It’s never too early to give a preview for the 2025 Notre Dame football season. The Fighting Irish fell short in the national title game against Ohio State, but there is a lot of optimism around the future of the program under head coach Marcus Freeman.
With Coach Freeman overseeing the program, you can bet that the defense is going to be stellar. The offense is the unit that some will have more skepticism around. Here is an early look into what Mike Denbrock’s group could look like when they take on the Miami Hurricanes next fall.
QUARTERBACK
- CJ Carr (RS Fr)
- Steve Angeli (RS Jr)
- Kenny Minchey (RS So)
There is an epic quarterback battle on the horizon for Notre Dame. Most people have Carr penciled in as the starter, but you shouldn’t underestimate Minchey who may be the most gifted physical talent in the room. Whoever loses that battle could end up being a transfer option, with Angeli bringing a strong baseline as a backup option, similar to what he’s been the last two seasons.
RUNNING BACK
- Jeremiyah Love (Jr)
- Jadarian Price (RS Jr)
- Aneyas Williams (So)
There are two major questions in the running room: Whether Price will be okay with once again being second fiddle, and what kind of jump Kedren Young takes after redshirting this season. If Price does stick around, this could be the top backfield in college football heading into the 2025 season.
WIDE RECEIVER
X – Malachi Fields (Sr)
X – Micah Gilbert (RS Fr)
Z – Jordan Faison (Jr)
Z – Cam Williams (RS Fr)
Slot – Jaden Greathouse (Jr)
Slot – Will Pauling (Sr)
Based on the 2024 season, it should be assumed that Greathouse and Faison will both have important roles next fall. With Fields coming in as a transfer from Virginia, there’s a good chance he will be your difference maker in the boundary. The position placement of KK Smith is a bit of a projection based on Cam Williams. If Williams is able to take a big step this offseason, I can see Notre Dame experimenting with moving Smith around to adequately will out the depth chart.
TIGHT END
- Eli Raridon (SR)
- Cooper Flanagan (Jr)
- Ty Washington (RS Jr)
Notre Dame has high hopes for both Raridon and Flanagan, but each have had some durability concerns during their careers. That means we could get a bit of a committee approach, but there’s also a chance Flanagan asserts himself at the position with a good offseason. That unit is going to have to get more productive without the departed Mitchell Evans.
LEFT TACKLE
- Charles Jagusah (RS So)
- Guerby Lambert (RS Fr)
Will Jagusah keep his home at left tackle or move inside to guard? Either would happen, but there is no reason that he can’t stick outside with his size, flexibility, length, and foot quickness. The biggest question is Lambert, and whether he can make a case to move Jagusah and get the most talented five on the field.
LEFT GUARD
- Billy Schrauth (RS Jr)
- Sullivan Absher (RS So)
Barring another injury, Schrauth has left guard locked down. Absher feels like a player who could backup both guard spots, and also could be in competition for the right guard position this offseason. He’s a bit of a wildcard.
CENTER
- Ashton Craig (RS Jr)
- Joe Otting (RS So)
It sounds like Craig will be back healthy this offseason, and it could be huge for this offensive line. He has a chance to become one of the top centers in all of college football. Craig is that talented.
RIGHT GUARD
- Anthonie Knapp (So)
- Chris Terek (RS So)
Here’s the biggest projection. Knapp will certainly be in the left tackle conversation, but his skill set feels like it does fit better inside. He has a chance to be special inside at guard. It’s not unrealistic to think that he could become a star at this new position.
RIGHT TACKLE
- Aamil Wagner (RS Jr)
- Guerby Lambert (RS Fr)
Wagner is the incumbent at right tackle, but he should be threatened by Lambert this offseason. If Wagner wins, that means the offensive tackle position is in a great spot. A second-year jump would be huge for Wagner, literally.