Notre Dame Fall Camp Opens With Overreactions and Highlights as Fans Eagerly Dissect Every Clip From First Week of Practice
Notre Dame football just opened up their fall camp this week, and as is typically the case, fans are going to overreact to every clip they see. It’s the nature of preseason hype, especially at a place like Notre Dame, where expectations are perpetually sky-high and patience is always in short supply. A single throw in a drill, a missed block, a big catch—each is enough to spark hours of debate and drive speculation about who’s ready, who’s not, and what it all means for the 2025 season.
But if we peel back the emotion and the surface-level reactions, the reality is much simpler: it’s early. Very early. And fall camp, particularly the first few days, is about installation, conditioning, and chemistry building—not depth chart declarations. That won’t stop the clips from rolling out or the social media takes from flying, but within the program itself, the focus remains on stacking good practices, not going viral.
Still, even understanding that context, there are things to take away from the opening week. The energy and intensity are high. This team isn’t easing its way into the season. There’s urgency, and it starts at the top. Head coach Marcus Freeman has now had two full seasons to lay the foundation of his program. This third year is about results—real ones. With a 12-team playoff in play for the first time, Notre Dame doesn’t need to be perfect to earn a postseason bid. But they do need to be disciplined, consistent, and fully bought in. So far, the early camp vibes are trending in that direction.
Much of the buzz early in camp, predictably, surrounds the quarterback position. With Riley Leonard off to the NFL, the battle for QB1 is wide open, and that means every throw in practice is going to be dissected in slow motion. Kenny Minchey, Steve Angeli, and true freshman CJ Carr are all taking reps, and all have had their moments. Minchey has been praised for his command of the offense and quick release. Angeli, with the most in-game experience, has shown a willingness to push the ball downfield, sometimes to a fault. Carr, as the new face in the room, has generated excitement simply by being a five-star prospect with all the tools.
Fans have already seen highlights of Carr throwing on the move, or Minchey hitting a tight window, or Angeli leading a two-minute drill. And from those brief moments, narratives begin to form. But the coaching staff isn’t playing favorites based on a single throw in 7-on-7s. They’re looking at progress over time, understanding of protections, decision-making under pressure, and most of all, leadership. This battle is far from over and could realistically stretch well into camp—and that might be a good thing. It means competition is healthy, and no one is being handed the job.
Beyond quarterback, the wide receiver group is drawing heavy scrutiny. The room is deeper than it’s been in recent years, but still searching for a true breakout star. Tobias Merriweather looks like he’s taken a step forward—stronger, faster, more assertive. Jaden Greathouse, now in his second year, continues to show polish and reliability. Jordan Faison has emerged as a fan favorite, particularly after some highlight-worthy grabs in early practices. Micah Gilbert, a true freshman, has impressed physically and could play his way into a real role.
Of course, every one-handed catch posted on social media will be viewed as a sign of an elite receiving corps. And every drop or miscommunication will lead to concern about the offense’s cohesion. The truth is somewhere in the middle. The group has potential, no doubt. But they still need to prove they can get open consistently against Power Five secondaries and that they can be trusted in high-pressure situations. There’s no substitute for live reps, and those will tell the real story as scrimmages begin.
Another position group where the overreactions are already flying is the offensive line. Notre Dame has a reputation for producing elite offensive lines, but that doesn’t happen automatically. With Joe Alt and Blake Fisher off to the NFL, the Irish are replacing both starting tackles—never a small task. Charles Jagusah is getting the first crack at left tackle and has had his ups and downs in early practices. He’s powerful and athletic but still learning the nuances of the position. On the right side, Aamil Wagner and Tosh Baker are splitting reps, and neither has separated yet.
Social media clips showing defenders getting quick pressure during drills have already sparked concern, but without pads, it’s hard to draw meaningful conclusions. Footwork, timing, and communication are being tested more than raw physical dominance right now. That said, the line will be a focal point in camp because so much of Notre Dame’s offensive identity relies on winning in the trenches. If this group can come together quickly, the offense has a high ceiling. If not, it could limit everything else.
Defensively, the hype is less chaotic but just as passionate. The linebacker unit, now led by Drayk Bowen and Jaylen Sneed, looks fast and physical. Bowen has stepped confidently into a leadership role, and Sneed continues to flash sideline-to-sideline range. True freshman Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa has already become a favorite among those tracking practice closely, with his football instincts and energy catching the eye.
The secondary is anchored by Benjamin Morrison, who looks every bit like one of the best corners in the country. One clip of him breaking on a route or blanketing a receiver is all it takes to reignite All-American conversations. Xavier Watts, at safety, continues to lead on the back end, and the battle to find his running mate is already a popular topic. Ivan Taylor, Antonio Carter, and Ramon Henderson are all getting looks, and while it’ll take more than one week to sort it out, the Irish have the luxury of multiple playable options.
The defensive line hasn’t been featured as heavily in highlight clips, but that’s to be expected without contact. Even so, early signs are encouraging. Rylie Mills and Howard Cross are the veterans anchoring the group, and younger players like Boubacar Traore and Armel Mukam are starting to emerge. This group may not have a surefire first-rounder, but it has depth and versatility, which is just as valuable in a rotation-based approach.
Special teams have only seen limited action in open practice periods so far, but the battles are real. The kicker competition between Alabama transfer Will Reichard and freshman Owen McGinty will go deep into camp. Reichard has the experience, but McGinty’s big leg could win out if consistency follows. In the return game, Faison, Price, and Greathouse are rotating, with Faison looking particularly sharp and confident.
All of this is being watched, dissected, and judged not only by coaches but by fans, bloggers, and beat writers—all through the lens of short video clips and secondhand observations. That’s just the nature of August football now. Every team in America is posting short clips of their players making great plays, and Notre Dame is no different. But the key is resisting the urge to crown players—or write them off—based on a 15-second video.
The real evaluation is happening behind closed doors, in the meeting rooms, in the weight room, and in the hours of film review that follow each practice. What matters most right now is how players respond to coaching, how quickly they correct mistakes, and how they show up each day. Fall camp is a grind, not a highlight reel, and the players who thrive in that grind are the ones who will earn starting jobs.
Marcus Freeman understands this, and he’s preached consistency and discipline since arriving in South Bend. He knows the noise outside is only going to grow, especially as the season opener draws near. But his focus—and the focus of his staff—is on building a team that can withstand the spotlight and thrive under pressure. The talent is there. The depth is there. Now it’s about execution, and that doesn’t show up in a clip—it shows up on Saturdays.
So yes, fans are going to overreact to every clip they see. That’s part of the fun, and in some ways, it’s part of what makes college football so passionate and entertaining. But inside the program, the reactions are more measured. The first week of fall camp has been about getting back into rhythm, building chemistry, and laying the groundwork for what they hope will be a special season. The real story won’t be told in five-second highlight clips—it’ll be written over the next five months.
