Notre Dame Football Faces Draft Setback, Emergence of Breakout Talent, and Mounting Concerns Ahead of the 2025 Season’s Crucial Stretch
The Notre Dame Fighting Irish find themselves in a familiar yet precarious position as the 2025 college football season nears. The program is once again drawing national attention, not only because of its iconic brand and championship aspirations but also due to recent developments that carry both promise and warning signs. A surprising draft decision has shaken the roster, a rising young player is turning heads during summer workouts, and one glaring concern looms large as the season edges closer.
Notre Dame’s tradition has always been about embracing challenges, but the triple-layered storyline currently enveloping the Irish makes this summer especially pivotal for Marcus Freeman and his staff. On one hand, the team is dealing with the unexpected early departure of a key player to the NFL Draft. On the other, a young talent is making a case to become the breakout star of the year. However, amidst all of the excitement and forward momentum, there’s a clear vulnerability on the roster that could threaten Notre Dame’s playoff hopes if not addressed quickly.
Let’s begin with the blow: the unexpected draft entry of standout cornerback Benjamin Morrison. Long viewed as a foundational piece of the Irish defense, Morrison had eligibility remaining but chose to declare early for the 2025 NFL Draft following a strong junior season. Projected as a late first-round or early second-round pick, Morrison’s decision was understandable from a financial and professional standpoint, but it leaves a massive hole in Notre Dame’s secondary. He was not only the team’s top cover corner but also a vocal leader and tone-setter on the defensive side of the ball.
His departure drastically alters the outlook for a defense that had hoped to rely heavily on an experienced and deep secondary. Morrison’s ability to shadow No. 1 receivers gave Notre Dame flexibility to dial up pressure up front. Without him, defensive coordinator Al Golden is left scrambling to identify a replacement who can match that level of production and consistency. The Irish do have young corners with potential—Jaden Mickey, Christian Gray, and Micah Bell among them—but none have shown Morrison’s level of polish or physicality on a full-time basis.
The timing of Morrison’s decision has also affected roster strategy. It came just before the spring transfer portal window closed, meaning Notre Dame didn’t have the chance to aggressively pursue a seasoned cornerback from another program. Now, the Irish will have to develop from within or risk being exposed in the back half of the schedule when facing pass-heavy opponents like USC and Clemson. The ripple effects of Morrison’s exit will be felt all season, and it puts a spotlight on player development and defensive depth at one of the game’s most critical positions.
But not all the recent news from South Bend has been gloomy. The silver lining—and perhaps the most talked-about development of the offseason—has been the meteoric rise of sophomore wide receiver Jordan Faison. Originally a lesser-known name in the recruiting cycle, Faison has blossomed during offseason workouts and has drawn rave reviews from teammates and coaches alike. With elite footwork, excellent route-running instincts, and surprising top-end speed, Faison is on track to become a major weapon in the passing game.
Observers within the program say he’s been nearly unguardable in 7-on-7 drills and has developed instant chemistry with quarterback CJ Carr, who’s expected to push for starting reps as a true freshman. Faison’s improvement gives Notre Dame a dynamic element it has lacked in recent seasons—an electric, high-volume slot threat who can work underneath and stretch the field when needed. His emergence also helps alleviate pressure on returning starters like Jayden Thomas and Tobias Merriweather, who will benefit from defenses being forced to account for Faison on every snap.
If Faison’s upward trajectory continues through fall camp, he could very well be the breakout star of the 2025 season—not just for Notre Dame, but across the entire national landscape. And for a program that’s struggled at times to generate explosive plays in the passing game, his rise couldn’t come at a better moment.
Still, even with Faison’s breakout and some encouraging signs across the roster, there is one major concern that refuses to go away: offensive line continuity. For a school that prides itself on being “O-Line U,” the 2025 version of the Irish offensive line remains unsettled and inconsistent. The graduation of multiple starters and the injury-related retirement of a veteran tackle have left gaps in both talent and leadership up front.
While players like Charles Jagusah and Billy Schrauth have shown promise in limited action, the unit as a whole has struggled with cohesion during spring and early summer sessions. Communication breakdowns, missed assignments, and a lack of dominant run blocking have raised serious concerns inside the program. Offensive line coach Joe Rudolph faces the daunting task of blending youth with experience and doing it quickly, as Notre Dame opens the season with challenging non-conference games that will test physicality from the first whistle.
More concerning is the fact that Notre Dame’s offensive scheme under new coordinator Mike Denbrock depends heavily on line play to set up rhythm and tempo. Without consistency in the trenches, the offense can sputter, regardless of how much talent exists at skill positions. If the line can’t hold up against elite defensive fronts, especially late in the season, the Irish could find themselves out of the playoff race before November.
The recruiting pipeline remains strong—Notre Dame has continued to land top offensive line prospects—but many of them are still a year or two away from being ready to contribute at the highest level. That leaves the current staff needing to accelerate development while also considering potential in-season transfers if the unit doesn’t gel quickly. It’s not an ideal situation for a team with playoff aspirations.
What makes this concern even more pronounced is the pressure surrounding head coach Marcus Freeman. Entering his third full season, Freeman has done an admirable job establishing a strong culture, improving recruiting, and guiding the team to competitive finishes. But he has yet to break through to a College Football Playoff appearance or win a major bowl game. With a loaded 2025 roster that includes elite young talent and a favorable schedule, expectations are sky-high. The offensive line’s ability to rise to the occasion could very well determine whether Freeman takes the next step or faces renewed scrutiny.
All of this adds up to a fascinating, high-stakes season for Notre Dame. The draft loss of Benjamin Morrison will test defensive depth and leadership. The emergence of Jordan Faison offers hope and explosiveness that could redefine the offense. But the offensive line remains the X-factor—the one unit that could either stabilize the entire operation or unravel it entirely.
Notre Dame fans have reason to be optimistic. The roster is deep, the quarterback room is promising, and the defense still boasts high-level talent. But optimism must be tempered with realism. The Irish are facing real challenges that must be addressed immediately if they hope to compete with the likes of Michigan, Georgia, and Alabama in the postseason.
In South Bend, every season carries weight. Every win, every loss, every storyline adds to the legacy. As the 2025 season approaches, Notre Dame stands at a crossroads—fueled by promise, shaken by loss, and haunted by the one question that still has no clear answer: will this finally be the year they put it all together?
Time will tell. But one thing is certain—Notre Dame’s story this season will be anything but boring.
