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For the fifth consecutive year, the Notre Dame Fighting Irish Women’s Basketball Team has made it to the second weekend of the NCAA Tournament. Standing in the way of their first Elite Eight appearance since 2019 (and the first under Head Coach Niele Ivey) is a well-rounded and dangerous Vanderbilt Commodores squad. Notre Dame Fighting Irish: The Irish upset the region's three-seed, the Ohio State Buckeyes, on Monday afternoon. Impressive was the fact that it was on the Ohio State campus. Even more impressive was the performance by Junior Guard Hannah Hidalgo with 26 points, 13 rebounds, and eight steals. Over the first two games of the tournament, Hidalgo has averaged a double-double with 24.5 Points Per Game (PPG) and 11 Rebounds Per Game (RPG). She has also chipped in with eight steals per game (setting a new single-game tournament record for the Irish in the first round against Farfield).  Senior Guard Cassandre Prosper continued her strong contributions with 17 points against the Buckeyes. Vanderbilt Commodores: Vanderbilt is led by Sophomore Guard Mikayla Blakes (recently named one of four finalists for the Naismith Women’s Player of the Year Award), who leads the nation in scoring, averaging 27 PPG while shooting a touch over 46 percent from the field. She is not alone in the backcourt. Freshman Guard Aubrey Galvan (averaging 13.2 PPG) provides the Commodores with one of the best backcourts in the country. This allows them to average an eye-raising 84.9 PPG (good for eighth nationally). They play at a frantic pace on both ends of the floor, which allows them to get out in transition and disrupt their opponents' game plan. Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle Notre Dame Keys to Victory: Playing a team with four players who average double-digit points per game is going to be a difficult task for the Irish. Couple that with the dynamic pace Vanderbilt plays at, and one would think that the Irish would be at a significant disadvantage. However, Teams that can disrupt the high-powered guard tandem of the Commodores with strong defensive guard play and keep it a half-court game have had great success against them. This plays right into the Irish's hands, with Hidalgo and Prosper being very active on the defensive end and the ability to slow the game down because of this. If the Irish can do this against the potent Commodores, they have more than a puncher's chance. Vanderbilt Keys to Victory: The Commodores have thrived this season with a pick-your-poison philosophy. Does a team try to limit Blakes, or do they take away her supporting cast? That is going to be a decision that they are going to want to impose on the Irish. By doing this, they will spread Notre Dame out and make them defend one-on-one and not rely on the defensive backcourt to control the game. Eventually, this would force a thin Irish lineup to play at the up-tempo pace Vanderbilt wants, and that would be a death sentence in hopes of Notre Dame advancing. Prediction: Notre Dame has been on a roll since a loss to Virginia over a month ago. A key to that has been others finding ways to contribute and taking pressure off of Hidalgo; this makes her able to play freer, and the stats show what this can do for the Irish. Vanderbilt presents the very challenges that have been kryptonite for Notre Dame this season. However, Hidalgo is playing at another level, and her supporting cast has found ways to be there when they are needed most. I think the Irish can do just enough defensively to shut down the explosive backcourt of the Commodores. Give me the Irish in another upset. Final Score: Notre Dame 79, Vanderbilt 75 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!

“Often those who criticise others reveal what they themselves lack.”- Shannon Adler. Notre Dame Athletics draws intense attention in college sports. For fans, the history and expectation of excellence fuel loyalty; for detractors, they provide frequent criticism. Words like 'irrelevant' and 'overrated' can leave wounds that last for decades. On December 7th 2025, the Notre Dame Football Team declined an invitation to presumably play the Brigham Young Cougars (BYU) in the Pop-Tarts Bowl. This decision was made after Notre Dame was left out of the College Football Playoff, despite being ranked in the top 10 week after week, until the final week, when they were bumped down two spots, and a team that lost in embarrassing fashion less than 24 hours earlier (the Alabama Crimson Tide) stayed in their recent spot of nine. When this occurred, Notre Dame made a significant impact in the sports world. Analysts, including Stephen A. Smith, argued Notre Dame should join a conference and criticized the University's response. Other commentators echoed these views, claiming the decision could affect the game. Fast forward to March 15th 2026, Selection Sunday. This grand day is when the participants for both the men’s and women’s NCAA Division One Basketball tournaments are announced. Every year, there are snubs and those left out that feel they should have been included; this year was no exception. However, four teams took it a step further. Want the inside scoop on all things Notre Dame? Subscribe to Tribune+ today! Indiana, Belmont, San Diego State, and Florida State declined invitations to the National Invitational Tournament (NIT), which is for the next 32 teams not selected for the NCAA Tournament. In past years, the NIT was once even more significant than the NCAA Tournament. Notre Dame supporters expected critics to react to these teams as they did to Notre Dame's decision, anticipating outcries of selfishness or brand attacks aimed at these schools for opting out, just as Notre Dame experienced. Over a week has passed, yet there is still no hint of public criticism toward these teams. This contrasts sharply with the strong reaction Notre Dame received. All things being equal, being invited to NIT and then being declined is nothing new. They have been happening for as long as I can remember. The table below lists the metrics the Selection Committee uses to determine which teams advance to the tournament. There are some metrics, such as Indiana's 38th-ranked Strength of Schedule (SOS), that would make you raise an eyebrow. Then it is diminished by their 218th-ranked out-of-conference SOS (out of 362 teams). With all four of these teams, the minuses outweigh the pluses. RESUMES FOR THE FOUR TEAMS THAT DECLINED NIT INVITES. COURTESY OF BRACKETOLOGISTS.COM Also, there were many bid stealers this year. These are teams that would not make the tournament but won their conference tournament, which earns them an automatic bid. Couple that with Miami of Ohio being 31-1 and not winning their conference tournament with a suspect resume, and this created an unheralded situation for the committee. Personally, I did not admonish these teams for sitting out because, at the end of the day, it is their choice. Just as it was for the Notre Dame Football team. I will also say I didn’t see any prominent Irish supporters attack them or question their character either. Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle The fact is, Notre Dame is not irrelevant; they are not overrated. As a matter of fact, they are needed. These individuals, including ESPN, Stephen A. Smith, Dan Dakich, ON3, Pat Forde, and the countless social media pundits, need Notre Dame to maintain their own relevance. They know that the moment they say those two words, they get more clicks, views, and conversations. Notre Dame bears the weight of high expectations in college sports. This also attracts prominent critics, ready to offer their opinions. What they do not realize is that Notre Dame is built to withstand them. Bullets weakened with hypocrisy; disingenuous statements merely make flesh wounds, and that is what has been exposed over the past week. All detractors of Notre Dame are just chasing clout, attempting to tarnish the Golden Dome we hold dear. And using it to prop up their own paper popularity. 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 is still dancing, this time after upsetting Ohio State 83-73 in the Second Round of the NCAA Tournament on Monday afternoon at the Schottenstein Center in Columbus. Photo via Notre Dame Athletics Two teams with similar paths this season, Ohio State (27-7; 13-5) finished fifth in the Big Ten’s regular season standings before being bounced by eventual champion, UCLA, in the conference tournament’s semifinal; sound familiar? The three-seeded Buckeyes advanced to their fifth-straight consecutive NCAA Tournament Second Round appearance after defeating 14-seed Howard 75-54 in the First Round. As for Notre Dame, the six-seeded Irish bested 11-seed Fairfield 79-60 in their First Round matchup.  On Monday, the Irish were able to counter a 41-point outing from AP Second Team All-American Jaloni Cambridge with five different scorers reaching double digits. Hannah Hidalgo led the way for the Irish with 26 points as she surpassed Arike Ogunbowale for most points in a single season by a Notre Dame player. A gritty second quarter where the Irish forced five turnovers and shot 9-9 from the free throw line proved to be huge after starting the game down 11-0 on the scoreboard. Want the inside scoop on all things Notre Dame? Subscribe to Tribune+ today! Ohio State was firing on all cylinders early in a quick-paced first quarter, taking an instant 11-0 lead just two minutes into the game, with Cambridge scoring seven in a perfect start for the Buckeyes. Iyana Moore knocked down a pair of threes to put the Irish on the scoreboard, and then a Hidalgo steal led to an easy basket for Cassandre Prosper that cut their deficit down to five, 13-8, with 5:48 on the clock. Gisela Sanchez was able to finish a tough basket in the paint before Hidalgo turned another steal into two points as she finished off her own takeaway, reducing the Buckeyes' lead to 15-12 with 4:32 left in the quarter. After Ohio State scored on back-to-back possessions to push their lead to seven, Hidalgo and KK Bransford (OSU tipped her missed shot into their own basket)  responded with back-to-back scores of their own as the Buckeyes maintained the three-point advantage with 2:10 remaining. The Buckeyes hit a three, but it was Hidalgo and Bransford who closed the quarter with a pair of baskets, the latter happening with about five seconds to play, that put the Irish down just 22-20 after one. Hidalgo tallied three steals to go along with six points in the first. Moore tied the star PG for a team-high six points on 2-4 shooting from deep to open the game.   After Cambridge knocked down a two-point jumper, the Irish surged on an 8-0 run where they took their first lead of the game, holding a 28-24 advantage just under three minutes into the quarter. Cambridge and Prosper traded a pair of short jumpers before Vanessa de Jesus drew a big three-point shot foul call and nailed all three free throws to extend Notre Dame’s lead to 33-26 with 4:30 on the clock. The Buckeyes were able to respond with a 5-0 burst capped with a converted and-one layup that made it a 33-31 game with 3:46 left in the half. After a couple of more traded baskets, the Irish were able to close the quarter on a 6-0 run with Hidalgo and de Jesus both knocking down a pair of free throws as the Buckeyes limped to the halftime buzzer down 43-35. De Jesus led the Irish’s efforts in the second, notching a team-high seven points and a steal. Prosper also contributed six points on 2-2 shooting from the field and added a steal as well. The Irish shot a perfect 9-9 from the charity stripe in the second quarter to help build their halftime edge. Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle Notre Dame came out of the half still carrying their momentum from the second quarter, beginning the third on a 7-2 run, kick-started by a de Jesus three, that put the Irish ahead by 13, 50-37, just under two minutes into the frame. The Buckeyes put together their response in the form of a 10-0 stretch, featuring five points from Cambridge, to cut their deficit to 50-47 with 4:53 on the clock. After a 3:40 period where the Irish went scoreless, Prosper and Hidalgo were able to convert on back-to-back possessions that pushed their lead to 54-47 with 3:50 left in the quarter. Cambridge responded for the Buckeyes with a 6-0 run by herself that brought the home team within one, 54-53, with 2:42 remaining. The Irish were able to close the last two minutes of the third on a 4-1 run, sending them into the final quarter with a 58-54 advantage. Hidalgo led the Irish with six points and five rebounds in the third quarter; however, three personal fouls in the frame raised some late-game caution. The Irish shut down the Buckeyes’ offense in the final quarter, forcing multiple turnovers leading to Notre Dame points. They opened the frame on an 8-2 stretch, featuring two steals from Hidalgo and a pair of threes from Moore and De Jesus, that extended their lead to 66-56 with 7:16 to play. Ohio State was able to knock down a pair of free throws that cut the Irish lead back down to single digits, but Hidalgo buried a three in response that put the Irish up 69-58 with 4:35 on the clock. After picking up her fourth foul, ‘Grand Theft’ Hidalgo disregarded caution and picked up her seventh steal of the game on the very next play. After Hidalgo and Cambridge traded free throws, Prosper put the nail in the coffin when she converted an and-one off a tough layup that extended the Irish lead to 73-59 with 2:40 left. On the next possession, Hidalgo picked off Cambridge for her eighth steal and nailed both free throws after being intentionally fouled. Following a slew of free throws, which pushed the Irish lead to 18 with 41 seconds remaining, Cambridge closed the game with eight straight points as the Buckeyes' season came to an end. Hidalgo’s 10 points and 4 steals in the final quarter were enough to help the Irish punch their ticket to the Sweet 16 with an 83-73 upset victory. Notre Dame awaits the winner of Vanderbilt/Illinois as the Irish are set to make their fifth consecutive Sweet 16 appearance on March 27th in Fort Worth. Irish Stars Hannah Hidalgo : 26 points (sets single-season program record), 13 rebounds (career high) , 2 assists, 8 steals, +18, 38 minutes played Vanessa de Jesus : 15 points (3-6 FGs, 2-4 3FGs, 7-7 FTs) , 3 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, +5, 35 minutes played Cassandre Prosper : 13 points (5-7 FGs), 4 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 block, 1 steal, +2, 37 minutes played Iyana Moore : 13 points (4-8 FGs, 3-7 3FGs, 2-2 FTs), 2 steals, +4, 29 minutes played KK Bransford : 10 points (4-8 FGs, 2-2 FTs), 6 rebounds, 3 assists, +6, 21 minutes played Key Team Stats Field Goal Percentage: OSU (46%)  - ND (44%)   Three Point Percentage: OSU (47%)  - ND (40%) Free Throw Percentage: ND (88%)  - OSU (82%) Turnovers: OSU (21) - ND (15) Rebounds: ND (36) - OSU (31) Bench Points: ND (12) - OSU (2) 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!

We are in the throes of madness! The Women’s Division 1 NCAA Basketball Tournament is underway and a consistent staple; the Notre Dame Fighting Irish have moved onto the round of 32 by defeating Fairfield 79-60 behind all-world junior Hannah Hidalgo’s near quadruple double. Photo via Notre Dame Athletics In the next round, the Irish will take on the 3rd-seeded Ohio State Buckeyes, and the game will be played at their home arena. Since a loss to Virginia on February 8th, the Irish have won eight out of nine games (their only loss in the Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament Semifinals against eventual champion Duke) and appear to be primed for a run. Notre Dame Fighting Irish Any conversation about the Fighting Irish starts and begins with perennial National Player of the Year Candidate, Junior Guard Hannah Hidalgo. She has won back-to-back ACC Player of the Year and ACC Defensive Player of the Year. She averages 25.2 points per game (PPG), 6.5 Rebounds Per Game (RPG), 5.3 Assists Per Game (APG), and 5.5 Steals Per Game (SPG). Hidalgo has done all of this while shooting 47.8% from the field. As the season has progressed, her supporting cast has come alive. Since the loss to Virginia, Senior Guard Cassandre Prosper has come alive. She is averaging 10.8 points per game during that stretch and has allowed the Irish to space the floor more and give Hidalgo room to operate. Key contributors to the Irish are Senior KK Bransford, and transfers Vanessa de Jesus and Malaya Cowles. Want the inside scoop on all things Notre Dame? Subscribe to Tribune+ today! Ohio State Buckeyes The Buckeyes are a very complete team. They are led by two dynamic Guards, Sophomore Jaloni Cambridge (averaging 22.7 PPG) and Senior T’yanna Todd. They also have a potent frontcourt with Forwards Kylee Kitts, Ella Hobbs, and Center Elsa Lemmila. Much like the Irish, they play a high-pressure defense that creates turnovers. This allows them to get easy transition baskets. The exception is that the Irish rely on the backcourt to get turnovers. The Buckeyes can generate them from any position on the floor. Notre Dame Keys to Victory It must be the "Hannah Hidalgo Show." The Irish have relied on contributions from others during the recent late-season surge. However, this game needs to have Hidalgo's fingerprints all over it with a performance like their first-round game against Fairfield. A downfall for the Irish this season has been their depth. Deep teams have been able to wear them down. Playing an up-tempo, transition team, such as Ohio State, Notre Dame needs to force their pace on the Buckeyes. Teams have been able to expose Ohio State in the half-court. If Notre Dame can do that and spread the floor, Hidalgo should get some nice one-on-one opportunities. This will also allow her teammates to get involved and spread out the Buckeyes. This could also create foul trouble for the Buckeyes, who are not necessarily deep, although they are deeper than the Irish. Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle Ohio State Keys to Victory As important as Hidalgo having a monster game is for Notre Dame, it is much more imperative for the Buckeyes to stop that. Hidalgo is everything for the Irish; they go as she goes. When she gets going, it frees up others to operate, and Notre Dame becomes very hard to stop. Ohio State must impose its will early. Get the home crowd into the game, force turnovers, make Hidalgo uncomfortable, and use their size advantage to make the Irish go into an almost nonexistent bench. If they can get out and run early, force the Irish to play their game, then they should pull out the win. Prediction This is a classic battle of wills. Ohio State's up-tempo transition game versus the Irish high-pressure half-court game. This could end up being one of the best games of the second round. When teams are this closely matched, I look at the stars, and there are not many better than Hidalgo. I think Ohio State can contain her for stretches. However, a key in this run for the Irish has been Hidalgo's ability to facilitate when she is not getting free offensively. I think that happens here. I look for Prosper, de Jesus, and Bransford to keep the Irish in the game until Hidalgo finds a groove. Then I predict she takes over and leads the Irish to the upset victory and a Sweet Sixteen berth. Final Score: Notre Dame 68, Ohio State 62 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 advanced to the NCAA Tournament’s Second Round following a 79-60 win against Fairfield on Saturday at Value City Arena in Columbus, Ohio. Photo via Notre Dame Athletics Following absences in 2020 and 2021, the Niele Ivey-led Irish return to the big dance for a fifth consecutive season, looking to secure a fifth-straight trip to the Sweet 16. Notre Dame earned a six-seed after finishing 22-10 (12-6) and placing fifth in the ACC’s regular season. The Irish’s First Round opponent, the Fairfield Stags, are no strangers to the NCAA Tournament either, with this year marking their third straight appearance, and fourth in five years. The 11-seeded Stags received their place in the bracket after a 28-4 (19-1) season, which saw Fairfield take home MAAC co-Regular Season and Tournament Championships. Unfortunately for the Stags, Hannah Hidalgo's AP 1st-Team All-American snub was felt by everyone on Fairfield as she stuffed the stat sheet with 23 points, nine boards, eight steals, and six assists in another superstar outing. Offensively, the trio of Hidalgo, Iyana Moore, and Cassandre Prosper combined for 58 of Notre Dame’s 79 points as they shot an uber-efficient 6-11 from deep. Along with the three-ball falling, the Irish also had a rare advantage down low, where they dominated the paint on both sides of the ball, especially on the glass. Want the inside scoop on all things Notre Dame? Subscribe to Tribune+ today! Notre Dame jumped out to an early 11-4 lead 3:35 into the game, with Hidalgo and Prosper doing all the scoring for the Irish. However, Fairfield was able to put together a 6-0 stretch to cut their deficit to just one with 3:59 left in the first quarter. Then, the Irish responded with a 6-0 run of their own, with four points from Moore leading the way as Notre Dame claimed a 17-10 advantage with 2:41 on the clock. The offenses went stagnant to close the period, featuring a slew of turnovers and fouls, with a Fairfield two-point bucket with 24 seconds left marking the only points in the last 2:40. Hidalgo paced the Irish with a team-high seven points and three steals in the first quarter as Notre Dame held a 17-12 lead. Prosper and Moore each contributed four points to open the game.  Fairfield opened the second quarter’s scoring, hitting one of two free throw attempts, but the Irish crafted another 6-0 run with three different scorers that extended their lead to 24-13 3:10 into the frame. The Stags were able to convert on consecutive layups to cut their deficit back down to seven, but Hidalgo rattled off four points on a quick 5-0 Irish run that pushed the lead to 29-17 with 4:13 left in the half. The two sides went back-and-forth to end the half, with a Vanessa de Jesus layup in the final minute maintaining the Irish’s 12-point, 36-24, lead at the break. Hidalgo, who added two more steals defensively, and Moore led the Irish offense with six points apiece in the second quarter. Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle The Irish came out of the half stifling Fairfield’s offense as Notre Dame opened the third quarter on an 11-2 stretch, highlighted by a tough, converted and-one layup from Moore, that helped extend the lead to 47-26 with 4:10 elapsed in the frame. A made free throw by Prosper capped a 7-5 Irish stretch that extended the lead to a game-high 23 points with 2:20 on the clock. In the final minute, Prosper converted an and-one opportunity and buried a three, but Fairfield countered with a pair of threes of their own to cancel out Prosper’s impressive burst. A three from the Stags with a few seconds remaining in the quarter sent the Irish to the final frame with a 62-43 advantage. Prosper’s nine points on 3-4 shooting from the field led an Irish offense that featured five different scorers in the quarter. Hidalgo added three more steals in this quarter to bring her total to eight in about 28 minutes played, officially putting her on quadruple-double watch. The two teams opened up the final quarter trading baskets for the first 2:41 before Prosper and KK Bransford were able to connect on back-to-back buckets to extend the Irish lead to 72-49 with 5:10 to play. A trio of Fairfield threes was a part of an effort that cut the Stags deficit down to 16 with 1:53 left, but Moore had the last word as she nailed a three with 1:08 on the clock to close the game’s scoring and send Notre Dame to the Second Round with a 79-60 victory. Six different Irish players etched their names in the scoring column in the fourth quarter, with Hidalgo and De Jesus’s four points leading the way. Six-seed Notre Dame will be up against a true road environment in the Second Round on March 23rd when they face three-seed Ohio State at Value City Arena in Columbus. Coach Ivey and Notre Dame will be seeking their fifth consecutive NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 berth. Irish Stars Hannah Hidalgo : 23 points (6-6 FTs) , 9 rebounds, 6 assists, 8 steals (NCAA Tournament Single-Game Program Record), +27, 33 minutes played Iyana Moore : 18 points (6-11 FGs, 4-7 3FGs) , 3 rebounds, +24, 37 minutes played Cassandre Prosper : 17 points (7-12 FGs) , 8 rebounds, 3 blocks, 2 steals, +27, 33 minutes played Key Team Stats Field Goal Percentage: ND (47%)  - FU (38%)   Three Point Percentage: ND (46%)  - FU (35%) Free Throw Percentage: ND (72%)  - FU (63%) Rebounds: ND (43)  - FU (31) Points in the Paint: ND (44)  - FU (22) 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!

After some injury-riddled years at Notre Dame, Eli Raridon finally found his footing in 2025, having his best season with the Fighting Irish. Now, Raridon enters the NFL draft with the potential to be a great value pick later in the draft. After Oregon's standout tight end Kenyon Sadiq, the tight end rankings in this draft are fairly contested. While the rest of the tight ends are not considered to be elite, Raridon is part of a group that many consider could be very beneficial to an NFL offense. Raridon is a unique player who poses a real threat to opposing defenses. Standing at 6'7", Raridon would already be one of the tallest players in the NFL. With that length, and a 4.62 40-yard dash at the NFL combine, Raridon displays an attractive combination of size and speed for any NFL offense. Want the inside scoop on all things Notre Dame? Subscribe to Tribune+ today! Going back to Raridon's time at Notre Dame, it got off to a bit of a rough start, as he suffered two ACL tears within a 10-month timespan. Due to this delay, Raridon fell behind on the depth chart, limiting his role for much of the 2023 and 2024 seasons. It was not until the 2025 season that Raridon finally came into the fold as a key player on the offensive side of the ball. Raridon quickly became one of CJ Carr's favorite weapons to find, specifically on key downs. Carr seemed to have a knack for finding Raridon deep down the field after he had slipped past the defense. Almost miraculously, for how good a season Raridon had, he did not catch a single touchdown in 2025, although he was close several times. Even without a touchdown, Raridon was a huge part of the offense and had a successful season, finishing with 32 catches for 482 yards. Averaging 15 yards a reception, Raridon proved himself a dangerous receiving threat who can create big plays in the passing game. Raridon, considered to be anywhere from the fourth to around the seventh tight end in the class, will not be a day-one or maybe even a day-two pick. While he will not have the immediate pressure of performing at a high level, Raridon's skillset could allow him to be an instant impact player, making him a potential steal in this draft. Raridon is a huge target that can get downfield. That immediately makes him a great target for any quarterback. With that size, Raridon also possesses solid speed and great hands, giving him everything he needs to become a great option in the passing game. In the NFL, linebackers are getting smaller in order to deal with the impressive speed NFL offenses have. Raridon could make a living taking advantage of that decreased size. He will also see a lot of matchups with safeties, but like linebackers, Raridon should be able to use his size to create a mismatch. With his combination of size and speed, any defense will have to worry about his ability to find the seams in a defense. While Raridon is a solid prospect, he is not without his flaws. Despite his size, Raridon is not particularly strong, raising some concerns about him in run-blocking situations. Raridon has shown a willingness to block, but in the NFL, he will need to become a better blocker with the athleticism defenses bring. Best Fits: Round 4, Pick 125/131: New England Patriots The Patriots have two picks in the right range for a team to draft Raridon. At this point in the draft, teams are picking for depth pieces with starter potential, which is exactly what the Patriots are looking for at tight end. After making it to the Super Bowl, the Patriots could be looking to rework their tight end room. Their veteran starter, Hunter Henry, is now on the wrong side of 30, leading many to think the Patriots could be looking for a younger, cheaper option. In free agency, the Patriots signed Julian Hill while losing receiving threat tight end, Austin Hooper. Hill is a blocking specialist who presents as a solid addition to the run game as an extra blocker. Raridon could be a potential replacement for Henry, who complements Hill's skill set perfectly. While Hill is a physical run blocker, Raridon could be the new passing threat in the room, playing to both of their skillsets and preserving balance at the position. Under Mike Vrabel, the Patriots have grown accustomed to running 12-personnel lineups. In those lineups, the offense includes two tight ends, lending itself to a more physical play-style. With the potential duo of Raridon and Hill, the Patriots could have two tight ends on the field that present different challenges for the defense. Hill would be an extra blocker in the run game, while Raridon would be another excellent passing option in play-action. Raridon not only fits a positional need for the Patriots, but he also fits exactly what the Patriots want to run on offense. Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle Round 4, Pick 108/111: Denver Broncos A little earlier in the fourth round, the Broncos could also select Raridon to help out a tight end room that struggled during the 2025 season. The Broncos were one game away from the Super Bowl last season, making it crucial that they fill in the final gaps of a roster that will look to finish the job in 2026. The tight end room may be one of the biggest gaps they need to fill. With that being said, they may look to draft a tight end much earlier in order to get a bonafide starter, but Raridon could be excellent value later in the draft if they decide to wait. Last season, the Broncos' tight ends had the worst PFF grade in the entire NFL. With no true receiving threat, Raridon could help in adding a little more punch to that room. With Bo Nix having a breakout year, it will be important for the Broncos to continue to add options around Nix. Raridon is a solid piece to surround Nix with, as he never appeared to have a sure set of hands to rely on for stretches of last year. With Jaylen Waddle now on the team, they now have a player who is elite at stretching the field, opening up the middle of the field for a big target like Raridon. 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. 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Notre Dame Men’s Basketball will be witnessing the ‘madness’ from their homes for the eighth time in nine seasons and for the third consecutive year since Head Coach Micah Shrewsberry took the job. However, the Irish connections still run deep this March with former assistants, a transfer, and a former Athletic Director’s son hoping to become National Champions. Photo via Rod Balanis/X (@RodBalanis) Howard Associate HC Rod Balanis Balanis, perhaps the most notable to Irish fans, worked at Notre Dame from 2000 to 2021 as one of Mike Brey’s first hires. He served various roles in South Bend, including Coordinator of Basketball Operations, Assistant Coach, and eventually Associate HC. After 21 years with the Irish, Balanis moved closer to home and accepted the same role at Howard. Since arriving in Washington DC, Balanis and the Bison have won three of the past five conference tournaments after not appearing in an NCAA Tournament since 1992. This season, the Bison open March Madness with a First Four matchup with UMBC on Tuesday in Dayton, Ohio. The winner will go on to face one-seed Michigan. Penn HC Fran McCaffery One of the more recognizable names in college basketball, first-year Penn HC Fran McCaffery has led the Quakers to the dance for the first time since 2018. The former longtime Iowa HC spent 11 years in South Bend as an assistant under Digger Phelps and John MacLeod from 1988 to 1999. McCaffery ultimately left for the HC role at UNC-Greensboro and kick-started his current 26-year HC stretch that has seen plenty of successes. 14-seed Penn looks to begin a Cinderella run with a First Round matchup against three-seed Illinois. Want the inside scoop on all things Notre Dame? Subscribe to Tribune+ today! Georgia HC Mike White A connection that Notre Dame and its fans may not be too fond of is the father of Georgia HC, Kevin White. Kevin, Mike’s father, served as Notre Dame’s Athletic Director from 2000 to 2008. Additionally, Mike’s brother, Danny, was a reserve on the Irish’s 2001-02 basketball team. While White’s tenure as an AD in South Bend is one most would like to forget, his son has been on quite the run as a basketball coach. After departing Florida for rival Georgia, White has led the Bulldogs to three-straight 20-plus win seasons, the first time they have done that since 2014-16. Georgia’s hopes of a deep run as an eight-seed begin with a matchup against nine-seed St. Louis in the First Round. Michigan State Associate HC Doug Wojcik The Spartans’ legendary HC’s right-hand man served a brief one-season stint in South Bend in Matt Doherty’s lone year as the Irish’s HC in 1999-2000. Wojcik followed Doherty to North Carolina the next season. Since departing Notre Dame, Wojcik has had AC stints at UNC, Gonzaga, and East Carolina. In his eighth season at Michigan State, he has helped the Spartans to a three-seed in the NCAA Tournament, where they face 14-seed North Dakota State in a First Round tilt.  Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle North Carolina State F Ven-Allen Lubin The sole former Notre Dame player whose team earned a spot in this year’s field of 68 is the well-traveled forward putting together a career-best season. As one of Brey’s last recruits, Lubin posted 6.2 points, 4.4 rebounds, and nearly a block per game as a freshman in 2022-23. After flashing his promise as a former four-star and Brey’s resignation, Lubin entered the portal and committed to Vanderbilt, where he continued to improve. After one season in Nashville, Lubin came back to the ACC, this time at UNC. Despite having a solid ACC Tournament showing for the Tar Heels, it was an overall disappointing junior year for Lubin. This past offseason, Lubin entered the portal once again before deciding to spend his senior year at in-state rival NC State. This season, he is averaging 13.9 points, 7.2 rebounds, 0.9 blocks, and 0.5 steals per game, starting all 33 appearances. Lubin’s Wolfpack are tasked with the Texas Longhorns on Tuesday evening in Dayton for a First Four contest. 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!

Toxic Relationships. It is safe to assume we are all familiar with them. Either we have been in them, or we are close acquaintances with someone who has been in one. That would make us good friends, leaning on our friends to rid themselves of the toxicity that could ruin them. In this situation, that is me. I’m the good friend imploring, begging that Notre Dame and by proxy, its athletic department, end a toxic relationship. That is one with Men’s Head Basketball Coach, Micah Shrewsberry. When Shrewsberry was hired in 2023, he had the unenviable task of replacing legendary coach Mike Brey, who resigned following the 2022-2023 season.  Brey had 483 career wins at Notre Dame (the most in school history) and a career winning percentage of .663 (second to Digger Phelps, .666). In 23 seasons, Brey qualified for the postseason 18 times.  (five appearances in the National Invitational Tournament and 13 appearances in the NCAA Tournament). This includes back-to-back Elite Eight appearances in 2015 and 2016. Want the inside scoop on all things Notre Dame? Subscribe to Tribune+ today! Meanwhile, Micah Shrewsberry had found some success at Penn State University. It was his leading the Nittany Lions to their first NCAA Tournament win in 22 years that made him a prime candidate to lead the Irish. It was assumed he could replicate it at Notre Dame. Given the greater resources available in South Bend for basketball, it is safe to say this was a ballyhooed hire. Results have produced a different story. In three seasons of leading the Irish, Shrewsberry has a paltry record of 41-56 (.423 winning percentage). His Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) record is much worse at 19-39 (.368). Records and winning percentage aside, there have been numerous embarrassments. Home losses to The Citadel (2023-24 season), Elon (2024-25 season), and Purdue-Fort Wayne (2025-26 season) have fueled the bottom-feeder status the Men’s Basketball program is stuck in. The most egregious embarrassment came this season. Basketball blue blood, the Duke Blue Devils visited Purcell Pavilion, a place that has been home to some of the greatest upsets in college basketball history, and the site of the biggest blemish in the school's history. Purcell was rocking, thirsting for an upset, nationally televised on ESPN. Everything was ripe for upsetting the dominant Blue Devils. That ripe, upset fruit soon turned rotten. Duke dominated the listless, uninspired Irish. This led to the biggest beatdown in school history (44 points), a 100-56 behind-the-woodshed thrashing that wasn’t even as close as the final score would dictate. Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle Despite the doom and gloom projected here, it could be excused if there were some forms of marked improvement. Shrewsberry is 0-11 versus ranked opponents while leading the Irish. The team’s average offensive rating over Shrewsberry’s regime is 105.24, and the team’s defensive rating isn’t much better, coming in at 107.2 (both are out of 365 schools). Their average finish in the ACC has been 12th place (this year, they finished 16th and did not qualify for the ACC Tournament). Now, the ACC is a gauntlet; it is arguably the most prestigious basketball conference. But the last three years with no marked improvement is disparaging when players such as JJ Starling (transferred), Cary Booth (transferred), Markus Burton (injured for most of this season), Cole Certa, and Jalen Haralson have come through South Bend. The team plays without fundamentals and discipline. This is indicative of the toxicity emanating from the top. Notre Dame, the time is now. This toxic relationship must end. For such an esteemed athletic and academic institution, these embarrassments cannot continue. Please, for you and for all who support you, it is time to tell Shrewsberry: it’s not us; it is you. 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 looks to strike lightning twice with the 2027 class after landing the best class we've seen in a generation. We hadn't seen anything like this since the Weis days, when he pulled high-caliber talent such as Jimmy Clausen, Golden Tate, Michael Floyd, Harrison Smith, Kyle Rudolph, and Manti Te'o. Be that as impressive as it is, Marcus Freeman and staff were able to top that; in fact, some say the 2026 class is the best in program history. Notre Dame looks to continue that momentum in the 2027 class and is already on their way with notable commitments like 4-star OT James Halter, 4-star CB Xavier Hasan, 4-star CB Ace Alston, 4-star S Khalil Terry, 4-star LB Amarri Irvin, and 4-star DL Richie Flanigan. Below are the Big Board Defensive Talents that Notre Dame looks to land: Edge Zyron Forstall (5-star) 6-3.5 225lbs out of IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida. He is ranked by 247 Sports as 42 nd  overall nationally and 5th overall at the Edge position. He holds 27 D1 offers. KJ Green (5-star) 6-4 215lbs out of Stephenson High School in Stone Mountain Gap, Georgia. He is ranked by 247 Sports as 72 nd  overall nationally and 9th overall at the Edge position. He holds 30 D1 offers. Chris Whitehead (5-star) 6-4.5 230lbs out of Lloyd C. Bird High School in Chesterfield, Virginia. He is ranked by 247 Sports 27 th  overall nationally and 4th overall at the Edge position. He holds 33 D1 offers. Abraham Sesay (4-star) 6-5 215lbs out of Downingtown East High School in Exton, Pennsylvania. He is ranked by 247 Sports as 63 rd  overall nationally and 8th overall at the Edge position. He holds 28 D1 offers. Mekai Brown (4-star) 6-7 230lbs out of Greenwich Country Day High School in Greenwich, Connecticut. He is ranked by 247 Sports as 49th overall nationally and 6th overall at the Edge position. He holds 28 D1 offers. Wyatt Smith (4-star) 6-6 235lbs out of St. Thomas Aquinas High School in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. He is ranked by 247 Sports as 75th overall nationally and 10th overall at the defensive line position. He holds 32 D1 offers. Aidan O’Neil (4-star) 6-5 240lbs out of Don Bosco Prep in Ramsey, New Jersey. He is ranked by 247 Sports as 127th overall nationally and 15th overall at the Edge position. He holds 30 D1 offers. Chris Whitehead (5-star) 6-4.5 230lbs out of Lloyd C. Bird High School in Chesterfield, Virginia. He is ranked by 247 Sports as 27 th  overall nationally and 4th overall at the Edge position. He holds 33 D1 offers. Rashad Streets (4-star) 6-4 230lbs out of Millbrook High School in Raleigh, North Carolina. He is ranked by 247 Sports as 61st overall nationally and 7th overall at the Edge position. He holds 36 D1 offers. Frederick Ards (4-star) 6-5 225lbs out of Jones High School in Orlando, Florida. He is ranked by 247 Sports as 77 th  overall nationally and 11th overall at the Edge position. He holds 23 D1 offers.   Want the inside scoop on all things Notre Dame? Subscribe to Tribune+ today! Defensive Line David Folorunsho (4-star) 6-4 280lbs out of St. Patrick High School in Chicago, Illinois. He is ranked by 247 Sports as 103 rd  overall nationally and 13th overall at the defensive line position. He holds 32 D1 offers. Brayden Parks (4-star) 6-3 305lbs out of Brother Rice High School in Chicago, Illinois. He is ranked by 247 Sports as 179th overall nationally and 20th overall at the defensive line position. He holds 41 D1 offers. Santana Harvey (4-star) 6-5 220lbs out of Lakeland High School in Lakeland, Florida. He is ranked by 247 Sports as 286th overall nationally and 34th overall at the defensive line position. He holds 34 D1 offers. Luke Starcevic (4-star) 6-5 250lbs out of Kindred High School in Kindred, North Dakota. He is ranked by 247 Sports as 218th overall nationally and 10th overall at the defensive line position. He holds 20 D1 offers. Karlos May (4-star) 6-3.5 305lbs out of Ramsay High School in Birmingham, Alabama. He is ranked by 247 Sports as 124th overall nationally and 16th overall at the defensive line position. He holds 31 D1 offers. Joseph Buchanan (4-star) 6-4 260lbs out of McDonogh High School in Owings Mill, Maryland. He is ranked by 247 Sports as 221st overall nationally and 22nd overall at the defensive line position. He holds 24 D1 offers. Jon Ioane (4-star) 6-3 295lbs out of Tustin High School in Tustin, California. He is ranked by 247 Sports as 268th overall nationally and 13th overall as an ATH/defensive line position. He holds 24 D1 offers. Alifeleti Tuihalamaka (4-star) 6-4 260lbs out of Oaks Christian High School in West Lake Village, California. He is ranked by 247 Sports as 254th overall nationally and 26th overall at the defensive line position. He holds 31 D1 offers.   Linebacker Kaden Henderson (4-star) 6-1.5 218lbs out of Jesuit High School in Tampa, Florida. He is ranked by 247 Sports as 24th overall nationally and 3rd overall at the linebacker position. He holds 41 D1 offers. Toa Satale (4-star) 6-3 200lbs out of Miliani High School in Miliani, Hawaii. He is ranked by 247 Sports as 60th overall nationally and 4th overall at the linebacker position. He holds 32 D1 offers. Noah Glover (4-star) 6-1 205lbs out of Battlefield High School in Haymarket, Virginia. He is ranked by 247 Sports as 204th overall nationally and 16 th  overall at the linebacker position. He holds 29 D1 offers. Roman Igwebuike (4-star) 6-3 220lbs out of Mount Carmel High School in Chicago, Illinois. He is ranked by 247 Sports as 147th overall nationally and 11th overall at the linebacker position. He holds 43 D1 offers. Mikahi Allen (4-star) 6-1 220lbs out of Don Bosco Prep in Ramsey, New Jersey. He is ranked by 247 Sports 215th overall nationally and 19th overall at the linebacker position. He holds 28 D1 offers. Antwoine Higgins (4-star) 6-3 2185lbs out of Anderson High School in Cincinnati, Ohio. He is ranked by 247 Sports as 386th overall nationally and 30th overall at the linebacker position. He holds 34 D1 offers. Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle Cornerback John Meredith III (5-star) 6-2 175lbs out of North Crowley High School in Fort Worth, Texas. He is ranked by 247 Sports as 2nd overall nationally and 1st overall at the cornerback position. He holds 42 D1 offers. Joshua Dobson (5-star) 6-1 185lbs out of Hough High School in Cornelius, North Carolina. He is ranked by 247 Sports as 11 th  overall nationally and 2nd overall at the cornerback position. He holds 29 D1 offers. Hayden Stapp (5-star) 6-3.5 185lbs out of Bishop Gorman High School in Las Vegas, Nevada. He is ranked by 247 Sports as 33 rd  overall nationally and 5th overall at the cornerback position. He holds 37 D1 offers. Danny Lang (4-star) 5-11.5 160lbs out of Mater Dei High School in Santa Ana, California. He is ranked by 247 Sports as 104 th  overall nationally and 12th overall at the cornerback position. He holds 28 D1 offers. Tavares Harrington (4-star) 6-3 175lbs out of Mount Carmel High School in Chicago, Illinois. He is ranked by 247 Sports as 109 th  overall nationally and 13th overall at the cornerback position. He holds 42 D1 offers. Duvay Williams (4-star) 5-10.5 148lbs out of Junipero Serra High School in Gardena, California. He is ranked by 247 Sports as 178th overall nationally and 24th overall at the cornerback position. He holds 42 D1 offers. Safeties Gavin Williams (4-star) 6-1 180lbs out of Damien High School in La Verne, California. He is ranked by 247 Sports as 151st overall nationally and 13th overall at the safety position. He holds 40 D1 offers. Zayden Gamble (4-star) 5-11 190lbs out of St. Thomas Aquinas High School in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. He is ranked by 247 Sports as 195th overall nationally and 18th overall at the safety position. He holds 46 D1 offers. Jailen Hill (4-star) 6-2 170lbs out of St. John Bosco High School in Bellflower, California. He is ranked by 247 Sports as 249th overall nationally and 21st overall at the safety position. He holds 24 D1 offers. Myles Baker (4-star) 6-1 185lbs out of Sierra Canyon High School in Chatsworth, California. He is ranked by 247 Sports as 264th overall nationally and 24th overall at the safety position. He holds 26 D1 offers. Kenaz Sullivan (4-star) 6-1 190lbs out of St. James High School in Springfield, Virginia. He is ranked by 247 Sports as 331st overall nationally and 33rd overall at the safety position. He holds 40 D1 offers. Athletes Xavier Saab (5-star) 6-1 180lbs out of Glassboro High School in Glassboro, California. He is ranked by 247 Sports as 37th overall nationally and 2nd overall at the ath position. He holds 24 D1 offers. Marcus Fakatou (5-star) 6-6 275lbs out of Orange Lutheran High School in Orange, California. He is ranked by 247 Sports as 35 th  overall nationally and 2nd overall at the ath/defensive line position. He holds 36 D1 offers. Tee Walden Jr. (4-star) 6-2.5 165lbs out of Collierville High School in Collierville, Tennessee. He is ranked by 247 Sports as 125 th  overall nationally and 6th overall at the ath position. He holds 37 D1 offers. Myson Johnson-Cook (4-star) 6-2 235lbs out of East St. Louis High School in East St. Louis, Illinois. He is ranked by 247 Sports as 46th overall nationally and 4th overall at the rb/ath position. He holds 48 D1 offers. Corey Hadley, Jr. (4-star) 6-1 180lbs out of Sandy Creek High School in Tyrone, Georgia. He is ranked by 247 Sports as 86th overall nationally and 7th overall at the ath position. He holds 30 D1 offers. Brayton Feister (4-star) 6-3 230lbs out of Archbishop Hoban High School in Akron, Ohio. He is ranked by 247 Sports 132nd overall nationally and 7th overall at the ath position. He holds 31 D1 offers. Matthew Gregory (4-star) 6-1 170lbs out of Owen J Roberts High School in Pottstown, Pennsylvania. He is ranked by 247 Sports as 108th overall nationally and 17th overall at the wr/ath position. He holds 26 D1 offers. Cade Cooper (4-star) 6-3 192lbs out of Malvern Prep High School in Malvern, Pennsylvania. He is ranked by 247 Sports as 339th overall nationally and 43 rd  overall at the wr/ath position. He holds 24 D1 offers. 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 @bruce_straughan  on X Liked this story? Subscribe to our mailing list  and get every story in your inbox. 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The 2026 NFL draft has a plethora of talented wide receivers, making it one of the deepest position groups in the draft. Malachi Fields is a big part of that, but with a very up and down draft process, Fields' future seems as unpredictable as ever. Although Notre Dame's backfield is getting most of the attention in the draft, Malachi Fields is also set to hear his name called early on day two (most likely). Fields largely flew under the radar for much of the 2025 season at Notre Dame. Behind that backfield, a lot of the best parts of that Notre Dame team did not receive national recognition. Fields is the perfect example of that type of player. In that Notre Dame offense, the passing game was a compliment to the running game, so targets were hard to come by. Even then, it is clear why scouts are falling in love with Fields' size, hands, and ability to track a deep ball. After three productive years at Virginia, Fields joined the Irish as the primary outside threat for their new star quarterback CJ Carr. It was clear from the start that Carr had a lot of faith in Fields' ability to win downfield. While his 2025 numbers were down from the two years previous, he made a lot of key plays for the Irish in some really big moments. Fields always seemed to come up with a big third down, a jump-ball downfield, and the occasional touchdown. Although his numbers were down, Fields still finished with 630 yards and five touchdowns. It was clear throughout the season that Fields was plenty good enough to be a 1,000 yard receiver at Notre Dame. Due to the offense he was in, Fields' name was just not called upon enough to put up the numbers that the national media notices. While people may not have noticed his numbers, they did notice the unbelievable catch he pulled off against Pitt. In what was probably his best play as a member of the Fighting Irish, Fields stretched over the top of a defender to reel in the ball with one hand. There is no doubt that many Irish fans are disappointed that Fields could not come back for another year, but it is the NFL teams who are grateful to add a weapon like him to their team. Want the inside scoop on all things Notre Dame? Subscribe to Tribune+ today! Looking into what Fields brings as a prospect, the first thing that jumps off the page is his size. Standing at 6'4" and 223 lbs, Fields is a huge target on the outside. With that size, Fields is amazing at boxing out defenders on curl and out-routes. To pair with that, his size is just as dangerous when going for jump balls. Simply out, Fields is just too big for a lot of the corners that he matches up against, which puts him at a distinct advantage. At the NFL level, size can only get you so far, so it is important for a player like Fields to have more in his arsenal. For him, it is his elite hands and ball tracking ability that tips the scales. Fields often has to catch the ball in tight windows or with a man right on him, making his hands that much more important. At Notre Dame, it was rare to see him drop a ball, and he often wowed people by making even the difficult ones look routine. At the Senior Bowl, Fields displayed his elite ability to track a ball in the air, an underrated skill for wide receivers. Fields showed that he might just be the best in the whole class at doing just that. Todd McShay, one of the top draft class analysts, reinforced this notion when talking about how much Fields impressed him at the Senior Bowl. Yes, the combine showed that Fields is not an elite athlete that is going to blow anyone away with his athleticism. For NFL teams, that does present a concern for his ability to separate at the next level. Only time will tell if that concern is warranted, but Fields does present a lot of skills to help him become successful at the professional level. Best Fits Round 2, Pick 35: Tennessee Titans Although Fields could sneak his way into the end of the first round, it is much more likely that he lands somewhere in the early second. Luckily for Fields, there are a lot of teams in this range with needs at wide receiver, one of them being the Titans. The Titans could very well take Jeremiyah Love with their first round pick, making this a Notre Dame reunion for the duo. The Titans, now under Robert Saleh, have already made some moves in free agency to beef up a Titans defense that ranked among the worst in the NFL. With those upgrades, the Titans could use the draft as an opportunity to give Cam Ward the necessary weapons to be successful. Fields would pair nicely with what the Titans already have in the wide receiver room. After signing Wan'Dale Robinson, they now have a quality slot wide receiver who is excellent at working the middle of the field. Last draft, they drafted Chimere Dike, a fourth round pick who was surprisingly productive as a sure set of hands for Ward to find. If they were to add Fields, he would fit perfectly as the "X" or boundary wide receiver. He would give that room a true outside threat to win balls downfield. Ward likes to work off the cuff, so a big-bodied target who could get downfield would be a nice addition to an already promising, young wide receiver room. Round 2, Pick 36: Las Vegas Raiders The Raiders will draft Fernando Mendoza with the first overall pick in the draft, filling their biggest need at quarterback. They have been big spenders in free agency, as they try to build up the offensive line and defense to accommodate a rookie quarterback. With their second round pick, they could go after a player like Fields to help Mendoza out even more. The Raiders are in desperate need of more weapons, as they only ranked 25th in passing yards last season. To add to that, the Raiders only accounted for 20 passing touchdowns. Fields could help increase these numbers, especially alongside Mendoza. During his time at Indiana, Mendoza became elite at throwing the back-shoulder pass. It was a staple of the Indiana offense, and it proved difficult to stop with the accuracy Mendoza threw with. Fields is a perfect target to throw the back-shoulder to. With his big frame, Fields is able to shield smaller defenders with his body, and with his long arms, he is able to stretch out to grab the ball. It may be a bit of a niche reason to pick a player, but Fields is a match made in heaven for a quarterback like Mendoza. Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle From this point in the draft, there are a number of teams that could consider Fields in the second round. The Giants, Chiefs, Browns, Dolphins, and Jets are all teams that pick in the first-half of the second round and need wide receiver help. With the immense depth at wide receiver in this draft, you could see them fly off the board in this part of the draft. Fields is not considered to be in that first group of wide receivers which include Carnell Tate, Makai Lemon, and Jordyn Tyson. He is the next next group however, and his landing spot may just depend of the team's preference. Either way, Fields should expect to hear his name early on day two, giving him some high expectations to perform early in his career. 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 looks to strike lightning twice with the 2027 class after landing the best class we've seen in a generation last cycle. We hadn't seen anything like this since the Weis days, when he brought in high-caliber talent such as Jimmy Clausen, Golden Tate, Michael Floyd, Harrison Smith, Kyle Rudolph, and Manti Te'o. As impressive as it is, Marcus Freeman and staff were able to top that; in fact, some say the 2026 class is the best in program history. Notre Dame looks to continue that momentum in the 2027 class and is already on their way with notable commitments like 4-star OT James Halter, 4-star CB Xavier Hasan, 4-star CB Ace Alston, 4-star S Khalil Terry, 4-star LB Amarri Irvin, and 4-star DL Richie Flanigan. Below are the Big Board Offensive Talents that Notre Dame has their eyes on: Quarterback   Peyton Houston (4-star) 5-10.5 200lbs out of Evangel Christian Academy High School in Shreveport, Louisiana. He is ranked by 247 Sports as 88 th  overall nationally and 8 th  overall at the quarterback position. He is currently committed to LSU (9/15/2025) and holds 31 D1 offers.   Davin Davidson (4-star) 6-6.5 215lbs out of Cardinal Mooney High School in Sarasota, Florida. He is ranked by 247 Sports as 155 th  overall nationally and 13 th  overall at the quarterback position. He holds 32 D1 offers.   Kamden Lopati (4-star) 6-3 215lbs out of West High School in Salt Lake City, Utah. He is ranked by 247 Sports as 122 nd  overall nationally and 9 th  overall at the quarterback position. He is currently committed to Illinois (7/27/2025) and holds 23 D1 offers. Wonderful Monds IV (4-star) 6-2 224lbs out of Vero Beach High School in Vero Beach, Florida. He is ranked by 247 Sports as 212 th  overall nationally and 19 th  overall at the quarterback position. He currently holds 34 D1 offers. Want the inside scoop on all things Notre Dame? Subscribe to Tribune+ today! Running Back   Kemon Spell (5-star) 5-9 205lbs out of McKeesport High School in McKeesport, Pennsylvania. He is ranked by 247 Sports as 6th overall nationally and 1 st  overall at the running back position. He is currently committed to Georgia (2/2/2026) and holds 21 D1 offers.   David Gabriel Georges (5-star) 6-0 205lbs out of Baylor High School in Chattanooga, Tennessee. He is ranked by 247 Sports as 12th overall nationally and 2nd overall at the running back position. He holds 21 D1 offers.   Landen Williams-Callis (5-star) 5-7.5 190bs out of Randle High School in Richmond, Texas. He is ranked by 247 Sports 34th overall nationally and 3rd overall at the running back position. He holds 70 D1 offers.   David Segarra (4-star) 5-10 205lbs out of Byrnes High School in Duncan, South Carolina. He is ranked by 247 Sports as 145th overall nationally and 7th overall at the running back position. He holds 23 D1 offers.   Tyson Robinson (4-star) 5-9.5 199lbs out of Brandon High School in Brandon, Mississippi. He is ranked by 247 Sports as 200th overall nationally and 13th overall at the running back position. He holds 38 D1 offers. Isaiah Rogers (4-star) 5-11 205lbs out of Springfield Central High School in Springfield, Massachusetts. He is ranked by 247 Sports as 238th overall nationally and 15th overall at the running back position. He holds 17 D1 offers.   Noah Roberts (4-star) 6-1 190lbs out of Basha High School in Chandler, Arizona. He is ranked by 247 Sports as 269th overall nationally and 18th overall at the running back position. He holds 37 D1 offers.   Wide Receiver   Julius Jones (4-star) 5-10 175lbs out of St. Thomas Aquinas High School in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Indiana. He is ranked by 247 Sports as 12th overall nationally and 68th overall at the wide receiver position. He holds 44 D1 offers.   Trenton Yancey (4-star) 5-10.5 190lbs out of Duncanville High School in Duncanville, Texas. He is ranked by 247 Sports as 244th overall nationally and 32nd overall at the wide receiver position. He holds 39 D1 offers.   Quentin Burrell (4-star) 6-3 175lbs out of Mount Carmel High School in Chicago, Illinois. He is ranked by 247 Sports 73rd overall nationally and 14th overall at the wide receiver position. He holds 38 D1 offers.   Julian Caldwell (4-star) 6-0 185lbs out of Argyle High School in Argyle, Texas. He is ranked by 247 Sports as 89th overall nationally and 15th overall at the wide receiver position. He holds 43 D1 offers.   Tight End   Jaxon Dollar (5-star) 6-5 222lbs out of East Lincoln High School in Denver, North Carolina. He is ranked by 247 Sports as 36th overall nationally and 2nd overall at the tight end position. He holds 37 D1 offers.   Seneca Driver (4-star) 6-6 234lbs out of Boyle County High School in Danville, Kentucky. He is currently committed to Oklahoma (3/7/2026) and ranked by 247 Sports as 56th overall nationally and 3rd overall at the tight end position. He holds 38 D1 offers.   Jack Brown (4-star) 6-5 215lbs out of Francis Howell Central High School in St. Charles, Missouri. He is ranked by 247 Sports as 100th overall nationally and 5th overall at the tight end position. He holds 33 D1 offers.   Grant Haviland (4-star) 6-4 215lbs out of Milon High School in Alpharetta, Georgia. He is ranked by 247 Sports as 275th overall nationally and 13th overall at the tight end position. He holds 30 D1 offers. Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle Offensive Line   Mark Matthews (5-star) 6-5.5 300lbs out of St. Thomas Aquinas High School in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. He is ranked by 247 Sports as 3rd overall nationally and 1st overall at the offensive tackle position. He holds 35 D1 offers.   Kennedy Brown (5-star) 6-4 285lbs out of Kingwood High School in Humble, Texas. He is ranked by 247 Sports as 8th overall nationally and 2nd overall at the offensive tackle position. He holds 45 D1 offers.   Albert Simien (5-star) 6-4 280lbs out of Sam Houston High School in Lake Charles, Louisiana. He is ranked by 247 Sports 14th overall nationally and 2nd overall at the interior offensive line position. He holds 24 D1 offers.   Kellen Wymer (4-star) 6-5 265lbs out of Liberty Center High School in Liberty City, Ohio. He is ranked by 247 Sports as 82 nd  overall nationally and 6th overall at the interior offensive tackle position. He is currently committed toas Ohio State (11/2/2025) and holds 15 D1 offers.   Jake Hildebrand (4-star) 6-5.5 300lbs out of Basha High School in Chandler, Arizona. He is ranked by 247 Sports as 90th overall nationally and 9th overall at the offensive tackle position. He holds 39 D1 offers.   Terrance Smith (4-star) 6-6 260lbs out of Lansdale Catholic High School in Liberty Lansdale, Pennsylvania. He is ranked by 247 Sports as 267 th  overall nationally and 14th overall at the interior offensive tackle position. He holds 33 D1 offers.   Cameron Wagner (4-star) 6-6 300lbs out of St. Joseph-Ogden High School in St. Joseph, Illinois. He is ranked by 247 Sports as 317 th  overall nationally and 32nd overall at the offensive tackle position. He holds 20 D1 offers. 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 @bruce_straughan  on X Liked this story? Subscribe to our mailing list  and get every story in your inbox. 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Notre Dame’s run at an ACC Championship has come to an end following Saturday’s Semifinal 65-63 loss to the conference’s regular-season champions, the Duke Blue Devils. Photo via Notre Dame Athletics Five-seed Notre Dame and the top-seeded Duke Blue Devils met on Saturday in an ACC Semifinal matchup at Gas South Arena in Duluth, Georgia. The Irish earned their spot in the semis after defeating 12-seed Miami in the Second Round on Thursday, followed by an 81-63 victory over four-seed NC State in Friday’s Quarterfinals. After receiving First and Second Round byes, the Blue Devils defeated nine-seed Clemson 60-46 in their Quarterfinal appearance on Friday. The Irish and Blue Devils most recently met in Durham on January 4th, when the Blue Devils bested Notre Dame 82-68. With the Irish seeking revenge for the regular-season loss at Duke, they were able to give the Blue Devils a run for their money on Saturday. Ultimately, Duke’s size advantage was too much for Notre Dame, getting repeatedly dominated in the paint and out-rebounded by 15, which left easy second-chance opportunities for a talented Blue Devils team. Want the inside scoop on all things Notre Dame? Subscribe to Tribune+ today! A somewhat sloppy, yet tightly-contested, first quarter saw Duke dominate the first four-to-five minutes, looking like they were going to put the game away early. The Blue Devils started the game on a 10-0 run, led by the ACC’s runner-up for player of the year, Toby Fournier, and Taina Mair. Multiple Irish turnovers, including two from Cassandre Prosper, led to easy Blue Devils points to begin the contest. Hannah Hidalgo knocked down the Irish's first points with a jumper with 5:02 on the clock; however, these points were taken away during the quarter break after a review determined it was a shot-clock violation. Iyana Moore got the Irish’s first (real) points with 4:44 on the clock with a pair of free throws. Unfortunately, Duke’s early rush was not done as Delaney Thomas rattled off five straight points to extend the Blue Devils' lead to 15-2 with 3:58 remaining in the quarter. Notre Dame was able to make it a bit of a game near the end of the quarter, going on a 9-0 run with seven points coming from Moore, to cut their deficit to 11-15 with 25 seconds remaining. Duke was able to tip-in a buzzer-beater to give the Blue Devils a 17-11 advantage after one. Moore led Irish scorers with nine points in a quarter that was highlighted by seven Notre Dame turnovers and just 3-12 shooting from the field. The Irish opened the second quarter with a pair of back-to-back baskets to cut the deficit down to two early in the frame. After a couple of traded buckets, the Blue Devils opened their lead back up with a 14-4 stretch, featuring a pair of threes, that lasted from the 6:13 - 2:30 mark. This run extended Duke’s lead to 33-23. Then, Prosper and Duke’s Arianna Roberson exchanged converted-and-one opportunities with the Blue Devils holding their ten-point advantage with 1:52 left in the half. Hidalgo was able to go on a quick 5-0 run, including a converted and-one chance, to cut the Irish deficit to 31-36 with 48 seconds on the clock. Duke was able to finish a second-chance basket to close out the half with a 38-31 lead. Hidalgo paced the Irish offense with 11 of their 20 second-quarter points on 5-6 shooting from the field. Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle Prosper and Fournier kicked off the second-half scoring with back-to-back second-chance tip-ins, with the Blue Devils holding their seven-point lead with 8:41 on the clock. Notre Dame then woke up, going on an 8-0 run capped by KK Bransford’s fourth three-pointer of the season that gave the Irish their first lead of the day, a 41-40 advantage with 6:20 left in the third quarter. Duke’s Mair took the lead right back, though, going on a 5-0 burst by herself to put the Blue Devils back on top 45-41 with 3:32 left. Then, Vanessa de Jesus buried a three, and Moore hit two free throws to put the Irish up 46-45 with 1:33 remaining. After Duke’s Jordan Wood and the Irish’s Bransford each made one free throw, Gisela Sanchez closed the quarter with a layup off a Duke turnover to send Notre Dame to the final quarter with a 49-46 lead. Six different Irish players etched their names in the scoring column in the third, with De Jesus’s six points on 2-2 shooting from deep leading the way. The Notre Dame defense forced six Duke turnovers as the Blue Devils managed just eight points in the frame while shooting 3-12 from the field. ‘Grand Theft’ Hidalgo got the fourth quarter started with a steal leading to an easy layup to extend Notre Dame’s lead to 51-46. Duke was able to tie the game quickly with a 5-0 run with 8:46 to play. After de Jesus converted a layup to put the Irish back in front by two, the Blue Devils went on a 6-0 stretch featuring three different scorers to put the one-seed in front 57-53 with 6:46 on the clock. Moore was able to make it a one-point game after she hit a three with 5:53 remaining. The ACC’s top two players, Hidalgo and Fournier, then traded a couple of baskets with Duke still holding a 61-60 advantage with 2:04 left. Mair was able to hit a clutch three for the Blue Devils to put them up by four, but Hidalgo responded right back with a three of her own off a steal by Prosper to keep the Irish within one, 63-64, with 1:10 to play. With 52 seconds left, Malaya Cowles fouled a Duke shooter, and she hit one of two free throws to give the Blue Devils a late 65-63 lead. Unfortunately, the Irish were unable to convert on their final possessions after missing two three-point attempts, and Fournier blocked Moore’s last-second game-tying two-point attempt to send Duke to the ACC Championship. Hidalgo led the Irish’s fourth-quarter offensive efforts with nine points as the team shot just 6-19 from the field to close the game. The Duke Blue Devils will take on the winner of North Carolina/Louisville in Sunday’s ACC Championship. For the Irish, they now await their NCAA Tournament fate with Selection Sunday looming on March 15th. Through their late-season efforts, Notre Dame has proven they are a completely different team from just two months ago, when they went on a 1-4 stretch in mid-January. The NCAA Committee should respect this aspect of the Irish’s play with a 5-seed likely on the table.  Irish Stars Hannah Hidalgo : 24 points (surpassed Skylar Diggins to become Notre Dame’s #2 all-time leading scorer) , 8 rebounds, 2 assists, 4 steals, +2, 40 minutes played Cassandre Prosper : 7 points, 4 rebounds, 4 steals, 1 block, -3, 33 minutes played Gisela Sanchez : 4 points (2-2 FGs) , 2 steals, 1 block, +5, 18 minutes played Key Team Stats Field Goal Percentage: Duke (40%)  - ND (38%) Three Point Percentage: ND (33%)  - Duke (26%) Free Throw Percentage: ND (79%)  - Duke (55%) Turnovers: Duke (20)  - ND (14) Rebounds: Duke (47)  - ND (32) Second Chance Points: Duke (18)  - ND (6) Points in the Paint: Duke (38)  - ND (24) 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!