Notre Dame Football Mailbag: A CJ Carr backup plan, Anthonie Knapp and the offensive line, and breakout wide receivers
This week’s Notre Dame football mailbag includes the backup behind CJ Carr, a new look offensive line, and some 2026 breakouts.
Notre Dame football kicked off spring practice on Friday, and you can feel the optimism and energy in the air. Head coach Marcus Freeman and the Fighting Irish have some high expectations heading into the 2026 college football season. This looks like a championship-level roster on paper.
With spring practice starting, I am opening up the Notre Dame football mailbags each week. On this week’s edition, I discuss the backup plan for CJ Carr, Anthonie Knapp, the offensive line, and some potential 2026 breakout players. As always, shoutout to every reader who submitted questions this week.
Top 2027 recruiting targets
I’m not sure if I would say blank checks, but I am really high on Fort Worth (Texas) North Crowley cornerback John Meredith III. Notre Dame is in his top group, so they do have a chance, although they are more of a dark horse for the talented cover man right now. The Irish are in a great spot for Exton (Pa.) Downingtown East EDGE Abraham Sesay, who is one of the very best pass rushers in the 2026 class. You can throw Denver (N.C.) East Lincoln tight end Jaxon Dollar into that top group as well, one of the most dynamic offensive weapons in the country. Notre Dame is right at the top of Dollar’s top options, as well.
The ceiling for the 2026 offensive line
I think Notre Dame has solidified a spot inside the top-ten offensive lines in college football with making that move. If Charles Jagusah is healthy (I have my doubts), then this is a potential top-five unit in the country, and you can throw Ashton Craig into this conversation, as well. If health isn’t a major issue, then I believe they could be in the Joe Moore Award conversation when all is said and done.
Which Ohio State transfer will break out?
Even though Mylan Graham is getting a head start on Quincy Porter due to the injury, I still think that Porter ends up making the bigger impact between the two. Both will play a ton in 2026, but there are just so many questions at boundary wide receiver right now. If Porter doesn’t make an impact next season, that could be some trouble. They need the playmaking size at 6-4 and 197 pounds for this offense to be complete. Porter is an important potential piece to the passing attack.
How good is the Notre Dame defensive line?
I think this could be the best overall defensive line in recent memory for Notre Dame. The floor for the defensive tackle group has risen tremendously this offseason, and I expect that unit to at least be good. The key, for me, is just how good the defensive end room is. If Boubacar Traore, Bryce Young, and Keon Keeley all take the next step, this has a chance to be an elite defensive front. The talent is unquestionable, especially if a couple of the freshmen are ready to contribute in any capacity.
Thoughts on Aaron Henry
I like the hire of Aaron Henry a lot. Nobody should expect him to fully replace what Mike Mickens was for Notre Dame, but I am not sure the Irish program could have found a much better replacement. Just look up what he was able to do with the development of Devon Witherspoon, Kerby Joseph, Quan Martin, and Xavier Scott. Imagining his ability as a developer with better recruits is an intriguing proposition.
Anthonie Knapp is moving to the interior
Yes, he should, and he is. Anthonie Knapp had good upside at offensive tackle, but he has elite upside on the interior. I wouldn’t be shocked if Knapp becomes one of the best guards in the country next season.
Best backup option for Will Black at left tackle
On paper, I imagine that Styles Prescod will be the main backup to Will Black. If a move did happen, however, I imagine the team would just slide Anthonie Knapp back outside to left tackle due to his experience. From there, we probably bring in either Sullivan Absher (if Charles Jagusah is healthy) or Matty Augustine to play left guard. That is probably the most practical way to protect yourself if anything doesn’t work out with Black.
What’s the outlook for Cam Williams?
At this point, I am just letting things play out with Cam Williams. It is possible that everything finally clicks, but I just can’t depend on it right now. If Williams does break out, awesome, and your wide receiver room is going to potentially be fantastic. I just need to see it to believe it at this point. There is no question that Williams is incredibly talented if he can put it together.
Will Seneca Driver return to Notre Dame?
As of now, I don’t think so. I am sure Notre Dame will keep close contact and won’t back down, but there are also some really good tight end targets still on the board. I expect a bigger point of evidence to be on the likes of Jaxon Dollar and Malik Howard, among a couple of other talented tight ends.
CJ Carr’s main backup and kick returners
As of today, I think it’ll be Blake Hebert as the top backup for CJ Carr during the 2026 season. Noah Grubbs has a head start over fellow true freshman Teddy Jarrard (enrolls in the summer), but I believe that both those youngsters will redshirt next season. I expect both those players to get a legitimate shot whenever Carr leaves, but for now, they will be brought along slowly.
I am hoping a couple of the younger guys get a shot. Javian Osborne is out with an injury, so I am not sure of his exact timeline, but I would love to see him get a chance if he is back for the fall. Freshman wide receiver Bubba Frazier and running back Jonaz Walton are also interesting options, along with redshirt freshman running back Nolan James Jr., who looks put together really well. Dallas Golden is another wildcard who should get a long look, but we will see.