Notre Dame football fans are already buzzing about the 2026 season. Head coach Marcus Freeman is at the center of it all, leading the Fighting Irish with big hopes and, honestly, a bit of pressure to chase a championship.
There’s a ton of returning talent, plus some new faces from the transfer portal and fresh recruiting classes. If you ask around South Bend, folks are saying this could be the deepest offense we’ve seen in a long time. Spring practice is here, so let’s poke around the early offensive depth chart and see who’s making noise—and maybe who isn’t.
Quarterback Depth Chart
Redshirt sophomore CJ Carr is the guy under center. Last season, Carr put up 2,741 yards and 24 touchdowns, so expectations are, well, pretty high.
His development is something everyone’s watching, but don’t sleep on the backup battle. True freshman Noah Grubbs and redshirt freshman Blake Hebert are both gunning for that second spot.
Ideally, nobody wants to see too much of the backup, but you never know. Depth matters, especially in college football.
Key Players to Watch
- CJ Carr (RS So.) – The starting quarterback with a stat sheet that turns heads.
- Blake Hebert (RS Fr.) – In the mix for backup duties.
- Noah Grubbs (Fr.) – Freshman with something to prove.
Running Back Depth Chart
Junior Aneyas Williams looks set to be the main guy in the backfield. But it’s not a one-man show—redshirt freshman Nolan James Jr. and redshirt sophomore Kedren Young are right there, pushing for snaps.
Freshmen Javian Osborne and Jonaz Walton are also in the mix. There’s a lot of potential here, and honestly, it’s tough to say who’ll break out just yet.
Key Players to Watch
- Aneyas Williams (Jr.) – The favorite to start, and for good reason.
- Nolan James Jr. (RS Fr.) – After more carries this spring.
- Kedren Young (RS So.) – Wants a bigger role, and might just get it.
Wide Receiver Depth Chart
This receiver group? It’s got some real intrigue. Redshirt sophomores Micah Gilbert and Cam Williams are in the spotlight, and senior Jordan Faison brings some veteran presence.
Ohio State transfer Quincy Porter is still recovering from injury, so his timeline is a bit murky. Over at slot receiver, it’s a battle between redshirt junior Jaden Greathouse, redshirt sophomore Logan Saldate, and freshman Kaydon Finley.
There’s a nice blend of experience and upside here. It’s hard not to get a little excited about what this unit might do.
Key Players to Watch
- Micah Gilbert (RS So.) – Should see plenty of action at boundary receiver.
- Jaden Greathouse (RS Jr.) – Looks like a mainstay in the slot.
- Kaydon Finley (Fr.) – Freshman who could surprise some people.
Tight End Depth Chart
Redshirt junior Cooper Flanagan is back and healthy, which is a big deal for this group. Redshirt freshman James Flanigan is expected to take a leap forward this offseason.
There’s some real optimism around this position—maybe more than folks realize.
Key Players to Watch
- Cooper Flanagan (RS Jr.) – Sets the tone in the tight end room.
- James Flanigan (RS Fr.) – Could be the breakout name here.
Offensive Line Depth Chart
The offensive line is getting a facelift. Two-year starting left tackle Anthonie Knapp is sliding inside to guard, which shakes things up quite a bit.
That means redshirt freshman Will Black is now in line for left tackle, while redshirt sophomore Guerby Lambert moves over to right tackle. Center is a bit of a revolving door for now—redshirt junior Joe Otting is holding it down, but redshirt freshman Cam Herron will get his shot too.
Once Ashton Craig is healthy again, he’ll probably reclaim the starting center gig. This group is taller, more athletic, and has a lot to prove. Maybe that’s a good thing?
Key Players to Watch
- Will Black (RS Fr.) – He’s moving to left tackle, and people are expecting a lot from him.
- Guerby Lambert (RS So.) – Now making the switch over to right tackle.
- Joe Otting (RS Jr.) – For now, he’s the guy snapping the ball at center.
Spring practice is underway, and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish offense is still taking shape. There’s a mix of veterans and fresh faces in the lineup.
The depth chart? It’s probably going to shift a bit as things play out, but there’s definitely some buzz about the offense’s potential. If you want more updates or a deeper dive, you can always check out the full article at A to Z Sports.
- Schools Covered
- College Football Articles
- Men's College Basketball Articles
- Men's College Soccer Articles
- Women's College Basketball Articles
- Olympic Athlete Articles
- Men's College Baseball Articles
- College Sports Media Professionals Articles
- Hall of Fame Member Articles
- Former College Player Articles
- Game Previews
