Notre Dame football enters the 2026 college football season with championship expectations squarely on the shoulders of head coach Marcus Freeman and the Fighting Irish. The talent is there. The depth is there. But whether this team fulfills its potential may come down to a handful of players whose production remains an open question. These are the sleepers, the wild cards, and the unknowns who could separate a good Notre Dame season from a historic one.

If these players outperform their perceived expectations, the Fighting Irish have the ceiling of a national title contender. If they don’t, Freeman’s squad could fall short of that ultimate goal. Here is a look at the six sleeper players who could make-or-break Notre Dame’s 2026 campaign.

Quincy Porter, wide receiver

The conversation starts with Ohio State transfer wide receiver Quincy Porter. Notre Dame has quality pass catchers on the roster, including Jordan Faison and fellow Ohio State transfer Mylan Graham, but the group lacks impact size at the boundary position. That’s exactly what Porter brings at 6-4, 210 pounds.

Porter was limited and unavailable during spring practice while recovering from an injury, but he is expected back to full health this summer. If the former five-star recruit can become a big-play weapon with his combination of size and athleticism, it could unlock the passing game led by quarterback CJ Carr in a meaningful way.

Jaden Greathouse, wide receiver

In a similar vein, Jayden Greathouse is the ultimate wild card for the Notre Dame passing attack. When Greathouse has been healthy and not plagued by hamstring issues, he has been a productive wide receiver. He also brings a unique skill set, capable of playing multiple receiver spots for the Irish.

There is optimism heading into the year that he can get back to his best version. But with his lack of availability over the last couple of seasons, there are more question marks than answers for Greathouse going into his redshirt junior season.

Charles Jagusah, offensive lineman

Speaking of wild cards, there might not be a bigger one on the roster than offensive lineman Charles Jagusah. When Jagusah has been healthy during his three years with Notre Dame, he has been tremendous. Unfortunately, he has missed the majority of his career due to a series of injuries. It remains uncertain what his availability will be to start the 2026 season.

From a pure talent perspective, Jagusah is a freak. At 6-7, 330 pounds, he is an incredible athlete, incredibly strong, and a former high school wrestler whose physicality showcases itself in the run game. If healthy, he will be the starter at right guard with the potential to be one of the best offensive linemen in college football. He could be the missing link for Notre Dame to have the best offensive line in the sport, but it’s hard to depend on him right now, given the lack of availability.

Bryce Young, Keon Keeley, and Rodney Dunham, defensive ends

For the Notre Dame pass rush, three players belong in the same conversation. Bryce Young is a returning starter who showcased a lot of talent last season as a first-year starter. The tools are still higher than the production at this point. At 6-7, 260 pounds, the sky is the limit if he taps into that potential next season.

Keon Keeley transferred from Alabama this offseason as a former Notre Dame commit in the 2023 class. Another player with a ton of talent and a ton of potential, Keely still needs to finally hit that upside.

Then there is true freshman Rodney Dunham, who has a clean slate heading into the year but showcased tremendous upside during the spring. That performance should earn him an opportunity to get reps in 2026. Can he be a significant factor? Can he be one of the team’s leaders in sacks?

The talent is certainly there, but the question marks remain based on no game experience.

Tionne Gray, defensive tackle

The last player on this list is Tionne Gray, a transfer defensive tackle from Oregon. Going into the year, we have a better understanding of what Jason Onye can bring as a returning player and what Francis Brewu offers as a transfer from Pittsburgh. Gray, at 6-5, 330 pounds, is the ultimate wild card who could take this defensive tackle room from good to outstanding.

He possesses the most God-given ability of maybe anyone on the roster outside of Christopher Burgess. If Gray showcases the upside and the talents that made him such a hot commodity in the transfer portal, Notre Dame’s defensive line has a chance to be truly special in 2026. That would go a long way toward making this the championship-caliber team the Fighting Irish believe they can be.