What We Know About The Notre Dame Offense
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Notre Dame's offense is coming off of a historic 2025 season. They set the modern-day program record in points per game (42.0), yards per play (7.2) and quarterback CJ Carr shattered the program record for passer rating. This season Carr returns along with offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock who is now in his third year with the Irish.
There are some things this offense will have to sort out over the course of the season like how they replace Jeremiyah Love, Jadarian Price, Malachi Fields and a couple of other talented players. But there's a lot of things we do know about this talented group and it starts with the guy calling the plays.
1. We Know Who Mike Denbrock Is
Thankfully, the Fighting Irish offense heads into a season with a lot of continuity. There's continuity under center and on the offensive coaching staff. Between Denbrock and the assistant offensive coaches, everyone returns from last season. We have a strong sample size of what a Denbrock-led offense looks like, especially with Carr in the backfield. We have a strong grasps of the overall concepts he likes to implement and run in the ground attack and passing attack. It's a very, very strong foundation.
2. We Have A Baseline Of Who CJ Carr Is
For the first time in Marcus Freeman's tenure, he has a returning starting quarterback and for the first time since 2020, the Notre Dame fan base has continuity at the position. The 2025 season was eye-opening for the Saline, Michigan native. We know the moment won't be too big for Carr and we have a strong base of knowledge around what his physical and mental tools are. This year, it's about elevating to being one of the best players in the country.
3. We Know What Jordan Faison Is And What Jaden Greathouse Can Be
Contrary to popular belief, Notre Dame does return big game experience at the receiver position. Faison led the team last season in yards and receptions while Greathouse led the team in yards and touchdowns in 2024. Both players have shown out when the lights have been the brightest. Now that we have a full sample size of what Faison looks like when fully healthy, I'm confident in what he brings to the table. The name of the game for Greathouse is remaining healthy, because when he is, he's a difference maker on the field.
4. We Know The Tight Ends Will Block Extremely Well
It doesn't take much digging on film to see what the tight end room brings to the table in the run game. Between senior Cooper Flanagan, sophomore James Flanigan, 5th-year senior Ty Washington and freshman Ian Premer, this room is poised to be a dominant force in the run game. Flanagan and Flanigan (not a law firm) have both put out teach tape on how to be effective as run blockers. Premer is the most complete player from a skillset standpoint in the room while Washington is headed into his second year in this offense.
5. We Know The O-Line And Running Back Room Is Loaded With Talent
Losing Love and Price is a blow, no doubt about that. But what you have to evaluate is what the room is going to be this year, and the outlook is outstanding. Juniors Aneyas Williams and Kedren Young are poised for massive breakouts while the young talent in the room between Nolan James Jr., Jonaz Walton and Javian Osborne is outstanding. There's no shortage of talent in the room, that we can say for certain. Thankfully, they'll be running behind a very stout offensive line.
This is the highest outlook Notre Dame has had in the trenches across the board in quite some time. Juniors Anthonie Knapp and Guerby Lambert are set to anchor this talented unit. Center Ashton Craig returns from injury and is back for his 5th year with the program. Senior Sullivan Absher is stepping into a solidified starting role and talented sophomore Will Black got the nod at left tackle and is expected to raise the ceiling of left tackle play in this offense.
6. We Know The Depth Of Talent Is Oustanding
In years past, the Fighting Irish offense relied heavily on two to three players being the vocal point of the offense. If those players didn't work out, the offense would be in trouble. Thankfully, we can put that narrative behind us because this is an exceptionally deep roster. The receiver room has seven to eight candidates who have the potential to heavily contribute this fall. The tight end room goes four to five players deep while the running back room is loaded with talent.
Are there still questions about this unit? Absolutely, but there isn't an offense, defense or a team in college football that enters this season without questions. What we know about this offense gives us a lot of confidence that they can become what they hope they will be in 2026. If this unit lives up to expectations, they have a shot at being the best offense in the country by season's end.
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