Two young wide receivers from Notre Dame who excelled throughout the spring
The University of Notre Dame has long been known for producing high-level football talent, and with the team entering a new era, the spring practice sessions of 2025 revealed two young wide receivers who have not only caught the eye of their coaches and teammates but are poised to become crucial contributors in the upcoming season. With the passing game becoming a focal point for the Fighting Irish, these two players—Tyler Hawkins and Liam Richards—have shown exceptional promise and have distinguished themselves as stars in the making.
In this piece, we take an in-depth look at these two young wide receivers, their journey to Notre Dame, their performances during the spring, and what makes them the future of the Fighting Irish passing game.
The Rising Stars of Notre Dame: Tyler Hawkins and Liam Richards
Tyler Hawkins: A Dynamic Athlete with an Unmatched Work Ethic
Tyler Hawkins, a sophomore wide receiver from Indianapolis, Indiana, is an athlete who embodies the spirit of hard work and perseverance. Hawkins arrived at Notre Dame as a highly touted recruit with impressive speed, agility, and the ability to make plays downfield. During his high school career at Cathedral High School, Hawkins was known for his explosive plays, consistently leading his team in receiving yards and touchdowns.
Standing at 6 feet tall and weighing 190 pounds, Hawkins brings an intriguing blend of size and speed to the position. His time in high school showed flashes of his deep-threat potential, but he wasn’t just a burner; Hawkins also displayed excellent route-running and an ability to track the football in the air, making him a difficult matchup for defenders.
As a freshman, Hawkins saw limited action but made a lasting impression with his work ethic and approach to the game. He committed himself to improving his physical conditioning, studying the playbook meticulously, and building a stronger bond with his quarterback, who would be crucial to his development. In spring practice, it became clear that Hawkins had taken the next step in his game.
During the 2025 spring practices, Hawkins turned heads with his exceptional consistency and ability to make plays all over the field. Whether it was catching passes on quick slants, running deep routes down the sideline, or making contested catches in tight spaces, Hawkins proved that he could do it all. His route-running, which was previously considered an area for growth, showed significant improvement as he used sharp cuts and quick releases to consistently gain separation from defenders.
One standout performance came during a spring scrimmage where Hawkins caught several deep passes, including a 50-yard touchdown reception in which he showcased his ability to accelerate away from coverage and track the ball over his shoulder in perfect stride. His combination of speed and ball tracking skills made him nearly impossible to cover one-on-one, earning praise from both coaches and players alike.
What truly separated Hawkins from others, however, was his work ethic. Coaches have lauded his relentless approach to practice and film study. His drive to improve has rubbed off on his teammates, and his commitment to growth has placed him squarely in the mix for a starting role heading into the season.
Liam Richards: The Physical Possession Receiver
Liam Richards, a redshirt freshman from Chicago, Illinois, may not be as flashy as Hawkins in terms of raw speed, but his physicality and ability to make contested catches have made him a fan favorite in the spring practices. Richards was a standout receiver at Mount Carmel High School, where he was known for his ability to outmuscle defenders, make tough catches in traffic, and dominate in the red zone. Standing at 6’3″ and weighing 210 pounds, Richards has the physical tools to be a dangerous weapon in Notre Dame’s passing game.
Richards’ first year at Notre Dame was spent learning the intricacies of the position and refining his technique. While he did not see much playing time as a freshman, his size, hands, and ability to box out defenders during drills suggested that he could be a future contributor. Spring 2025 marked the moment where Richards began to turn heads and assert himself as a reliable target in the Fighting Irish’s offensive scheme.
Richards’ spring practices were filled with impressive displays of physicality, particularly in one-on-one drills against the defense. His ability to make tough catches in contested situations and use his size to shield defenders away from the ball made him a consistent target for quarterbacks. In a scrimmage late in the spring, Richards caught a touchdown pass over two defenders, showcasing his ability to rise above the competition and come down with the ball in high-pressure situations. His physicality in the air, combined with his precise routes, made him an invaluable asset in the spring.
While Hawkins and Richards bring different skill sets to the table, what is clear is that both possess the versatility to make an impact in a variety of roles. Richards excels in jump-ball situations, red-zone opportunities, and as a possession receiver who can move the chains. As the team looks to add a reliable target for their quarterbacks, Richards could be the perfect complement to Hawkins’ downfield ability, allowing the offense to operate with more flexibility.
Strengths That Set Them Apart
Tyler Hawkins’ Explosive Speed and Route Running
Tyler Hawkins’ greatest strength is his combination of speed, acceleration, and route-running ability. Throughout spring practices, Hawkins was repeatedly able to get behind the defense with his quickness, creating big-play opportunities downfield. He’s a natural deep-threat receiver who can stretch the defense and make big gains in open space. His ability to run crisp, clean routes has made him a reliable target for Notre Dame’s quarterbacks, and his speed has allowed him to gain separation on deep passes.
Moreover, Hawkins’ ability to track and adjust to the ball while it’s in the air is another asset that stands out. He consistently showed that he can adjust to varying ball trajectories, something that’s critical for wide receivers in high-pressure moments. Hawkins’ speed and ball skills make him a big-play threat on every snap.
Liam Richards’ Physicality and Catching Ability
On the other hand, Liam Richards is a big-bodied receiver who uses his size to outmuscle defenders and make tough catches in contested situations. His ability to create separation through physicality rather than speed makes him a valuable asset in the red zone and on third downs, where his size and hands can create mismatches against smaller defensive backs. Richards is also incredibly tough, often playing through contact to complete catches and move the chains.
Furthermore, Richards’ excellent footwork and route-running skills allow him to maintain balance and fluidity despite his larger frame. As a possession receiver, Richards has proven to be a reliable and consistent target in short-to-intermediate routes, creating a perfect complement to Hawkins’ deep-ball skills.
Looking Ahead: What the Future Holds
Both Tyler Hawkins and Liam Richards have shown they can be key contributors in the Fighting Irish’s passing game moving forward. With Notre Dame’s offense expected to evolve under the guidance of head coach Marcus Freeman and offensive coordinator Gerad Parker, both wide receivers have the chance to become integral parts of an offense that aims to strike a balance between the run and the pass.
In the 2025 season, Hawkins’ role will likely be that of a deep-threat receiver, stretching the field and creating explosive plays. He could serve as the primary downfield option for Notre Dame’s quarterbacks, challenging opposing defenses to account for his speed on every play. His development as a complete route runner only adds to his potential as a dynamic weapon in the passing game.
Richards, meanwhile, is poised to become the possession receiver that Notre Dame has lacked in recent years. His ability to make contested catches, particularly in critical moments, will be invaluable to the team’s success. His red-zone presence, along with his physicality and ball skills, should make him a trusted target for quarterbacks in key situations.
Tyler Hawkins and Liam Richards have shown this spring that they are not just promising young talents—they are potential future stars for Notre Dame’s football program. Both players bring unique skills to the table, and together they could form one of the most dynamic wide receiver tandems in the country. As the 2025 season approaches, Hawkins and Richards are two players to watch, as they have the potential to elevate Notre Dame’s passing game to new heights.
In the ever-evolving landscape of college football, the Fighting Irish have two young wide receivers who are ready to shine. Their success during spring practice is just the beginning, and fans can expect big things from Hawkins and Richards as they continue to develop and contribute to Notre Dame’s pursuit of excellence on the gridiron.
