Marcus Freeman’s Notre Dame Enters 2025 Season with Renewed Purpose and Elevated Expectations in Pursuit of College Football Glory
The 2025 college football season presents a pivotal chapter for head coach Marcus Freeman and his Notre Dame Fighting Irish. Now entering his fourth year at the helm, Freeman has gradually transformed the program’s identity—blending the proud tradition of Notre Dame football with a modern, fast, and physical brand of play. Following a 2024 season that showed flashes of dominance but ultimately ended in disappointment, the expectations for 2025 are sky-high. The pressure is on, but so is the potential. With a top-10 preseason ranking, a talented roster, and a favorable schedule, the Irish are poised to make a serious push for the College Football Playoff.
Freeman has built credibility within the locker room, on the recruiting trail, and with the fan base. His recruiting prowess, relentless energy, and defensive-minded philosophy have made him one of the most talked-about young coaches in the country. But in 2025, results on the field must catch up to the promise off it. Notre Dame’s fan base doesn’t just hope for championships—they expect them. And with the landscape of college football shifting thanks to expanded playoffs and NIL-fueled roster turnover, the time is now for Notre Dame to make its move.
Last season, Notre Dame posted a solid 10-3 record, including wins over USC, NC State, and a bowl victory over LSU. But losses to Clemson, Louisville, and Ohio State showed the team wasn’t quite ready to compete with the elite programs week in and week out. The good news heading into 2025 is that the Irish return a core of experienced players, have reloaded at key positions, and enter with continuity on the coaching staff—a rare advantage in the transfer portal era.
At the heart of the optimism is quarterback CJ Carr. The former five-star recruit enters his sophomore season as the clear starter, and his development will be critical to Notre Dame’s success. Carr showed maturity beyond his years in limited action last year and dazzled in spring practice. With a full offseason under his belt and a revamped receiving corps, he’s poised to take a massive leap. If Carr plays to his potential, Notre Dame will have the kind of dynamic playmaker under center they’ve lacked in recent years.
Helping Carr will be a strong supporting cast. The running back room is deep and talented, led by junior Jadarian Price and sophomore Jeremiyah Love. Both bring home-run speed and versatility, giving the Irish a potent 1-2 punch out of the backfield. The offensive line, traditionally a strength for Notre Dame, features multiple All-American candidates, including left tackle Charles Jagusah and center Ashton Craig. They’ll anchor a unit that should be among the best in the nation, providing both protection for Carr and openings for the run game.
The biggest question mark on offense is at wide receiver, where Notre Dame must replace its top two pass-catchers from last year. But the addition of two dynamic transfers—former Oregon wideout Kris Hutson and ex-Michigan target Tyler Morris—brings experience and explosiveness. Combined with sophomore Jaden Greathouse and junior Tobias Merriweather, the Irish have a unit capable of stretching defenses and making plays downfield. Tight end stays a strength as well, with Holden Staes emerging as a dependable weapon and red zone threat.
On the defensive side of the ball, Freeman’s fingerprints are everywhere. The Irish finished in the top 15 in most major defensive categories last season, and they return several impact players capable of wreaking havoc. Up front, defensive ends Jordan Botelho and Junior Tuihalamaka bring power and athleticism off the edge, while the interior is anchored by Rylie Mills and Howard Cross III, both of whom have NFL upside. Depth is improved, and Notre Dame’s rotation should keep fresh legs on the field well into the fourth quarter.
Linebacker remains a position of pride and productivity for the Irish. Jack Kiser is back for his super senior season, providing leadership and versatility. Jaylen Sneed and Drayk Bowen add speed and explosiveness, capable of covering backs, rushing the passer, or stuffing the run. Freeman’s scheme demands high IQ and high motor linebackers—and this group fits the mold perfectly.
The secondary might be the most talented unit on the roster. Benjamin Morrison is one of the top cornerbacks in the country and a likely first-round NFL Draft pick. On the other side, Christian Gray looks ready for a breakout sophomore campaign. At safety, Xavier Watts returns after a sensational 2024 that saw him lead the team in interceptions and earn All-American honors. Freshman phenom Ivan Taylor is also expected to make an early impact. This is a group that can cover, hit, and create turnovers.
Special teams often separate contenders from pretenders, and Notre Dame has the edge here as well. Kicker Spencer Shrader is gone, but transfer Graham Nicholson, a Lou Groza Award finalist from Miami (Ohio), is expected to fill the void seamlessly. Punter Bryce McFerson has a booming leg, and the return game has dynamic potential with Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price both capable of flipping field position in a flash.
Perhaps the most intriguing aspect of the 2025 season is the schedule. It’s difficult—but manageable. The Irish open with a neutral site game against Texas A&M in Houston, a massive early litmus test. A win there could vault them into the top five immediately. Home dates against Michigan State, Stanford, and Florida State give them opportunities to impress the CFP committee, while road trips to Georgia Tech and Virginia offer trap-game potential. The most high-profile matchup comes in mid-October, when Notre Dame travels to Athens to face the Georgia Bulldogs. Win that, and the Irish instantly become playoff favorites.
Of course, navigating the schedule will require more than talent—it will require discipline, health, and resilience. Freeman has worked to build those traits into the culture of the program. Practices have been more physical, conditioning has been a point of emphasis, and leadership councils have been empowered to maintain accountability. Freeman’s growth as a head coach is also critical. He’s shown he can recruit with the best of them and motivate players, but in-game adjustments and clock management will be under the microscope in 2025.
One of the more under-the-radar factors working in Notre Dame’s favor is the expanded College Football Playoff format. With 12 teams now making the postseason field, Notre Dame no longer needs to be perfect or even undefeated to have a shot. A one- or even two-loss Irish team with quality wins could find itself firmly in the playoff conversation come December. That’s a major shift from past years when a single loss could derail everything.
Additionally, the culture Freeman has built is beginning to bear fruit. Former players speak highly of him. NFL scouts respect the program’s development. Recruits continue to flock to South Bend. The days of Brian Kelly’s more corporate feel are gone. Freeman brings authenticity, relatability, and a player-first mindset that resonates with today’s athletes. His vision is clear: dominate the line of scrimmage, develop leaders, and bring a national title back to Notre Dame for the first time since 1988.
To do that, Notre Dame must be consistent in all phases. They must avoid the midseason lapses that have plagued past teams. They must finish games. They must win the line of scrimmage. And they must find ways to execute in the red zone and limit penalties. The margin between elite and very good is razor thin in college football, and Notre Dame has hovered on the edge for too long. Now, with the roster talent and staff cohesion in place, there are no more excuses.
The 2025 season will ultimately define Marcus Freeman’s trajectory as Notre Dame’s head coach. Is he the man to finally break through the playoff barrier and contend for a national title? Or is he just another strong recruiter who falls short of the ultimate prize? The coming months will provide answers. For now, optimism is high in South Bend—and for good reason. This team has the pieces. The only question that remains is whether they can put them together when it matters most.
The Fighting Irish faithful are hungry. The nation is watching. And Marcus Freeman is ready. The 2025 college football season is more than just another campaign—it’s a proving ground for a coach and a program with everything to gain and even more to prove.
