After impressive spring performances, Notre Dame offensive players are poised for considerably larger roles in the 2025 campaign.

The spring football season is often a mirage—highlight reels, breakout moments, and buzz that doesn’t always translate when the fall grind begins. But at Notre Dame, this spring felt different. There was substance behind the sizzle. Several offensive players seized the moment and gave Irish fans—and the coaching staff—plenty of reasons to be optimistic heading into the 2025 season.

After an offseason filled with turnover and question marks—most notably at quarterback, running back, and wide receiver—this spring session brought answers. The buzz around South Bend isn’t just hype. The Fighting Irish offense looks faster, deeper, and more versatile, and much of that can be attributed to players stepping into the spotlight with breakout spring performances.

Let’s take a deep dive into the offensive standouts who are poised to take on significantly larger roles in the upcoming season.

QB1 Ascends: CJ Carr Takes Command

Perhaps the most notable storyline of spring camp was the emergence of redshirt freshman CJ Carr. The former five-star recruit has long been viewed as the future of Notre Dame football, but after a year of learning under Sam Hartman, Carr has stepped into the spotlight—and he doesn’t look like he’s giving the job back.

Carr’s composure, accuracy, and decision-making in the Blue-Gold Game put the exclamation point on what had already been a strong spring. He completed 16-of-23 passes for 245 yards and three touchdowns, displaying poise beyond his years. More impressive than the stats was his command of the huddle and his ability to go through progressions smoothly.

Notre Dame offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock praised Carr’s leadership, saying, “He’s operating like a third-year starter already. His preparation is meticulous, and his ability to execute under pressure has really elevated this entire offense.”

Barring a dramatic summer shift, Carr will open the 2025 season as the unquestioned starter—and possibly a future face of college football.

Jordan Faison: From Lacrosse Star to Offensive Weapon

Few stories are as compelling as Jordan Faison’s rapid rise. Originally recruited to Notre Dame on a lacrosse scholarship, Faison has become a legitimate playmaker on the football field. After flashing his speed and agility in limited 2024 snaps, he turned heads this spring with an expanded route tree, better chemistry with Carr, and the same lightning-quick acceleration that makes him dangerous in space.

In the spring game, Faison caught six passes for 105 yards and two touchdowns. What stood out most was his improved ball-tracking and ability to create separation against press coverage. With Tobias Merriweather transferring and Jayden Thomas recovering from injuries, Faison looks ready to become WR1.

He’s more than just a gadget guy—he’s becoming a reliable, every-down option. “Jordan’s not just a feel-good story anymore,” said wide receivers coach Chansi Stuckey. “He’s one of our best offensive players, period.”

Jadarian Price: Ready to Lead the Backfield

With Audric Estime now in the NFL, Notre Dame’s running back room entered spring camp in flux. That didn’t last long. Jadarian Price, now in his third year with the program, left no doubt that he’s ready to be “the guy.”

Price displayed an impressive blend of vision, burst, and toughness throughout spring practices. His 68-yard touchdown run in the Blue-Gold Game was a showcase of his elite acceleration and decisiveness at the line of scrimmage. He also caught three passes for 42 yards, suggesting he could be a three-down back in Denbrock’s offense.

The Irish will still rotate multiple backs, but Price looks like the centerpiece. His ability to break tackles and gain yards after contact sets him apart. “He’s not just fast—he’s powerful,” Denbrock said. “He finishes runs and sets a physical tone. That’s what we need.”

Freshman Phenom: Anthony Knapp Shines on the Line

It’s rare for a true freshman offensive lineman to earn meaningful reps during spring ball, let alone push for a starting job. But Anthony Knapp, a four-star early enrollee from Georgia, isn’t a typical freshman.

Knapp rotated in with the first-team offense at left guard during the latter part of camp and more than held his own. At 6-foot-4 and 295 pounds, he’s technically sound and physically ready. With the departure of several veterans, there’s a legitimate opening on the interior—and Knapp may be the answer.

His footwork and balance have drawn praise from offensive line coach Joe Rudolph, who said, “He doesn’t look like a freshman. He’s got a natural feel for leverage and hand placement.”

If Knapp wins the starting job, he’d be the first true freshman offensive lineman to start a season opener for Notre Dame since Steve Elmer in 2013.

Tight End U: Cooper Flanagan’s Turn

Notre Dame has a rich tradition at tight end, and after the departure of Mitchell Evans to the NFL, the next man up appears to be Cooper Flanagan. The 6-foot-6, 260-pound sophomore took full advantage of spring reps, emerging as a reliable safety blanket for CJ Carr and a dominant blocker in run schemes.

Flanagan hauled in five passes for 71 yards in the spring game, including a leaping 20-yard reception over the middle that showed off his athleticism. What sets him apart, though, is his dual-threat capability—he can be a sixth offensive lineman and a downfield receiving threat in one package.

“He’s a nightmare for defenses,” Denbrock said. “He can seal the edge or leak out and make a 25-yard catch. He’s going to be huge for us.”

Other Notable Risers

While Carr, Faison, Price, Knapp, and Flanagan have generated the biggest headlines, they’re not alone. Here are a few more names who turned heads this spring:

• Cam Williams, a true freshman wideout, impressed with his deep-threat potential. Though raw, he’s explosive and could carve out a role as a vertical option.
• Kenny Minchey, though likely backing up Carr, had a strong spring in his own right. Should injuries strike, Minchey appears more than capable of keeping the offense afloat.
• Aaryn Parks, a transfer from Oklahoma, is finding his groove at right guard. His power at the point of attack has earned him praise from the coaching staff and may earn him a starting nod.
• Jeremiyah Love, who complements Price in the backfield, flashed his home-run ability multiple times during scrimmages and could be a dynamic change-of-pace weapon.

A New Identity Under Mike Denbrock?

One of the most encouraging aspects of spring ball was the fluidity of the offense under Denbrock’s renewed leadership. Returning to Notre Dame after a successful stint at LSU, Denbrock has implemented a more aggressive, multiple-formation offense that emphasizes tempo and mismatches.

Rather than lean heavily on one or two stars, Denbrock is building an offense where players like Faison, Flanagan, and Price can all shine in different packages. Carr’s quick decision-making and pre-snap intelligence allow Notre Dame to mix in RPOs, quick-hitting passes, and deep shots—a refreshing shift from the sometimes rigid structure of recent years.

“We want defenses guessing,” Denbrock said. “With the weapons we have, we can put them in conflict on every snap.”

What It All Means for 2025

Notre Dame enters the 2025 season with a daunting schedule, including early showdowns against Texas A&M and USC. To survive and thrive in the playoff race, the offense must carry its spring momentum into fall camp and beyond.

The potential is there. A gifted young quarterback in Carr. Playmakers like Faison and Price. A powerful, evolving offensive line. And a creative coordinator in Denbrock. The pieces are falling into place.

There will be growing pains—Carr is still young, and injuries can always derail momentum—but the ceiling for this offense is significantly higher than last season. If the defense continues to hold strong under Al Golden, Notre Dame may finally have the balance and explosiveness to crash the College Football Playoff and make a real run.

Spring football isn’t everything, but it does offer a glimpse of what could be. For Notre Dame, that glimpse was more than enough to spark genuine optimism.

CJ Carr looks ready to lead.

Jordan Faison looks like a star.

Jadarian Price looks like a workhorse.

And the rest of the pieces are lining up behind them.

In a program built on tradition, it’s the new names—and a renewed offensive identity—that may carry Notre Dame to new heights in 2025.