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Hannah Hidalgo’s 26-point night was more than enough as Notre Dame Women’s Basketball hammered the Wake Forest Demon Deacons on Thursday evening in Winston-Salem, 78-54. Photo via Notre Dame Athletics Coming off a resume-boosting win against NC State, Notre Dame (16-9; 8-6) kicked off a short two-game road trip with a road matchup at Wake Forest (13-13; 3-11). Ultra-efficient shooting and lockdown defense were keys in the dominant showing. Four Irish scorers reached double digits while four defenders tallied at least two steals.  The Irish started hot, kicking off the game with a 10-0 stretch featuring threes from Hidalgo and Iyana Moore. Wake Forest did not go away that easily at home, though, stringing together a 7-0 run led by Grace Oliver. Notre Dame closed the last four minutes of the quarter on a 6-2 run, with four points from KK Bransford, extending their lead to 16-9 heading into the next frame. Hidalgo opened up the second quarter with a three-pointer to push the Irish lead to 10. Oliver then led the Deacons on a 6-0 run, cutting the Irish lead to 19-15 four minutes into the quarter. Following some back-and-forth, Notre Dame maintained a four-point, 24-20, lead with 2:58 to play in the half. The Irish found their touch in these last two-plus minutes, draining three three-pointers in an 11-3 closing stretch. A made layup by Bransford gave Notre Dame a 35-23 lead at halftime. Want the inside scoop on all things Notre Dame? Subscribe to Tribune+ today! The Irish dominated coming out of halftime, outscoring Wake Forest 21-6 in the first 8:12 of the third quarter. A three from Sanchez extended the Irish lead to a game-high 27-points, 56-29. The Deacons were able to close the final one-plus minute on a 6-0 run, led by Emily Johns. Bransford’s team-high of six points in the quarter helped send the Irish into the final frame with a 56-35 lead.  Wake Forest opened up the fourth on an 8-4 run, including back-to-back threes that cut the Irish lead to 17 about 2:15 into the quarter. Moore knocked down her third three-pointer of the night with 6:35 remaining, which pushed the visitors’ lead back up to 22, 65-43. The rest of the game was back-and-forth, with Hidalgo’s six points in the final four minutes more than enough to hold off the Demon Deacons. Notre Dame’s 78-54 win at Wake Forest improves their record to 17-9 overall and 9-6 in ACC play. The Irish take their two-game streak into Dallas on Sunday evening for a date with the SMU Mustangs (9-17; 2-12). Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle Irish Stars: Hannah Hidalgo: 26 points (10-20 FGs, 3-4 3FGs, 3-3 FTs) , 5 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 steals, 1 block, +26, 32 minutes played Iyana Moore: 11 points (3-7 3FGs, 2-2 FTs) , 5 rebounds, 1 block, 1 steal, +22, 29 minutes played Cassandre Prosper: 10 points (4-6 FGs, 2-2 FTs) , 5 assists, 4 rebounds, 1 steal, +23, 29 minutes played Malaya Cowles: 6 points (3-6 FGs) , 5 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 blocks, 3 steals, +27, 30 minutes played Vanesa de Jesus: 6 steals, +12, 32 minutes played Key Team Stats: Field Goal Percentage: ND (52%) - WF (40%) Three Point Percentage: ND (44%) - WF (24%) Free Throw Percentage: ND (89%) - WF (61%) Steals: ND (17) - WF (6) Blocks: ND (5) - WF (1) 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!

Last year, we watched Xavier Watts, a Bronko Nagurksi Trophy winner, fall all the way into the third round of the NFL Draft despite his accolades and elite production. Watts would inevitably prove every team wrong for passing on him, as he was a finalist for Defensive Rookie of the Year this past season. It seems like every year, Notre Dame has a few extremely talented players who slip in the draft, only to break out in the NFL. This year, two slept-on offensive stars will soon command NFL respect. Photo by Maysum Hassanali Malachi Fields - WR Fields is now surging up draft boards, but before the Senior Bowl, Fields was viewed as a day-three pick by the majority of analysts. Fields came to Notre Dame as a senior transfer by way of Virginia, bringing much-needed size to the boundary position and delivering immediately. Fields became a downfield specialist for Notre Dame, showcasing his excellent body control and hand strength to win 50-50 balls down the field. Standing at 6'4", Notre Dame often targeted Fields on shot-plays or when the defense would jump offside. It might almost be an insult to call Fields a 50-50 ball specialist, as more often than not, he would make an incredibly acrobatic play on the football. Fields finished his final season at Notre Dame with 36 receptions for 630 yards and five touchdowns, averaging an insane 17.5 yards per catch. Before joining the Irish, Fields boasted incredible production at Virginia, with two seasons of over 800 receiving yards against Power-4 competition. With a good combine that plays to his strengths, it wouldn't shock me to see Malachi Fields go very early in the second round. His floor as a receiver, plus his physical tools and experience, put him a leg up on a lot of other prototype boundary receivers in this year's draft. Whoever lands Malachi Fields will surely be getting a great return on their investment. Want the inside scoop on all things Notre Dame? Subscribe to Tribune+ today! Jadarian Price - RB Gone are the days of having to play second fiddle for Jadarian Price. It's a narrative that's been beaten to death at this point, but one that still rings true. The fact of the matter is that Jadarian Price would have probably been the featured running back on 95% of college football teams this season. He just happened to be on the same team as one of the greatest running backs of this generation, which reduced his carries by a significant margin. Despite this, Price has absolutely dominated when the opportunities have presented themselves. Whether it be a routine carry that Price utilizes his signature jump cut to the outside, or a kickoff return in one of the season's biggest moments, Price made the most of every opportunity, which is part of the reason he's looked upon with such high regard. Price, like Fields, is a projected day two pick in this upcoming draft, with some people mocking him as high as the RB2 behind Jeremiyah Love. The upside to Price not being the featured back at Notre Dame is the amount of tread he still has left on the tires. Running back is one of the most physically demanding positions in football, and it averages one of the shortest pro careers as a result. A highly skilled player with not a lot of wear and tear is seen as a huge upside in draft circles. This past season, Price tallied 674 rushing yards on 113 carries, averaging just over 6 yards per touch, with 11 touchdowns on the ground and two through the air. For a back who saw roughly a third of the total carry count on the season, these are very encouraging numbers. Price brings an NFL-ready frame, with experience and the numbers to back it all up. He has all the makings of an NFL starter, and soon, he will get his chance to prove it. The teams that pass on Price will eventually come to regret it. 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 and Villanova’s Men’s and Women’s Basketball programs are in the “final stages” of scheduling a historic 2026 College Basketball Season Tip-Off in Italy, according to CBS Sports’ Matt Norlander. Photos via Notre Dame Athletics While the official start date for next season’s start is November 2nd, the NCAA has granted “special clearance” for the two programs to play their doubleheader one day early on November 1st, "given the historic precedent of the games." The obvious reason this idea came to light is because of the two schools’ ties to Pope Leo XIV. Besides Notre Dame and Villanova being two of the most prominent private Catholic schools in the country, Pope Leo XIV, or at the time Robert Francis Prevost, is a 1977 Wildcats alumnus. Pope Leo XIV also grew up in the Chicagoland area, surrounded by Notre Dame’s heavy Midwest presence. Norlander reports, “The Pope's involvement in the event — if any — is unclear and very much to be determined, according to sources, though officials from both schools have been in contact with the Pope and people around the Holy See.” Notre Dame President Rev. Robert A. Dowd and Pope Leo XIV held a private meeting in November.  Photo via Vatican Media Norlander also reported, “Villanova and Notre Dame worked in concert on arranging the game for months, sources said, with talks seriously materializing in the early fall. Paperwork has not been finalized, but both schools are moving forward with the expectation that one of college basketball's most ambitious scheduling ideas in recent memory will transpire on the first day of November.” Fox is set to broadcast both games from the afternoon in Rome, which is morning in the United States. “...The general plan is to have Villanova-Notre Dame lead into NFL coverage on Fox in the United States on that Sunday. The women's game is planned to air afterward on Fox Sports 1.”  Want the inside scoop on all things Notre Dame? Subscribe to Tribune+ today! This matchup is believed to be the first men’s college basketball season-opener in a different country and the first-ever regular-season DI basketball games in Italy. Palazzetto dello Sport, translated to “Small Sport Palace,” will host the games in its 3500-seat venue. The arena was originally designed for the 1960 Rome Olympics and still stands following recent renovations in the past decade. Palazzetto dello Sport is located just 30 minutes from the Apostolic Palace, where Pope Leo XIV resides. This season, the Notre Dame and Villanova Men’s teams are heading in different directions. The Irish, under third-year Head Coach Micah Shrewsberry, are 11-14 and 2-10 in the ACC, albeit without their star Markus Burton. The Wildcats appear back on their way to March Madness after a disappointing couple of seasons led by Kyle Neptune. Now, with former Maryland Head Coach Kevin Willard in charge, Villanova sits at 19-5 and 10-3 in Big East play. Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle On the Women’s side, the Irish and sixth-year Head Coach Niele Ivey are experiencing a bit of a setback this year with a 15-9 record, including 7-6 in the ACC. They will likely need to string together some solid wins this month, including in the conference tournament, to secure a spot in March Madness. However, there is reason for optimism with a strong 2026 recruiting class and a potential senior season from Hannah Hidalgo providing some future light for Ivey’s squad. Villanova is also led by a former player alumnus who was hired the same season as Ivey, Denise Dillon. After missing out on March Madness the previous two years, the Wildcats appear back on track, sitting at 20-5 and 13-3 in the Big East. Want the latest intel on Notre Dame football? Subscribe to Tribune+ and get access to recruiting and team intel from The Irish Tribune team, as well as access to our intel community, exclusive app, and more Notre Dame content: Subscribe here  to support our independent journalism. Follow The Irish Tribune on social media: Facebook  / Instagram  / X  / Threads  / TikTok Follow @Brenden_Duffy  on X Liked this story? Subscribe to our mailing list  and get every story in your inbox. Check out our Irish partners: TMPR Sports - Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle here! Legion of the Leprechaun - Join  the #1  Notre Dame fan community on Facebook today!

Notre Dame is losing a lot of their 2024 production to either the NFL draft or the transfer portal. Luckily for the Irish, there is now room for their talented younger players to step up. Who will they be? Photo by Tyler Wong Aneyas Williams/Kedren Young - Running Back Unfortunately for Irish fans, gone are the days of Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price. Together, they comprised one of the most dangerous backfields in Notre Dame history. With both now headed to the draft, it is time for others to take their place. As it looks now, Aneyas Williams and Kedren Young are in line to do just that. In 2024, Williams played a key role for the Irish on their run to the National Championship as a productive third-down back. During that season, Williams rushed for 219 yards and two touchdowns. Through the air, he totalled 172 yards and came up with a key play in the Orange Bowl that set up Notre Dame for its first touchdown of the game. In 2025, Williams saw his opportunities dwindle due to the stacked backfield of Price and Love. Heading into 2026, Williams is now the most experienced player in the positional group and will likely have the chance to receive a bulk of the carries. Williams is a tough, physical runner with great hands that make him an ideal target coming out of the backfield. Those skills could have him ready to become an essential part of an offense looking to make a deep run in the CFP. Want the inside scoop on all things Notre Dame? Subscribe to Tribune+ today! Like Williams, Kedren Young has also been patiently waiting for his chance to see real playing time on the field. During the 2024 spring game, Young showed flashes of his unique size and quickness. Those flashes gave many hope that he could be a productive part of the 2025 team. Unfortunately for Young, he would miss the entire season with an ACL injury sustained before the season's start. Although Williams may be in the lead role, Young could prove to be an effective change-of-pace runner in shorter downs. Standing at 5'11" and 240 lbs, Young is a bruising ball carrier with surprisingly nimble feet for his size. Although they may not have the explosiveness that Love and Price had, Williams and Young could certainly be the dynamic running tandem that Notre Dame needs in 2026. Micah Gilbert - Wide Receiver Wide receiver might be the most complicated position group on this Notre Dame team. It is a mix of talented freshmen, inexperienced 5-star transfers, and players who have been with the program for years but have yet to leave their stamp on the team. While it is still unclear who will see the most snaps, Micah Gilbert could be someone who takes the next step and becomes a productive member of the offense. Gilbert came to Notre Dame as an exciting 4-star prospect who possessed great size and speed, standing at 6'2". While he did not see many snaps his freshman year, Gilbert was able to find his way onto the field in 2025. Gilbert was not very productive during the season, but he did score the first Notre Dame touchdown of the season. Gilbert has all the physical tools needed to become a productive wide receiver for a team that is in need of someone to step up. Madden Faraimo - Linebacker Faraimo arrived at Notre Dame last year as a 4-star recruit and one of the most coveted linebackers in the country. As a freshman, Faraimo struggled to see the field, as he was the youngest in a group of very talented and experienced players. With that being said, he was still able to produce, totalling 16 tackles and two sacks. Heading into 2026, Faraimo may be needed to step up and become a key part of the defense. With Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa's ACL injury, defensive coordinator Chris Ash could lean on Faraimo to fill that hole in the middle of the defense. While KVA is expected to play in 2026, it is still unclear when, meaning Faraimo will need to be ready. Faraimo will likely receive first-team reps all spring and may see significant playing time to start the season. With that sort of development and opportunities, it would not be surprising to see a talented and athletic player like Faraimo take the next step. 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 Basketball has fallen two games below .500 following Saturday’s home loss to the 11-12 Florida State Seminoles. With the Irish virtually eliminated from March Madness and currently sitting outside of the ACC Tournament field, how does the program proceed? Photo via Notre Dame Athletics Head Coach Micah Shrewsberry is set to enter year four of his original seven-year contract signed back in March 2023. For the sake of not overcomplicating things, let’s just assume Shrewsberry is indeed retained next season. In my opinion, here is how Notre Dame would be best suited moving forward in this scenario. With no transfers, Notre Dame would be sitting at 13 of a maximum 15 scholarship players on the roster: returners Logan Imes, Markus Burton, Cole Certa, Brady Koehler, Ryder Frost, Jalen Haralson, Braeden Shrewsberry, Garrett Sundra, Sir Mohammed, Tommy Ahneman, and incoming freshmen Jonathan Sanderson, Gan-Erdene Salongo, and Nick Shrewsberry.  The notable players leaving the program include Kebba Njie, Carson Towt, and Matthew MacLellan (non-scholarship). Brady Stevens and Luke Devine are two other non-scholarship players who could return next year.  Want the inside scoop on all things Notre Dame? Subscribe to Tribune+ today! In a perfect world, and everyone does indeed return to South Bend, this leaves the two remaining scholarship spots. How should these be used? Well, the biggest priority has to be locking down an experienced transfer big man (ideally, 7+ feet) who can pose as an offensive threat. Towt plays his role to the best of his ability at the moment, but having to be the team’s big man at just 6-8 in the ACC is rarely going to end well, especially as a 37% free throw shooter. Ahneman and Salongo are intriguing, but both need development, especially the latter. Ahneman, who missed this season due to injury, just needs to polish his offensive game, and that should come with playing time in non-conference play at the beginning of next season. Now with the remaining scholarship slot, I would try to find a versatile wing option who can drive, finish in the paint, create for others, and defend. The combination of Burton, Haralson, Certa, Shrewsberry, and Imes should be capable enough to handle guard duties. However, Burton and Haralson are the only two returning players capable of consistently getting to the lane to either finish or find an open shooter. Finding another player similar to Haralson could provide some relief to the lineup. In addition to experience, I prefer my transfers to come from winning programs, but Notre Dame should probably just focus on finding talent for now. Notre Dame Basketball may not allocate the same amount of resources to its program as Duke or North Carolina, but it is more than capable of at least fielding a competitive team. Every week, it seems like the Irish find new ways to embarrass themselves via blown leads, coaching errors, crashouts, etc. The Irish rank in the bottom four in the ACC in both adjusted offensive and defensive efficiency ratings. And next season’s incoming freshman class features three players, two of whom need serious development, and all have some sort of family tie to the current program. Notre Dame, with GM Pat Garritty, needs to do serious work in this portal. Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle I would also consider upgrading at certain spots, specifically with Imes and Mohammed. Imes is a complete liability on offense, averaging 3.7 PPG, 2.9 RPG, 1.5 APG, and 1.1 TOPG in 19.3 MPG. He offers little threat as a scorer while shooting 34.4% from the field, 29.4% from three, and 47.1% from the free-throw line. In the three games before Saturday’s Florida State matchup, Imes had a combined four personal fouls, three turnovers, and no points. His defensive presence would certainly be missed, but it can be replaced.  Mohammed offers slightly more offensively than Imes, but is a worse defender while playing a similar role. In 15.7 MPG, the son of Nazr is averaging 5.6 PPG while shooting a solid 40.6% from the field, but a measly 27.3% from three and 54.5% from the free-throw stripe. Mohammed also averages 2.8 RPG and 1.2 APG with 1.5 TOPG. Besides freshman Ryder Frost, who is known as an offensive threat and receives less than 6 MPG, Mohammed is arguably the worst defender on the team. He averages 0.5 SPG and has just four blocks (two against FSU) in 24 games played as a 6’6 guard. For what it is worth, he has actually played pretty well this week against a tough Louisville squad and FSU, where he played a season-high 28 minutes. However, in recent contests against Syracuse, Virginia, and Boston College, Mohammed was exposed defensively, averaging a -4.1 defensive plus/minus in 14 MPG. With four straight losses and a 2-10 record in the last 12 games, Coach Shrewsberry should be coaching for his life. Will he do enough to save his job? Time will tell. 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!

College football in 2026 is truly a war of attrition. Teams have always had to account for losing players through graduation and pursuing their dreams at the next level, but the transfer portal era has made building depth and keeping position groups stocked with talent an unenviable task. Recruiting will always be the foundational piece of any contending program, but if you want to consistently place yourself in title talks, using the transfer portal is not only an additional tool, but a necessity. Even for a storied program like Notre Dame, the same rings true, but thankfully, Coach Freeman and company have excelled at adapting to the new order of things. By any metric, the 2025 season for the Notre Dame secondary was not a perfect one, especially early in the season. Some injuries, scheme changes, and flat-out poor play were all culprits that contributed, but the bottom line is it was not the lockdown unit that helped propel the Fighting Irish to the National Championship the year prior. Now, the depth from that unit is set to also take a hit with the outgoing transfers of Cree Thomas, Karson Hobbs, Ben Minich, Chance Tucker, JaDon Blair, and Taebron Bennie-Powell, plus the graduation of Jalen Stroman and DeVonta Smith. That is a lot of talent to walk out the door at one position group, but under the leadership of Coach Freeman, it has never been rebuild but reload, and for the 2026 season, he did some major reloading. One of those portal additions is 4-Star Cornerback DJ McKinney, who spent last season under the tutelage of Deion Sanders at the University of Colorado. McKinney is a long corner, listed at 6'2", and definitely presents some versatility in his film. Want the inside scoop on all things Notre Dame? Subscribe to Tribune+ today! Biggest Strength: Zone Coverage Notre Dame fans saw a lot more zone Coverage toward the back end last year, as compared to Al Golden's scheme previously. It provided some moments of angst before the defense really settled in for the year. If the plan is to continue to mix in healthy doses of zone for the foreseeable future, a cornerback like McKinney certainly fits. He has a very natural feel for when to drop and get some more depth on his zone, and when to drive on underneath routes. He displays high-level mental processing, understanding route concepts and when to pass things off. He reads the Quarterback's eyes well and triggers on throws with good timing. McKinney is very proficient from a cover 2 look, giving himself enough depth to defend corner routes and deep outs and also has the athletic ability to carry WRs vertical out of cover 3. H possesses the ball skills to turn errant passes into turnovers, which will continue to be a big point of emphasis for the Fighting Irish under Freeman. I think McKinney shows a knack for mirroring off the line of scrimmage in man coverage as well, with the athletic ability to stay in phase with WRs in and out of their breaks, but I would lean towards zone as his strongest scheme fit. Biggest Weakness: Press Although I would label McKinney as a solid man corner, press coverage is something specific I would call an area to keep an eye on. McKinney has the ideal length for being able to be physical at the line of scrimmage, but he doesn't always do the best job of pairing his punch timing and footwork. At times, he can get himself off balance when he goes for the jam, which allows the WR to create some separation right off the line and make it hard for McKinney to get back in phase. He needs to do a better job of keeping a solid base and landing his punch in order to be able to consistently hold up in man on the outside, especially when left without safety help over the top. Mike Mickens was one of the best secondary coaches in the country, helping develop guys like Leonard Moore and Xavier Watts, but he has departed since the signing of McKinney, so now Aaron Henry, who is expected to join Freeman's staff from Illinois, will be tasked with working with McKinney on this part of his game. I would expect DJ McKinney to see a healthy amount of playing time during his first season in South Bend, and as his development continues, so too will his opportunities. Marcus Freeman saw his defense get off to a slow start in 2025, which ultimately culminated in missing out on a playoff berth. To avoid not-so-ancient history from repeating itself, players like McKinney will have to quickly fill voids created by the constant roster churning that pervades the new college football landscape. 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!

After it was announced that Notre Dame linebackers coach Al Washington would be leaving to take a job with the Miami Dolphins, it appears that Marcus Freeman is narrowing in on his replacement, Brian Jean Mary, per multiple sources. Photo by Maysum Hassanali If Notre Dame is able to get a deal done, Jean-Mary would be the perfect replacement. With well over 20 years of coaching experience, Jean-Mary has become known for not only being able to recruit high-level talent but also developing that talent into units that rank among the best in the country and eventually become NFL draft picks. Jean-Mary landed his first coaching job as a graduate assistant on the Louisville strength and conditioning staff. After just one year there, he would get his first job on the defensive side of the ball as a part of Lou Holtz's staff at South Carolina. It would not be for a few years that Jean-Mary would land his first big gig as a linebackers coach at Georgia Tech. From 2004-09, he helped build the Yellow Jackets' defense into one of the best units in the country. In 2007, Georgia Tech finished top-25 nationally in both scoring defense and total defense, and second in tackles for loss. Although that was his best year there, the Jackets were consistently a top-30 defense in the country during his tenure, laying the foundation for Jean-Mary's future success. After Georgia Tech, Jean-Mary returned to Louisville, this time as an assistant head coach/linebackers coach. In four seasons, Louisville went on to win two Big East titles (2011, 2012). In two of those seasons, Jean-Mary helped in transcending the Cardinal's defense. In 2010 and 2011, the Louisville defense ranked in the top-20 in five different defensive categories. Want the inside scoop on all things Notre Dame? Subscribe to Tribune+ today! Jean-Mary would then find himself in Austin, Texas, as the linebackers coach and a recruiting coordinator for the Texas Longhorns. In those three seasons, the Longhorns became known for their ability to get to the quarterback, ranking inside the top-15 for sacks in each of his three seasons as a part of their staff. With that success, Jean Mary would take on more responsibilities as the defensive coordinator for the USF Bulls. At USF, he built a defense that became elite at causing turnovers. In his three seasons as the DC, the USF defense was responsible for 69 turnovers, causing more than 20 in each season. Since 2020, Jean-Mary has been the linebackers coach for both Michigan and Tennessee. At both programs, he has continued to build great defenses that excel at stopping the run and wreaking havoc in the backfield. He has a long track record of doing just that, finding success at every stop throughout his storied career as a defensive coach. At Notre Dame, it will be just as important to recruit at a high level as well. Marcus Freeman has brought Notre Dame to the forefront of both high school and portal recruiting. With the losses of Mike Mickens and Al Washington, Notre Dame is in need of effective recruiters on the defensive staff. Jean-Mary has shown the ability to be exactly what Notre Dame needs. During his time at Texas, Michigan, Tennessee, and Georgia Tech, Jean-Mary helped recruit at least one top-15 recruiting class at each stop. With the ability to bring in talent, he has also helped develop 10 of those players into NFL draft picks. All in all, if finalized, Jean-Mary appears to be a home-run hire for Freeman and the Irish. He checks all the boxes as an experienced and successful position coach at the highest level of college football, and he also strengthens the staff's recruiting prowess, which has been at an all-time high in recent years. 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!

After losing DB Coach Mike Mickens to the NFL, Marcus Freeman moved swiftly to name a successor. Aaron Henry, the former DC and DB's coach at the University of Illinois, will be taking on a similar role with the Fighting Irish. Photo via The University of Illinois Henry's playing days began in Wisconsin, where he played safety for four seasons with the Badgers, earning Academic All-Big Ten selection three times. Henry finished his career with the Badgers, totalling 181 tackles, 7 TFL's, 4.5 sacks, and 7 interceptions. He would eventually be signed as an undrafted free agent by the Oakland Raiders; however, his professional career was short-lived. After being released by the Raiders, Henry's coaching career began as a graduate assistant at Arkansas alongside his former HC, Bret Bielema, at Wisconsin. He would leave after two seasons to join current Notre Dame DC Chris Ash at Rutgers to coach defensive backs in 2016. That year, the Scarlet Knights' secondary finished in the top-20 in opponent passing yards per game, but finished at an abysmal 2-10. Want the inside scoop on all things Notre Dame? Subscribe to Tribune+ today! Henry would leave for a three-year stint at NC State the following season, coaching safeties in his first year before transitioning to coaching cornerbacks. Henry would help lead the Wolfpack to an impressive 9-4 record during his first season, although the defensive metrics were anything but staggering. After finishing with the same record in 2018, NC State would finish 4-8 during his final season in the ACC. Finally, after a stint at Vanderbilt, Henry would once again reunite with Bret Bielema at Illinois in 2021 as the Defensive Backs Coach. In 2022, Henry would earn a nod as Football Scoop's DB coach of the year after the Illini improved to 8-5, with his secondary amongst the best against the pass. Henry was promoted to Defensive Coordinator in 2023, where he cut his teeth as a playcaller. Henry led the Fighting Illini defense to the winningest stretch in program history, with 19 wins between 2024 and 2025, with six wins against ranked opponents. In 2024, the Illinois defense improved drastically, jumping 62 spots in scoring defense from the previous season, allowing under 22 points per game. Finally, in 2025, eight defensive starters on Henry's defense earned all-conference honors. Replacing Mike Mickens is a tall task, but bringing in a familiar face for DC Chris Ash, as well as a coach who has improved year over year, could be just what the doctor ordered. 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 @LiamGaudetIT  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 the 2025 College Football season came to a close, Notre Dame fans across the country were still wringing their hands, wondering what if? That's a question that will never be answered, but make no mistake about it, Marcus Freeman and his staff didn't take it lying down. For years, we watched the college football landscape change and Notre Dame refuse to keep up with the times. For years, we begged for them to spend the money to build the program back to where it once was, a powerhouse of the college football world during the days of Rockne, Leahy, Ara, and Holtz. For decades, following the departure of Lou Holtz, Notre Dame refused to change with the times and do what was necessary to win. With the previous athletic director, Jack Swarbrick, appearing to cling to the University's funds as if they came out of his own pocket, it seemed it would never change. Enter President Father Dowd and the current athletic director, Pete Bevacqua, who both vowed to do what it took to make the football program elite again. Many fans weren't willing to hold their breath, as we've all heard it before, and yet it never seemed to happen. Want the inside scoop on all things Notre Dame? Subscribe to Tribune+ today! It appeared we had been hoodwinked again as the portal opened and Notre Dame seemed to remain idle. It left many fans wondering if it was just the same old Notre Dame. I was told by multiple sources leading up to the portal window that "Notre Dame was going to shock a lot of people in a good way" when it came to portal acquisition, but fans remained on edge. That was until the floodgates were finally opened. After the first week of the portal window concluded, Notre Dame began announcing commitments and signings left and right, one elite signing after the other, filling vital holes left from players declaring for the draft and the transfer portal. Notre Dame's defensive line went from its biggest weakness going into 2026 to its biggest strength after signing Keon Keeley, Tionne Gray, and Francis Brewu. Notre Dame didn't stop at the defensive line, as they landed two explosive weapons in Ohio State WR transfers Quincy Porter and Mylan Graham. QB CJ Carr had one of the best seasons for a young QB at Notre Dame in many years, if not the best, and will now have some explosive star power at the wide receiver position for the 2026 season. Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle Notre Dame finally came through as promised, and there shouldn't be any doubt as to how badly they want to win another national championship. The Irish went out and spent the money, filling the holes that needed to be filled. The 2026 season appears to be very bright for this team, and on paper, it may be one of the best teams in school history. Of course, that still has to be proven on the field, but Notre Dame appears primed for the big stage next fall. Notre Dame fans have a ton to look forward to in the upcoming season, but had to stomach through another season of coming up just short. It will all be worth it, though, if the Irish can finally put it all together next season. With one of the best recruiting classes in a generation coming in, a bolstered roster from the portal, and a seasoned QB in CJ Carr, this upcoming season should be one for the ages. Until next fall... 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. 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!

Look ahead to Notre Dame's 2026 season with an early look at six of the Irish's opponents. Read Part One her e . Stanford (Oct. 10 at ND Stadium) 2025 Record : 4-8 (3-5 in ACC) Head Coach : Tavita Pritchard (1st season) Notes : Cardinal GM Andrew Luck found his program’s HC in his former backup QB from his time at Stanford. Pritchard, a long-time assistant with the program, including time as an OC, faces a tall task building this program back up. Last season, Stanford was a senior-led team that struggled with QB play. The Cardinal have brought in Michigan transfer Davis Warren to compete with incoming three-star freshman Michael Mitchell Jr for the starting job. Notably, Stanford will return their starting RB Micah Ford, but lost three of their top four receiving options, and they did not do much to replace the lost production in the portal.  Prediction : The Irish will handle the Cardinal at home. This game could get ugly fast with Notre Dame’s defense just being much more talented than the Stanford offense, and they should feast on Warren if he is deemed the starter. Stanford seemingly always has at least a decent defense, but Notre Dame’s firepower should be too much. Navy (Oct. 31 at Gillette Stadium) 2025 Record : 11-2 (7-1 in AAC) Head Coach : Brian Newberry (4th season) Notes : This will be a much different-looking team than the one the Irish have pounced on over the last two years. Notable players such as QB Blake Horvath, FB Eli Heidenreich, and RB Alex Tecza have moved on to their professional careers. Navy’s top four leading rushers and top two leading receivers, in addition to Horvath, will all need to be replaced. Braxton Woodson should be in line to earn the starting QB position, which Irish fans received a hint of at the end of the 2025 Irish-Navy game. I think Woodson is a better pure runner than Horvath, creating some intrigue with this season’s Midshipmen offense. Defensively, they will return some key LBs and DBs, including their top three leading tacklers. However, their pass rush will need to be addressed, with their top three sack leaders not returning. Prediction : With the notable losses, especially offensively, I think Navy takes a step back this season. Notre Dame should continue their domination of the Midshipmen on Halloween night in Foxborough.  Want the inside scoop on all things Notre Dame? Subscribe to Tribune+ today! Miami (Nov. 7 at ND Stadium) 2025 Record : 13-3 (6-2 in ACC) Head Coach : Mario Cristobal (5th season) Notes : How will the Canes follow up their CFP Championship run? Well, Cristobal must replace starting QB Carson Beck, EDGEs Rueben Bain Jr and Akheem Mesidor, and three offensive linemen, including OT Francis Mauigoa. These losses also include Miami’s top three sack leaders, who combined for 27 this past season. Via the portal, the Hurricanes did not lose many impact pieces, but the depth certainly took a hit. Some notable players looking to run it back this season include starting RB Mark Fletcher Jr., leading WR Malachi Toney, and leading tackler Mohamed Toure. Some notable additions via the portal include Missouri EDGE Damon Wilson II (#8 overall, #3 EDGE), Boston College S Omar Thornton (#89 overall, #6 S), and a pair of receivers in South Carolina’s Vandrevius Jacobs (#87 overall, #21 WR) and West Virginia’s Cam Vaughn (#132 overall, #32 WR). As far as QB is concerned, these questions were answered in recent days with Duke QB Darian Mensah announcing his decision to transfer down to Coral Gables.  Prediction : There is no question that this is the game circled on Notre Dame’s calendars. Over a year after the Hurricanes topped the Irish in a season-opening contest in Miami, the two teams rematch in South Bend this November. It might be a little too early for snow, but if the weather can play a factor, that should provide the home squad an advantage. I think HC Freeman, along with Notre Dame’s returning pieces, will come out with revenge on their minds and play with their hair on fire. While last year’s contest was a high-scoring affair, I think this year’s edition is a low-scoring, grind-it-out, physical game. I will take Notre Dame by two scores in a comfortable fashion.  Boston College (Nov. 14 at ND Stadium) 2025 Record : 2-10 (1-7 in ACC) Head Coach : Bill O’Brien (3rd season) Notes : O’Brien has a LOT of work to do if the Eagles are going to improve on a two-win year. At the moment, I would argue this season’s team is worse on paper. Boston College was depleted this offseason due to graduating seniors, NFL Draft entries, and the transfer portal. Among the players lost include: all three QBs who attempted a pass in 2025 (1 draft and 2 transfers), the top two leading rushers (1 graduate and 1 transfer), the top three leading receivers (2 draft and 1 transfer), starting S Omar Thornton who ND will see against Miami, and the team’s sack-leader Sedarius McConnell will be entering the draft. Among the 29 total players who transferred out of Chestnut Hill this offseason, the two most notable are Thornton and new Arizona State WR Reed Harris. However, the Eagles did some work themselves via the portal, bringing in 25 transfers from pretty much all levels of CFB, including former ND LB Bodie Kahoun. I would guess O’Brien has a QB competition this offseason between their two transfers, Mason McKenzie (Saginaw Valley State) and Grayson Wilson (Arkansas). McKenzie is a dual-threat who had his struggles throwing the ball, while Wilson did not receive any action with the Razorbacks. Finally, while the DBs did lose Thornton to the Hurricanes, they will return their leader in tackles and interceptions, KP Price, and their leader in PBUs, Isaiah Farris, to help out the secondary. Prediction : Notre Dame came out sleepwalking against the Eagles in 2025, when they won by just 15 as nearly 30-point favorites. I hope that game is a part of Freeman’s new mantra, “leave no doubt,” as the Irish should have won that contest by at least three scores. This year, in South Bend, I expect the Irish to blow the Eagles' doors off. The talent level is too far divided for Boston College to be hanging around. Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle SMU (Nov. 21 at ND Stadium) 2025 Record : 9-4 (6-2 in ACC) Head Coach : Rhett Lashlee (5th season) Notes : Two seasons removed from playing in the inaugural 12-team CFP, Lashlee and the Mustangs lost a lot this offseason, mostly due to graduating seniors and NFL Draft entries. The one massive returning piece is QB Kevin Jennings, who has thrown for over 2,300 yards with at least 23 TDs the previous two seasons. Defensively, SMU returns most of its solid LB core. The Mustangs brought in a pretty good transfer class this offseason, featuring East Carolina WR Yannick Smith (#93 overall, #23 WR) and Texas A&M TE Theo Melin Ohrstrom (#147 overall, #9 TE). Now the departures: The only big hit via the portal came from RB2 Chris Johnson Jr., who has transferred to Clemson. However, SMU is in line for a big 2026 NFL Draft with their starting RB, top two WRs, top two TEs, both starting Safeties, and all four starting Defensive Linemen entering this spring. The Safety duo led the Mustangs in tackles while combining for seven INTs and 10 PBUs last year. The four DL were SMU’s top four leading sack-getters. It will be interesting to see who steps up on the Mustangs to replace the massive amount of production lost on both sides of the ball. Prediction : Again, I am curious as to who will step up around Jennings this season. I do not imagine the talent level is better this year compared to last, given all of the departures. Jennings can win some games by himself, but not against Notre Dame. I will take the Irish to win comfortably on Senior Day against a warm-weather program in late November. Syracuse (Nov. 28 at JMA Wireless Dome) 2025 Record : 3-9 (1-7 in ACC) Head Coach : Fran Brown (3rd season) Notes : When Brown led Syracuse to a 10-win 2024 season and when QB Steve Angeli was healthy in the early part of the 2025 season, the Orange looked like a team reliant on a high-powered passing offense. After losing eight straight games to close last season, including a 70-7 beatdown at ND, I think we will see somewhat of a philosophy shift from HC Brown as he goes back to his defensive roots. This also might just be due to the personnel he has to work with in 2025. At QB, Angeli, the former Irish transfer, is the assumed starter once he is fully recovered from his achilles injury. However, eyebrows were raised when Syracuse brought in three transfer QBs: Kennesaw State starter Amari Odom, former five-star recruit and UTEP transfer Malachi Nelson, and Georgetown starter Danny Lauter. The Orange also brought in 15 additional transfers, but nothing too notable at this moment. Their biggest postseason win probably comes with the defensive returners, including the top three leading tacklers and top two leaders in PBUs, giving Brown a solid foundation to work with. Notable losses this offseason include the top two RBs (1 transfer, 1 draft), top five WRs (4 transfers, 1 draft), including Darrell Gill Jr and Johntay Cook, who both transferred to Ole Miss, and both their starting TE and sacks leader to the draft.  Prediction : I think Syracuse gives Notre Dame a little scare in this regular-season finale. Coach Brown should have his team fired up after the drumming they took in South Bend last season, and it will be the Orange’s Senior Day. The Irish can not sleepwalk into this one, and I do not expect them to. Notre Dame wins by 14, pulling away in the fourth quarter, completing a 12-0 regular season and guaranteeing a spot in the CFP. 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! 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Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end. After six incredible seasons, Notre Dame Defensive Backs coach Mike Mickens has accepted the vacant Defensive Backs coaching position with the Baltimore Ravens. Mickens joined the Fighting Irish in 2020, being hired to coach the cornerbacks by way of Cincinnati - not unlike Marcus Freeman. Mickens would see plenty of success both on the recruiting trail and on the field, as he helped to elevate one of Notre Dame's biggest weaknesses into one of its greatest strengths throughout his tenure. Mickens would be elevated to Defensive Backs coach in 2024 after helping the Irish reach third in opponent total passing yards per game. The following season, the Irish would finish top-10 in total defense for the second season in a row, largely due to the elite play of the Irish secondary. Mickens was an unsung hero in many ways and excelled in both recruiting and player development. The list of players developed by Mickens is long, but some of the most notable are as follows: Want the inside scoop on all things Notre Dame? Subscribe to Tribune+ today! Benjamin Morrison, Cornerback (2022-2024) Benjamin Morrison is fondly remembered as one of the more dominant corners in Notre Dame's illustrious history. In his freshman season, Morrison amassed six interceptions, which included his famous return to seal an Irish victory against Clemson. He allowed just a 37.1 passer rating when targeted, and led all Power-4 corners in interceptions through his first two seasons in college football. Morrison compiled a career PFF grade of 90.5, among the nation's best. Mickens helped to bring Morrison to South Bend and ultimately developed him into one of the best cover corners in the country heading into his junior season. Unfortunately, Morrison's career was cut short early into his final season, but the tape he had compiled was good enough to be selected in the second round by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Xavier Watts, Safety (2020-2024) If you want to know just how good Mike Mickens developed players, there is no greater example than Xavier Watts. Watts was recruited to Notre Dame to play wide receiver; however, after just one season, he would switch to linebacker in an effort to help the team in any capacity he could. Despite playing in 11 games at the position, Watts would switch to safety in 2022, where Mickens would ultimately develop him into one of the greatest Notre Dame safeties of all time. In 2023, Watts would absolutely explode onto the scene, leading all defensive backs with seven interceptions in 13 games. Watts would famously intercept Caleb Williams twice in South Bend in Notre Dame's victory over USC, part of a three-game stretch where Watts amassed five interceptions. He would win the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, awarded to college football's best defensive player in 2023, and was also named a unanimous All-American. Watts returned in 2024, and was a driving force behind Notre Dame's run to the national championship. He would once again rack up six interceptions after being named a team captain, and would finish his career off with another consensus All-American nod. Watts would shockingly fall in the NFL draft despite elite production, but he has paid off handsomely for the Atlanta Falcons, who drafted him in the third round. Watts' rookie NFL season saw him reel in five interceptions, and he is a finalist for the defensive rookie of the year. All this to say Mike Mickens was able to develop a depth piece at wide receiver into one of the most decorated safeties in Notre Dame history. Leonard Moore, Cornerback (2024-Present) Coming out of high school, Leonard Moore was an underrecruited talent who flew under the radar of national recruiting services and teams alike - but not Mickens. Leonard Moore would commit to Notre Dame as a lengthy and raw talent, but it didn't take long for Mickens to develop Leonard Moore into the best cornerback in the country. To the surprise of many, Leonard Moore would start as a true freshman and completely dominate. PFF gave Moore the highest grade amongst all freshmen defenders in 2024, and he would amass 48 tackles, two interceptions, two forced fumbles, and 11 passes defended. Moore had an argument to be the best corner in college football after just one season. He would follow up his freshman season with another ridiculous campaign, totalling five interceptions and a consensus All-American selection. Moore still has one season of college football remaining, but is widely regarded as a top-10 talent in the 2027 NFL Draft. Mike Mickens developed Leonard Moore into the best corner in college football in record time, getting the most out of the room once again. Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle The bottom line is, Mike Mickens isn't someone the staff can just replace. It's incredibly difficult to excel in talent evaluation, recruiting, and development, but Mickens hit on all three exceptionally well. It was truly remarkable what he was able to accomplish at Notre Dame, and he will now reunite with Kyle Hamilton, another elite Notre Dame defensive back in the NFL. The good news for the Fighting Irish is that this opening will be one that is incredibly sought after among coaches throughout the country. Mickens has laid the foundation for the room to be elite for years to come, as he secured commitments from multiple elite secondary talents in the class of 2026. With the calendar crunch now over, Marcus Freeman is afforded ample time to find the successor to one of the greatest Irish assistant coaches in recent history. 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 @LiamGaudetIT  on X Liked this story? Subscribe to our mailing list  and get every story in your inbox. Check out our Irish partners: TMPR Sports - Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle here! Legion of the Leprechaun - Join  the #1  Notre Dame fan community on Facebook today!

Notre Dame’s evolving transfer portal strategy under Marcus Freeman and Mike Martin signals a calculated shift from short-term rentals to long-term roster development, betting on coaching and culture to fuel a 2026 championship season. Photo by The Irish Tribune Under Chad Bowden's tenure as general manager of Notre Dame, the Irish were exclusively shopping for graduate transfers in the portal. Whether it be because of the strict and rigorous guardrails of Notre Dame's academic prestige or a tactical plan, the Fighting Irish were always looking at the portal as the cherry on top of a sundae. This is best highlighted through the additions of Riley Leonard, Sam Hartman, and Malachi Fields to name a few. Names like Will Pauling, Beaux Collins, or the yearly rotation at the nickel position highlight this claim as well. Yet, under Mike Martin and this staff's new game plan, the Irish elected for potential and longevity over a rental option. This appears to be the opposite direction other top programs have taken while navigating college football's uncharted waters. The Indiana Hoosiers just completed one of the most impressive seasons ever in the sport's history based on the back of experienced players who brought thousands of snaps rather than five-star ratings. Notre Dame's overall game plan in the portal appeared to be a head-scratcher at the beginning before finally taking shape near the closing of the portal period. It is clear Martin and Freeman are banking on natural talent rather than a proven commodity. This decision can also be made because of the faith in the coaching staff Notre Dame has put together and retained this offseason. Mike Brown will certainly get some interest from NFL organizations, but with the additions of Mylan Graham and Quincy Porter, he has plenty of options to develop in South Bend. Want the inside scoop on all things Notre Dame? Subscribe to Tribune+ today! While there is a fear of losing assistant coaches to the NFL, arguably the most valuable addition this offseason has been from the NFL level with Charlie Partridge taking over as the defensive line coach. Partridge is as well-respected across the coaching ranks as anyone, and his track record of converting NFL talent is second to none. Coupled with his relationship with Notre Dame defensive coordinator Chris Ash, the Irish have a home run hire. Partridge will inherit a multitude of weapons including Boubacar Traore, Bryce Young, and Jason Onye, while adding Keon Keeley, Francis Brewu, and Tionne Gray. While 2026 has been labeled as a "championship or bust" year for Notre Dame, it is intriguing to see the direction that Martin took in the offseason. Rather than putting all their chips in the center of the table with a one-year rental, he took multiple candidates that can impact 2026 and beyond. That longevity or loyalty in college football appears to be a thing of the past, but the culture Marcus Freeman has cultivated at Notre Dame is unlike any other. With Freeman's time in South Bend appearing to be numbered, CJ Carr facing an NFL decision, and multiple impact defensive pieces making the next step in their careers, 2026 is shaping up to be THE YEAR . Even with a portal haul that brings in an immense amount of talent, I'm not sure it's what the 2026 roster needed the most. It probably helps the program stay afloat after this season, but with so many things lining up for this to be the year for Notre Dame, I thought they'd put the cherry on top with one major splash. Nonetheless, the Irish have the talent, and it is now on the coaching staff to develop and train the youth on this roster for a breakout season in South Bend. With a relatively light schedule, especially at the beginning of the season, Notre Dame can work out the kinks and build momentum as the season rolls along. 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 @ LiamFarrell_IT  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!