Notre Dame Moves Up to No. 5 in ESPN’s Future Power Rankings, Poised for Elite Success Over the Next Two Years

When ESPN’s Adam Rittenberg speaks, college football listens. And in his latest “Future Power Rankings” — a highly regarded annual breakdown evaluating how well programs are positioned for success over the next two seasons — Notre Dame football fans have reason to rejoice. The Fighting Irish climbed to No. 5 on this year’s list, a two-spot jump from their No. 7 ranking a year ago. It’s a significant nod to the momentum Marcus Freeman and his staff have generated in South Bend, with strong recruiting, quarterback stability, and organizational consistency painting a bright picture for the future.

The Future Power Rankings aren’t just another preseason poll. They blend current roster strength, coaching continuity, incoming recruiting classes, development infrastructure, and long-term trajectory into a holistic snapshot of which programs are primed to thrive. In essence, it’s a forward-facing evaluation of where the powerhouse programs are heading, and Notre Dame’s placement among the top five marks one of its highest in recent years. The Irish now trail only perennial blue bloods like Georgia, Ohio State, Oregon, and Texas.

What does this say about where Notre Dame stands as a program in the national landscape? More than ever, it affirms that the Freeman era isn’t merely about maintaining status quo — it’s about building something capable of bringing home hardware.

One of the main reasons for the Irish’s leap is quarterback play, and Notre Dame’s ability to attract and develop elite talent at the position. For 2025 and beyond, that starts with CJ Carr. The five-star Michigan native and legacy recruit has the pedigree and tools to lead the Irish offense into a new era. Backing him up will be a room full of talented signal callers — a scenario that hasn’t always been the norm for Notre Dame in recent years.

This optimism at quarterback stands in contrast to some of the inconsistency of the past. While the Irish have always had respectable quarterback play, the ceiling now feels higher. Freeman and offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock have worked to ensure the offense is built around maximizing Carr’s strengths — timing, touch, decision-making, and toughness — and that should make Notre Dame more dynamic and explosive in the years to come.

Another pillar of Notre Dame’s lofty projection in the Future Power Rankings lies in the strength of its defense, and particularly the recruiting wins secured under Freeman’s leadership. The Irish continue to stockpile elite-level defenders, particularly in the secondary. Five-star safety Ivan Taylor and top-ranked cornerback targets like Dallas Wilson and Justin Thurman have either committed or placed the Irish among their finalists, signaling that defensive backs coach Mike Mickens’ reputation is attracting big-time talent.

Up front, the defensive line remains a focal point of growth. The 2025 and 2026 classes include high-upside prospects that can rotate in quickly and develop into disruptors. Notre Dame’s staff has prioritized length, explosiveness, and versatility — building a front that can both contain mobile quarterbacks and pressure traditional passers.

Linebacker play, always a staple of Irish football, remains strong as well. With Jaylen Sneed, Jaiden Ausberry, and Drayk Bowen leading the charge, the defense is in good hands, and the development pipeline appears stable through at least 2026. The ability to blend proven veterans with promising newcomers has kept Notre Dame among the nation’s most respected defensive outfits.

From an infrastructure standpoint, Notre Dame has also invested heavily in facilities and player development resources, a major factor in Rittenberg’s rankings. The Irish have upgraded their indoor training centers, revamped their nutrition and recovery protocols, and expanded academic and personal development support — all while maintaining the rigorous academic standards that make Notre Dame a unique destination.

Yet perhaps the most critical component of Notre Dame’s rise in the rankings is Marcus Freeman himself. Entering his third full season as head coach, Freeman has silenced doubters and earned praise from insiders across the college football landscape for his player-first approach, elite recruiting ability, and steady in-game evolution. He’s managed to modernize the Notre Dame brand without sacrificing its identity — a tightrope act that few could pull off so smoothly.

Freeman’s relationships with players and recruits have helped the Irish fend off some of the sport’s most aggressive talent acquirers, including the likes of Alabama, Georgia, and Michigan. His staff, anchored by veterans like Al Golden and Denbrock, reflects a balance of experience and innovation. This coaching cohesion has brought stability to the program — something Rittenberg emphasized in his write-up as a key separator in these rankings.

The Irish also benefit from independence — a unique factor that affords Notre Dame the flexibility to schedule marquee matchups while avoiding some of the attrition that conference gauntlets can bring. With upcoming games against programs like Texas A&M, Alabama, and Florida State, the Irish will have plenty of opportunities to test themselves against top-tier competition and impress the College Football Playoff committee.

In recent years, that playoff hurdle has been the final frontier for Notre Dame. The Irish have reached the CFP multiple times, only to fall short in semifinal contests. But with a roster more capable of competing athletically with the SEC and Big Ten powers, and a recruiting profile that is inching closer to elite status, there’s growing belief that the breakthrough isn’t a matter of “if,” but “when.”

Another factor to consider is Notre Dame’s rising appeal in the NIL era. While the school was initially slower to adopt some of the changes brought on by name, image, and likeness opportunities, it has since organized one of the more robust and streamlined NIL collectives among independent and Power 4 schools. Irish players now benefit from consistent NIL infrastructure, educational resources, and branding opportunities that make staying in South Bend attractive even as the transfer portal era tempts many to jump ship.

This off-field progress has kept Notre Dame from losing key contributors — and even helped lure transfer talent who might otherwise have looked toward the SEC. The Irish have recently landed key transfers at wide receiver and along the offensive line, further reinforcing the idea that the program’s foundation is strong and resilient.

One of the more subtle but crucial indicators of Notre Dame’s upward trajectory is the lack of dysfunction. In an age where elite programs often suffer from coordinator turnover, off-field scandals, or administrative turbulence, Notre Dame has remained largely drama-free. Freeman’s steady leadership and clear communication have bred trust within the locker room and confidence within the fan base.

So where do the Irish go from here?

The expectations will only grow, and rightfully so. With a top-five projection in the Future Power Rankings, the spotlight on South Bend is now brighter than it’s been in years. The pressure to return to the College Football Playoff — and this time, advance — is real. But the pieces are aligning in a way that makes that dream attainable.

The next two seasons will be telling. CJ Carr will likely take the reins, elite young defenders will continue to emerge, and the staff will need to win key recruiting battles to maintain this trajectory. But the roadmap is clear. Rittenberg’s assessment isn’t just an accolade — it’s a charge. Notre Dame has positioned itself among the sport’s elite, and now it must prove it belongs there when it matters most: under the lights, on Saturdays in fall.

In conclusion, Notre Dame’s climb to No. 5 in ESPN’s Future Power Rankings is a powerful endorsement of the program’s vision and execution. It reflects a complete football operation that’s firing on all cylinders — from quarterback development and defensive excellence to coaching leadership and off-field modernization. If the Irish continue on this path, South Bend might just be hosting another national title celebration sooner than most expect.