Notre Dame Opens Fall Camp With Light Practice in Shells, Offering Limited Takeaways but Early Glimpses Into Key 2025 Storylines
While Notre Dame football got started with its fall practice today, there wasn’t too much to take away from it as they were just in shells. It’s a phrase we hear often in early August, and one that usually invites caution from overzealous observers trying to read too much into a practice without full pads. Still, even a day in shells offers value—if not in scheme and physicality, then certainly in tone, energy, positioning, body language, and how certain players look from a maturity and readiness standpoint. This isn’t a time to jump to conclusions. It’s a time to start watching the pieces move into place.
The first day of fall camp is always more symbolic than substantive. It’s not about proving dominance or declaring starters. It’s about starting the process. For Notre Dame, that process involves replacing key veterans, implementing refinements under new or adjusted coaching roles, and setting a standard that can carry through the grind of a season with real College Football Playoff aspirations. Head coach Marcus Freeman made that clear—this team isn’t here to rebuild or tread water. This is about contending.
Still, let’s call it what it was: a non-contact practice in helmets and shells. The real battles come when the pads are on and the physicality shows up. But even so, the players were flying around with a level of intensity and structure that reflects a program with a plan. There’s a different vibe around Notre Dame this fall, one that hints at quiet confidence more than desperation.
Quarterback play is the headliner of any fall camp, and even in shells, the rhythm and tempo of that position group is worth noting. With Riley Leonard now preparing for Sundays, the question of who leads the Irish offense in 2025 remains front and center. On Day 1, reps were distributed primarily between Kenny Minchey, Steve Angeli, and freshman CJ Carr. None of them stood out dramatically—nor should they in a low-contact setting—but each showed glimpses.
Minchey looked composed and in control, rarely rushing his progressions and showing good footwork. He’s clearly benefitted from time in the system, and his quick release is notable. Angeli was a bit more erratic—he has the confidence to push the ball, but that can be a double-edged sword, particularly without real pressure coming. Carr, for his part, looked exactly as you’d hope a top-tier freshman would look: confident, eager, and clearly talented, but still adjusting to the speed and complexity of the college game. He didn’t look overwhelmed, which is a win for Day 1.
Because they were just in shells, the offensive line and defensive front battles were more about stance, leverage, hand usage, and communication than about winning reps physically. That said, it was interesting to see who lined up where. Charles Jagusah took first-team reps at left tackle, a significant nod to his progress, while Billy Schrauth and Pat Coogan looked like the early favorites at guard. Ashton Craig held down center with consistency. Notre Dame has work to do replacing stalwarts like Joe Alt and Blake Fisher, and while no one will be mistaken for a finished product in early August, the group didn’t look overwhelmed. They moved well, communicated clearly, and took their assignments seriously.
On the defensive side, the linebacker rotation remains a point of intrigue. Drayk Bowen looks like he’s taking on the JD Bertrand role—vocal, instinctive, and clearly trusted by the coaching staff. Jaylen Sneed moved well in space and showed comfort dropping into coverage. One interesting wrinkle was freshman Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa rotating in with the twos and making quick reads against swing passes and short routes. He’s clearly further along than most first-years are, and the staff appears willing to give him early responsibility.
Secondary play is always difficult to assess in shells, but it’s impossible not to notice Benjamin Morrison. He’s just different. His footwork, anticipation, and confidence are evident even in walk-through level reps. His presence alone changes the dynamic of the defense. Opposite him, the rotation between Jaden Mickey and Christian Gray continued, though it’ll take padded practices and scrimmage work to see who really wins the job. At safety, Xavier Watts looks every bit the veteran leader this defense needs. He’s vocal, smooth in his movements, and clearly engaged with younger players like freshman Ivan Taylor, who flashed with some tight coverage in team periods.
Wide receiver depth and clarity remains a work in progress. Tobias Merriweather looks physically impressive—leaner, faster, and more polished in his breaks. He had several crisp routes, and while contact was limited, the attention he drew from the secondary was telling. Jaden Greathouse worked with the ones, as expected, and continues to show the strong hands and route discipline that made him a freshman standout. Jordan Faison rotated into the slot and looked comfortable, while freshman Micah Gilbert turned heads with his frame and initial burst off the line. He may not be ready to start, but the physical tools are clearly there.
Running backs looked sharp, particularly Jadarian Price, who showed great lateral quickness and patience in the mesh point. Gi’Bran Payne and Jeremiyah Love also rotated through, with Love flashing as a potential home-run hitter if he can improve consistency in pass protection. Again, the lack of contact limits how much you can glean, but footwork, timing, and instincts were all there in flashes.
Special teams had limited action, but a few reps in kickoff and punt return formations gave insight into personnel priorities. Faison, Greathouse, and Price all saw time as returners, and while it’s too early to name a favorite, Faison’s quick decision-making and secure hands gave him a slight edge on Day 1. At kicker, the battle between Will Reichard and freshman Owen McGinty remains tight. Reichard, the Alabama transfer, has the resume and consistency, but McGinty’s raw leg strength is tantalizing.
The coaching staff seemed locked in from start to finish. Marcus Freeman floated from position group to position group, more often listening than correcting, which says something about his trust in his assistants. Offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock kept the tempo up in install periods and seemed focused on spacing, quick reads, and simplifying decision-making for his quarterbacks. The offense appears to be evolving toward more rhythm and efficiency, less about volume and more about execution. Defensively, Al Golden was animated, demanding precision from his linebackers and alignment consistency across the secondary.
The overall pace of practice was solid. Drills moved quickly, there were very few stoppages, and players appeared to be in condition. That might seem like a given, but it’s not always the case this early in fall camp. There was no wasted motion, no dragging between periods. This looked like a team that understands what’s at stake and is approaching practice like a job, not just a preseason tune-up.
So, while there wasn’t too much to take away from Day 1 in terms of contact, there was plenty to take note of in terms of energy, accountability, and urgency. This team knows what it’s chasing. Whether or not it has the pieces to get there remains to be seen, but you can feel the intensity even in shells. There’s no sense of “we’ll figure it out later”—there’s an urgency to find answers now.
The biggest takeaway, perhaps, is that Notre Dame’s depth and competition are more robust than in previous years. There are still question marks at quarterback, left tackle, cornerback opposite Morrison, and at kicker. But there are also multiple players at each spot capable of rising to the challenge. Freeman and his staff have built a roster that’s deeper, faster, and more athletic than it was even a year ago. Whether that translates to more wins—especially in close games against top opponents—will depend on how these next three weeks go.
Ultimately, Day 1 of camp was a foundational step. No declarations, no dramatic shifts, just football returning in its most basic form. But even in shells, the contours of a high-ceiling team are taking shape. There’s work to be done, but the energy feels aligned. It’s early. It’s still August. But the climb has begun.
