Notre Dame Eyes Title Run, Highlights 2026 Recruits

Notre Dame football is coming off a College Football Playoff National Championship appearance, fueling optimism for the 2025 season due to strong recruiting and key returning players like Jeremiyah Love. Head coach Marcus Freeman faces an important quarterback decision, with CJ Carr favored but both Carr and Kenny Minchey expected to play, according to alum Joe Theismann. Analyst Josh Pate believes Carr can boost Notre Dame's passing game, which struggled last season with Riley Leonard, now in the NFL. The 2026 recruiting class is gaining attention, particularly for commitments from prominent legacy athletes and vocal recruits such as four-star running back Javian Osborne. Freeman’s leadership is credited with maintaining Notre Dame’s elite status and championship ambitions. The team's challenging upcoming schedule—including Miami, Texas A&M, Arkansas, and Boise State—makes the quarterback decision and continued recruiting success especially significant.