Notre Dame looks to strike lightning once again with the 2028 class after landing two back-to-back best classes we've seen in a generation. We have not 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. As impressive as it is, Marcus Freeman and staff were able to top that in back-to-back classes; in fact, some say the 2026 and 2027 classes are the two best in program history. Below are the 2028 Big Board Defensive talents that Notre Dame has their eyes on: Edge Asher Ghioto (5-star) 6-5, 250lbs out of The Bolles School in Jacksonville, Florida. He is ranked by 247 Sports Composite as 3rd overall nationally and 1st overall at the defensive line position. He holds 63 D1 offers. Set to visit Notre Dame Nov. 7th (Miami) Cassell Cruickshank (5-star) 6-6, 230lbs out of E.E. Smith High School in Fayetteville, North Carolina. He is ranked by 247 Sports Composite as the 8th overall nationally and 2nd overall at the Edge position. He holds 40 D1 offers. Set to visit Notre Dame on Nov. 14th (Boston College) Antonio Thomas Jr. (5-star) 6-3, 240lbs out of Carrollwood Day High School in Tampa, Florida. He is ranked by 247 Sports Composite as the 14th overall nationally and 3rd overall at the Edge position. He holds 47 D1 offers. Jalanie George (4-star) 6-5, 250lbs out of Desert Edge High School in Goodyear, Arizona. He is ranked by 247 Sports as 21st overall nationally and 5th overall at the defensive line position. He holds 35 D1 offers. Landen Wade (5-star) 6-5, 250lbs out of Basha High School in Chandler, Arizona. He is ranked by 247 Sports Composite as the 22nd overall nationally and 6th overall at the Edge position. He holds 21 D1 offers. Kameron McGee (5-star) 6-4, 245lbs out of Brother Rice High School in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. He is ranked by 247 Sports Composite as the 25th overall nationally and 7th overall at the Edge position. He holds 44 D1 offers. Jayden Bell (4-star) 6-4, 210lbs out of Brother Rice High School in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. He is ranked by 247 Sports Composite as the 33rd overall nationally and 8th overall at the Edge position. He holds 39 D1 offers. Cam Toomey (4-star) 6-4, 245lbs out of Saratoga Springs High School in Saratoga, New York. He is ranked by 247 Sports Composite as the 47th overall nationally and 9th overall at the Edge position. He holds 26 D1 offers. Major Stokes (4-star) 6-6, 240lbs out of Orem High School in Orem, Utah. He is ranked by 247 Sports Composite as the 54th overall nationally and 11th overall at the Edge position. He holds 32 D1 offers. Keoni Snipes (4-star) 6-5, 250lbs out of Saraland High School in Saraland, Alabama. He is ranked by 247 Sports Composite as the 94th overall nationally and 12th overall at the defensive line position. He holds 35 D1 offers. Merrick Ham (4-star) 6-5, 235lbs out of Marietta High School in Marietta, Georgia. He is ranked by 247 Sports Composite as the 123rd overall nationally and 15th overall at the Edge position. He holds 26 D1 offers. Asa Burch (4-star) 6-5, 235lbs out of Harding High School in Warren, Ohio. He is ranked by 247 Sports Composite as the 130th overall nationally and 16th overall at the Edge position. He holds 23 D1 offers. Jeremiah Figaro (4-star) 6-5, 210lbs out of Dexter Southfield High School in Brookline, Massachusetts. He is ranked by 247 Sports Composite as the 233rd overall nationally and 21st overall at the Edge position. He holds 32 D1 offers. Set to visit Notre Dame on Sept. 12th (Rice) Merrick Ham (4-star) 6-5, 235lbs out of Marietta High School in Marietta, Georgia. He is ranked by 247 Sports Composite as the 123rd overall nationally and 15th overall at the Edge position. He holds 26 D1 offers. Want the inside scoop on all things Notre Dame? Subscribe to Tribune+ today! Defensive Line Kellan Hall (5-star) 6-4, 265lbs out of Christian Academy of Louisville in Louisville, Kentucky. He is ranked by 247 Sports Composite as 2nd overall nationally and 1st overall at the defensive line position. He holds 27 D1 offers. Tyzon Swann (5-star) 6-4, 250lbs out of Henry E. Lackey High School in Indian Head, Maryland. He is ranked by 247 Sports Composite as the 10th overall nationally and 2nd overall at the defensive line position. He holds 49 D1 offers. Prince Che (5-star) 6-3, 305lbs out of Thomas County Central High School in Thomasville, Georgia. He is ranked by 247 Sports Composite as the 18th overall nationally and 3rd overall at the defensive line position. He holds 38 D1 offers. RJ Wyms (4-star) 6-1, 255lbs out of College Park High School in The Woodlands, Texas. He is ranked by 247 Sports Composite as the 57th overall nationally and 6th overall at the defensive line position. He holds 32 D1 offers. Set to visit Notre Dame on Sept. 19th (Michigan State) Simon Nuamah (4-star) 6-3, 260lbs out of Tabor Academy in Marion, Massachusetts. He is ranked by 247 Sports Composite as the 62nd overall nationally and 7th overall at the defensive line position. He holds 22 D1 offers. Christian Webb-Scott (4-star) 6-6, 260lbs out of Westside High School in Anderson, South Carolina. He is ranked by 247 Sports Composite as 79th overall nationally and 8th overall at the defensive line position. He holds 41 D1 offers. Ayden Woodruff (4-star) 6-5, 280lbs out of Ravenwood High School in Brentwood, Tennessee. He is ranked by 247 Sports Composite as the 124th overall nationally and 15th overall at the defensive line position. He holds 33 D1 offers. Caleb Tucker (4-star) 6-3, 355lbs out of Mount Carmel in Chicago, Illinois. He is ranked by 247 Sports Composite as the 147th overall nationally and 18th overall at the defensive line position. He holds 24 D1 offers. Dawson Jacobs (4-star) 6-3, 240lbs out of Blessed Trinity Catholic in Roswell, Georgia. He is ranked by 247 Sports Composite as 179th overall nationally and 21st overall at the defensive line position. He holds 41 D1 offers. Zylen Little (4-star) 6-2, 300lbs out of Carrollwood Day High School in Tampa, Florida. He is ranked by 247 Sports as 186th overall nationally and 22nd overall at the defensive line position. He holds 31 D1 offers. Set to visit Notre Dame on Nov. 7th (Miami) Jamir Lee (4-star) 6-2, 275lbs out of Carrollton High School in Carrollton, Georgia. He is ranked by 247 Sports as 237th overall nationally and 26th overall at the defensive line position. He holds 31 D1 offers. Arthur Jones (4-star) 6-3, 250lbs out of Christian Brothers Academy in Syracuse, New York. He is ranked by 247 Sports Composite as the 285th overall nationally and 31st overall at the defensive line position. He holds 23 D1 offers. Linebacker Tahj Gray (5-star) 6-4, 230lbs out of St. Joseph Regional High School in Montvale, New Jersey. He is ranked by 247 Sports Composite as the 24th overall nationally and 1st overall at the linebacker position. He holds 32 D1 offers. Jameer Miles (4-star) 6-3, 200lbs out of Carmel Catholic High School in Mundelein, Illinois. He is ranked by 247 Sports Composite as the 52nd overall nationally and 3rd overall at the linebacker position. He holds 15 D1 offers. Set to visit Notre Dame on Sept. 19th (Michigan State) Andre Alexander Jr. (4-star) 6-1, 220lbs out of IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida. He is ranked by 247 Sports Composite as the 77th overall nationally and 4th overall at the linebacker position. He holds 33 D1 offers. Gabriel Player (4-star) 6-3, 190lbs out of Eau Gallie High School in Melbourne, Florida. He is ranked by 247 Sports Composite as the 93rd overall nationally and 6th overall at the linebacker position. He holds 47 D1 offers. Ryan Peterson (4-star) 6-1, 220lbs out of Hough High School in Cornelius, North Carolina. He is ranked by 247 Sports Composite as the 125th overall nationally and 7th overall at the linebacker position. He holds 31 D1 offers. Brayden Bonik (4-star) 6-1, 195lbs out of Fort Bend Ridge Point High School in Missouri City, Texas. He is ranked by 247 Sports Composite as the 158th overall nationally and 10th overall at the linebacker position. He holds 45 D1 offers. Allen Kennett V (4-star) 6-1, 220lbs out of Servite High School in Anaheim, California. He is ranked by 247 Sports Composite as the 206th overall nationally and 15th overall at the linebacker position. He holds 20 D1 offers. Skylar Alston (4-star) 6-2, 210lbs out of Cardinal Gibbons High School in Raleigh, North Carolina. He is ranked by 247 Sports Composite as the 215th overall nationally and 17th overall at the linebacker position. He holds 38 D1 offers. Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle Cornerback Nasir Richardson (5-star) 6-1, 165lbs out of Malcolm X Shabazz High School in Newark, New Jersey. He is ranked by 247 Sports Composite as the 11th overall nationally and 1st overall at the cornerback position. He holds 26 D1 offers. Keaton Fields (5-star) 6-3, 185lbs out of Hamilton High School in Chandler, Arizona. He is ranked by 247 Sports as 15th overall nationally and 2nd overall at the position. He holds 30 D1 offers. Tyler Boyd (5-star) 6-0, 190lbs out of Carrollton High School in Carrollton, Georgia. He is ranked by 247 Sports Composite as the 34th overall nationally and 4th overall at the cornerback position. He holds 43 D1 offers. Jai'lil Goley (4-star) 6-1, 175lbs out of Gainesville High School in Gainesville, Georgia. He is ranked by 247 Sports Composite as the 38th overall nationally and 5th overall at the cornerback position. He holds 37 D1 offers. Logan Thompson (4-star) 6-0, 175lbs out of Althoff High School in Belleville, Illinois. He is ranked by 247 Sports Composite as the 43rd overall nationally and 6th overall at the cornerback position. He holds 20 D1 offers. Grayden Reid (4-star) 6-3, 185lbs out of Atherton High School in Louisville, Kentucky. He is ranked by 247 Sports Composite as the 58th overall nationally and 7th overall at the cornerback position. He holds 37 D1 offers. Langston Pridgeon (4-star) 6-2, 175lbs out of DeMatha Catholic High School in Hyattsville, Maryland. He is ranked by 247 Sports Composite as the 89th overall nationally and 8th overall at the cornerback position. He holds 35 D1 offers. Adrian Woodward (4-star) 6-0, 170lbs out of St Peter's Prep in Jersey City, New Jersey. He is ranked by 247 Sports Composite as the 104th overall nationally and 9th overall at the cornerback position. He holds 37 D1 offers. Izayah Vickers (4-star) 6-0, 170lbs out of Florida State University School in Tallahassee, Florida. He is ranked by 247 Sports Composite as the 107th overall nationally and 10th overall at the cornerback position. He holds 21 D1 offers. Deonte Fleming Jr. (4-star) 6-3, 190lbs out of McDowell High School in Erie, Pennsylvania. He is ranked by 247 Sports Composite as the 114th overall nationally and 11th overall at the cornerback position. He holds 14 D1 offers. Phoenix Evans (4-star) 5-10, 160lbs out of IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida. He is ranked by 247 Sports Composite as the 188th overall nationally and 13th overall at the cornerback position. He holds 46 D1 offers. Set to visit Notre Dame on Oct. 10th (Stanford) Amir Woodward (4-star) 6-0, 165lbs out of St Peter's Prep in Jersey City, New Jersey. He is ranked by 247 Sports Composite as the 126th overall nationally and 14th overall at the cornerback position. He holds 37 D1 offers. Nekhi Lambeth (4-star) 6-0, 175lbs out of Desert Edge High School in Goodyear, Arizona. He is ranked by 247 Sports as 166th overall nationally and 17th overall at the cornerback position. He holds 20 D1 offers. Safeties Casey Barner (5-star) 6-0, 190lbs out of McEachern High School in Powder Springs, Georgia. He is ranked by 247 Sports Composite as the 5th overall nationally and 1st overall at the safety position. He holds 54 D1 offers. James Foster III (5-star) 6-1, 195lbs out of Lancaster High School in Lancaster, Texas. He is ranked by 247 Sports Composite as the 20th overall nationally and 2nd overall at the safety position. He holds 43 D1 offers. Giovanni Tuggle (4-star) 6-0, 175lbs out of Winder-Barrow High School in Winder, Georgia. He is ranked by 247 Sports Composite as the 56th overall nationally and 4th overall at the safety position. He holds 22 D1 offers. Jaylyn Easterling-Flores (4-star) 6-2, 180lbs out of Desert Edge High School in Goodyear, Arizona. He is ranked by 247 Sports Composite as the 59th overall nationally and 5th overall at the safety position. He holds 35 D1 offers. CJ Craig-James (4-star) 6-3, 185lbs out of Parker High School in Birmingham, Alabama. He is ranked by 247 Sports Composite as the 73rd overall nationally and 7th overall at the safety position. He holds 45 D1 offers. Set to visit Notre Dame on Nov. 7th (Miami) Jalen Flowers (4-star) 6-2, 185lbs out of Palos Verdes High School in Palos Verdes Peninsula, California. He is ranked by 247 Sports Composite as the 84th overall nationally and 8th overall at the safety position. He holds 36 D1 offers. Set to visit Notre Dame on Nov. 7th (Miami) Athletes Kamieon Compton-Nero (5-star) 6-3, 185lbs out of Rejoice Christian High School in Owasso, Oklahoma. He is ranked by 247 Sports as 48th overall nationally and 1st overall at the ATH position. He holds 36 D1 offers. Grant Bowen (5-star) 6-4, 220lbs out of Immaculate Conception High School in Elmhurst, Illinois. He is ranked by 247 Sports as 51st overall nationally and 2nd overall at the ATH position. He holds 33 D1 offers. Set to visit Notre Dame on Sept. 19th (Michigan State) Dion Edwards (4-star) 6-0, 160lbs out of Tyner Academy in Chattanooga, Tennessee. He is ranked by 247 Sports as 98th overall nationally and 5th overall at the ATH position. He holds 18 D1 offers. Set to visit Notre Dame on Nov. 7th (Miami) Camden Noe (4-star) 6-4, 215lbs out of Portage Central High School in Portage, Michigan. He is ranked by 247 Sports as 120th overall nationally and 6th overall at the ATH position. He holds 13 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. 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Notre Dame looks to continue to strike lightning once again with the 2028 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 Weis 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 back-to-back classes; in fact, some say the 2026 and 2027 classes are the two best in program history. Below are the 2028 Big Board Offensive talents that Notre Dame has their eyes on: Want the inside scoop on all things Notre Dame? Subscribe to Tribune+ today! Running Back Kevin Hartsfield (4-star) 6-0, 210lbs out of Newton High School in Covington, Georgia. He is ranked by 247 Sports Composite as 35th overall nationally and 1st overall at the running back position. He holds 47 D1 offers Zaiden Jernigan (4-star) 5-11, 205lbs out of Louisville High School in Louisville, Mississippi. He is ranked by 247 Sports Composite as 51st overall nationally and 2nd overall at the running back position. He holds 23 D1 offers. Currently scheduled to visit Notre Dame Nov. 7th (Miami Game) Micah Rhodes (4-star) 5-9.5, 180lbs out of Klein Oak High School in Spring, Texas. He is ranked by 247 Sports Composite as 119th overall nationally and 8th overall at the running back position. He holds 34 D1 offers. Xander Edwards (4-star) 6-2, 220lbs out of The Bolles School in Jacksonville, Florida. He is ranked by 247 Sports Composite as the 117th overall nationally and 7th overall at the running back position. He holds 38 D1 offers. Acely Brown (4-star) 6-0, 190lbs out of Petal High School in Petal, Mississippi. He is ranked by 247 Sports Composite as 104th overall nationally and 6th overall at the running back position. He holds 19 D1 offers. Elijah Cromwell (4-star) 5-11, 180lbs out of Cherry Creek High School in Englewood, Colorado. He is ranked by 247 Sports Composite as 167th overall nationally and 11th overall at the running back position. He holds 22 D1 offers. Jayshawn Mitchell (4-star) 5-11, 195lbs out of San Antonio Brennan High School in San Antonio, Texas. He is ranked by 247 Sports Composite as 250th overall nationally and 18th overall at the running back position. He holds 25 D1 offers. Tahmere Brown (4-star) 5-11, 188lbs out of The Pennington School in Pennington, New Jersey. He is ranked by 247 Sports Composite as 169th overall nationally and 12th overall at the running back position. He holds 19 D1 offers. Wide Receiver Brysen Wright (4-star) 6-4, 215lbs out of Mandarin High School in Jacksonville, Florida. He is ranked by 247 Sports Composite as 1st overall nationally and 1st overall at the wide receiver position. He holds 32 D1 offers. Jaylen Addai (4-star) 6-1, 170lbs out of Shadow Creek High School in Pearland, Texas. He is ranked by 247 Sports Composite as 12th overall nationally and 3rd overall at the wide receiver position. He holds 43 D1 offers. Madoxx Davis (4-star) 5-10, 190lbs out of Cartersville High School in Cartersville, Georgia. He is ranked by 247 Sports Composite as 23rd overall nationally and 5th overall at the wide receiver position. He holds 41 D1 offers. Deandre Bidden (4-star) 5-11, 170lbs out of Harper Woods High School in Harper Woods, Michigan. He is ranked by 247 Sports Composite as the 22nd overall nationally and 6th overall at the wide receiver position. He holds 30 D1 offers. Lorenzo McMullen Jr. (4-star) 6-0, 185lbs out of Princeton High School in Cincinnati, Ohio. He is ranked by 247 Sports Composite as the 29th overall nationally and 7th overall at the wide receiver position. He holds 30 D1 offers. Malachi Lee (4-star) 6-2, 185lbs out of Loudon Sports Academy in Leesburg, Virginia. He is ranked by 247 Sports Composite as the 38th overall nationally and 8th overall at the wide receiver position. He holds 33 D1 offers. Troman Isaac Jr. (4-star) 5-11, 175lbs out of Chaminade-Madonna High School in Hollywood, Florida. He is ranked by 247 Sports Composite as the 88th overall nationally and 12th overall at the wide receiver position. He holds 38 D1 offers. Tyree Mannings Jr. (4-star) 6-0, 175lbs out of Venice High School in Venice, Florida. He is ranked by 247 Sports Composite as the 93rd overall nationally and 13th overall at the wide receiver position. He holds 23 D1 offers. Zyren Menor (4-star) 6-0, 180lbs out of Bishop Gorman High School in Las Vegas, Nevada. He is ranked by 247 Sports Composite as the 95th overall nationally and 14th overall at the wide receiver position. He holds 15 D1 offers. Derrell Hines Jr. (4-star) 6-1, 175lbs out of Carrollwood Day High School in Tampa, Florida. He is ranked by 247 Sports Composite as the 98th overall nationally and 15th overall at the wide receiver position. He holds 36 D1 offers. Jayce Halasz (4-star) 6-2, 175lbs out of Graham-Kapowsin High School in Graham, Washington. He is ranked by 247 Sports Composite as the 130th overall nationally and 17th overall at the wide receiver position. He holds 15 D1 offers. Tight End JC Wessel (4-star) 6-6, 225lbs out of The Bolles School in Jacksonville, Florida. He is ranked by 247 Sports Composite as 131st overall nationally and 5th overall at the tight end position. He holds 29 D1 offers. Braxton Rein (4-star) 6-6, 230lbs out of Baylor High School in Chattanooga, Tennessee. He is ranked by 247 Sports Composite as the 142nd overall nationally and 7th overall at the tight end position. He holds 30 D1 offers. Theo Schott (4-star) 6-4, 210lbs out of Zionsville High School in Zionsville, Indiana. He is ranked by 247 Sports Composite as the 246th overall nationally and 10th overall at the tight end position. He holds 35 D1 offers. Tre Oiler (4-star) 6-6, 220lbs out of Arrowhead High School in Hartland, Wisconsin. He is ranked by 247 Sports Composite as the 274th overall nationally and 11th overall at the tight end position. He holds 32 D1 offers. Set to visit Notre Dame on Nov. 7th (Miami) Jack McNamara (4-star) 6-5, 235lbs out of Brother Rice High School in Chicago, Illinois. He is ranked by 247 Sports Composite as 337th overall nationally and 16th 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 Maui Tonata (5-star) 6-5, 315lbs out of Orem High School in Orem, Utah. He is ranked by 247 Sports 17th overall nationally and 1st overall at the interior offensive line position. He holds 29 D1 offers. Joseph Frierdich (4-star) 6-7, 260lbs out of Carbondale High School in Carbondale, Illinois. He is ranked by 247 Sports Composite as 67th overall nationally and 9th overall at the offensive tackle position. He holds 13 D1 offers. Austin Attalah (4-star) 6-8, 270lbs out of Cajon High School in San Bernardino, California. He is ranked by 247 Sports Composite as 30th overall nationally and 3rd overall at the offensive tackle position. He holds 31 D1 offers. Joey Fleming (4-star) 6-5, 280lbs out of Huntsville High School in Huntsville, Alabama. He is ranked by 247 Sports Composite as 37th overall nationally and 4th overall at the offensive tackle position. He holds 22 D1 offers. Wyatt VanBoening (4-star) 6-7, 280lbs out of Carmel Catholic High School in Mundelein, Illinois. He is ranked by 247 Sports Composite as 80th overall nationally and 11th overall at the offensive tackle position. He holds 16 D1 offers. Lincoln Fa'alafi (4-star) 6-8, 360lbs out of JSerra Catholic High School in Rancho Santa Margarita, California. He is ranked by 247 Sports Composite as the 91st overall nationally and 12th overall at the offensive tackle position. He holds 13 D1 offers. King Pitts (4-star) 6-4, 270lbs out of Kapa'a High School in Kapa'a, Hawaii. He is ranked by 247 Sports Composite as 242nd overall nationally and 15th overall at the ATH position. He holds 43 D1 offers. Ben Coleman (4-star) 6-4, 285lbs out of Providence Catholic High School in New Lenox, Illinois. He is ranked by 247 Sports Composite as 321st overall nationally and 31st overall at the offensive tackle position. He holds 10 D1 offers. Apisai Fifta (4-star) 6-6, 220lbs out of Oaks Christian High School in Westlake Village, California. He is ranked by 247 Sports Composite as 443rd overall nationally and 37th overall at the offensive tackle position. He holds 10 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. 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!

Three-Star to Unanimous All-American: How Leonard Moore epitomizes the modern-day "Rudy." The suffocatingly hot Texas sun beats down on the thick artificial turf as rubber cleats dance across it. The stove-like turf belongs to Round Rock High School. The cleats belong to a young 18-year-old named Leonard Moore. Moore had 21 tackles and an interception during his senior season at Round Rock. Want the inside scoop on all things Notre Dame? Subscribe to Tribune+ today! For Moore, the goal was to play high-profile college football. But Texas, Texas Tech, and Texas A&M decided not to pursue him. On3, Rivals, and 247 Sports all rated Moore a three-star, which is definitely valuable but not what premier programs build their teams around. When Moore arrived in South Bend for the 2024 camp, the Irish defense was commanded by renowned defensive coordinator Al Golden. The season opened with a nationally televised, prime-time victory at 20th-ranked Texas A&M. The freshman Moore saw the field scarcely, but did record his first career tackle. The following week, the fifth-ranked Irish lost at home to Northern Illinois. Moore saw time on special teams, but that would be the extent of his time on the field. Limited time also carried over in dominant victories over Purdue and Miami (OH). Following the Miami win, it was announced that projected All-American and first-rounder Benjamin Morrison needed hip surgery and would be out for the season. This is when the Notre Dame faithful would see what prodigiously talented player the Irish had in Moore. The “Irish Wear Green” game would be against 15th-ranked Louisville in South Bend. This would be Moore’s first-ever start, and he did not let the opportunity pass him by. Moore would hold his ground with six solo tackles. More importantly, the Irish held the potent Cardinal offense to 24 points in a resounding 31-24 win. Morrison would play the next matchup against Stanford, which the Irish dominated in a 49-7 victory. Moore would see varying time the remainder of the regular season, as he and the Irish ran the table for Freeman’s first playoff appearance. The freshman cornerback would continue to shine on the largest stage, as Moore was a solid contributor in the Irish’s playoff run. Moore recorded 13 combined tackles as Notre Dame fell to Ohio State in the National Championship Game. The Irish secondary lost Morrison and stellar safety Xavier Watts to the NFL draft, therefore ensuring Moore would remain a significant force in the 2025 Notre Dame defense. The sophomore was already receiving accolades in the preseason, being a potential All-American prospect. Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle The 2025 season started with an inexplicable 0-2 record after the Irish fell to Miami and Texas A&M. Although the defense looked different with new defensive coordinator Chris Ash at the helm, Moore was not to blame for the disappointing losses. Miami smartly avoided him in coverage, and Moore garnered two pass breakups and an interception against the Aggies. Sadly, Moore would suffer an injury and miss the Purdue and Arkansas matchups. Moore’s arguably best game of the season would occur on his first appearance back, against Boise State. Moore would have six solo tackles and two interceptions, capped by two forced fumbles in the 28-7 victory. Then, the Irish would run the table with Moore being a huge reason why. In all the remaining games, opposing offenses either intentionally passed away from Moore or attempted to run the ball. Moore would finish the season with many honors, including a consensus first-team All-American selection. He now enters the 2026 season as a preseason All-American and a projected NFL Draft first-round selection. The dearly beloved tale of the Notre Dame walk-on Rudy Ruettiger is often criticised for the array of added details which strayed from reality. This tale of how a three-star high school recruit became an All-American is as real as it gets. It is evidently clear that Moore will inspire generations to work hard and bet on themselves, which is a hundred times better than anything Hollywood can dream up. 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!

Gone are the days of the explosive duo of Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price, but Notre Dame still has a deep and talented group of running backs to help the Irish keep moving forward. The last few years at Notre Dame have been marked by the incredible performances of Love and Price. In that time, they carried the offensive load and provided Notre Dame with a plethora of big plays and iconic moments. After sending both of them to the NFL in the first round, Notre Dame now looks to a new stable of running backs to carry the torch. Although none of them appear to be the next Love, this group, as a whole, could prove to be an effective weapon for the 2026 season and beyond. Want the inside scoop on all things Notre Dame? Subscribe to Tribune+ today! Starter Aneyas Williams Aneyas Williams is a prime example of waiting your turn. As a freshman, he was actually able to earn playing time due to his ability to pass-block and catch the ball on third downs. Those snaps became critically important late in the season, especially in the playoffs, where Love was dealing with injuries. During his sophomore season, Williams saw much of his playing time cut down. This was not due to poor play on his part but purely because of how good Love and Price were throughout the season. While he could have easily taken this as a sign to transfer when the season concluded, Williams decided to stay the course and is now looking at receiving starting reps for one of the most talented teams in the country. As a junior with playing experience, Williams will seem ready to thrive with an increased workload. From the jump, Williams will immediately help Notre Dame in the pass game. He has sure hands for a running back that gives CJ Carr another option from the backfield, but his biggest impact in the pass game may come from his blocking. Williams is a more than willing blocker that has a real knack for picking up blitzes. Even as a freshman, Williams looked to be the best pass-blocker at the position for Notre Dame. As a runner, he does not possess the home-run threat that Love and Price had, but he does run the ball with real power and physicality. He combines that strength with elusive movements and quick feet, making him hard to bring down with just one defender. With not a lot of getaway speed, Williams uses these traits to be an excellent chain-mover for the Irish who, on occasion, can hurt the defense for a big gain. Backups Kedren Young While Williams may receive starting reps, Kedren Young will likely be heavily involved in the Irish run game during the 2026 season. As a freshman, Young was also able to see some playing time as a part of special teams and the reserve squad during blowouts. The following year, Young tore his ACL before the season started, sidelining him for the entirety of the 2025 season. Now, he is likely RB2 for the Irish, looking to supplement Williams in the Irish rushing attack. As a runner, Young is as physical as it gets. Standing at 5'11" and 234 lbs, Young is a bruiser that invites contact. At that stature, he has the strength to fight through tackles and a low center of gravity that makes it hard for defenders to knock him off balance. Although power is what sets Young apart, he does also possess surprisingly quick feet, allowing him to make defenders miss and hit a hole on a moment's notice. Together, Williams and Young could form a dynamic one-two punch for this Notre Dame offense with their diverse skillsets. Nolan James Jr. Heading into sophomore year, Nolan James Jr. could be another key part of this running back group this season. While he is likely third on the depth chart, it is possible that Notre Dame takes a more running back-by-committee approach that could land James Jr. on the field. He arrived in South Bend as a four-star running back but struggled to see a lot of playing time his freshman season. Now, with a new look to the group, he may be called upon to provide for this offense. While James Jr. has not had a lot of time to show off his abilities, he has shown glimpses of what could make him a special player for the Irish. The first thing that shows up when watching him run is his elusiveness. He is an agile player who is quicker than he is fast. With that being said, he is not slow by any means. James Jr. has a quick burst when he is ready to make his move, giving him a real ability to turn into a true one-cut back. Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle Freshmen Javian Osborne/Jonaz Walton It is still unclear just how close the pair of freshmen running backs are to seeing playing time during the 2026 season. It could prove difficult, as the room is already filled by more experienced players. With that being said, these two four-star players do have real talent that has the potential to change a game. Osborne is a stocky, physical runner who projects to be an effective volume ball carrier. He also displays real patience in the backfield, allowing his blockers to create the best hole for him to hit. At his high school in Texas, Osborne holds the record for rushing yards and touchdowns. Walton projects to be a lot like Williams. In high school, he showed real chops as a receiver out of the backfield and in the slot. As a runner, he uses elite vision to find the best lane available and get out of problematic situations. At 5'9" and 215 lbs, he has a strong build for a freshman, making him a potential option right out of the gate. The two freshmen provide excellent depth at the position for the 2026 season and promising talent for the future. Whether this duo sees the field as running backs, special team players, or redshirts this year, they both have a bright future as the rushing tandem of the future in South Bend. 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!

As we enter August and the start of the 2026-27 academic year, Notre Dame could be on the cusp of a truly special nine-month run. Football It is no secret that this season is National Championship or bust as Head Coach Marcus Freeman enters his fifth official year at the helm of Notre Dame. The Irish are in a group of six championship favorites with +1000 or lower odds to raise the trophy on January 25th in Las Vegas. Talent should not be an issue, an ultimate credit to Freeman and his staff’s roster construction. The Irish enter the 2026 season with the second-highest blue chip ratio in college football at 80%, trailing only Georgia’s 85%. Last season’s Indiana championship team was the first to win with under a 50% ratio, proving how valuable this number can be. Just 12 teams enter 2026 with over the 50% “championship threshold.” This talent starts with QB CJ Carr. The Notre Dame signal-caller faces lofty expectations heading into ‘26 as a Heisman favorite, with Texas QB Arch Manning in the mix as well. Carr will be the Irish’s first returning starter since Ian Book, a vital reason the Irish are among title favorites. This season, the second-year starter will be asked to carry a much larger load of the offense compared to last, when he had the benefit of two first-round NFL RBs at his disposal in the backfield. The reason for optimism outside of Carr’s abilities is the receiving talent surrounding him. In addition to returning his top target from a year ago in Jordan Faison, the Irish also expect the return of Jaden Greathouse, the team’s leading receiver in 2024. Ohio State transfers Mylan Graham and Quincy Porter will also play a big role in Notre Dame’s 2026 offense. Over the last few years, college football has seemed to progress to a ‘trench-driven’ sport. Luckily for the Irish, Coach Freeman and his staff have been ahead of the curve, and one could argue that Notre Dame has the best overall “trenches” in college football. The Irish’s trenches, specifically the offensive line, are set to be this team’s strong suit. I believe Notre Dame does have the best offensive line in the country in terms of both depth and pure talent. Rounding out this talented group is the best defense that Freeman has compiled in his time at Notre Dame. Featuring nine returning starters, the Irish hold one of the best DB and LB rooms in the country. Personally, I would argue the Irish’s LB core is, indeed, the best in the nation, with an expected rotation featuring Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa, Drayk Bowen, Jaiden Ausberry, Jaylen Sneed, and Madden Faraimo. In addition to all of these featured returners, the Irish did an outstanding job filling in gaps via the transfer portal, where they added DL Francis Brewu and Tionne Gray, EDGE Keon Keeley, and CBs DJ McKinney and Jayden Sanders. Finally, the schedule. The 56th-toughest schedule, according to ESPN, paves the path to not just make the College Football Playoffs, but enter them with some momentum. Realistically, Notre Dame should be 6-0 heading into their first legitimate test of the season, a road date at BYU in mid-October. Just three weeks later, the Irish will host their biggest game of the regular season when the Miami Hurricanes visit South Bend on November 7th. At the absolute minimum, to prove they belong nationally, Notre Dame must split these contests. Outside of these two, there are no valid excuses to drop a game. We have seen Freeman’s teams lose games they are not supposed to before, and that is something he must resolve to ultimately reach and win the CFP. Want the inside scoop on all things Notre Dame? Subscribe to Tribune+ today! Women’s Basketball Admittedly, asking for a championship in Women’s Basketball this year will be a much taller task compared to Football. However, this is an improved team coming off Head Coach Niele Ivey’s first Elite Eight appearance following four consecutive seasons of Sweet 16 eliminations. I believe a Final Four appearance is achievable this year for the following reasons. Hannah Hidalgo. Notre Dame’s superstar enters her senior season coming off a historic junior campaign. Hidalgo’s 25.3 points and 5.6 steals per game broke school records, while she also became the first men’s or women’s basketball player to average at least 20 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists, and 5 steals per contest this century. The three-time AP All-American will enter this season on top of Wooden Award watchlists, and will have a legitimate shot at the prestigious honor. We have already seen Hidalgo’s increased leadership over the course of the last year, but expectations will still rise for her team in, potentially, her final season in South Bend. One of the ways Ivey and the Irish have improved around Hidalgo is through a top-five freshman class that addresses needs. My pick to be the next Notre Dame WBB superstar is Jacy Abii, and she has certainly impressed this summer in limited public action. The five-star and #10 overall recruit, according to ESPN, should make an immediate impact as a versatile 6-2 G/F. Playing alongside Hidalgo and Madison St. Rose should provide ample opportunities for Abii, maybe starting in game one. The rest of the class is just as intriguing. Top-20 prospect Jenica Lewis has the potential to be one of the team’s most reliable shooters with no limits on the Combo Guard’s range. Ivey rounded out the class with a trio of 6-2, four-star talents with Forwards Amari Byles and Isabella Sangha and Guard Bella Ragone. Additionally, Irish fans will get their first look at 6-2 F Leah Macy this winter after she missed last season recovering from an ACL injury. The former McDonald's All-American will add another needed boost to the Irish frontcourt. Similar to Freeman’s portal approach, Ivey and her staff seemed to place an emphasis on quality over quantity during transfer season. I do think NDWBB would still have been better off adding at least one more depth piece, but there may have been unknown extenuating circumstances that prevented this. Regardless, the Irish’s two incoming transfers do fill two needs and will likely serve key roles this year. Princeton Grad-transfer Guard Madison St. Rose will start next to Hidalgo in the backcourt, offering a high-level scoring option for the Irish offense when Hidalgo is inevitably drawing double teams. St. Rose brings experience, leadership, and another ‘dawg mentality’ to South Bend. Then, Louisville transfer Anaya Hardy will be looking for a breakout Junior campaign as she enters an increased role with Notre Dame. The 6-3 Forward from Detroit will provide the type of elite athleticism that was missing from Ivey’s squad a year ago. The final factor to mention is Niele Ivey. Each year, Notre Dame’s Head Coach seems to be more and more comfortable in her role, despite facing tall roster reconstruction tasks each of the past two offseasons. Ivey is not short on confidence, and her ‘player-first’ style seems to be paying dividends when you look at her recent recruiting successes. Her authenticity and ability to gain players' trust are two major reasons Ivey has been able to find consistent success in her first head coaching job. Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle Men’s Lacrosse Like Freeman and the football team, Notre Dame Lacrosse and Head Coach Kevin Corrigan will enter this season with a ‘national championship or bust’ attitude. One of the reasons the Irish will likely be preseason favorites to raise the trophy on Memorial Day is due to the amount of elite returning talent. The two most important pieces seeking a revenge title are G Thomas Ricciardelli and D Shawn Lyght. Ricciardelli enters his third season as the Irish’s starter in net, coming off a Senior campaign that featured ACC Goalie of the Year and Second Team USA Lacrosse All-American honors. As for Lyght, he looks to one-up a historic Junior season where he became the first defenseman in men’s lacrosse history to be named the Tewaaraton Award Winner. Other key returners include Fifth-Year Seniors Will Maheras (Midfield) and Will Gallagher (Defense), Senior Brock Behrman (Attack) and Nate Schwitzenberg (Defense), Juniors Luke Miller (Attack) and Matt Jeffrey (Midfield), and Sophomores Teddy Lally (Attack) and Dylan Faison (Midfield). Similar to the two coaches mentioned earlier, Corrigan has his culture firmly in place. Entering his 39th season, Corrigan will be seeking a third national title following back-to-back championships in 2023 and ‘24. This, combined with his 370-165 overall record, means the Irish’s leader knows what it takes to make and win on Memorial Day Weekend. Corrigan’s standard of excellence is evident in everything he does. Want the latest intel on Notre Dame football? Subscribe to Tribune+ and get access to recruiting and team intel from The Irish Tribune team, as well as access to our intel community, exclusive app, and more Notre Dame content: Subscribe here to support our independent journalism. Follow The Irish Tribune on social media: Facebook / Instagram / X / Threads / TikTok Follow @Brenden_Duffy on X Liked this story? Subscribe to our mailing list and get every story in your inbox. Check out our Irish partners: TMPR Sports - Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle here! Legion of the Leprechaun - Join the #1 Notre Dame fan community on Facebook today!

The now-defunct scheduled matchup between the two in-state rivals opened up the door for a familiar foe. Photo via Notre Dame Athletics On Monday, August 3rd, Notre Dame and USC announced the renewal of the historic Jeweled Shillelagh trophy after the talks had fizzled out this past offseason. The Trojan Athletic Department had pushed heavily for a late-season matchup against the Irish, as a USC win would likely fare better in the playoff race. However, Notre Dame strongly pushed for an early-season matchup. Want the inside scoop on all things Notre Dame? Subscribe to Tribune+ today! Notre Dame was originally scheduled to play the now-dominant Indiana Hoosiers in the front half of the 2030 and 2031 seasons. The agreement between the two schools was signed in March of 2021, before the Hoosiers had any serious thoughts of competing in the playoffs. In fact, the 2031 matchup in Bloomington would’ve been the first time since 1950 the Irish had traveled south to play the in-state rival. However, Indiana would request that Notre Dame be taken off the schedule so the Hoosiers could face fellow Big 10 schools instead. The Irish were the only major out-of-conference opponent scheduled for Indiana so far. Although it would certainly be cinematic to see the two Sycamore state powerhouses face off, I am glad Notre Dame and USC will instead continue to add to the shared legendary legacy of the rivalry. It is a shame the reconciliation hadn’t happened sooner, as the formerly annual matchup has been deemed “the greatest intersectional rivalry in college football” by journalists, fans, and even the schools themselves. The rivalry has been coined as a “conversation between wives”, when in the winter of 1926, the wife of legendary coach Knute Rockne begged to go someplace warm after listening to USC athletic director Gwynn Wilson’s wife. The Irish were in Lincoln, Nebraska, that day, playing in frigid weather in front of a very hostile and anti-catholic crowd of Husker fans. Mrs. Rockne won, and thus the legendary matchup was born. Since the inception of the game in 1926 (a 13-12 Irish win), the two teams have played 95 consecutive annual matchups except for a three-year stoppage during World War II and the 2020 COVID year. Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle Several memorable moments on both sides of the aisle have been conceived during the rivalry's tenure. In 1931, USC upset Rockne and the Irish in South Bend in a come-from-behind victory to clinch the Trojans’ second National title. In 1974, USC would orchestrate a 24-point comeback in a stomach-turning 24-54 Irish loss. The Irish have also had plenty of unforgettable moments; the most famous was the first interaction of the annual ‘Irish Wear Green’ game in 1977. Coach Dan Devine had the Irish dress in the traditional navy blue attire before changing into the now iconic green jerseys for game time, much to the surprise of Irish fans and Trojan players. The “Green Machine” would beat Southern Cal 49-19, as Quarterback Joe Montana led the Irish to a National Championship. In 1988, head coach Lou Holtz and future Heisman Tim Brown beat the star-studded #2-ranked USC squad. The #1-ranked Irish were still considered underdogs as they were without two prominent players, who had been suspended for disciplinary reasons. The games haven’t been without controversy, as many Notre Dame fans mournfully recall the infamous “Bush Push” game in 2005, when Trojan Running Back Reggie Bush illegally aided his Quarterback Matt Leinart in a last-second touchdown to seal the game for the Trojans. Irish fans can happily recall the Notre Dame secondary shutting down Heisman favorite QB Caleb Williams when the Trojans suffered five offensive turnovers. Overall, Notre Dame leads the series 51-37-5 over USC, with the Irish winning eight of the last ten matchups. I will forever hold this historic rivalry between two great teams over what could have been with Indiana. Would there still be excitement against the Hoosiers if they were awful that year? Probably not. But there is always excitement when blood, sweat, and tears are spilled fighting over the Shillelagh Trophy. As much as fans can detest and despise Southern Cal, they are a perfect rival for Notre Dame. They are a classy program, with fans who travel and care deeply about the team. That is what makes rivalries special. I will be looking forward to the renewal of this great duel in only four short years. Plenty of time for the hate to brew. 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 Football has over 900 victories, won 11 national championships, and had 113 All-Americans throughout its storied history. Photos via Fr. Nate Wills/IG (@praylikeachampiontoday) The most storied program in College Football has seemingly been helped by a divine spirit through its legendary tenure on the gridiron. It is no surprise that the most prestigious Roman Catholic institution would call upon Our Lady and the Saints before taking the field. Furthermore, it is even less shocking that this spiritual intervention is as alive as when it started under legendary Head Coach Knute Rockne. The team chaplain for the Irish, Rev. Nate Wills C.S.C, details the legendary moment in his new book ‘Pray Like a Champion Today’. Want the inside scoop on all things Notre Dame? Subscribe to Tribune+ today! Over 30,000 fans crowd the wooden bleachers of Ebbetts Field in Brooklyn, New York, anxiously awaiting the October 13th battle of the undefeated football teams. Army had just won two straight games coming off an undefeated season in 1922. The Black Knights were heavily favored going against the scrappy Notre Dame squad led by the newly dominant Knute Rockne. Rockne was well known for his ability to market games, especially in the Catholic immigrant-dominated, density-rich haven of New York City. The matchup between Notre Dame and Army was heavily anticipated, especially after Army announced a Hollywood star would be kicking off for the Knights. Undaunted, team chaplain (and future cardinal) Rev. John Francis O’Hara C.S.C offered the Notre Dame boys a simple rebuttal in the locker room. "that if they (Army) had this Hollywood star on their side, St. Joan of Arc would be on our side" Father O’Hara then handed out St. Joan of Arc medals to each of the boys. The French warrior Saint ended up helping the Irish that day, as Notre Dame shocked Army in a 13-0 upset. This famous victory sparked Catholic boys from all over the United States to start wearing Saint medals before taking the field. Furthermore, this tradition has been passed down to each Notre Dame team, including the 2026 squad. Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle Each game features a new and unique saint that Fr. Wills talks about before the team takes the field. Players often keep the medals long after the game as mementos. The saints run on a five-year rotation; that way, seniors won’t get the same medals. Some saints are more helpful than others, as Fr. Wills humorously recalls. “The holy medal in 2023 against Marshall was Our Lady of Guadalupe, and the one for the 2024 loss against Northern Illinois University was St. Rome of Lima- perhaps these great saints from Mexico and Peru mistakenly filed our prayer under futbol instead of “American Football.” Fr. Wills also passes out extra medals to members of the sideline such as the referees, equipment managers, sports medicine professionals, security, and more. The Holy Cross priest then shares the story of the game's saint and why they are relevant for that day's matchup. Fr. Wills has also started an Instagram account displaying the saint of the game after the Notre Dame basketball chaplain Fr. Pete McCormick, C.S.C (famous voice of the 3rd quarter ‘Call to Mass’) encouraged him to. Fans can follow @PrayLikeAChampionToday on Instagram to know which saint will hopefully intercede for the Irish for the upcoming matchup. 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 once again with the 2028 class after landing two back-to-back best classes we've seen in a generation. We have not 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. As impressive as it is, Marcus Freeman and staff were able to top that in back-to-back classes; in fact, some say the 2026 and 2027 classes are the two best in program history. Below are the 2028 Big Board Defensive Talents that Notre Dame has their eyes on: Edge Asher Ghioto (5-star) 6-5, 250lbs out of The Bolles School in Jacksonville, Florida. He is ranked by 247 Sports Composite as 3rd overall nationally and 1st overall at the defensive line position. He holds 63 D1 offers. Cassell Cruickshank (5-star) 6-6, 230lbs out of E.E. Smith High School in Fayetteville, North Carolina. He is ranked by 247 Sports Composite as the 8th overall nationally and 2nd overall at the Edge position. He holds 40 D1 offers. Antonio Thomas Jr. (5-star) 6-3, 240lbs out of Carrollwood Day High School in Tampa, Florida. He is ranked by 247 Sports Composite as the 14th overall nationally and 3rd overall at the Edge position. He holds 47 D1 offers. Jalanie George (4-star) 6-5, 250lbs out of Desert Edge High School in Goodyear, Arizona. He is ranked by 247 Sports as 21st overall nationally and 5th overall at the defensive line position. He holds 35 D1 offers. Landen Wade (5-star) 6-5, 250lbs out of Basha High School in Chandler, Arizona. He is ranked by 247 Sports Composite as the 22nd overall nationally and 6th overall at the Edge position. He holds 21 D1 offers. Kameron McGee (5-star) 6-4, 245lbs out of Brother Rice High School in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. He is ranked by 247 Sports Composite as the 25th overall nationally and 7th overall at the Edge position. He holds 44 D1 offers. Jayden Bell (4-star) 6-4, 210lbs out of Brother Rice High School in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. He is ranked by 247 Sports Composite as the 33rd overall nationally and 8th overall at the Edge position. He holds 39 D1 offers. Cam Toomey (4-star) 6-4, 245lbs out of Saratoga Springs High School in Saratoga, New York. He is ranked by 247 Sports Composite as the 47th overall nationally and 9th overall at the Edge position. He holds 26 D1 offers. Major Stokes (4-star) 6-6, 240lbs out of Orem High School in Orem, Utah. He is ranked by 247 Sports Composite as the 54th overall nationally and 11th overall at the Edge position. He holds 32 D1 offers. Keoni Snipes (4-star) 6-5, 250lbs out of Saraland High School in Saraland, Alabama. He is ranked by 247 Sports Composite as the 94th overall nationally and 12th overall at the defensive line position. He holds 35 D1 offers. Merrick Ham (4-star) 6-5, 235lbs out of Marietta High School in Marietta, Georgia. He is ranked by 247 Sports Composite as the 123rd overall nationally and 15th overall at the Edge position. He holds 26 D1 offers. Asa Burch (4-star) 6-5, 235lbs out of Harding High School in Warren, Ohio. He is ranked by 247 Sports Composite as the 130th overall nationally and 16th overall at the Edge position. He holds 23 D1 offers. Jeremiah Figaro (4-star) 6-5, 210lbs out of Dexter Southfield High School in Brookline, Massachusetts. He is ranked by 247 Sports Composite as the 233rd overall nationally and 21st overall at the Edge position. He holds 32 D1 offers. Merrick Ham (4-star) 6-5, 235lbs out of Marietta High School in Marietta, Georgia. He is ranked by 247 Sports Composite as the 123rd overall nationally and 15th overall at the Edge position. He holds 26 D1 offers. Want the inside scoop on all things Notre Dame? Subscribe to Tribune+ today! Defensive Line Kellan Hall (5-star) 6-4, 265lbs out of Christian Academy of Louisville in Louisville, Kentucky. He is ranked by 247 Sports Composite as 2nd overall nationally and 1st overall at the defensive line position. He holds 27 D1 offers. Tyzon Swann (5-star) 6-4, 250lbs out of Henry E. Lackey High School in Indian Head, Maryland. He is ranked by 247 Sports Composite as the 10th overall nationally and 2nd overall at the defensive line position. He holds 49 D1 offers. Prince Che (5-star) 6-3, 305lbs out of Thomas County Central High School in Thomasville, Georgia. He is ranked by 247 Sports Composite as the 18th overall nationally and 3rd overall at the defensive line position. He holds 38 D1 offers. RJ Wyms (4-star) 6-1, 255lbs out of College Park High School in The Woodlands, Texas. He is ranked by 247 Sports Composite as the 57th overall nationally and 6th overall at the defensive line position. He holds 32 D1 offers. Simon Nuamah (4-star) 6-3, 260lbs out of Tabor Academy in Marion, Massachusetts. He is ranked by 247 Sports Composite as the 62nd overall nationally and 7th overall at the defensive line position. He holds 22 D1 offers. Christian Webb-Scott (4-star) 6-6, 260lbs out of Westside High School in Anderson, South Carolina. He is ranked by 247 Sports Composite as 79th overall nationally and 8th overall at the defensive line position. He holds 41 D1 offers. Ayden Woodruff (4-star) 6-5, 280lbs out of Ravenwood High School in Brentwood, Tennessee. He is ranked by 247 Sports Composite as the 124th overall nationally and 15th overall at the defensive line position. He holds 33 D1 offers. Caleb Tucker (4-star) 6-3, 355lbs out of Mount Carmel in Chicago, Illinois. He is ranked by 247 Sports Composite as the 147th overall nationally and 18th overall at the defensive line position. He holds 24 D1 offers. Dawson Jacobs (4-star) 6-3, 240lbs out of Blessed Trinity Catholic in Roswell, Georgia. He is ranked by 247 Sports Composite as 179th overall nationally and 21st overall at the defensive line position. He holds 41 D1 offers. Zylen Little (4-star) 6-2, 300lbs out of Carrollwood Day High School in Tampa, Florida. He is ranked by 247 Sports as 186th overall nationally and 22nd overall at the defensive line position. He holds 31 D1 offers. Jamir Lee (4-star) 6-2, 275lbs out of Carrollton High School in Carrollton, Georgia. He is ranked by 247 Sports as 237th overall nationally and 26th overall at the defensive line position. He holds 31 D1 offers. Arthur Jones (4-star) 6-3, 250lbs out of Christian Brothers Academy in Syracuse, New York. He is ranked by 247 Sports Composite as the 285th overall nationally and 31st overall at the defensive line position. He holds 23 D1 offers. Linebacker Tahj Gray (5-star) 6-4, 230lbs out of St. Joseph Regional High School in Montvale, New Jersey. He is ranked by 247 Sports Composite as the 24th overall nationally and 1st overall at the linebacker position. He holds 32 D1 offers. Jameer Miles (4-star) 6-3, 200lbs out of Carmel Catholic High School in Mundelein, Illinois. He is ranked by 247 Sports Composite as the 52nd overall nationally and 3rd overall at the linebacker position. He holds 15 D1 offers. Andre Alexander Jr. (4-star) 6-1, 220lbs out of IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida. He is ranked by 247 Sports Composite as the 77th overall nationally and 4th overall at the linebacker position. He holds 33 D1 offers. Gabriel Player (4-star) 6-3, 190lbs out of Eau Gallie High School in Melbourne, Florida. He is ranked by 247 Sports Composite as the 93rd overall nationally and 6th overall at the linebacker position. He holds 47 D1 offers. Ryan Peterson (4-star) 6-1, 220lbs out of Hough High School in Cornelius, North Carolina. He is ranked by 247 Sports Composite as the 125th overall nationally and 7th overall at the linebacker position. He holds 31 D1 offers. Brayden Bonik (4-star) 6-1, 195lbs out of Fort Bend Ridge Point High School in Missouri City, Texas. He is ranked by 247 Sports Composite as the 158th overall nationally and 10th overall at the linebacker position. He holds 45 D1 offers. Allen Kennett V (4-star) 6-1, 220lbs out of Servite High School in Anaheim, California. He is ranked by 247 Sports Composite as the 206th overall nationally and 15th overall at the linebacker position. He holds 20 D1 offers. Skylar Alston (4-star) 6-2, 210lbs out of Cardinal Gibbons High School in Raleigh, North Carolina. He is ranked by 247 Sports Composite as the 215th overall nationally and 17th overall at the linebacker position. He holds 38 D1 offers. Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle Cornerback Nasir Richardson (5-star) 6-1, 165lbs out of Malcolm X Shabazz High School in Newark, New Jersey. He is ranked by 247 Sports Composite as the 11th overall nationally and 1st overall at the cornerback position. He holds 26 D1 offers. Keaton Fields (5-star) 6-3, 185lbs out of Hamilton High School in Chandler, Arizona. He is ranked by 247 Sports as 15th overall nationally and 2nd overall at the position. He holds 30 D1 offers. Tyler Boyd (5-star) 6-0, 190lbs out of Carrollton High School in Carrollton, Georgia. He is ranked by 247 Sports Composite as the 34th overall nationally and 4th overall at the cornerback position. He holds 43 D1 offers. Jai'lil Goley (4-star) 6-1, 175lbs out of Gainesville High School in Gainesville, Georgia. He is ranked by 247 Sports Composite as the 38th overall nationally and 5th overall at the cornerback position. He holds 37 D1 offers. Logan Thompson (4-star) 6-0, 175lbs out of Althoff High School in Belleville, Illinois. He is ranked by 247 Sports Composite as the 43rd overall nationally and 6th overall at the cornerback position. He holds 20 D1 offers. Grayden Reid (4-star) 6-3, 185lbs out of Atherton High School in Louisville, Kentucky. He is ranked by 247 Sports Composite as the 58th overall nationally and 7th overall at the cornerback position. He holds 37 D1 offers. Langston Pridgeon (4-star) 6-2, 175lbs out of DeMatha Catholic High School in Hyattsville, Maryland. He is ranked by 247 Sports Composite as the 89th overall nationally and 8th overall at the cornerback position. He holds 35 D1 offers. Adrian Woodward (4-star) 6-0, 170lbs out of St Peter's Prep in Jersey City, New Jersey. He is ranked by 247 Sports Composite as the 104th overall nationally and 9th overall at the cornerback position. He holds 37 D1 offers. Izayah Vickers (4-star) 6-0, 170lbs out of Florida State University School in Tallahassee, Florida. He is ranked by 247 Sports Composite as the 107th overall nationally and 10th overall at the cornerback position. He holds 21 D1 offers. Deonte Fleming Jr. (4-star) 6-3, 190lbs out of McDowell High School in Erie, Pennsylvania. He is ranked by 247 Sports Composite as the 114th overall nationally and 11th overall at the cornerback position. He holds 14 D1 offers. Phoenix Evans (4-star) 5-10, 160lbs out of IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida. He is ranked by 247 Sports Composite as the 188th overall nationally and 13th overall at the cornerback position. He holds 46 D1 offers. Amir Woodward (4-star) 6-0, 165lbs out of St Peter's Prep in Jersey City, New Jersey. He is ranked by 247 Sports Composite as the 126th overall nationally and 14th overall at the cornerback position. He holds 37 D1 offers. Nekhi Lambeth (4-star) 6-0, 175lbs out of Desert Edge High School in Goodyear, Arizona. He is ranked by 247 Sports as 166th overall nationally and 17th overall at the cornerback position. He holds 20 D1 offers. Safeties Casey Barner (5-star) 6-0, 190lbs out of McEachern High School in Powder Springs, Georgia. He is ranked by 247 Sports Composite as the 5th overall nationally and 1st overall at the safety position. He holds 54 D1 offers. James Foster III (5-star) 6-1, 195lbs out of Lancaster High School in Lancaster, Texas. He is ranked by 247 Sports Composite as the 20th overall nationally and 2nd overall at the safety position. He holds 43 D1 offers. Giovanni Tuggle (4-star) 6-0, 175lbs out of Winder-Barrow High School in Winder, Georgia. He is ranked by 247 Sports Composite as the 56th overall nationally and 4th overall at the safety position. He holds 22 D1 offers. Jaylyn Easterling-Flores (4-star) 6-2, 180lbs out of Desert Edge High School in Goodyear, Arizona. He is ranked by 247 Sports Composite as the 59th overall nationally and 5th overall at the safety position. He holds 35 D1 offers. CJ Craig-James (4-star) 6-3, 185lbs out of Parker High School in Birmingham, Alabama. He is ranked by 247 Sports Composite as the 73rd overall nationally and 7th overall at the safety position. He holds 45 D1 offers. Jalen Flowers (4-star) 6-2, 185lbs out of Palos Verdes High School in Palos Verdes Peninsula, California. He is ranked by 247 Sports Composite as the 84th overall nationally and 8th overall at the safety position. He holds 36 D1 offers. Athletes Kamieon Compton-Nero (5-star) 6-3, 185lbs out of Rejoice Christian High School in Owasso, Oklahoma. He is ranked by 247 Sports as 48th overall nationally and 1st overall at the ATH position. He holds 36 D1 offers. Grant Bowen (5-star) 6-4, 220lbs out of Immaculate Conception High School in Elmhurst, Illinois. He is ranked by 247 Sports as 51st overall nationally and 2nd overall at the ATH position. He holds 33 D1 offers. Dion Edwards (4-star) 6-0, 160lbs out of Tyner Academy in Chattanooga, Tennessee. He is ranked by 247 Sports as 98th overall nationally and 5th overall at the ATH position. He holds 18 D1 offers. Camden Noe (4-star) 6-4, 215lbs out of Portage Central High School in Portage, Michigan. He is ranked by 247 Sports as 120th overall nationally and 6th overall at the ATH position. He holds 13 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. 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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Notre Dame looks to continue to strike lightning once again with the 2028 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 Weis 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 back-to-back classes; in fact, some say the 2026 and 2027 classes are the two best in program history. Below are the 2028 Big Board Offensive Talents that Notre Dame has their eyes on: Want the inside scoop on all things Notre Dame? Subscribe to Tribune+ today! Running Back Kevin Hartsfield (4-star) 6-0, 210lbs out of Newton High School in Covington, Georgia. He is ranked by 247 Sports Composite as 35th overall nationally and 1st overall at the running back position. He holds 47 D1 offers Zaiden Jernigan (4-star) 5-11, 205lbs out of Louisville High School in Louisville, Mississippi. He is ranked by 247 Sports Composite as 51st overall nationally and 2nd overall at the running back position. He holds 23 D1 offers. Currently scheduled to visit Notre Dame Nov. 7th (Miami Game) Micah Rhodes (4-star) 5-9.5, 180lbs out of Klein Oak High School in Spring, Texas. He is ranked by 247 Sports Composite as 119th overall nationally and 8th overall at the running back position. He holds 34 D1 offers. Xander Edwards (4-star) 6-2, 220lbs out of The Bolles School in Jacksonville, Florida. He is ranked by 247 Sports Composite as the 117th overall nationally and 7th overall at the running back position. He holds 38 D1 offers. Acely Brown (4-star) 6-0, 190lbs out of Petal High School in Petal, Mississippi. He is ranked by 247 Sports Composite as 104th overall nationally and 6th overall at the running back position. He holds 19 D1 offers. Elijah Cromwell (4-star) 5-11, 180lbs out of Cherry Creek High School in Englewood, Colorado. He is ranked by 247 Sports Composite as 167th overall nationally and 11th overall at the running back position. He holds 22 D1 offers. Jayshawn Mitchell (4-star) 5-11, 195lbs out of San Antonio Brennan High School in San Antonio, Texas. He is ranked by 247 Sports Composite as 250th overall nationally and 18th overall at the running back position. He holds 25 D1 offers. Tahmere Brown (4-star) 5-11, 188lbs out of The Pennington School in Pennington, New Jersey. He is ranked by 247 Sports Composite as 169th overall nationally and 12th overall at the running back position. He holds 19 D1 offers. Wide Receiver Brysen Wright (4-star) 6-4, 215lbs out of Mandarin High School in Jacksonville, Florida. He is ranked by 247 Sports Composite as 1st overall nationally and 1st overall at the wide receiver position. He holds 32 D1 offers. Jaylen Addai (4-star) 6-1, 170lbs out of Shadow Creek High School in Pearland, Texas. He is ranked by 247 Sports Composite as 12th overall nationally and 3rd overall at the wide receiver position. He holds 43 D1 offers. Madoxx Davis (4-star) 5-10, 190lbs out of Cartersville High School in Cartersville, Georgia. He is ranked by 247 Sports Composite as 23rd overall nationally and 5th overall at the wide receiver position. He holds 41 D1 offers. Deandre Bidden (4-star) 5-11, 170lbs out of Harper Woods High School in Harper Woods, Michigan. He is ranked by 247 Sports Composite as the 22nd overall nationally and 6th overall at the wide receiver position. He holds 30 D1 offers. Lorenzo McMullen Jr. (4-star) 6-0, 185lbs out of Princeton High School in Cincinnati, Ohio. He is ranked by 247 Sports Composite as the 29th overall nationally and 7th overall at the wide receiver position. He holds 30 D1 offers. Malachi Lee (4-star) 6-2, 185lbs out of Loudon Sports Academy in Leesburg, Virginia. He is ranked by 247 Sports Composite as the 38th overall nationally and 8th overall at the wide receiver position. He holds 33 D1 offers. Troman Isaac Jr. (4-star) 5-11, 175lbs out of Chaminade-Madonna High School in Hollywood, Florida. He is ranked by 247 Sports Composite as the 88th overall nationally and 12th overall at the wide receiver position. He holds 38 D1 offers. Tyree Mannings Jr. (4-star) 6-0, 175lbs out of Venice High School in Venice, Florida. He is ranked by 247 Sports Composite as the 93rd overall nationally and 13th overall at the wide receiver position. He holds 23 D1 offers. Zyren Menor (4-star) 6-0, 180lbs out of Bishop Gorman High School in Las Vegas, Nevada. He is ranked by 247 Sports Composite as the 95th overall nationally and 14th overall at the wide receiver position. He holds 15 D1 offers. Derrell Hines Jr. (4-star) 6-1, 175lbs out of Carrollwood Day High School in Tampa, Florida. He is ranked by 247 Sports Composite as the 98th overall nationally and 15th overall at the wide receiver position. He holds 36 D1 offers. Jayce Halasz (4-star) 6-2, 175lbs out of Graham-Kapowsin High School in Graham, Washington. He is ranked by 247 Sports Composite as the 130th overall nationally and 17th overall at the wide receiver position. He holds 15 D1 offers. Tight End JC Wessel (4-star) 6-6, 225lbs out of The Bolles School in Jacksonville, Florida. He is ranked by 247 Sports Composite as 131st overall nationally and 5th overall at the tight end position. He holds 29 D1 offers. Braxton Rein (4-star) 6-6, 230lbs out of Baylor High School in Chattanooga, Tennessee. He is ranked by 247 Sports Composite as the 142nd overall nationally and 7th overall at the tight end position. He holds 30 D1 offers. Theo Schott (4-star) 6-4, 210lbs out of Zionsville High School in Zionsville, Indiana. He is ranked by 247 Sports Composite as the 246th overall nationally and 10th overall at the tight end position. He holds 35 D1 offers. Tre Oiler (4-star) 6-6, 220lbs out of Arrowhead High School in Hartland, Wisconsin. He is ranked by 247 Sports Composite as the 274th overall nationally and 11th overall at the tight end position. He holds 32 D1 offers. Jack McNamara (4-star) 6-5, 235lbs out of Brother Rice High School in Chicago, Illinois. He is ranked by 247 Sports Composite as 337th overall nationally and 16th 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 Maui Tonata (5-star) 6-5, 315lbs out of Orem High School in Orem, Utah. He is ranked by 247 Sports 17th overall nationally and 1st overall at the interior offensive line position. He holds 29 D1 offers. Joseph Frierdich (4-star) 6-7, 260lbs out of Carbondale High School in Carbondale, Illinois. He is ranked by 247 Sports Composite as 67th overall nationally and 9th overall at the offensive tackle position. He holds 13 D1 offers. Austin Attalah (4-star) 6-8, 270lbs out of Cajon High School in San Bernardino, California. He is ranked by 247 Sports Composite as 30th overall nationally and 3rd overall at the offensive tackle position. He holds 31 D1 offers. Joey Fleming (4-star) 6-5, 280lbs out of Huntsville High School in Huntsville, Alabama. He is ranked by 247 Sports Composite as 37th overall nationally and 4th overall at the offensive tackle position. He holds 22 D1 offers. Wyatt VanBoening (4-star) 6-7, 280lbs out of Carmel Catholic High School in Mundelein, Illinois. He is ranked by 247 Sports Composite as 80th overall nationally and 11th overall at the offensive tackle position. He holds 16 D1 offers. Lincoln Fa'alafi (4-star) 6-8, 360lbs out of JSerra Catholic High School in Rancho Santa Margarita, California. He is ranked by 247 Sports Composite as the 91st overall nationally and 12th overall at the offensive tackle position. He holds 13 D1 offers. King Pitts (4-star) 6-4, 270lbs out of Kapa'a High School in Kapa'a, Hawaii. He is ranked by 247 Sports Composite as 242nd overall nationally and 15th overall at the ATH position. He holds 43 D1 offers. Ben Coleman (4-star) 6-4, 285lbs out of Providence Catholic High School in New Lenox, Illinois. He is ranked by 247 Sports Composite as 321st overall nationally and 31st overall at the offensive tackle position. He holds 10 D1 offers. Apisai Fifta (4-star) 6-6, 220lbs out of Oaks Christian High School in Westlake Village, California. He is ranked by 247 Sports Composite as 443rd overall nationally and 37th overall at the offensive tackle position. He holds 10 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. Check out our Irish partners: TMPR Sports - Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle here! Legion of the Leprechaun - Join the #1 Notre Dame fan community on Facebook today!

The new 150,000-square-foot facility is over 50% larger than the 'Gug.' Photo via Notre Dame Athletics In the spring of 2024, Notre Dame Athletics announced the construction of a new, state-of-the-art football facility. The facility was named Shields Family Hall, after a generous donation by Jack and Kathy Shields. Legendary Irish football player Pat Eilers also contributed among multiple other donors who had wished to remain anonymous. Want the inside scoop on all things Notre Dame? Subscribe to Tribune+ today! The first segment of the facility, the Patrick Kramer Dining Room, was unveiled in early July. The Dining Hall features an exciting and innovative dining experience for the student-athletes. On July 24th, Notre Dame unveiled the next sector of Shields Family Hall. The Keith and Janet Sherin Locker Room and Pat and Jana Eilers Performance Center were revealed to players and fans alike. The Sherin Locker Room features new amenities such as upgraded player locker decals, leather-stitching chairs, a gaming room, and even a designated barbershop. Notre Dame Football’s social media displayed the players visibly shocked at the countless upgrades they received. Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle Next, the new Pat and Jana Eilers Performance Center features a more modern display of weights along with an area designated for speed work. On July 31st, Notre Dame Football unveiled the remainder of Shields Family Hall. Stadium Bricks The famous bricks enclosing Notre Dame Stadium are featured throughout the interior of Shields Family Hall. Campus Architecture The Shields Family Hall architecture blends in seamlessly with the neo-gothic campus style of Notre Dame. Each corner tells a story. Golden Dome and Founder’s Lines The famous and distinct Golden Dome is intertwined throughout the facility. In fact, the new updated player locker decals have “custom quilted navy leather with gold accent stitching in each player’s locker”. The iconic ‘Founder’s Lines’ found in Notre Dame's end zones are also seen throughout the locker room. Gold Helmet The legendary gold from the Irish football helmets is found almost everywhere throughout the facility. Coaching History A designated wall displays the complete history of Notre Dame Football helmets. National Championships are indicated with a golden shamrock next to the coach's name. 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!

Now that the 2026 football season is just over a month away, it is time to take a look at this new Notre Dame football roster. To start, let's take a look at the most important position, the quarterback. Going into 2026, the QB position at Notre Dame has never been in a better spot than it is now. For years, Notre Dame fans grew frustrated with inconsistent play and a talent level that did not live up to the extremely high expectations of Notre Dame football. Although the position did deliver fan favorites like Ian Book and Riley Leonard, QBs at Notre Dame seemed limited in their ability to elevate a team. Now, those problems seem to be an element of the past, as CJ Carr returns as one of the best players in the country at the position. Want the inside scoop on all things Notre Dame? Subscribe to Tribune+ today! Starter CJ Carr There is no question that Carr is the starter heading into next season. At this time last year, he was still in the middle of a hotly contested QB battle with now Kentucky starter Kenny Minchey. After a successful season in 2025, Carr is now one of the most highly touted QBs in the country. With lofty expectations, Carr will have the eyes of the entire country on him, watching to see if he lives up to the hype. Luckily for him, he has a tremendous supporting cast to help him along the way. He will first be protected by what could be one of the best offensive lines in college football. To add to that, he has a lot of returning weapons on the outside, reinforced by two new, exciting receivers from Ohio State. Coming out of summer camp, the noise circling Carr was focused on the deep understanding and command he now has of this offense. With a year of experience, Carr should be able to rely on his impressive mind for the game much more than his quality arm talent. With both working, there should be a noticeable improvement in his play from last season. Last Season's Stats: 195 Pass Completions | 2,741 Passing Yards | 24 TD | 6 Interceptions Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle Backups Blake Hebert Going into his second season with the team, Hebert is likely the second-string QB in the Notre Dame depth chart. With two freshmen behind him, he has the second most experience working with Denbrock out of the entire QB room. While he may not have any elite traits to lean on, Hebert is a natural and fluid passer. In his spring game reps, he looked comfortable and in control of the pocket, proving he is capable of operating an offense. With even more time in Denbrock's system, that level of comfort and knowledge of the offense should only continue to grow. If he is called upon this season, there will be a step down from Carr, but he has shown glimpses of his ability to operate this Fighting Irish offense. Noah Grubbs Grubbs arrives at Notre Dame as a four-star freshman QB who will likely spend his first year on the scout team, learning the ins and outs of college football. Standing at 6'4", Grubbs has the prototypical size to become an elite pocket-passer. He combines that size with underrated athleticism, making him a dangerous playmaker in play-action and improvisational situations. Grubbs does have a lot to work on, however, as he needs to improve his overall arm strength and decision-making. Grubbs is at his best when he is in situations to add touch on the ball, lacking the arm strength to thread balls into tight spaces. Luckily for Grubbs, he will have the time and coaching necessary to continue to improve on these aspects of his game. In time, he may become a candidate to be the conductor of the Notre Dame offense in the future. Teddy Jarrard Outside of Carr, Jarrard may be the most exciting part of this QB room's future. Originally a 2027 prospect, Jarrard reclassified to the 2026 class, starting his college development a year early. Jarrard and Notre Dame surely hope that this decision will fast-track him into contending for a starting spot once Carr decides to head to the NFL. Jarrard is a tall pocket-passer who thrives when he is in rhythm. With fluid and clean mechanics, Jarrard is able to consistently get the ball off on time and on target. He does not project to be an above-average athlete, so he will likely do his damage from the pocket, where he can pick apart a defense with his elite placement. 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? 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On July 28th, Notre Dame Athletics struck a jersey patch deal with finance company SoFi Technologies. The multiyear partnership, rumored to be in the neighborhood of $18 million-$20 million, will be the most valuable patch deal in college sports, according to ESPN. Photo via Notre Dame Athletics Unsurprisingly, the shocking announcement upset many Irish fans, including myself. Many didn’t expect the tradition-rich Notre Dame program to cheapen its immortal brand with sponsorships. One of the most defining features of Notre Dame Stadium is the absence of sponsorships, which I would have expected to also include the legendary blue and gold threads the student-athletes don. Several fanatics expressed strongly worded testaments alluding to the sponsorship: “It's short for SoFightingIrishAreForSale” - Cover3shell via Reddit “Notre Dame putting SoFi on the jersey is like seeing Michelangelo sign the Sistine Chapel with Brought to you by TurboTax.” - Jimmygards via X Want the inside scoop on all things Notre Dame? Subscribe to Tribune+ today! While some expressed a rather harsh outlook, other fans expressed a more mundane outlook over the situation, with several expressing how the jersey patch sponsorship revenue is necessary to compete in today's day and age. “I'm not a big fan of all these patches and stuff to college football, but these are the current times we are living in, and if it helps us open the NIL budget a bit more, I am okay with it.” - Skadoodle32 via X “The size of a sponsorship isn’t a participation trophy—it’s a reflection of brand value. Notre Dame understands that, and so does SoFi. That’s why Notre Dame is one of the top finance schools in the country.” - DerbySuperfecta via X “This is what is meant when they say ND is a conference unto itself. I hate jersey patches on principle, but if it's gonna be done, don't sell the real estate cheap.” - Lesslikely via Reddit Use code "IrishTribune20" to get $20 off your officially-licensed Notre Dame pickleball paddle I understand that Notre Dame must adapt to truly fit in today's NIL landscape of college sports. However, I am not naive enough to think this new advertisement string will stop at jerseys. It is scary, as a fan, to even consider seeing advertisements plastered across 'The House Rockne Built.' I understand that $18-$20 million is plenty of money. However, is it enough to abandon our morals and principles? The exclusive and protective nature of the brand is the reason why Notre Dame is one of the most valuable programs in all of college football. Perhaps we should take notes from former athletics directors such as Father Joyce C.S.C and Jack Swarbrick by keeping the brand exclusive. The most storied programs in college football are not a sign off the interstate. We are not an advertisement. We are a living, breathing, thriving continuation of what Rockne, Leahy, Paraseghian, Holtz, and Freeman built, along with driven student-athletes. Never cheapen the program. 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!