Predicting the Notre Dame offensive depth chart entering spring practice – An offensive line reshuffle highlights the group
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Notre Dame football is kicking off spring practice this Friday, and the energy is beginning to circulate once again. Head coach Marcus Freeman and the Fighting Irish head into the 2026 college football season with a ton of expectations and championship aspirations. Optimism for this program is as high as it’s been in quite some time.
A big reason for that optimism is the offense many are expecting in South Bend this fall. With so much talent returning, including some potential impact transfer portal and recruiting additions, this unit has a chance to be quite good next season. This is probably the deepest offense that Notre Dame has had on paper in forever.
While the spring will change a lot and set the table for some surprises heading into the season, understanding a baseline is also important. Here is an early look at the offensive depth chart entering spring. It’s going to be fun to see just how much things change.
Quarterbacks
1. CJ Carr (RS So.)
2. Blake Hebert (RS Fr.)
3. Noah Grubbs (Fr.)
Fellow freshman quarterback Teddy Jarrard won’t enroll until the Summer so he was omitted from the exercise for now. The main storyline for this quarterback group isn’t going to be CJ Carr, other than him showing growth. We know that he is going to be the starting quarterback after throwing for 2,741 yards and 24 touchdowns a year ago.
Who backs up Carr is a massive storyline. True freshman Noah Grubb gets an early chance to unseat Blake Hebert for the job. In an ideal world, Notre Dame fans won’t see much of the backup quarterback in 2026 other than some blowout opportunities, but you just never know what’s going to happen.
Running backs
1. Aneyas Williams (Jr.)
2. Nolan James Jr. (RS Fr.)
3. Kedren Young (RS So.)
4. Javian Osborne (Fr.)
5. Jonaz Walton (Fr.)
While most expect Aneyas Williams to start for Notre Dame this fall at running back, Nolan James Jr. and Kedren Young are going to push for substantial playing time this offseason. Add in the two freshmen, and this group has a chance to be a really good one with impressive overall depth.
Pass catchers
X – Micah Gilbert (RS So.)
X – Cam Williams (RS So.)
X – Devin Fitzgerald (Fr.)
Z – Jordan Faison (Sr.)
Z – Mylan Graham (RS So.)
Z – Elijah Burress (RS Fr.)
Slot – Jaden Greathouse (RS Jr.)
Slot – Logan Saldate (RS So.)
Slot – Kaydon Finley (Fr.)
Ohio State transfer Quincy Porter will not be available this spring while he recovers from injury, but he will figure into the boundary wide receiver competition once he does. With him out, expect Micah Gilbert to get a long look at that spot. We should also see a lot of Jordan Faison and Jaden Greathouse, which isn’t a surprise.
Outside of keeping tabs on the other Ohio State transfer Mylan Graham, fans will want to see which young wide receiver makes the biggest impression in this set of practices. My bet is on Kaydon Finley, but the freshman wide receiver class is impressive. There’s a lot to be excited about with that young group.
1. Cooper Flanagan (RS Jr.)
2. James Flanigan (RS Fr.)
3. Ty Washington (RS Sr.)
4. Jack Larsen (RS So.)
It’s going to be great to see Cooper Flanagan back fully healthy. Redshirt freshman James Flanigan is expected to make a substantial jump this offseason. Notre Dame will need him in order for this group to make an impact.
Offensive line
LT – Will Black (RS Fr.)
LT – Styles Prescod (RS So.)
LG – Anthonie Knapp (Jr.)
LG – Chris Terek (RS Jr.)
C – Joe Otting (RS Jr.)
C – Cam Herron (RS Fr.)
RG – Charles Jagusah (RS Jr.)
RG – Sullivan Absher (RS Jr.)
RT – Guerby Lambert (RS So.)
RT – Matty Augustine (RS Fr.)
The biggest piece of news this offseason was two-year starting left tackle Anthonie Knapp moving inside to guard. That makes the room for redshirt freshman Will Black to move out to left tackle, while Guerby Lambert is transitioning to tight tackle as well. Your offensive line just got a lot longer and more talented this offseason.
If Charles Jagusah is able to stay healthy, he has a chance to be a star at right guard. For now, Joe Otting will handle the center duties, and I expect to see Cam Herron get a lot of reps this spring. When Ashton Craig comes back from injury, he will most likely take over as the starting center.
This story was originally published by A to Z Sports on Mar 18, 2026, where it first appeared in the College Football section. Add A to Z Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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