Notre Dame Prepares Key Lineup Changes for 2025 Football Season

Notre Dame is preparing for the 2025 football season with notable focus on key players and units that could shape their campaign. Offensive guard Sullivan Absher is expected to step into a starting role due to injuries, bringing size and athleticism to the interior offensive line, a unit that underwent significant changes in 2024. The Fighting Irish secondary is highly regarded, ranked by Phil Steele as the best unit in college football for 2025, led by standout sophomore Leonard Moore and emerging talents Christian Gray and Adon Shuler. However, Notre Dame's tight end position is viewed as a concern heading into the season, with injuries affecting senior Eli Raridon and Cooper Flanagan and a lack of depth behind them, despite the program's history of producing NFL-caliber tight ends. Meanwhile, other college programs like Kansas State and Arizona are showcasing depth and experience at tight end, with Kansas State's group leading the nation in touchdown catches and Arizona benefiting from key transfers and coaching continuity. These dynamics highlight Notre Dame's strengths in defense and offensive line but also underline tight end as an area needing attention as they pursue another run at the National Championship.