We're...#1?

by Chris, Raleigh, NC, Tuesday, June 09, 2026, 07:36 (4 hours, 46 minutes ago)

https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/48864748/college-football-2026-future-...

1. Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Previous future power ranking: 5

QB situation: After a series of transfers, Notre Dame has developed CJ Carr into a national awards contender. Carr will start his second season for the Irish. He's on the NFL draft radar but might opt to return in 2027, given the crowded quarterback class. Notre Dame has options for the post-Carr era with redshirt freshman Blake Hebert and true freshman Noah Grubbs.

Offensive line/defensive line outlook: Notre Dame has been a line-of-scrimmage-based program, which should continue through 2027. The offensive line projects as a major strength, if it can stay healthy, as Notre Dame rotated players at different positions this spring. Ashton Craig and guard Anthonie Knapp both return, along with junior Sullivan Absher, and Notre Dame is hoping to finally get Charles Jagusah onto the field. The Irish are banking on potential at tackle with redshirt freshman Will Black, redshirt sophomore Guerby Lambert and others who can play multiple seasons. Craig is the only senior in the two-deep. Notre Dame didn't add many transfers this winter but supplemented its defensive line with Francis Brewu (Pitt), Tionne Gray (Oregon) and Keon Keeley (Alabama). They join junior ends Boubacar Traore and Bryce Young, and senior tackle Jason Onye. Of the transfers, only Gray has senior eligibility.

Roster management: Coach Marcus Freeman is building a national contender through recruiting and development, without being overly reliant on the portal. Notre Dame retained Carr, standout cornerback Leonard Moore, Traore, linebacker Drayk Bowen and others, and signed the nation's No. 4 recruiting class for 2026, featuring 18 SC Next 300 players and five in the top 50, including defensive end Rodney Dunham, the No. 31 overall prospect. The team's 2027 class already features 11 SC Next 300 commits. Notre Dame started slowly in the portal and added only seven players, addressing three positions: defensive line, wide receiver and defensive back. The D-line transfers jump out most, but wide receivers Mylan Graham and Quincy Porter from Ohio State could really help after the team couldn't land Nick Marsh. According to ESPN Recruiting, five of Notre Dame's seven transfers qualify as blue-chippers. Notre Dame's portal departures included edge Joshua Burnham (Indiana) and backup quarterback Kenny Minchey (Kentucky).

Star power: Moore was a Thorpe Award finalist in 2025 after earning first-team All-America honors, and will be the favorite to win the prize this fall. Carr also will enter the national awards conversation if he takes another step. Other notables include Traore, the team's top pass rusher, Brewu and Craig, a Rimington Trophy contender.

Coaching staff: Freeman remained at Notre Dame despite another strong push from the NFL, which isn't hiding its desire to pry away the 40-year-old. He retained all three of his primary coordinators but reshaped much of the defensive staff. Aaron Henry and Charlie Partridge both reunited with coordinator Chris Ash and will coach defensive backs and defensive line, respectively. Veteran defensive assistant Brian Jean-Mary will oversee the linebackers.

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"F--- everyone who isn't us."
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