As the Notre Dame Fighting Irish gear up for another football season, the excitement surrounding the team continues to build. With a rich history, a passionate fanbase, and a roster filled with talent, the Irish are always a team to watch in the college football landscape. As the 2025 season draws closer, the expectation for Notre Dame remains high, with hopes of not just competing for a major bowl game but contending for a College Football Playoff (CFP) spot. The question on everyone’s mind: Can this year’s team live up to those lofty expectations?
The road to success for Notre Dame will depend on a variety of factors—offensive production, defensive dominance, special teams consistency, and leadership across the roster. While there’s no shortage of optimism heading into the new season, there are key storylines to watch that will ultimately determine how far this team can go.
1. A Quarterback Controversy: Who Will Lead the Offense?
One of the most exciting—and nerve-wracking—aspects of the 2025 Notre Dame football season will be the quarterback battle. For years, Notre Dame has seen its fair share of quarterback competitions, and the lead-up to the new season is no different. With incumbent quarterback Tyler Buchner coming off an injury-riddled 2024 season, the competition for the starting role is expected to be intense. However, the transfer of Sam Hartman from Wake Forest has made the situation even more interesting.
Tyler Buchner: The Returning Veteran
Tyler Buchner’s 2024 season was cut short due to injury, but in the time that he did play, he showed flashes of the dual-threat ability that made him a highly touted recruit. His athleticism and ability to make plays with both his arm and legs give him an edge in an era where versatility is prized. The question, however, will be whether he can regain the consistency that he showed as a freshman in limited action and lead the offense through a full season. If Buchner can stay healthy, he offers a high ceiling for Notre Dame’s offense, with his ability to stretch defenses both vertically and horizontally. The Blue-Gold Game will provide a key early test to see how Buchner has recovered from his injuries and if he can regain his form under center.
Sam Hartman: The Experienced Transfer
Enter Sam Hartman, who arrives in South Bend after an impressive career at Wake Forest. Hartman is a proven commodity, having thrown for over 12,000 yards in his collegiate career and amassed a significant amount of experience running an up-tempo offense. His ability to read defenses quickly and his reputation for being a smart, precise passer make him an ideal fit for Notre Dame’s offense, which has shown a preference for a more traditional passing attack in recent years. Hartman’s leadership, combined with his accuracy and deep-ball ability, could be just what the Irish need to take the next step offensively. If he is able to secure the starting role, the Irish offense would likely take on a more air-raid approach, potentially opening up new avenues for success.
Dante Moore: The Freshman Wildcard
Freshman Dante Moore, one of the top recruits in the country, adds a different dynamic to the quarterback competition. Though he may not be ready to start right away, Moore’s natural talent and poise could make him a future star. The Blue-Gold Game will likely provide a glimpse into Moore’s readiness to compete at the collegiate level, though it’s expected that he will spend the early part of the season as a backup to either Buchner or Hartman. However, should either veteran struggle, Moore could be thrust into action sooner than anticipated. His arm strength and ability to make throws on the move give him a high ceiling, and it’s clear that the future of Notre Dame’s quarterback room is in capable hands with Moore.
Key Question: Can either Buchner or Hartman establish themselves as the clear starter, and how soon will Dante Moore be ready to contribute if needed?
2. The Running Back Room: A Deep and Talented Stable
For Notre Dame, the running game has long been a source of strength. With a talented stable of running backs returning in 2025, the Irish offense is in a good position to establish a physical identity and dominate on the ground. The competition in the backfield will be crucial, and the Blue-Gold Game will provide a key opportunity for fans and coaches to evaluate who will emerge as the lead back.
Audric Estime: The Powerhouse Back
Audric Estime emerged as one of the best running backs in college football last season, showcasing his bruising style and physicality. Standing at 6’1” and 225 pounds, Estime has the size and strength to wear down defenses, often dragging defenders for extra yards after contact. His ability to pick up tough yards in critical situations will be essential for Notre Dame’s success, particularly in short-yardage and goal-line situations. With a full season ahead of him, Estime will be asked to carry the load in the running game, and the Blue-Gold Game will be an opportunity for him to establish his dominance once again.
Logan Diggs: The Balanced Threat
Logan Diggs offers a more balanced approach in the backfield. Known for his ability to hit the hole quickly and his exceptional vision, Diggs provides a change of pace to Estime’s power running style. His ability to be a dual-threat back, contributing in both the run and passing game, will make him a key weapon for the Irish offense. With the loss of several key offensive players, Diggs’ ability to take on a bigger role in 2025 could prove crucial, especially if the passing game doesn’t immediately hit its stride. His ability to catch passes out of the backfield gives Notre Dame another dimension to their offense, allowing them to exploit mismatches with linebackers and safeties.
Chris Tyree: The Speedster
While Estime and Diggs will likely split the majority of the carries, Chris Tyree could prove to be a valuable asset in a change-of-pace role. Known for his blistering speed and ability to break long runs, Tyree is a home-run threat whenever he touches the ball. His quickness in the open field makes him a dangerous weapon, and the Irish could use him to stretch the field and keep opposing defenses on their heels. Tyree’s experience and track record for big plays make him a critical part of the backfield rotation.
Key Question: How will the backfield rotation shake out, and will Estime continue his rise as one of the country’s top running backs?
3. The Defense: Reloading for Another Elite Season
Notre Dame’s defense has been one of the team’s greatest strengths in recent years, and the 2025 unit will look to continue that tradition. While the Irish will face challenges in replacing key players, particularly along the defensive line and in the linebacker corps, they have the talent and depth necessary to reload and remain a formidable force.
Defensive Line: Replacing a Legend
One of the key storylines for Notre Dame’s defense will be the defensive line. With the departure of Isaiah Foskey, a first-round pick in the NFL Draft, the Irish must find new playmakers along the defensive front. However, veterans like Jayson Ademilola and Rylie Mills will anchor the line, and players like Jordan Botelho and NaNa Osafo-Mensah are expected to step into larger roles. The pass rush will be crucial to the team’s overall success, and the defensive line must maintain its ability to disrupt the quarterback and create havoc in the backfield. The Blue-Gold Game will provide a good opportunity to see which players have taken the next step in their development and who can step up to fill the void left by Foskey’s departure.
Linebackers: A New Era of Leadership
While the loss of veteran players like JD Bertrand will leave a leadership gap in the linebacker room, players such as Jack Kiser and Drake Bowen will be expected to step up and lead the defense. Kiser’s experience and versatility will be key in holding down the middle of the defense, while Bowen’s natural ability and potential could make him an immediate contributor as a freshman. The linebacker corps will be critical in Notre Dame’s ability to stop the run, cover in pass defense, and provide leadership on the field. The Blue-Gold Game will give fans a first look at how the Irish are shaping up at linebacker and whether they have the depth and leadership needed for another strong defensive season.
Secondary: Continuing the Tradition of Playmaking
The secondary has been one of the stronger units for Notre Dame in recent years, and the 2025 season will see the return of standout players like Benjamin Morrison and Xavier Watts. Morrison, a potential All-American, will be tasked with locking down opposing receivers, while Watts will continue to be a ballhawk and playmaker in the secondary. With a solid mix of experience and young talent, including players like Jaden Mickey and Ramon Henderson, the secondary will be critical in Notre Dame’s ability to defend against high-powered passing attacks. The Blue-Gold Game will offer an opportunity to see how these players gel and how the secondary is shaping up ahead of the season.
Key Question: Can the defensive line and linebackers replace the production lost from last year’s stars, and will the secondary continue its strong playmaking tradition?
A Bright Future Ahead
As Notre Dame looks ahead to the 2025 season, the pieces are in place for another successful year. With a highly competitive quarterback battle, a deep and talented running back group, and a defense that is poised to reload and remain one of the nation’s best, the Irish have all the ingredients needed to compete at the highest level. The key for Notre Dame will be consistency, particularly on offense, and the ability of new players to step up and contribute immediately. The Blue-Gold Game will provide a glimpse into the team’s development and will offer important clues about which players will emerge as the leaders for the 2025 season.
As Notre Dame football moves forward into the new season, there is reason to be optimistic. With a solid mix of returning talent and fresh faces ready to make their mark, the Fighting Irish will be looking to challenge for a spot in the College Football Playoff and, ultimately, a national championship.
