HEAD COACH: MARCUS FREEMAN
RECORD AT NOTRE DAME: 33-10
CAREER RECORD: 33-10
OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR: MIKE DEMBROCK
DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR: CHRIS ASH
STARTERS RETURNING ON OFFENSE: 6
STARTERS RETUNRING ON DEFENSE: 5
2024 RECORD: 14-2
2025 NATIONAL FORECAST: 6
2025 SCHEDULE:
AUG 31 AT MIAMI
SEPT 6 OPEN DATE
SEPT 13 TEXAS A&M
SEPT 20 PURDUE
SEPT 27 AT ARKANSAS
OCT 4 BOISE STATE
OCT 11 NC STATE
OCT 18 USC
OCT 25 OPEN DATE
NOV 1 AT BOSTON COLLEGE
NOV 8 NAVY
NOV 15 AT PITT
NOV 22 SYRACUSE
NOV 29 AT STANFORD
WHAT TO EXPECT ON OFFENSE:
The Fighting Irish will turn to CJ Carr as the starting QB after a very strong spring. Carr has a high IQ and has a strong arm. The more experience he gets, the better he will be. Carr will be helped by a strong rushing attack led by Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price. The duo combined over 1,000 yards and 24 scores in 2024. Love enters a new season as one of the best in the country.
WR Jaden Greathouse was great in the CFP, hauling in passes for 233 yards and three touchdowns. Greathouse will be joined by Virginia transfer Malachi Fields and TE Eli Raridon as the best receiving targets for Carr. The offensive line will be a strength once again with four starters returning.
WHAT TO EXPECT ON DEFENSE:
DC Al Golden departed for the NFL. New coordinator Chris Ash inherits a deep and talented defense led by Sophomore DBs Leonard Moore and Junior Christian Gray. The Fighting Irish return a pair of talented LBs in Drayk Bowen and Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa. The defensive line may be the best in South Bend in several seasons, with DE Joshua Burnham leading the way. They are deep and talented up front.
WHAT TO EXPECT ON SPECIAL TEAMS:
Notre Dame had a rough season in the kicking department with a success rate of only 55.6% in field goal percentage. North Carolina transfer Noah Burnette will hopefully rectify that weakness. Senior James Rendell will handle the punting duties. There is no clear-cut favorite in the return game, but expect Jadarian Price to return kicks and Will Pauling to handle the punt returns.
OUTCOME: All indications tell us the Fighting Irish to make another run at the National Championship game if QB CJ Carr develops as expected. The running game will take the pressure off of Carr, and the offensive line will be another key for Carr. How far this year’s team can go may depend on whether they can improve on offense with OC Mike Denbrock. Opposing coaches could see the most consistent program in South Bend in recent years.
