Offense
The quarterback position will belong to redshirt sophomore CJ Carr. If he has the year, he’s capable of, this could be his last in South Bend. He threw for 2,741 yards, 24 touchdowns, and six interceptions. He will be asked to do more this season and has fantastic pieces around him. He is an early Heisman favorite entering the season.
The running back room losses Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price to the NFL but still have a very solid trio in Aneyas Williams, Kedren Young, and Nolan James Jr. Williams averaged 9.3 yards per carry last season. The additions of true freshmen Jonaz Walton and Javian Osborne could also see action.
The wide receiver room returns production in Jordan Faison, Jaden Greathouse, and Micah Gilbert. Greathouse is returning from injury but was a standout in the 2024 national championship game. The additions of Quincy Porter (Ohio State) and Mylan Graham (Ohio State) provide even more weapons for this unit.
The offensive line room could be the best in college football. Ashton Craig, Joe Otting, Charles Jagusah, Sullivan Abasher, Anthony Knapp, Guerby Lambert, and Chris Terek all have a great deal of experience. Redshirt freshman Will Black could be a future star. There is plenty of other talent as well.
Defense
The defensive line room is loaded with talent. Boubacar Traore, Bryce Young, Jason Onye, Elijah Hughes, and Loghan Thomas all return with experience. The additions of Tionne Gray (Oregon), Francis Brewu (Pittsburgh), and Keon Keeley (Alabama) help make this one of the Top 5 defensive lines in college football.
The linebacker room returns tons of production in Jaiden Ausberry, Drayk Bowen, Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa, Jaylen Sneed, and Madden Faraimo. This is an unbelievable rotation for a 4-2-5 defense. Ausberry, Bowen, and Viliamu-Asa would start for almost any team in the country.
The secondary is the absolute best in college football and could see all five starters drafted within the first three rounds of the 2027 NFL Draft. Leonard Moore (All-American, lockdown corner), Christian Gray, Dallas Golden, Mark Zackery IV, Adon Shular, Luke Talich, and Tae Johnson all have a great deal of experience. he additions of Jayden Sanders (Michigan) and DJ McKinney (Colorado) help make this room elite.
Specialists
Both kicking and punting duties will belong to new players. Purdue transfer Spencer Porath had a fine season last year kicking for the Boilermakers. Punting duties should belong to Aussie Jasper Scaife.
2026 Schedule
- 9/6 vs Wisconsin in Green Bay, WI
- 9/12 Rice
- 9/19 Michigan State
- 9/26 at Purdue
- 10/3 at North Carolina
- 10/10 Stanford
- 10/17 at BYU
- 10/31 vs Navy in Foxborough, MA
- 11/7 Miami
- 11/14 Boston College
- 11/21 SMU
- 11/28 at Syracuse
Final Analysis
Marcus Freeman has a very motivated and very talented team entering the 2026 season. Being left out of the CFP may have created a monster in South Bend. The defense will be elite, and the offense features a quarterback in CJ Carr who could win the Heisman. The Irish will be one of the national championship favorites in 2026.
