Even though the season just ended, it is never too early to give a sneak peak toward the 2025 Notre Dame football season. The Fighting Irish fell short of their ultimate goal, losing in the national title game against the Ohio State Buckeyes, but there is a lot of optimism about what this team can accomplish under the leadership of head coach Marcus Freeman.

With Coach Freeman overseeing the program, you can also count on the defense being stellar. This unit is losing a lot of talent where Howard Cross, Rylie Mills, Benjamin Morrison, and Jack Kiser heading to the NFL. Good thing for whoever the defensive coordinator is, there is a ton of young talent to step into new roles.

VYPER

1. Jordan Botelho (Sr)
2. Junior Tuihalamaka (RS Jr)
3. Boubacar Traore (RS So)

This is the position that could have the most uncertainty right now, in terms of who is going to be where in the rotation. If healthy, Traore will fight to be the starter but nobody knows what his timetable looks like right now. The same can be said of Botelho, who should be back to full speed before the season. Then we can’t forget about Tuihalamaka, who gave Notre Dame a lot of good reps this season when pressed into more playing time.

NOSE TACKLE

1. Gabriel Rubio (Sr)
2. Jared Dawson (Sr)

Rubio returning is a big deal for Notre Dame, who brings a lot of size to the table. I would like to see him moved to nose tackle full time. Pairing him with Dawson, who is more of a penetrator, is a very interesting duo. Sophomore Sean Sevillano should also figure into the rotation, although 2026 might end up being more of his breakthrough.

DEFENSIVE TACKLE

1. Donovan Hinish (RS Jr)
2. Armel Mukam (RS So)

Hinish played nose tackle the past couple of seasons, but his lack of size and movement skills would be better served expanding outward. He feels like the perfect three technique in this system. There were some expectations that Mukam was going to have a bigger role in 2024, but that didn’t happen. This offseason is his chance to make an impact.

DEFENSIVE END

1. Joshua Burnham (RS Jr)
2. Bryce Young (So)

With both Botelho and Traore potentially back at some point, I would anticipate Burnham moving back to the defensive end position. He will have to hold off Young for the starting job, who is expected to make a big jump this offseason. Another full offseason and Young could be a breakout star in 2025.

MIKE

1. Drayk Bowen (RS So
2. Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa (So)

One of the more interesting players to watch this offseason is Viliamu-Asa, who looks poised for a starting spot. If he does win the job opposite of Bowen, there would hopefully be a backup MIKE to emerge. There’s no telling who that is right now. Could it be someone like Preston Zinter, Madden Faraimo, or Bodie Kahoun? Only time will tell.

WILL

1. Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa (So)
2. Jaiden Ausberry (RS So)

As mentioned, you have to get Viliamu-Asa on the field more regularly. With the versatility of Ausberry, he’s a player who can play a little of all three linebacker spots. Forget about who is listed as a starter. All of them will play, and a lot.

ROVER

1. Jaylen Sneed (Sr)
2. Jaiden Ausberry (RS So)

If Sneed returns, he’s going to play a lot when there is a rover on the field. The same can be said about Ausberry, who is arguably the team’s most versatile defender on the entire team. The linebacker room is an embarrassment of riches, and there are some talented youngsters to watch as well.

FIELD CORNER

1. Christian Gray (Jr)
2. Karson Hobbs (So)

While his season didn’t end the way he wanted, Gray had some tremendous moments in 2024. If he takes a step forward in terms of consistency, he has the talent to develop into one of the top cornerbacks in all of college football. He made some huge plays this fall. I expect Hobbs to become a bit of a Swiss Army knife as a rotation player this offseason.

FIELD SAFETY

1. Jalen Stroman (Sr)
2. JaDon Blair (Fr)
3. Brauntae Johnson (RS Fr)

Stroman brings in a ton of experience from Virginia Tech. He feels like the perfect safety to tutor youngsters like Blair and Johnson. The future of the safety position is certainly trending in a great direction. It wouldn’t be shocking to see either of those talented younger players eat into Stroman’s playing time during the season.

BOUNDARY SAFETY

1. Adon Shuler (RS So)
2. Luke Talich (RS So)
3. Kennedy Urlacher (So)

Shuler was a huge breakout in 2024, and he should be even better with another offseason under his belt. Players like Talich and Urlacher could begin to earn even more reps in a very crowded safety room. Each brings a unique style to the table, and it wouldn’t be overly surprising if they all earned various roles in different packages.

BOUNDARY CORNER

1. Leonard Moore (So)
2. Dallas Golden (Fr)

Moore is coming off of a Freshman All-American season, and he could quickly become one of the best cornerbacks in all of college football in 2025. Keeping that massive 6-2 frame in the boundary is a no brainer. It will be interesting to see who gets some reps behind him, and wouldn’t be surprising at all if it ends up being Golden even as a true freshman.

NICKEL

1. DeVonta Smith (Sr)
2. Karson Hobbs (So)

Notre Dame added Smith as an Alabama transfer this offseason, and he is going to play a lot. Hobbs also is expected to impact the nickel role, as well as see reps outside. He could end up being a very important player for the team in 2025. 

Early 2025 Notre Dame Depth Chart: CJ Carr and Kenny Minchey battle for top quarterback, and an interesting offensive line decision

Projected 2025 Notre Dame offensive depth chart