With an eye on the future, Notre Dame football wants to have another great season.
By all accounts, Notre Dame football’s 2024 campaign was a success — a double-digit win season, a bowl victory, and a roster full of talent stepping up in key moments. But the Fighting Irish are not a program that rests on good enough. Head coach Marcus Freeman and his staff are clear: the bar is greatness, and the vision extends well beyond a single successful year.
With spring practices concluding and fall on the horizon, Notre Dame football is already laser-focused on putting together another great season in 2025. And in South Bend, success isn’t just measured in wins and losses — it’s measured in legacy, development, and what’s being built for the long haul.
Marcus Freeman’s Blueprint for Sustained Success
When Freeman was elevated to head coach in 2021, it was more than just a transition from the Brian Kelly era — it was a philosophical shift. The former Notre Dame defensive coordinator brought in youthful energy, strong recruiting acumen, and a deep appreciation for what makes Notre Dame unique.
In just a few short seasons, Freeman has not only held the line but pushed the program into new heights in recruiting and player development. He’s expanded the coaching staff, emphasized elite strength and conditioning, and leaned heavily into Notre Dame’s national brand.
Freeman is adamant that greatness is a byproduct of preparation and vision.
“Every decision we make is about what we want to look like, not just in Week 1, but in the College Football Playoff, in the NFL Draft, five years down the road,” Freeman said during spring ball. “It’s about being elite — and staying elite.”
Embracing New Leadership on the Field
With the departure of veteran quarterback Sam Hartman to the NFL, Notre Dame enters 2025 with a new leader under center: Riley Leonard. The former Duke signal-caller transferred to South Bend with a reputation for toughness, leadership, and dual-threat ability.
Leonard’s familiarity with Power Five competition, combined with his poise and intelligence, makes him an immediate upgrade. More importantly, Freeman and offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock believe Leonard brings a level of competitiveness that can ignite the offense.
“He’s not afraid of the moment,” Denbrock said. “He’s mature. He’s battle-tested. And he’s hungry.”
Leonard won’t be alone. Running back Jeremiyah Love is primed for a breakout year after a stellar finish in 2024, and the offensive line returns multiple starters led by All-American Joe Alt. Sophomore wideout Jaden Greathouse is expected to be Leonard’s top target, and the tight end room continues to thrive with Eli Raridon returning to full health.
Defensive Identity Still Reigns Supreme
The cornerstone of Freeman’s rise has always been defense, and 2025 will be no different. Defensive coordinator Al Golden returns to lead a unit that finished top 10 nationally in scoring defense last year. Despite key departures to the NFL, the Irish boast one of the deepest and most versatile defenses in the country.
Linebacker Jaylen Sneed, now in a leadership role, headlines a linebacker corps that also features emerging stars like Drayk Bowen and Jaiden Ausberry. The defensive line is anchored by Howard Cross III and rising sophomore Boubacar Traore, while the secondary is loaded with talent and depth.
Cornerbacks Benjamin Morrison and Christian Gray form one of the most formidable duos in the nation, and safety Xavier Watts, a returning All-American, is the heart of the defense.
Recruiting Momentum Is Stronger Than Ever
Notre Dame has long been respected for its ability to attract high-character, high-talent student-athletes. But Freeman has supercharged that pipeline. The 2025 recruiting class is once again shaping up to be a top-five group nationally, featuring blue-chip talent on both sides of the ball.
Quarterback Deuce Knight, a top-10 national recruit, is the crown jewel of the class and a signal that the Irish plan to remain competitive in the national landscape. The staff has also secured commitments from elite defensive ends, offensive linemen, and skill players who can contribute early.
The new Irish NIL collective — aligned with university values — has also helped keep Notre Dame competitive in the modern era of college football. Freeman has embraced this reality while ensuring that character remains at the forefront of recruiting decisions.
“We want players who are talented, but also who want to be part of something bigger than themselves,” Freeman said.
Building Depth, Not Just Stars
Another hallmark of Notre Dame’s push toward greatness is their attention to roster depth. With the new transfer rules and NIL reshaping the sport, depth is more important than ever. Freeman and his staff have built a program where competition thrives at every position.
From offensive line to defensive back, Notre Dame’s second unit is filled with players who would start at most Power Five schools. That kind of depth paid off last season when injuries mounted, and it’s already paying dividends in spring and summer training sessions.
Sophomore quarterback Kenny Minchey, redshirt freshman running back Jadarian Price, and freshman linebacker Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa are just a few examples of players waiting in the wings, hungry to contribute.
“We’re not building a team, we’re building a program,” Freeman said. “There’s a difference.”
Special Teams and the Margin of Victory
One often-overlooked area where Notre Dame continues to separate itself is special teams. Brian Mason, brought in as special teams coordinator, has developed a culture of excellence in all three phases. From punt blocks to kickoff coverage, the Irish are maximizing their edge.
Last season, Notre Dame ranked in the top five nationally in special teams efficiency, and the return of specialists like kicker Spencer Shrader and punter Bryce McFerson gives them one of the most complete units in the country.
“Special teams win games,” Freeman said bluntly. “We don’t treat it like a third priority. It’s right up there with offense and defense.”
The 2025 Schedule: No Easy Roads
The Irish know they won’t have a cupcake path to the College Football Playoff. Their 2025 schedule is loaded, including matchups against USC, Texas A&M, Clemson, and Ohio State. That’s four likely top-10 teams, plus traditional rivals and upstart opponents like Louisville and NC State.
But that’s how Freeman wants it.
“We embrace tough games,” he said. “You don’t get better playing down. We want to prove who we are on the biggest stages.”
With a schedule like that, there’s no margin for error — and no shortage of opportunity to make a national statement.
The Bigger Picture: Legacy, Culture, and the Notre Dame Standard
Beyond X’s and O’s, Notre Dame’s eye on the future is just as much about culture as it is competition. Freeman has stressed the importance of legacy — what players are leaving behind for those who follow.
Academic excellence remains non-negotiable. Team unity is more than a slogan. And alumni involvement has skyrocketed as former players return to mentor the next generation.
The iconic “Play Like A Champion Today” sign isn’t just decoration. It’s a call to action — and in 2025, Freeman and his staff are answering it with renewed energy.
Looking Ahead: What Success in 2025 Would Look Like
So what would constitute another “great season” in South Bend?
Certainly, a College Football Playoff berth is the most obvious benchmark. Notre Dame came close in 2023, and with an expanded 12-team playoff in 2025, the path is more accessible. But Freeman isn’t interested in sneaking into the bracket. He wants to be dominant.
A great season would mean beating at least two of the top-tier opponents on the schedule, winning a New Year’s Six bowl at minimum, and continuing to build a roster that’s ready to contend not just now, but every year going forward.
Notre Dame doesn’t want to be a one-year wonder. The Irish want to be what they once were and believe they still are: a program that represents excellence — year in and year out.
The Irish March Forward
With strong leadership, top-tier talent, elite recruiting, and a coach who embodies the Notre Dame spirit, the Fighting Irish are well-positioned for another great season in 2025. But more than just wins, this year is about momentum — the kind that builds dynasties.
In an ever-changing college football landscape, Notre Dame is leaning into its identity and charging full speed ahead. The Golden Dome still gleams, and under Marcus Freeman, the Irish believe their brightest days are still to come.
And they’re not just playing for now — they’re playing for forever.
