hands and forces defenders to wrap up and always play with good technique, as he easily runs through arm tackles for bigger gains. I think one of the things that stood out to me the most during my evaluation of him was the inconsistent QB play he had to deal with. There were multiple reps on film where he would win his matchup fairly easily, but because the QB would see him late, it turned into him having to make a contested catch. There were also times when he was able to break free deep, but the ball would hang in the air and force him to come back over the top of defenders to make the catch. In part, I think this contributes to him not having the numbers you see from some of the other top recruits at the position around the country. The good news for Irish fans is that even with these shortcomings under center, Fitzgerald has proven to be a reliable pass catcher with major upside who already has some advanced aspects of his game that will only continue to get better. Fitzgerald is another piece to the ever-evolving puzzle that is receiver recruiting for Notre Dame. His father, Larry, once donned a gold helmet during his years in college, albeit for Pittsburgh, and after watching the film, Irish fans should be very excited about Devin choosing to wear a gold helmet of his own in South Bend. Wide Receiver Coach Mike Brown knows what he is looking for when it comes to recruits, and Kaydon Finley and Devin Fitzgerald are the type of players that can be the shot in the arm that Notre Dame needs for one of the most hotly contested areas of the team. All it takes is landing these types of targets to get this thing moving back in the right direction, and next thing you know, the WR room might be among the biggest strengths of the roster. Click to Join! - https://www.facebook.com/groups/legionoftheleprechaun

Notre Dame's roster is filled with potential first-round picks, All-Americans, and even a Heisman candidate. With all that talent comes attention, but who are some players that may deserve a little more? Photo by The Irish Tribune Jadarian Price (RB) Price is a no-brainer for this list. Price will probably never get the recognition or snaps he deserves because he shares a backfield with Jeremiyah Love. Love will always be the center of attention on Notre Dame's offense and running game, and rightfully so. With that being said, Price came up huge for Notre Dame week after week, offering another explosive and powerful ball carrier when Love got tired. It can't be easy for Price, knowing he would start at almost every other program in the country. He has everything a running back needs to be a successful first option for teams. Instead, Price and Love make up one of the best backfields in the country, all because of Price's willingness to be a number two. Last season, Price didn't always look like a two, though. He was always a threat to take any snap to the house and accounted for one of the biggest runs of the season. In Week One versus Texas A&M, Price gave the Irish a 13-6 lead in the third quarter with a 47-yard run. That run ended up being one of the biggest plays of the game, as Notre Dame would hold on to that lead to win by three. In total, Price's 2024 season was the best of his career. He ran for 746 yards and seven touchdowns on 120 carries. With Notre Dame's run-first mentality, the backup running back is crucial to their offense. Love would never be able to maintain his stamina and health with the amount of runs Notre Dame wants to implement. This is why Price's production plays such a significant role in Notre Dame's success. Although Irish fans adore the role Price plays, he still does not get the national recognition he deserves. Want the inside scoop on all things Notre Dame? Subscribe to Tribune+ today! Jalen Stroman (Safety) Stroman is new to Notre Dame after transferring in from Virginia Tech, and due to injury, he has not been discussed as much as he should be. Stroman missed out on spring ball due to a shoulder injury that required surgery. Because of that missed time, it feels as if some people, even some Notre Dame fans, have forgotten what he can bring to this team. Paired with Adon Shuler, they could bring one of the more physically imposing safety tandems in the country. Stroman is an explosive athlete who loves to lay down the big hit. In run support, he is an above-average tackler who can get downhill to make crucial stops. In pass coverage, his athleticism puts him in a position to make plays, while his big hits could make receivers second-guess whether they want to come across the middle. With Notre Dame's surplus of solid safeties, Stroman might be a rotational player, but he will surely make his presence felt every time he steps on the field. That presence may be the most valuable trait he brings to the team. Stroman's physicality and energy will be a huge boost to Notre Dame's defense, as they try to set the tone as one of the best and most imposing defenses in the country. Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your Notre Dame Pickleball Paddle Here Junior Tuihalamaka (Defensive End) Tuihalamaka saw extended snaps in 2024 due to injuries across the defensive line and made the most of the opportunity. In 2025, he may still be flying a bit under the radar on this defense, but he could be in a position to fill a crucial role once again. Tuihalamaka was a role player for much of last year, but he always seemed to be around the ball. Against Miami (OH), he came up with an interception at the goal line after a pass was tipped. In the CFP game against Georgia, he fell on a forced fumble that gave Notre Dame great field position before halftime, and then recorded a sack in the fourth quarter that helped seal the win for the Irish. In limited snaps, Tuihalamaka made a huge impact on the team's success as a solid do-it-all player for a defense that ranked among the best in college football. This season, he will likely be asked to serve a similar role. Boubacar Traore and Bryce Young will be the headliners of the pass rush, but Tuihalamaka will need to be ready to come in and impact the game when they need the rest. With Jordan Botelho out for an extended amount of time, he will likely be that third option for Chris Ash's defense. A role that is important for any team trying to make another deep playoff run, but it is also a role that will again make him an unsung hero on Notre Dame's defense. Click to Join! - https://www.facebook.com/groups/legionoftheleprechaun

Notre Dame completes the three-peat, landing WR talent on back-to-back-to-back days, as 4-star WR Brayden Robinson announced his commitment to the Fighting Irish today. Art by The Irish Tribune Robinson is a 5’8", 160lbs, WR out of Red Oak High School in Red Oak, Texas. 247Sports Composite ranks him as the No. 340 overall recruit nationally, and the No. 52 overall wide receiver in the nation. Robinson is a speedy wide receiver who has been clocked at 10.44 in the 100m dash.   Robinson hauled in 79 receptions for 1,119 yards and 15 touchdowns in his junior season at Red Oak High School in Red Oak, Texas. He averaged 14.2 yards per reception and 22.6 yards across 10 kick returns. He joins Devin Fitzgerald, a 3-star WR out of Brophy College Preparatory High School in Phoenix, AZ., Kaydon Finley, a 4-star WR out of Aledo High School in Aledo, Texas, Bubba Frazier a 4-star WR out of Benedictine Academy in Savannah, Georgia, and Dylan Faison a 3-star WR out of St Andrew’s High School in Boca Raton, Florida as the current wide receiver commits for Notre Dame in the class of 2026. Want the inside scoop on all things Notre Dame? Subscribe to Tribune+ today! The Irish Tribune's Head of Scouting, Max Uretsky, described Robinson's skillset: "Robinson always appears to be playing at a different speed than his defensive counterparts. Scary acceleration when he finds some open grass, and every play is a threat to go the distance. Excellent change of direction and agility, with major YAC ability after the catch, seamlessly getting defenders to break down as he blows by them. Cornerbacks clearly respect his speed, and I constantly saw them playing 10 yards off the line of scrimmage and still bailing at the snap. He eats up the cushion so quickly that he always puts stress on the DB, and was able to do a lot of damage in the short game because of it. Elite separation quickness at the top of his routes. Surprisingly good contact balance for his size. Also provides versatility as a punt/kick returner, where he is a big-time weapon. After watching Jayden Harrison return a kickoff for a touchdown in the Sugar Bowl vs Georgia, Notre Dame fans know how beneficial having that element on special teams can be." Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your Notre Dame Pickleball Paddle Here Prior to committing to the Irish today, Robinson held 49 D1 Offers from such notable schools as Miami, Arizona, Alabama, Arizona State, Auburn, LSU, Michigan, Ohio State, Ole Miss, Oregon, Penn State, Texas, Texas A&M, and Notre Dame, among others. This is another recruiting victory for WR Coach Mike Brown, who has now secured commitments from all major targets at the position this cycle. Click to Join! - https://www.facebook.com/groups/legionoftheleprechaun

Notre Dame's legendary recruiting heater continues, landing WR talent on back-to-back days, as 3-star WR Devin Fitzgerald announced his commitment today to the Fighting Irish. Art by The Irish Tribune Fitzgerald is the son of former NFL Wide Receiver Larry Fitzgerald. Devin, a 6’2", 205lbs WR out of Brophy College Preparatory in Phoenix, Arizona, looks to carve out his own legacy at the position his father dominated for so many years. 247Sports Composite ranks him as the No. 488 overall recruit nationally and the No. 7 overall recruit in the state of Arizona.   Fitzgerald hauled in 52 receptions for 720 yards and 9 touchdowns in his junior season at Brophy College Preparatory High School, averaging 13.8 yards per reception. He joins Kaydon Finley, a 4-star WR out of Aledo High School in Aledo, Texas, Bubba Frazier, a 4-star WR out of Benedictine Academy in Savannah, Georgia and Dylan Faison, a 3-star WR out of St Andrew’s High School in Boca Raton, Florida as the current wide receiver commits for Notre Dame in the 2026 class.   Want the inside scoop on all things Notre Dame? Subscribe to Tribune+ today! Prior to committing to the Irish today, Fitzgerald held 32 D1 Offers from such notable schools as Clemson, UCLA, Arizona State, Florida State, Michigan, Kansas State, Duke, Stanford, and Notre Dame, among others. This is another recruiting victory for WR Coach Mike Brown and the Notre Dame staff, adding even more star power to an already loaded class. The Irish continue their push for a top-5 recruiting class. Click to Join! - https://www.facebook.com/groups/legionoftheleprechaun