Notre Dame 2026 Preview

After missing out on the College Football Playoffs in very controversial fashion and rightfully passing up on an opportunity playing in a Bowl game, Notre Dame is going into this 2026 season with a point to prove. While losing a lot of fire power, the Irish have restocked their roster and might actually be the most talented squad this school has seen a long time. There is aspirations to win a national championship this year and anything less is a failure. Marcus Freeman is changing Notre Dame as the culture is suddenly seeing a lot more optimism and gaining more respect than ever before. That being said, lets take a look at the Irish for 2026.

How To Replace Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price

Let's be real, there is no replacing Love and Price as that is one of the best running back tandems ever, especially in Notre Dame history. Those two were just unstoppable and anyone who has to fill their shoes has a lot to live up to. While Love and Price are gone, Notre Dame still has a crop of talented running backs. Offensive Coordinator Mike Denbrock is going to have to change a lot about his offense now that those two are gone as he could rely on both. However, there is the trio in Aneyas Williams, Nolan James, and Kedren Young. Williams had already been a major contributor despite being the RB3, but now he is the guy. James is a talented transfer that will certainly help himself and Williams be more productive. Young is going to be a solid RB3, but how he will be utilized will be fun to see. The only one who knows how use these guys is Denbrock, but the talent is there to replace Love and Price.

CJ Carr

That's it. That's the subject that's needed to be said. Ok, let's get serious here, but Carr is going to be a big talking point going into this season. Carr has been talked about being a Heisman Trophy winner, but without relying on Love and Price, it should be fun to watch to see what he can actually do. This should be a more balanced offense thus making Carr able to show what he is really made of. There should be plenty of options for Carr to rely on and that should help make him excel.

Better Wide Receiving Corps

While last year's group wasn't bad, this season's is going to blow it out of the water. Notre Dame is benefitting from Ohio State having such a deep wide receiving corps that two of them came to South Bend, Mylan Graham and Quincy Porter. But those former Buckeyes only helps bolsters the receiving options as Jaden Greathouse, Jordan Faison, and Micah Gilbert as well as youngsters Jerome Bettis Jr. and Elijah Burress (yes, sons of former NFL players) are there. So they are stacked there.

Cooper Flanagan

Tight ends have been something the school knows how to produce, especially with names such as Cole Kmet, Michael Mayer, Mitchell Evans, and yes, even Eli Raridon. But now, Flanagan has a chance to be one of the best ever. Maybe even better than Tyler Eifert. Flanagan is a talented player and could also be a secret weapon for Carr in this potentially explosive offense.

The Defense Is Stacked

Even with Al Golden now gone, Notre Dame has one of the best defensive units in college. With players such as Adon Shuler, Bryce Young, Jaylen Sneed, Brauntae Johnson, Leonard Moore, Christian Gray, Drayk Bowen, and Boubacar Traore, plus with transfers DJ McKinney and Keon Keeley coming in, they are even more lethal. Chris Ash has done a good job taking over, but with him and Freeman at the helm, the sky is the limit with this group.

Schedule

Game 1: vs Wisconsin (at Green Bay)

Game 2: vs Rice

Game 3: vs Michigan State

Game 4: at Purdue

Game 5: at North Carolina

Game 6: vs Stanford

Game 7: at BYU

Game 8: vs Navy (at Boston)

Game 9: vs Miami (FL)

Game 10: vs Boston College

Game 11: vs SMU

Game 12: at Syracuse

Not a strong schedule by any means, but it isn't easy either. The most difficult games will be against BYU, Miami, and SMU and any losses to any of them could jeopardize the team's chances of making the playoffs. That being said, the Irish should be able to go 12-0

Notable Recruits

CB Khary Adams

DL Rodney Dunham

DL Ebenezer Ewetade

WR Kaydon Finley

TE Preston Fryzel

DL Elijah Golden

QB Noah Grubbs

QB Teddy Jarrard

OL Grayson McKeogh

OL Ben Nichols

S Joey O'Brien

RB Javian Osborne

OL Gregory Patrick

CB Ayden Pouncey

TE Ian Premer

CB Chaz Smith

OL Charlie Thom

RB Jonaz Walton

There's a lot of four and five star recruits here that immediately boost the depth here, but while Freeman is doing a great job of recruiting and have a very good 2026 team, he is trying to build a foundation where the squad looks to dominate down the line. Notre Dame is looking to become a stronger power house and this is a prime example of this.

Prediction

This team has the tools and the talent to win the National Championship. The Irish will 100 percent make the playoffs. If they lose any game it will either be against Miami or BYU, both playoff contenders. It should be a fun season in South Bend.