Notre Dame Football Now Owns the Nation’s No. 7 Offense Despite Breaking in a Brand New Starting Quarterback This Season

Notre Dame Football entered the 2025 season with optimism, but also with more than a few question marks. Chief among them was how the Fighting Irish would fare with a new starting quarterback under center. Fast forward to late October, and not only has that question been answered — it has been emphatically silenced. Notre Dame currently boasts the No. 7-ranked offense in the nation, a feat made all the more impressive given the inexperience at quarterback and the considerable offseason turnover.

The new man in charge of the Irish offense? Sophomore quarterback Brayden Dorman, a former blue-chip recruit who spent his freshman season watching and learning behind now-NFL starter Sam Hartman. Dorman wasn’t guaranteed the job in spring, battling through a heated quarterback competition. But since being named the starter in August, he’s done more than just manage games — he’s elevated the entire Notre Dame offensive attack.

Through eight games, Dorman has thrown for 2,376 yards, 19 touchdowns, and just four interceptions, leading an Irish offense that averages 492.3 total yards per game. It’s a balanced attack, too. Notre Dame ranks top-15 nationally in both passing and rushing yards per contest, averaging 317.1 yards through the air and 175.2 yards on the ground.

Head coach Marcus Freeman and offensive coordinator Gerad Parker deserve immense credit for crafting a scheme that suits Dorman’s strengths — namely, his quick release, natural leadership, and knack for hitting receivers in stride. But it’s not just Dorman who’s making waves. The entire offense is clicking at a level not seen in South Bend in years.

Notre Dame’s receiving corps has flourished under Dorman’s direction. Jaden Greathouse, Rico Flores Jr., and Jayden Thomas have emerged as one of the most productive wideout trios in the country, each averaging over 60 receiving yards per game. Greathouse, in particular, has looked like a future first-round NFL Draft pick, hauling in 47 catches for 781 yards and 8 touchdowns thus far.

The tight end tradition at Notre Dame also remains alive and well. Eli Raridon, now fully healthy after battling injuries early in his career, has developed into a reliable red-zone threat and a safety valve for Dorman in key moments.

But perhaps the most important factor in Notre Dame’s offensive emergence is its dominant offensive line, anchored by All-American tackle Joe Alt and rising star Blake Fisher. This unit has protected Dorman masterfully, allowing just 7 sacks all season — one of the best marks in the country — while also paving the way for a run game that’s wearing down defenses late.

Running backs Jadarian Price and Jeremiyah Love have created a powerful one-two punch. Price is the bruiser, leading the team in carries and short-yardage conversions, while Love provides the speed and big-play potential. The duo has combined for over 1,200 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns, ensuring that the offense remains multidimensional and dangerous in every situation.

Even more impressively, Notre Dame’s offense has thrived against legitimate competition. In a win over then-No. 12 USC, the Irish posted 544 yards of total offense, with Dorman torching the Trojans for 341 yards and four scores. Against a stingy NC State defense, Notre Dame ground out 212 rushing yards and leaned on its physicality to dominate time of possession and tempo.

Marcus Freeman has made no secret of his pride in the unit’s progression. “You look at the way our guys have matured, especially Brayden,” Freeman said after the Irish’s 38–21 win over Louisville. “He’s not playing like a new starter. He’s playing like a seasoned vet. But it’s not just him — it’s the whole offensive operation. Everybody’s bought in.”

There’s a quiet confidence in South Bend that this offense, young as it is, hasn’t even reached its ceiling. Dorman continues to grow with every rep. His ability to diagnose defenses pre-snap and adjust protections has improved dramatically since the first month of the season. Wide receivers coach Chansi Stuckey called Dorman’s October performance “borderline elite” and praised his “composure in chaos.”

The confidence is rubbing off on everyone. Notre Dame has scored 30 or more points in six of its eight games, including a 49-point outing against Duke and 45 against Pitt. The Irish have yet to play a game this season where they failed to move the ball consistently for four quarters.

That type of consistency hasn’t gone unnoticed nationally. ESPN’s Greg McElroy said on a recent broadcast that Notre Dame “might have the most underrated offense in college football.” Fox Sports analyst Joel Klatt echoed that sentiment, adding: “People keep talking about Georgia, Michigan, and Texas — and they should. But Notre Dame is right there, with an offense that can score with anybody.”

What makes this season particularly exciting for Irish fans is the sustainability of the offense’s success. Unlike some teams built around one explosive playmaker or a single-season wonder, Notre Dame’s core pieces are young and locked in. Dorman is just a sophomore. Price and Love are both underclassmen. The wideouts? Mostly juniors or younger.

That means 2025 may only be the beginning of something special.

Still, the Irish aren’t getting ahead of themselves. With a tough November slate that includes a road trip to Clemson and the season-ending showdown with rival Stanford, the offense will be tested again — and so will Dorman. But given how this group has answered every challenge thus far, there’s little reason to doubt them now.

Inside the locker room, the mindset remains steady. “We’re just trying to stack good weeks,” Dorman said after practice last Tuesday. “Coach Freeman always says it’s about getting better each rep, each game, each opportunity. I’m blessed to be out there leading this team, but I know we’ve got so much more to prove.”

Notre Dame’s resurgence on offense couldn’t have come at a better time. With the expanded College Football Playoff format looming, programs with high-octane attacks are being rewarded more than ever. The Irish, known traditionally for their defense and physical play, now have an offensive unit capable of carrying the banner in shootouts or slugfests.

For fans who’ve long craved explosive plays and scoreboard-lighting fireworks, this version of Notre Dame football feels like a breath of fresh air — and a glimpse of the program’s modern identity.

They’re fast. They’re physical. They’re fearless. And they’re doing it all with a brand-new quarterback who’s already writing his name into Notre Dame lore.

The future? It might already be here.