Notre Dame football just started spring practice, yet the expectations for the 2026 team are already rising. There is no question that head coach Marcus Freeman and the Fighting Irish are bringing back a ton of talent. This feels like a group with championship upside and expectations.

As is typically the case in the world of hyperbole, there are a lot of hot takes that are already out there. Some of those takes have some legitimacy, while others are just a bit over the top right now. Here are some of those hot takes, and my perspective on whether we should be buying or selling it this early.

CJ Carr is ready to join the CFB elite 

Carr put together a very good redshirt freshman last season, throwing for 2,741 yards and 24 touchdowns, as well as three more scores on the ground. With Carr now going into his second season as a starter, there is an expectation that the 6-2, 215-pound passer is going to take a massive step. It feels almost assumed by many that Carr will become one of the elite quarterbacks in the country on his way to being a top-five selection in the 2027 NFL Draft. That is the pressure that Carr is dealing with right now, whether he wants to admit it or not.

I am buying this take, but not fully putting all my chips on the table. Carr has a lot of really talented players around him, so there is a ton of support. He is also facing an underwhelming schedule of opponents, so Carr should put up some really good numbers.

Mylan Graham will be a star in 2026

It is early in spring practice, but it is impossible not to be pretty optimistic about the early buzz for Graham. The former Ohio State transfer has looked incredibly crisp and explosive in and out of his breaks. With Jaden Greathouse being limited with a hamstring injury, Graham is getting a long look inside the slot. Graham’s ability to play inside and out is incredibly valuable for an offensive coordinator like Mike Denbrock. The expectations for Graham going into 2026 are beginning to rise quickly.

For now, I am selling this take. Graham will be an important member of the Irish wide receiver room, but I still expect Jordan Faison to be the top volume getter. I am still very high on Quincy Porter (if healthy) at the boundary position.

Notre Dame can win the Joe Moore Award 

There was some great news for the Notre Dame offensive line a couple of weeks ago when it was made known that they were moving starting left tackle Anthonie Knapp inside to guard. Not only is this a better fit for Knapp’s skill set, but it also made it possible for redshirt freshman Will Black to move into that left tackle role, while Guerby Lambert is flexing out to right tackle. If Charles Jagusah and Ashton Craig are able to get back healthy, this has to be the frontrunner to be the top offensive line in college football. If not, both Joe Otting and Sullivan Absher are experienced replacements who raise the floor of that room.

I am buying the Joe Moore hype for this offensive line, especially with a few of the offseason moves we have seen. Joe Rudolph’s group is so talented.

Nolan James Jr. has a chance to be RB1

The running back room has been hit hard with injury this spring. Projected starter Aneyas Williams is participating, but on a limited basis, while Kedren Young and Javian Osborne are out rehabbing knee injuries. That gives James, along with true freshman Jonaz Walton, a huge opportunity to fight for playing time heading into 2026. There are a bunch of folks around South Bend who are very high on James, and judging by some of the pictures of him that have surfaced, James has been grinding this offseason so far with a big chance in front of him.

I am selling this take right now. James will play a role in the backfield, but I think that this will be a committee approach led by Williams.