Notre Dame football enters the 2026 college football season with national title expectations, and head coach Marcus Freeman has the roster to back it up. The Fighting Irish return one of the most talented groups in the country, headlined by quarterback CJ Carr and All-American cornerback Leonard Moore. Notre Dame also added former Ohio State wide receivers Quincy Porter and Mylan Graham to an already deep roster.

Great teams, though, are built on depth and unexpected contributors. The Fighting Irish have plenty of potential breakout candidates on both sides of the ball, including a wealth of talented young defensive linemen. Two offensive veterans stand out as the biggest wild cards who could elevate this Notre Dame offense from one of the best units in the country to something truly elite.

Charles Jagusah’s return to the offensive line

Redshirt junior offensive guard Charles Jagusah is working his way back from an arm injury that cost him the majority of the 2025 season. Without a firm timeline for his return, although some are beginning to be very optimistic about his availability, nobody knows exactly what to expect from the 6-foot-7, 330-pound behemoth.

Jagusah arrived at Notre Dame as a highly recruited prospect in the 2023 class out of Illinois. When he has been on the field for the Fighting Irish, the results have been tremendous. The talent is obvious, and many believe he possesses the upside to develop into one of the best overall offensive linemen in the country when healthy.

The problem is availability. Jagusah has played in only two games over the last two seasons due to a variety of injuries. If he is healthy, he should be the starting right guard, and it would not be shocking if he ascended to one of the best interior offensive linemen in all of college football.

Notre Dame would be solid without him. Sullivan Absher gained valuable experience last season, and Anthonie Knapp is moving inside from left tackle. There is no question, however, that this unit would be better with a healthy Jagusah. He remains the biggest unknown on the offensive line heading into the fall.

Jaden Greathouse’s quest for consistency

Wide receiver Jaden Greathouse has taken on a similar feel to Jagusah’s situation after dealing with hamstring issues dating back to his true freshman season in 2023. When healthy, Greathouse showcased his skill set and talent down the stretch of the 2024 season, hauling in 13 receptions for 230 yards and three touchdowns in the final two games against Penn State and Ohio State.

Going into last season, many expected the 6-foot-1, 210-pound wide receiver to be one of the breakout stars in college football. Another hamstring ailment limited him to only a few games, and Notre Dame never got to see the impact he was expected to provide. That same hamstring issue also flared up again during spring practice, leaving plenty of questions about what to expect from him over the next 12 months.

Notre Dame now has one of its deeper wide receiver units in a long time with the additions of Graham and Porter, along with Jordan Faison returning. This is a group that should be very productive next season regardless. If Greathouse can get back to the flashes he showed late in the 2024 season and create more consistency and availability, this wide receiver room has a chance to be one of the best in college football.

What it all means for Notre Dame

The Fighting Irish offense could be very good even without full contributions from Jagusah and Greathouse. With them, though, Carr and this passing attack could be special. If you ask me, those are the two players who will determine whether this Notre Dame offense takes a massive step from being one of the better units in the sport to one that can carry the Fighting Irish to the national title they are chasing.