The 2025 Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team entered spring practice with several key positions up in the air, with questions surrounding both the offense and defense. After a month of practices, intra-squad scrimmages, and team drills, the Irish have yet to answer many of these crucial questions. Despite glimpses of potential, uncertainty looms large as the team prepares for summer training and the upcoming season. Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman, entering his third season, has seen his squad make notable improvements, but the biggest questions remain unanswered. These unresolved issues, especially regarding the quarterback position, offensive line, and defensive consistency, will define the Irish’s prospects in the 2025 season.
1. The Quarterback Quandary
Perhaps the most significant question heading into spring practice for Notre Dame football was the quarterback position. With Sam Hartman, a graduate transfer from Wake Forest, departing after a successful but occasionally inconsistent 2024 campaign, the Irish were left with a crucial void. The quarterback position is always of paramount importance, and for a program with national championship aspirations, finding the right signal caller is a non-negotiable.
In spring practice, Notre Dame had two primary contenders: sophomore Steve Angeli and transfer quarterback Tyler Buchner, who returned after a brief stint at Alabama. Angeli showed flashes of promise in limited action last season but has yet to prove himself as the unquestioned leader of the offense. On the other hand, Buchner, who had his own struggles in his brief run as Notre Dame’s starter in 2022 before transferring, has returned with a renewed sense of purpose. Both quarterbacks showed flashes of promise during spring practice, but neither was able to seize the starting job in a definitive way.
Angeli has good mechanics and demonstrated a solid understanding of the offense, but his accuracy remained inconsistent at times. There were moments when he threaded the needle on difficult throws, showing the potential for big plays. However, he also struggled with decision-making, especially in more pressure-filled situations during scrimmages. His understanding of the playbook seemed solid, but the consistency just wasn’t there.
Buchner, for his part, showed flashes of his dual-threat capability, which made him a dangerous prospect in 2022 before his season-ending injury. His mobility still presents a unique asset, allowing him to extend plays and break out of the pocket when needed. However, Buchner’s passing accuracy and timing were still a concern, and he failed to consistently display the poise needed to lead Notre Dame’s offense. His decision-making under pressure was also a point of concern, which is crucial for any quarterback vying for the starting role in a high-stakes program like Notre Dame.
For Freeman and offensive coordinator Gerad Parker, the ideal situation would be for one of these quarterbacks to take command and leave no doubts about their readiness. Instead, both Angeli and Buchner showed promise but also exposed flaws, leaving the competition still wide open. As a result, the quarterback position remains one of the most significant question marks as the team prepares for the fall. If Freeman and the coaching staff can’t identify a clear-cut starter soon, it could be a source of ongoing instability throughout the 2025 season.
2. Offensive Line: Stability or Struggles?
Another crucial question for Notre Dame’s 2025 football season revolves around the offensive line. Historically, the Irish have prided themselves on having one of the most formidable offensive lines in college football, but after some departures and injuries, there is uncertainty as to whether that will continue. The line will need to re-establish itself as a reliable force, particularly in the run game, to support whichever quarterback ends up starting.
During the spring, the Irish offensive line showed mixed results. On one hand, there were stretches where they dominated the line of scrimmage in both pass protection and run blocking. The development of rising stars like sophomore offensive tackle Blake Fisher and junior guard Rocco Spindler was evident, and they showed glimpses of their potential. Fisher, in particular, has the physical tools to become one of the nation’s best tackles, while Spindler continues to grow into a dominant force in the interior.
However, consistency remained a concern. While there were impressive individual performances, the line as a whole failed to establish an identity. In several scrimmages, the offensive line struggled against Notre Dame’s defensive front seven, particularly when facing pressure from defensive ends and linebackers. The interior line was often overwhelmed by blitzes and stunt packages, forcing quarterbacks to scramble or take quick, ill-advised throws. With a new quarterback or an unsettled rotation under center, this inconsistency is concerning, as it may further complicate the quarterback competition and leave the offense unable to develop a rhythm.
Moreover, the health of key players remains a concern. Injuries plagued several offensive linemen in 2024, and while the depth is there, it will need to prove itself in the coming months. The Irish will need their front five to gel quickly to provide stability in both the running game and pass protection. While individual talent is abundant, cohesiveness and depth will be the true test for the offensive line.
3. Defensive Front Seven: Elite or Exposed?
On the defensive side of the ball, Notre Dame has the potential to be elite in 2025, but there are still significant questions surrounding the defensive front seven. Defensive coordinator Al Golden’s unit is stacked with talent, but there are concerns about whether they can remain dominant, particularly in the trenches and in stopping the run.
The defensive line, while talented, still has plenty to prove. Junior defensive tackle Gabriel Rubio and senior end Jayson Ademilola are expected to be cornerstones of the defense. However, the defensive line lacked the same level of consistency during spring practice that it exhibited last year. There were times when the defensive front was able to create havoc in the backfield, particularly when applying pressure on the quarterback in passing situations. But in other moments, the defensive line struggled to contain the run, allowing large gains up the middle and on the edge. If the Irish defense is going to return to its elite status, they need to plug those gaps and prevent teams from picking up easy yardage.
At linebacker, Notre Dame has depth and athleticism, but once again, consistency will be the determining factor. Senior Marist Liufau is a proven leader and a tackling machine, but he and his fellow linebackers must improve in coverage and avoiding mental mistakes. In spring practice, the Irish linebackers had their share of highlight-reel moments, but also showed they can be vulnerable, especially when tasked with covering athletic tight ends and running backs out of the backfield. There is a lot of promise, but the linebackers’ ability to make key stops in critical situations will be an area to watch throughout the season.
4. Special Teams: Critical Consistency
Although often overlooked, special teams play is another key area where questions linger. Notre Dame had some success with punting and kickoffs last year, but there were also several inconsistent moments. The kicking game is perhaps the biggest concern, with junior kicker Blake Grupe returning but still looking to settle into a consistent rhythm. Special teams can swing games, especially in tight contests, and ensuring reliable field goals and kickoffs will be vital for Notre Dame’s chances at competing for a playoff spot.
Can Notre Dame Overcome Its Uncertainty?
As the Irish prepare for the 2025 season, the questions left unanswered after spring practice are concerning, to say the least. From quarterback to offensive line, defensive consistency to special teams, there is a significant amount of uncertainty surrounding Notre Dame football. The team’s success in the fall will likely depend on how quickly these issues can be resolved.
Head coach Marcus Freeman and his staff have done well to recruit top-tier talent and develop a winning culture, but the next step is to turn that promise into consistent execution on the field. With key players stepping up, perhaps some of these questions will answer themselves. However, as of now, Notre Dame football remains a program full of potential that has yet to figure out some of its most crucial puzzles.
For Notre Dame to reach its potential and be a true contender for the College Football Playoff, the Irish will need to resolve their quarterback situation, establish stability on the offensive line, tighten up the defense, and ensure their special teams can execute at a high level. Until those questions are answered, the 2025 season remains a mystery, and the Fighting Irish are left with more questions than answers coming out of spring practice.
