Notre Dame Football: 2026 Fighting Irish Season Preview and Prediction
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Since their College Football Playoff snub, Notre Dame and head coach Marcus Freeman have been on the “Leave No Doubt” tour. Freeman has been relentless in his approach to get his players dialed in to right the wrong of last season. “I need to say, ‘keep the pain’ to get them to remember why we have to struggle and why we have to sacrifice,” Freeman says. “Nothing great is achieved if you don’t have that edge, that motivation to struggle and sacrifice. We have that edge.” The Irish also have a favorable schedule and the firepower to run the table in the regular season.
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Notre Dame Football: 2026 Fighting Irish Season Preview and Prediction
Previewing Notre Dame’s Offense for 2026
With the departure of running backs Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price, quarterback CJ Carr will be the focus following his 2,741 passing yards and 24-to-6 touchdown-to-interception ratio in his debut season. Carr has the accuracy and moxie to mount a Heisman Trophy candidacy.
The Irish have an unusually high number of receivers from which to choose, led by 2025 leading receiver Jordan Faison, 2024 national championship game standout Jaden Greathouse and Micah Gilbert. Ohio State transfers Mylan Graham and Quincy Porter will also be significant factors.
The offensive line features two young rising star tackles in Guerby Lambert and Will Black. Third-year starter Anthonie Knapp shifts to left guard from left tackle. The return to health of center Ashton Craig and guard Charles Jagusah would make this a dynamic front wall.
Running backs Aneyas Williams and Nolan James Jr. won’t match the Love/Price explosiveness, but both have burst and tackle-breaking ability.
Related: Ranking All 138 College Football Teams for 2026
Previewing Notre Dame’s Defense for 2026
Second-year defensive coordinator Chris Ash has a bevy of experience returning on the back seven, where linebackers Drayk Bowen and Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa, cornerback Leonard Moore and safeties Adon Shuler and Brauntae Johnson helped lead the Irish to the nation’s No. 10 scoring defense (17.6 points per game). Notre Dame’s 21 interceptions in 12 games were the fourth-most nationally.
A pair of defensive tackle transfers — powerful Francis Brewu (Pitt) and 6-foot-5, 330-pound Tionne Gray (Oregon) — join forces with returnees Jason Onye and Elijah Hughes. Defensive end Boubacar Traore is set for national acclaim, while Bryce Young should be ready to put it all together. Alabama transfer Keon Keeley, who was committed to Notre Dame before signing with the Crimson Tide, has returned to the Irish fold.
Previewing Notre Dame’s Specialists for 2026
After two seasons of inconsistency, the Irish hope to stabilize their placekicking with former Purdue standout Spencer Porath, who converted 15-of-17 field goals in 2025. For the second time in three years, the Irish have turned to an Australian punter — this time, Jasper Scaife.
National Ranking: 4
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This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Jun 23, 2026, where it first appeared in the College Football section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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