
Notre Dame Fighting Irish (@NDFootball)
Vegas Win Total: 11.5 | Proj: 11 - 1 (#2) | SOS: (#64)

Notre Dame enters spring 2026 as the #2 power-rated program in the country with 15 returning starters and what may be the most complete roster Marcus Freeman has assembled — anchored by a defense where Leonard Moore, Tae Johnson, Adon Shuler, and incoming true freshman Joey O'Brien form a secondary that is, by most evaluations, best-in-class nationally, backed by a DL pairing of Boubacar Traore and Francis Brewu that both graded top-10 per PFF in 2025. CJ Carr (2,741 yds, 24 TD) is the unquestioned program cornerstone — studying Stafford film this offseason and working this spring on the one thing holding the offense back from elite status: red zone efficiency. The biggest current question mark is the skill position depth, particularly with portal WR Quincy Porter out this spring injured and an inexperienced RB room headlined by Aneyas Williams; Mylan Graham's emergence is the most encouraging counter-signal. Freeman's 'leave no doubt' mandate — born directly from the 2025 CFP snub — is not rhetoric: Notre Dame is projected as a favorite in all 12 games, opens at neutral-site Lambeau Field against Wisconsin, and has the roster construction (81% blue-chip rate, #2 talent rank) to back the bravado.
Key Storylines
- CJ Carr (2,741 yds, 24 TD in 2025) enters spring as the unquestioned starter; his Stafford film study signals a push toward elite pocket efficiency, with red zone execution specifically flagged by coaches as the primary offensive fix this spring
- Portal WR Quincy Porter (Ohio State) is out this spring injured, delaying evaluation of the most significant new skill-position addition — Jordan Faison, Jaden Greathouse, and the fast-twitch Mylan Graham are absorbing the extra reps
- Marcus Freeman is channeling the 2025 CFP snub — 'We left doubt' — into a 'leave no doubt' mandate for 2026; Notre Dame is projected to be favored in all 12 games, opening at neutral-site Lambeau Field against Wisconsin
- OL reshaped heading into fall: Will Black assuming the starting OT role and Anthonie Knapp shifting to OG — Freeman is doubling down on the OL/DL identity as the program's core competitive advantage
- The defensive secondary is stacking credentials: Leonard Moore (5 INT), Tae Johnson (4 INT, pick-six vs. Pitt), Adon Shuler, and true freshman Joey O'Brien (drawing Kyle Hamilton comparisons) give Notre Dame what may be the deepest DB group in college football
Injury & Availability Flags
- Quincy Porter (WR, portal in from Ohio State) — out this spring recovering from an unspecified injury; fall availability not yet confirmed
- Cooper Flanagan (TE) — returning from Achilles injury; working back into the rotation as a blocker/short-yardage option
| Date | Matchup | Spread | Total | Result | O/U | Cover |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sun 9/6 | Notre Dame vs Wisconsin | -16.5 | 46.5 | — | — | — |
| Sat 9/12 | Notre Dame vs Rice | -35 | — | — | — | — |
| Sat 9/19 | Notre Dame vs Michigan State | -29 | — | — | — | — |
| Sat 9/26 | Notre Dame at Purdue | -28 | — | — | — | — |
| Sat 10/3 | Notre Dame at North Carolina | -23 | — | — | — | — |
| Sat 10/10 | Notre Dame vs Stanford | -30 | — | — | — | — |
| Sat 10/17 | Notre Dame at BYU | -9.5 | — | — | — | — |
| — Bye Week — | ||||||
| Sat 10/31 | Notre Dame vs Navy | -28.5 | — | — | — | — |
| Sat 11/7 | Notre Dame vs Miami | -7 | — | — | — | — |
| Sat 11/14 | Notre Dame vs Boston College | -30 | — | — | — | — |
| Sat 11/21 | Notre Dame vs SMU | -16.5 | — | — | — | — |
| Sat 11/28 | Notre Dame at Syracuse | -26 | — | — | — | — |
Schedule Rating: #64
Future 2027 Schedule
| Date | Matchup | Spread | Total | Result | O/U | Cover |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sun 8/31 | Notre Dame at Miami | -2.5L24–27 | 53.5 | L24–27 | U | N |
| — Bye Week — | ||||||
| Sat 9/13 | Notre Dame vs Texas A&M | -7.5L40–41 | 48.5 | L40–41 | O | N |
| Sat 9/20 | Notre Dame vs Purdue | -24.5W56–30 | 51.5 | W56–30 | O | Y |
| Sat 9/27 | Notre Dame at Arkansas | -5.5W56–13 | 64.5 | W56–13 | O | Y |
| Sat 10/4 | Notre Dame vs Boise State | -21.5W28–7 | 63.5 | W28–7 | U | N |
| Sat 10/11 | Notre Dame vs NC State | -23.5W36–7 | 59.5 | W36–7 | U | Y |
| Sat 10/18 | Notre Dame vs USC | -10.5W34–24 | 60.5 | W34–24 | U | N |
| — Bye Week — | ||||||
| Sat 11/1 | Notre Dame at Boston College | -31.5W25–10 | 55.5 | W25–10 | U | N |
| Sat 11/8 | Notre Dame vs Navy | -30.5W49–10 | 54.5 | W49–10 | O | Y |
| Sat 11/15 | Notre Dame at Pittsburgh | -12.5W37–15 | 55.5 | W37–15 | U | Y |
| Sat 11/22 | Notre Dame vs Syracuse | -36.5W70–7 | 51.5 | W70–7 | O | Y |
| Sat 11/29 | Notre Dame at Stanford | -32.5W49–20 | 50.5 | W49–20 | O | N |
2025 Record: 10 - 2 (Ind: 0 - 0)
Spread Record 6 - 6 - 0 | O/U 6 - 6
2025 class: 270 points #12
2024 class: 276 points #10
2023 class: 273 points #12
2022 class: 275 points #6
Average Class Ranking: #9
Average Recruiting Points: 279
Consistent Title Contenders
4 Year Class: #10 - Best: #6 Worst: #12
CFB Crootin Averages
FBS Independents Class: 236 #57
Power 4 Class: 229 #57
FBS Class: 198 #70
2020 class: 252 points #20
2019 class: 260 points #16
2018 class: 269 points #9
2017 class: 251 points #13
Average Class Ranking: #14
Average Recruiting Points: 261
2026 Portal Class #9 - 7 players, 92 Avg
2025 Portal Class #58 - 8 players, 87 Avg
2024 Portal Class #39 - 9 players, 89 Avg
2023 Portal Class #40 - 7 players, 88 Avg
2022 Portal Class #74 - 4 players, 91 Avg
2021 Portal Class #10 - 27 players, 90 Avg
2020 Portal Class NR - players, 0 Avg
2019 Portal Class NR - players, 0 Avg
| Player Name | COMP | ATT | PCT | YDS | TD | INT | YPA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C.J. Carr | 195 | 293 | 67% | 2741 | 24 | 6 | 9.4 |
| Jordan Faison | 1 | 1 | 100% | 40 | 0 | 0 | 40.0 |
| Player Name | CAR | YDS | TD | YPC | LONG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aneyas Williams | 24 | 224 | 5 | 9.3 | 54 |
| Nolan James Jr. | 14 | 37 | 0 | 2.6 | 15 |
| C.J. Carr | 41 | 33 | 3 | 0.8 | 28 |
| Jordan Faison | 1 | -8 | 0 | -8.0 | 0 |
| Player Name | REC | YDS | TD | YPC | LONG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jordan Faison | 49 | 640 | 4 | 13.1 | 54 |
| Micah Gilbert | 9 | 93 | 1 | 10.3 | 26 |
| Mylan Graham (Tr) | 6 | 93 | 0 | 15.5 | 23 |
| Luke Talich | 1 | 84 | 1 | 84.0 | 84 |
| Top Def | Tack | TFL | SACKS | PRESS | PD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Drayk Bowen | 67 | 5 | 4 | 2 | 3 |
| Adon Shuler | 52 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 5 |
| Jaiden Ausberry | 51 | 4 | 2 | 5 | 0 |
| Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa | 48 | 8 | 3 | 5 | 2 |
| Sacks | Tack | TFL | SACKS | PRESS | PD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boubacar Traore | 37 | 10 | 7 | 8 | 0 |
| Drayk Bowen | 67 | 5 | 4 | 2 | 3 |
| Jaylen Sneed | 35 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 0 |
| Keon Keeley (Tr) | 13 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 1 |
| Pass D | Tack | TFL | SACKS | PRESS | PD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Christian Gray | 18 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 10 |
| Leonard Moore | 31 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 |
| Adon Shuler | 52 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 5 |
Overall Returning Production: 73% #32
Offense Returning Production: 67% #77
Defense Returning Production: 79% #5
Notre Dame's Official Roster
2026 Portal Class #9
7 Commits, 92.3 Avg Rating
9% of 2026 Roster from Portal, 8% TY
2026 Talent Rating: 1210.00 #2
Offense Talent #2 | Defense Talent #4
2025 #4 | 2024 #8 | 2023 #8 | 2022 #10
2026 Record: 0 - 0
2026 Conf Record: 0 - 0
Spread: 0 - 0 - 0 | Totals: 0 - 0
2025 Record: 10 - 2
2025 Conf Record: 0 - 0
Spread: 6 - 6 - 0 | Totals: 6 - 6
2024 Record: 14 - 2
2024 Conf Record: 0 - 0
Spread: 13 - 3 - 0 | Totals: 9 - 7
2023 Record: 10 - 3
2023 Conf Record: 0 - 0
Spread: 9 - 3 - 1 | Totals: 9 - 4
Four Year Record: 34 - 7
Four Year Record vs. Spread: 28 - 12 - 1
Four Year Conference Record: 0 - 0
2022 Record: 9 - 4
2022 Conf Record: 1 - 0
Spread: 7 - 6 - 0 | Totals: 8 - 5
2021 Record: 11 - 2
2021 Conf Record: 5 - 0
Spread: 9 - 4 - 0 | Totals: 7 - 6
2020 Record: 10 - 2
2020 Conf Record: 9 - 1
Spread: 6 - 6 - 0 | Totals: 6 - 6
2019 Record: 11 - 2
2019 Conf Record: 0 - 0
Spread: 9 - 4 - 0 | Totals: 5 - 8
Eight Year Record: 75 - 17
Eight Year Record vs. Spread: 59 - 32 - 1
Eight Year Conference Record: 15 - 1
| Notre Dame Recent Bowl History | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Date | Bowl | Matchup | Spread | Total | Result |
| 2024 | CFP Nat'l Title | Notre Dame vs Ohio State | +8.5 | 45.5 | L 23 - 34 |
| 2024 | CFP Semifinal | Notre Dame vs Penn State | +1.5 | 45.5 | W 27 - 24 |
| 2024 | CFP Quarterfinal | Notre Dame vs Georgia | -1.5 | 46.5 | W 23 - 10 |
| 2024 | CFP 1st Round | Notre Dame vs Indiana | -7.0 | 50.0 | W 27 - 17 |
| 2023 | Sun Bowl | Notre Dame vs Oregon State | -5.5 | 40.5 | W 40 - 8 |
| 2022 | Gator Bowl | Notre Dame vs South Carolina | -5.0 | 50.5 | W 45 - 38 |
| 2021 | Fiesta Bowl | Notre Dame vs Oklahoma State | +1.5 | 45.5 | L 35 - 37 |
| 2020 | CFP Semifinal | Notre Dame vs Alabama | +20.0 | 66.0 | L 14 - 31 |
| 2019 | World Bowl | Notre Dame vs Iowa State | -4.0 | 55.0 | W 33 - 9 |
| 2018 | CFP Semifinal | Notre Dame vs Clemson | +10.5 | 58.0 | L 3 - 30 |
| 2017 | Citrus Bowl | Notre Dame vs LSU | +2.0 | 52.0 | W 21 - 17 |
| Teams | Offense PPA | Offense Expl | Offense Success | Offense Pts Per Opp | Avg Start FP | 3rd Down % | 4th Down % | Defense PPA | Defense Expl | Defense Success | Defense Pts Per Opp | Opponent FP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | .36 (4) | 1.44 (3) | 49% (10) | 4.79 (6) | 32.5 (9) | 48% | 55% | .04 (12) | 1.28 (85) | 36% (13) | 2.58 (6) | 26.4 (10) |
| Teams | Offense PPA | Offense Expl | Offense Success | Offense Pts Per Opp | Avg Start FP | 3rd Down % | 4th Down % | Defense PPA | Defense Expl | Defense Success | Defense Pts Per Opp | Opponent FP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | .32 (8) | 1.32 (35) | 47% (22) | 4.8 (5) | 33.2 (8) | 39% | 76% | -.02 (1) | 1.14 (14) | 36% (8) | 2.75 (4) | 25.3 (5) |
More Stats (2025)
| Teams | Games | Possession Time | 1st Downs PG | 3rd Down % | 4th Down % | Penalties PG | Penalty Yds PG | Off TO PG | Def TO PG | TFL PG | Sacks PG | D/ST TDs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 12 | 29:17 | 22.5 | 48% | 55% | 5.5 | 53.1 | 0.8 | 1.9 | 5.8 | 2.8 | 7 |
| Teams | Games | Possession Time | 1st Downs PG | 3rd Down % | 4th Down % | Penalties PG | Penalty Yds PG | Off TO PG | Def TO PG | TFL PG | Sacks PG | D/ST TDs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 16 | 24:34 | 16.8 | 39% | 76% | 4.8 | 42.4 | 0.8 | 1.8 | 4 | 2.1 | 5 |
Overall Stats (2025)
| Teams | Games | PPG | Home | Road | Success Rate | Pts PerOpp | TO | 1stD PG | TotalYds PG | RushYds PG | PassYdsPG | RYPA | Run Rate | Pass Rate | Run Success | Pass Success | Havoc Rate | Total PPA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Offense | 12 | 42 | 44.7 | 38.2 | 49% (10) | 4.79 (6) | 0.8 | 23 | 460 | 204 | 255 | 5.9 | 53% (38) | 45% (95) | 47% (25) | 51% (6) | 13% (36) | .36 (4) |
| 2025 Defense | 12 | 17.6 | 18 | 17 | 36.4% (13) | 2.58 (6) | 1.9 | - | - | - | - | - | 43% (7) | 56% (133) | 38% (20) | 36% (16) | 18% (19) | .04 (12) |
| Teams | Games | PPG | Home | Road | Success Rate | Pts PerOpp | TO | 1stD PG | TotalYds PG | RushYds PG | PassYdsPG | RYPA | Run Rate | Pass Rate | Run Success | Pass Success | Havoc Rate | Total PPA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 Offense | 16 | 36.1 | 33.7 | 46 | 47% (22) | 4.8 (5) | 0.8 | 17 | 341 | 181 | 160 | 6.3 | 53% (46) | 47% (89) | 47% (26) | 47% (21) | 11% (8) | .32 (8) |
| 2024 Defense | 16 | 15.5 | 12 | 18.3 | 36.4% (8) | 2.75 (4) | 1.8 | - | - | - | - | - | 51% (78) | 48% (59) | 43% (73) | 29% (1) | 19% (25) | -.02 (1) |
Run Game Stats (2025)
| Teams | Games | Run Play Rate | Run Play Success | Rush Att PG | Rush Yds PG | Rush Yds Per Att | Rushing TDs | Run Pred Pts Added | OL Yds Per Att | 3rd/4th & Short | Front 7 Havoc | Run Play Explosivness |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Offense | 12 | 53% (38) | 47% (25) | 34.8 | 204.4 | 5.9 | 38 (11) | .25 (11) | 3.05 (50) | 62% (122) | 8% (36) | 1.16 (8) |
| 2025 Defense | 12 | 43% (7) | 38% (20) | - | - | - | - | .04 (37) | 2.74 (39) | 71% (66) | 9% (77) | 0.89 (32) |
| Teams | Games | Run Play Rate | Run Play Success | Rush Att PG | Rush Yds PG | Rush Yds Per Att | Rushing TDs | Run Pred Pts Added | OL Yds Per Att | 3rd/4th & Short | Front 7 Havoc | Run Play Explosivness |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 Offense | 16 | 53% (46) | 47% (26) | 28.6 | 181.3 | 6.3 | 42 (3) | .36 (2) | 3.31 (24) | 73% (71) | 8% (26) | 1.3 (1) |
| 2024 Defense | 16 | 51% (78) | 43% (73) | - | - | - | - | .1 (58) | 2.9 (49) | 67% (29) | 10% (57) | 0.85 (12) |
Pass Game Stats (2025)
| Teams | Games | PassPlay Rate | PassPlay Success | Comp PG | Att PG | Yds PG | Yds PA | Yds PC | TDs | Ints | PassPlays PPA | PassPlays Expl | PassDowns Rate | PassDowns Succ Rate | PassDowns PPA | DB Havoc | PassDowns Expl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Offense | 12 | 45% (95) | 51% (6) | 18.1 | 26.8 | 255.1 | 9.5 | 14.1 | 25 (33) | 6 (34) | .45 (10) | 1.7 (25) | 29% (37) | 44% (2) | .65 (3) | 5% (35) | 2 (65) |
| 2025 Defense | 12 | 56% (133) | 36% (16) | - | - | - | - | - | - | 21 (1) | .09 (8) | 1.6 (93) | 36% (9) | 26% (24) | .17 (17) | 9% (3) | 2.1 (84) |
| Teams | Games | PassPlay Rate | PassPlay Success | Comp PG | Att PG | Yds PG | Yds PA | Yds PC | TDs | Ints | PassPlays PPA | PassPlays Expl | PassDowns Rate | PassDowns Succ Rate | PassDowns PPA | DB Havoc | PassDowns Expl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 Offense | 16 | 47% (89) | 47% (21) | 14.9 | 22.4 | 159.9 | 7.2 | 10.8 | 20 (58) | 6 (10) | .29 (50) | 1.3 (133) | 28% (19) | 32% (58) | .45 (22) | 3% (6) | 2.1 (50) |
| 2024 Defense | 16 | 48% (59) | 29% (1) | - | - | - | - | - | - | 18 (4) | -.15 (1) | 1.6 (67) | 34% (29) | 27% (24) | .1 (2) | 8% (6) | 1.6 (2) |
(4/6) WR J. Faison (leader LY) dropped lacrosse, focused on fball ❌
(4/6) DB's may be best in CFB. LBs/DL top 10 as well ❌
(4/2) WR Mylan Graham twitchy, a diff level than ND WRs ❌
(4/2) OT Will Black starting, Knapp to OG (PFF top 10 OT) ❌
(4/2) QB Carr true leader of team. Best ND QB in 20+ yrs ❌
(4/1) DE Traore + DT Brewu both top 10 via PFF ❌
(2/10) 16 starters back, 2nd in CFB, 8 exp'd depth too ❌
(1/29) DEs talented but need more, DT portals big adds ❌
(1/29) OL great pieces, expecting a lot. RBs inexp'd ❌
(1/28) ? at skill but loaded w talent. Portal WR's help ❌
Overall
Team Info
2025 Record
Ind 0 - 0
5 Year Profile
'26 Profile
Returning Production
From 2025
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Talent Info
Talent Profile
(OC) Mike Denbrock 3
(DC) Chris Ash 2
2026 Schedule
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Top '26 Incoming Portals
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(OC) Mike Denbrock 3
(DC) Chris Ash 2
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Offense
Four Year Offense Pts Per Play
Defense
Four Year Defense Pts Per Play
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Four Year Net Pts Per Play