With 45 Days Until Kickoff, A Look at How Often Notre Dame Will Rely on the Passing Game in 2025 Season

With 45 Days Until Kickoff, A Look at How Often Notre Dame Will Rely on the Passing Game in 2025 Season

With just 45 days remaining until Notre Dame football returns to the field, speculation surrounding the team’s offensive identity in 2025 is ramping up. After an offseason filled with roster shakeups, coaching adjustments, and renewed expectations, one of the most pressing questions on the minds of Irish fans is this: how often will Notre Dame throw the football this season? In an era where explosive passing attacks dominate the college football landscape, and with a new quarterback leading the charge, the answer will shape the narrative of the Irish’s 2025 campaign. Will Notre Dame continue to lean on a ground-and-pound identity rooted in physicality and tradition, or will they fully embrace a more modern, aerial-focused attack?

The answer lies somewhere in the middle—but there’s good reason to believe that Notre Dame’s passing game will take a significant step forward in both frequency and efficiency this season. That shift won’t be a drastic overhaul of the offensive philosophy, but rather a necessary evolution based on personnel, opponent tendencies, and overall goals under Marcus Freeman’s vision of building a complete team capable of contending in the College Football Playoff.

Let’s begin with the quarterback room, which has undergone a notable transformation since the departure of Sam Hartman. In 2024, Hartman provided veteran leadership and was expected to elevate the offense with his arm, but inconsistent play-calling and a lack of elite receiver production limited Notre Dame’s vertical threats. In 2025, however, there’s renewed hope in the form of sophomore quarterback CJ Carr—a former five-star recruit with a polished skill set, strong football IQ, and the kind of arm talent that can keep defensive coordinators up at night.

Carr may be young, but he brings something that Notre Dame hasn’t consistently had in years: upside and pure passer instincts. He’s not just a game manager—he’s a potential game-changer. From the moment he arrived in South Bend, Carr has drawn praise for his poise, accuracy, and ability to process reads quickly. Those qualities, combined with a year spent learning the system and building chemistry with teammates, position him as the frontrunner to take the starting job and push Notre Dame toward a more pass-heavy approach.

But even the best quarterbacks need the right environment to thrive. That’s where Notre Dame’s supporting cast and offensive structure come into play. The wide receiver room—long considered the weakest link of the Irish offense—is finally starting to round into shape. Several young playmakers have emerged, including dynamic sophomore Braylon James and the reliable Rico Flores Jr., both of whom showed flashes in limited opportunities last year. Additionally, transfer additions and incoming freshmen provide depth and speed, allowing Notre Dame to run more 11 and 10 personnel sets that prioritize spacing and vertical threats.

Tight end production also remains a consistent asset for the Irish. The emergence of Eli Raridon and Holden Staes in 2024 ensured the tight end tradition is alive and well. Both are matchup nightmares who can stretch the seam and serve as security blankets for a young quarterback. Their presence gives Notre Dame the flexibility to run play-action and RPO concepts that simplify reads while still pushing the ball downfield.

The offensive line, meanwhile, remains a strength—even with the loss of key veterans to the NFL. Notre Dame continues to produce elite offensive linemen year after year, and the 2025 unit, led by rising star tackle Charles Jagusah and mauling guard Billy Schrauth, is expected to provide ample protection for Carr or whoever starts under center. Good pass protection often determines how much a team can rely on the aerial attack, and with Notre Dame’s line expected to be one of the best in the nation, it provides the perfect platform for the passing game to flourish.

All of this leads to a natural question: just how often will Notre Dame throw the ball? Statistically speaking, the Irish averaged around 27–30 pass attempts per game over the past three seasons. That number fluctuated depending on game situations, weather conditions, and opponent weaknesses, but it rarely reached the 35+ range typical of pass-happy offenses. That conservative approach made sense with a veteran quarterback like Hartman and a dominant running game led by Audric Estimé. But 2025 may call for a different formula.

With a new backfield led by younger running backs and an emphasis on developing a vertical offense, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Notre Dame increase its pass attempts to 33–36 per game—a subtle but significant shift in philosophy. That number would still allow the Irish to maintain a balanced attack, but it would also reflect greater trust in the quarterback and the receiving corps. Offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock, back for a second stint with Notre Dame, is known for adjusting his scheme based on personnel. If Carr earns the job and the young wideouts continue to develop, expect Denbrock to open up the playbook and give his quarterback the green light to throw early and often.

Another reason to expect more passing volume in 2025 is the schedule. Notre Dame faces a demanding slate that includes several top-tier defenses, such as Texas A&M, Florida State, and USC. In those matchups, establishing the run early may be difficult, especially against aggressive fronts that stack the box. Having a confident, capable quarterback who can keep defenses honest through the air becomes critical. If Notre Dame wants to beat playoff-caliber teams, it can’t afford to be one-dimensional. Throwing the football with intent and efficiency is not just a luxury—it’s a requirement.

Additionally, game script plays a role in shaping pass-run ratios. Notre Dame expects to be in more competitive games this year compared to previous seasons where they could cruise through weaker opponents with a heavy dose of the run. Tighter games and potential shootouts mean more passing opportunities, particularly in the second half. Carr’s quick release and field vision give the Irish a legitimate chance to operate a fast-paced, up-tempo offense when necessary.

The coaching staff also recognizes the importance of developing a quarterback-friendly environment that promotes growth and confidence. That means mixing in short throws, bubble screens, and play-action boots to get the ball out quickly and allow receivers to gain yards after the catch. It also means not being afraid to take deep shots and challenge opposing secondaries vertically. Carr has the arm strength to make those throws, and the Irish must give him the green light to stretch the field when the opportunity arises.

That said, Notre Dame won’t completely abandon its traditional run-first mentality. Marcus Freeman, a defensive-minded head coach, still believes in controlling the clock, winning at the line of scrimmage, and wearing down opponents physically. The run game will still be a foundational element of the offense, especially with an offensive line built to maul. But the goal in 2025 is not to run the ball 40 times just because they can—it’s to build an offense that can adapt, threaten all areas of the field, and win in multiple ways.

Ultimately, the passing game’s volume in 2025 will come down to trust—trust in the quarterback, trust in the playmakers, and trust in the scheme. If CJ Carr can handle the mental and physical demands of leading a top-10 program, and if the receivers take the next step, there’s every reason to believe Notre Dame will throw more frequently and with more success than it has in years.

It’s a shift that fans are ready for. The modern game rewards explosive plays and elite quarterback play. It’s no longer enough to dominate time of possession or grind out 20–17 wins. If Notre Dame wants to compete for a national championship in 2025 and beyond, they’ll need to join the ranks of teams that can score quickly, respond under pressure, and win with the ball in the air.

With 45 days until the season kicks off, there are still questions to be answered in camp—who wins the quarterback job, which receivers separate themselves, and how Denbrock fine-tunes the offense. But one thing is becoming increasingly clear: Notre Dame’s passing attack is about to evolve, and the 2025 season could mark the beginning of a new era in South Bend—one where the Irish don’t just run the ball well, but throw it with purpose, precision, and power.