While eight former Notre Dame players were invited to the 2025 NFL Combine, only quarterback Riley Leonard, tight end Mitchell Evans, and linebacker Jack Kiser participated in on-field drills. The other players—wide receiver Beaux Collins, defensive tackles Howard Cross III and Rylie Mills, cornerback Benjamin Morrison, and safety Xavier Watts—made the trip to Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. However, they only took part in team interviews. They will gear up for Notre Dame’s Pro Day to showcase their on-field prowess.

The NFL Combine, while not the ultimate measure of a player’s worth, gives teams an opportunity to closely evaluate the incoming draft class through tests, on-field drills, and interviews. Many of the Notre Dame players were selective of their participation at the Combine. Since their unprecedented 2024 season extended through Jan. 20 with a 34-23 loss to Ohio State in the CFP National Championship game, the Irish players had little prep time to prepare for the Combine.

Notre Dame: NFL Combine Takeaways

Mitchell Evans

After tearing an ACL in 2023, Evans made it back into the starting rotation in 2024. His on-field work at the Combine should have eased concerns that NFL decision makers may have had regarding his athletic ability to be explosive and accelerate off the line. Evans made some nice grabs during drills, including catching one ball over his shoulder. Evans, who is made in the mold of a traditional tight end prospect, had a solid Combine performance. He will seek to bolster his draft stock during Notre Dame’s Pro Day.

Jack Kiser

Kiser participated in the on-field linebacker drills but passed on testing at the Combine. He did an admirable job on the drills that tested lateral quickness and change of direction. Kiser also generated a buzz from the crowd during the back pedal and react drill. A seasoned veteran, Kiser played in 70 games for the Irish. He recorded 276 tackles, 6 sacks, and 4 interceptions in a stellar collegiate career. He also forced 7 fumbles. His limited Combine performance combined with his extensive playing experience will likely land Kiser on many draft boards.

Riley Leonard

Like Kiser, Leonard opted to skip the on-field testing. He did, however, take part in the quarterback drills. Leonard demonstrated solid ball placement. His accuracy was not as sharp on the second-level throws, but he showed good arm strength, overall. Leonard may not be a fully refined passer yet, but his intangibles—leadership, grit, and work ethic—will likely encourage teams to invest in his throwing skills.

The Notre Dame trio of Leonard, Kiser, and Evans made their mark at the NFL Combine. They delivered commendable performances in the drills that showcased their potential to NFL scouts. The Fighting Irish standouts with eyes on the next level will have another opportunity to reveal even more of their capabilities at Notre Dame’s Pro Day later this month. The 2025 NFL Draft is slated for April 24-26 in Green Bay.

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Eight Notre Dame players are among the 329 draft prospects invited to the 2025 NFL Combine. The eight players are quarterback Riley Leonard; wide receiver Beaux Collins; tight end Mitchell Evans; defensive tackle Howard Cross III; defensive tackle Rylie Mills; linebacker Jack Kiser; cornerback Benjamin Morrison; and safety Xavier Watts. The annual scouting combine will be held at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis from Feb. 27- March 2.

Notre Dame Players Invited to NFL Combine

Quarterback Riley Leonard

Leonard, a dual-threat quarterback, led the Irish offense to the CFP National Title game. All told he rang up 3,767 total yards last season after transferring to Notre Dame from Duke. He was responsible for 38 touchdowns in 16 games. Feared more as a runner than a passer, Leonard will need to showcase his throwing ability. He did that effectively in the Senior Bowl. Leonard finished his Senior Bowl appearance six-of-seven for 54 yards. He played the entire first quarter and the start of the second quarter. Additionally, he had bright moments in big games against Penn State in the Orange Bowl and Ohio State in the National Championship last month. Leonard will need to continue that trajectory to move up draft boards.

Through the air last season Leonard completed 269-of-403 pass attempts (66.7 percent) for 2,861 yards. He threw 21 touchdowns to eight interceptions.

Wide Receiver Beaux Collins

A Clemson transfer, Collins played his final year in South Bend. He caught 41 passes for 490 yards and three touchdowns for the Irish last season. He stepped up for the Irish when needed but also had an issue with dropped passes throughout the year. His size and blocking ability are strengths. But a strong performance at the NFL Combine will be important to his draft prospects.

Collins caught 91 passes for 1,290 yards and 11 touchdowns in his three seasons at Clemson. He broke out late in his freshman season for the Tigers, grabbing 31 catches for 407 yards and three touchdowns.

Tight End Mitchell Evans

Evans made it back into the starting rotation for 2024 after tearing an ACL in 2023. Over his last two seasons, Mitchell hauled in 72 passes for 843 yards and four touchdowns. Mitchell proved to be a reliable pass catcher for Leonard. Especially when it came down to making contested catches in the clutch. Known for his strong blocking ability and dependable hands, Evans is made in the mold of a traditional tight end prospect. He does not possess elite speed or explosiveness, but he is versatile. His skills, including his blocking technique and route-running, will be closely watched at the NFL Combine to see how his skills translate against top-level competition.

Defensive Tackle Howard Cross III

Cross proved an absolute standout during his six-year career in South Bend. He battled injuries this season, however, which slowed his development. Despite being hampered by an ankle injury, Cross recorded four sacks this year and had 5.5 tackles for loss. His quick hands and pass-rushing skills will suit him well at the next level.

Powered by a high motor and consistent play, Cross is a disruptive force on the interior of the defensive line. His quickness, hand technique, and ability to shed blocks are among his strengths.

Defensive Tackle Rylie Mills

Mills finished this season with 7.5 sacks. A lower-body injury suffered against Indiana in the first round of the playoffs will keep Mills on the sidelines during the NFL Combine. He will, however, interview during media sessions at the combine.

A powerful interior lineman with good size and strength, Mills is effective at disrupting running plays. He can also generate pressure in the backfield. While his Combine appearances will be limited due to his injury, scouts will be evaluating his past production and potential for recovery. His overall football IQ and his technique should bode well at the next level.

Linebacker Jack Kiser

Kiser brings a wealth of experience to the NFL Combine. His strengths are in his exceptional instincts, consistent tackling, and versatility. Kiser can diagnose plays quickly and has reliable coverage skills. Particularly against tight ends and running backs. Kiser also brings leadership qualities and special teams prowess. His skills should translate well to the professional level. What he lacks in athleticism, Kiser makes up for in being a smart and dependable defender with a nose for the ball.

Over the course of his career in South Bend (70 games), Kiser recorded 276 tackles, 6 sacks and four interceptions. In his stellar collegiate career, he also forced seven fumbles, and he is fresh off a strong showing in the Senior Bowl.

Cornerback Benjamin Morrison

A hip injury against Stanford cost Morrison much of his 2024 season. The junior is still recovering from the injury and will most likely not participate in drills at the NFL Combine. Morrison is one of the best cornerbacks in Notre Dame history. He was widely projected as a first-round NFL Draft pick at the beginning of the season.

Despite his injury-shortened season, Morrison should be a high-level NFL cornerback. Scouts will be carefully monitoring his medical reports and assessing his recovery progress. Prior to his injury, Morrison had 20 tackles, 14 solo. In 2023, he recorded 31 tackles, 25 solo, and intercepted three passes. He also had a team-high 10 pass breakups that year. He had six interceptions as a true freshman in 2022. Morrison concludes his Notre Dame career with nine interceptions, 27 passes defended, and 84 tackles.

Safety Xavier Watts

A ball-hawking playmaker, Watts is a back-to-back unanimous All-American. Winner of the Bronko Nagurski Award in 2023, Watts tallied 13 interceptions over the last two seasons. He also improved noticeably as a tackler in 2024. He opted to not play in the Senior Bowl to rest after a long and taxing season.

The areas of improvement for Watts will be his tackling technique and consistency. His ability to create turnovers, however, is a highly valued trait in the NFL. Watts will need to demonstrate his overall athleticism at the combine, particularly his speed and agility, to solidify his draft stock.

NFL Combine: Looking Ahead

Following an unprecedented season that placed Notre Dame back in the national spotlight under Marcus Freeman, these eight players arrive at the NFL Combine with a singular focus: to elevate their draft stock. Each brings unique strengths and areas of improvement, and the combine provides the ideal stage to showcase their abilities against top-tier competition.

With the opportunity to solidify their positions as highly sought-after NFL prospects, Leonard, Collins, Evans, Cross, Mills, Kiser, Morrison, and Watts are poised to leave a lasting impression on scouts and teams alike, in the hopes of translating their collegiate success into promising professional careers.

In addition to the upcoming NFL Scouting Combine, Notre Dame will host a Pro Day on campus in late March. The NFL Draft will be held from April 24-26 in Green Bay.

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Former Notre Dame defensive coordinator Al Golden has been named the winner of the 2024 Broyles Award. The prestigious honor goes to football’s top assistant coach. Golden, now with the Cincinnati Bengals in the NFL, is the second Notre Dame coach to win the award. He joins Bob Diaco, who won it in 2012.

The Golden Years

In 2022, Golden took over the Irish defense. He developed his group into one of the top defenses in the nation. In accepting his award, Golden said, “Thank you to coach (Marcus) Freeman for believing in me. Not just believing in me, but to create and foster an environment that allowed me to be the best that I could be. That allowed all the coaches on his staff to be the best that they could possibly be. It was an incredible 1,000 days not just with coach Freeman but with all the assistants that I had the pleasure to work with.”

Led by veteran standouts like Jack Kiser, Rylie Mills, and Xavier Watts, Golden’s defense was dominant in 2024. The stubborn and deep unit ranked first in pass efficiency defense (104.4), first in turnovers gained (33), first in defensive touchdowns (6), and first in blocked kicks (6). Additionally, the Irish defense ranked second in fumbles recovered (14), second in blocked punts (3), fourth in passing yards allowed (169.4), and fourth in scoring defense (15.5).

Unprecedented Success

Notre Dame earned the most ranked wins of any FBS team this past season with seven. Marcus Freeman’s squad is the first team ever to beat an Associated Press-ranked opponent in six different months during the same season. Golden’s defense created numerous game-changing opportunities for the Irish. Notre Dame racked up 158 points off turnovers last season.

The Irish defense held seven opponents to 125 or fewer passing yards during the regular season, the most among all FBS programs. Notre Dame held opponents to 250 or fewer yards of offense in six games during the regular season, tied for the second-most in the FBS.

This season, the Irish held 12 opponents to 17 or fewer points, and just two opponents scored more than 30 points. That is the best run for an Irish defense since 2012 when Notre Dame held 10 opponents under 16 points and just one opponent (Alabama in the BCS title game) reached 30 points.

Al Golden’s impact on Notre Dame’s defense makes him an undeniably worthy recipient of the Broyles Award. It solidifies his place among the nation’s elite assistant coaches.  Incoming defensive coordinator Chris Ash has big shoes to fill in South Bend.

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Notre Dame is set to hire Ja’Juan Seider from Penn State as its new running backs coach, according to reports. Seider will be replacing Deland McCullough, who departed Notre Dame to accept a similar role with the NFL’s Las Vegas Raiders.

Seider has served as Penn State’s running backs coach since 2018. In 2020, head coach James Franklin promoted Seider to run game coordinator. In 2022, he was named co-offensive coordinator. Seider was named assistant head coach of the Nittany Lions in 2023.

Ja’Juan Seider a Familiar Face

Seider and Notre Dame squared off in this year’s Orange Bowl in Miami. Notre Dame emerged victoriously, defeating the Nittany Lions 27-24 in a hard-fought contest at Hard Rock Stadium. In Happy Valley, Seider’s tutelage developed Penn State’s two-headed monster in Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen. Both ball carriers rushed for more than 1,000 yards last season. Singleton rushed for 1,099 yards and 12 touchdowns on 172 carries last year. Allen amassed 1,108 yards and scored eight touchdowns on 220 rushes.

Singleton and Allen became just the third Penn State duo since 1960 to rush for 800-plus rushing yards each. The duo joins Zach Zwinak and Bill Belton (2013) and Tony Hunt and Michael Robinson (2005). Additionally, Singleton joins Saquon Barkley as the only Penn State freshman to reach 1,000 yards in a season. Barkley, now a Super Bowl champion with the Philadelphia Eagles, gained 1,076 in 2015.

Both McCullough and Seider are known for maximizing multiple running backs. As a result, Seider inherits top-tier running backs in South Bend. Leading the Irish’s explosive rushing attack are Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price. Both players made an impact for the Fighting Irish this past year and are key cogs in the Irish’s offense looking ahead to the 2025 season.

Seider’s Road to South Bend

A Florida native, Seider played quarterback at West Virginia. He transferred to Florida A&M for his final collegiate season. Seider won the Doug Williams Award for National Offensive Player of the Year and the Jake Gaither Award in his one season at Florida A&M, throwing for 2,512 yards and 27 touchdowns. He was also named 1999 MEAC Offensive Player of the Year and was selected in the sixth round of the 2000 NFL Draft by the San Diego Chargers. His coaching stops include West Virginia, Marshall, Florida, and Penn State.

Among some of the notable players he has coached include Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (West Virginia); Charles Sims (West Virginia), a member of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2014-17); and Miles Sanders (Penn State), a member of the Philadelphia Eagles and a 2019 NFL Draft second-round pick.

Though the official announcement could be days or weeks away, it seems clear that the hiring of Seider is a smart move for Marcus Freeman and Notre Dame. A seasoned coach, Seider understands the dynamics of managing and motivating a stacked backfield. And that is precisely the situation he is stepping into at Notre Dame.

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Notre Dame running backs coach Deland McCullough is expected to leave Notre Dame to accept the same position with the NFL’s Las Vegas Raiders, according to reports. McCullough has been at Notre Dame since 2022 when head coach Marcus Freeman took the reins of the Fighting Irish. McCullough was promoted to run-game coordinator for the Irish in 2023.

The Fighting Irish’s rushing attack has thrived under McCullough. Audric Estime rushed for 1,341 yards and 18 touchdowns in 2023 before being drafted by the Denver Broncos. Jeremiyah Love, who was recruited to Notre Dame by McCullough, picked up where Estime left off. One of the most explosive runners in the country, Love amassed 1,125 yards in 2024 and scored 17 touchdowns. He will likely be at the forefront of Heisman Trophy discussions heading into next season. The Notre Dame running backs room also boasted depth last year. Jadarian Price accumulated 1,018 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns over the last two seasons in South Bend. The agile and speedy Price looks like he could also develop into a top-tier, NFL-caliber runner.

Raiders Ties for Deland McCullough

McCullough is returning to the NFL. A Super Bowl winner as an assistant coach, McCullough was the running backs coach for the Kansas City Chiefs from 2018-2020. What paved the way for McCullough’s return was the hiring of Pete Carroll as the head coach of the Raiders at the end of January. McCullough’s father, Sherman Smith, was the running backs coach for the Seattle Seahawks under Carroll from 2010-2017.

McCullough’s hiring follows the addition of Chip Kelly as offensive coordinator of the Raiders. Kelly helped guide Ohio State to a win over Notre Dame in last month’s College Football Playoff National Championship game.

McCullough Another High-Profile Loss for Notre Dame

In the days following Notre Dame’s loss to Ohio State in the title game, defensive coordinator Al Golden announced he was returning to the NFL. Golden, considered one of the leading defensive coordinators in college football last season, is the new defensive coordinator for the Cincinnati Bengals. He has been replaced by Chris Ash. Also leaving the Notre Dame program is Chad Bowden, who exited his role as general manager to take on the same role for USC.

With all the coaching staff departures, Freeman will have his hands full this offseason. He shouldn’t have a lack of qualified candidates to replace McCullough. Notre Dame has a deep and talented squad of returnees in 2025, especially at the running back position. Behind the emergence of Love and Price, Notre Dame possesses a dominant ground game. The strength of the Irish’s backfield will be a key component in fueling their national champions aspirations next season.

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Notre Dame quarterback Riley Leonard, linebacker Jack Kiser, and defensive end R.J. Oben flashed in Saturday’s 76^th Senior Bowl in Mobile. Under the tutelage of Cleveland Browns assistant coach and special teams coordinator Bubba Ventrone, Leonard impressed running the offense for the American Team. He was one of the standout performers in the game, which was won 22-19 by the American Team.

Notre Dame Performed Well at the Senior Bowl

As the starter for the American Team, Leonard finished his appearance six-of-seven for 54 yards. He played the entire first quarter and the start of the second quarter. His performance likely showed NFL scouts that he is more than an athletic dual-threat quarterback. He looked confident in the pocket, and he showed off his passing ability by pushing the ball downfield.

“I felt great,” Leonard said on the NFL Network. “I just love playing ball and I’m so happy to be out here. There are a lot of things I need to prove to a lot of people, but I try not to take the opinion of others too seriously. All I’m worried about is reaching my full potential, whatever that may be. I think I can prove myself in the pocket. Thought I stood in there well today and delivered some good balls.”

Kiser and Oben also saw significant playing time and turned heads during the week of Senior Bowl practice. Kiser was named the top linebacker on the American squad in a vote from the offensive lineman, tight ends, and running backs position groups.

Two other Irish NFL hopefuls—tight end Mitchell Evans and defensive back Jordan Clark participated in practices at the East-West Shrine Game in Texas but did not play in last week’s game.

Notre Dame Announces 2025 Regular Season Schedule

Notre Dame announced its schedule for the 2025 regular season. The season kicks off with the previously announced opener in Miami on Aug. 31. It concludes Nov. 29 at Stanford. Notre Dame will begin the season away from home for the fifth straight year, the longest such stint in program history. And Senior Day is set for Nov. 22 against Syracuse in South Bend.

The Fighting Irish will face teams from across the country in 2025, with two matchups each from the SEC and Big Ten. The schedule also includes games against members of the ACC in addition to meetings with Navy and Boise State. The latter, a participant in the 2024 College Football Playoff. Notre Dame will play five games with rivalry trophies at stake. Those games are against Purdue, USC, Boston College, Navy, and Stanford. The Irish are slated to face two opponents for the first time in 2025. They travel to Arkansas and host Boise State.

2025 Notre Dame Schedule

8/31     at Miami

Bye Week

9/13     Texas A&M

9/20     Purdue

9/27     at Arkansas

10/4     Boise State

10/11  NC State

10/18  USC

Bye Week

11/1     at Boston College

11/8     Navy

11/15  Pittsburgh

11/22  Syracuse

11/29  at Stanford

Annual Blue-Gold Game Set for April 12

The Notre Dame football program announced on Monday that the 94^th edition of the Blue-Gold game will take place April 12th. Kickoff for the annual scrimmage will be at 2:00 p.m. ET at Notre Dame Stadium. The game will be broadcast live on Peacock.

Last year’s Blue-Gold game marked the third contest in the Marcus Freeman era. The Blue Team defeated the Gold Team 28-21. Associate head coach and running backs coach Deland McCullough coached the Gold Team. Defensive line coach Al Washington helmed the Blue Team. The intra-squad scrimmage offers enthusiasts a first glimpse of the Fighting Irish and often features early-entry freshman, as well as incoming transfer players.

Chris Ash Hiring Official

Chris Ash has officially been hired as Notre Dame’s new defensive coordinator. Ash, a veteran coach with experience in the college and professional ranks, replaces Al Golden, who joined the staff of the Cincinnati Bengals in the NFL.

“Chris’ experience of coordinating and leading great defensive units at multiple places really resonated with me,” said Freeman in a Notre Dame press release. “His experience both in the NFL and as a head coach are valuable assets he can bring to our program. Chris has a great reputation of being a coach who builds strong relationships, while simultaneously developing his players, and that makes him a great fit for this role.”

Ash enters his 30^th season of coaching. Most recently a scout for the Jacksonville Jaguars, he spent two seasons with the Las Vegas Raiders as defensive backs coach. At the collegiate level, Ash was co-defensive coordinator and safeties coach for the 2014 National Champion Ohio State Buckeyes. The following year, the Buckeye defense ranked second nationally in scoring defense and ninth in sacks. Ash also served as the head coach at Rutgers from 2016-19.

Ash began his coaching career as a defensive graduate assistant at his alma mater, Drake, in 1997.

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Notre Dame will be well represented at Saturday’s Reese’s Senior Bowl at the University of South Alabama in Mobile. Quarterback Riley Leonard, linebacker Jack Kiser, and defensive end R.J. Oben are representing the Fighting Irish in the annual game. The Senior Bowl, attended by NFL scouts and draft analysts, attracts some of the leading college football players and NFL prospects.

Just a little more than a week after losing the College Football Playoff National Championship game to Ohio State, Leonard, Kiser, and Oben are suiting up to showcase their skills one more time this season. Despite a successful year that culminated with a trip to the title game, Leonard, Kiser, and Oben are determined to impress upon decision-makers that their respective skill sets can advance to the next level.

Irish Defensive Players Vie for NFL Attention at the Senior Bowl

Kiser led the Irish in solo tackles in 2024 with 55 over 16 games. He also recorded a pair of sacks and two fumbles. He led the Irish in the postseason, registering six solo tackles in the Sugar Bowl. He also had a sack for a loss of 10 yards and forced a fumble in that win over Georgia. Against Penn State in the Orange Bowl, Kiser tied a career-high mark with a team-best 10 tackles—four solo, six assisted. He posted five tackles in the loss to Ohio State.

Oben, a Duke transfer, was relatively quiet for much of the season. However, he picked up the pace and intensity in the postseason. Against Georgia in the Sugar Bowl, he recorded a 12-yard solo sack while forcing a fumble late in the second quarter. The critical stop set up a touchdown for the Irish. He had two assisted tackles against Penn State in the Orange Bowl. He also registered a solo tackle in the national championship game.

More to Prove for Riley Leonard at the Senior Bowl

After leading the Irish to an impressive 14-2 record and a berth in the National Championship, Leonard is set to demonstrate to scouts his dynamic skillset. Known for his dual-threat abilities, Leonard excelled throughout the 2024 season. The Duke transfer effectively utilized his arm and his legs to break down opposing defenses all season. As an elusive runner, Leonard still needs to prove that he can be a weapon when passing the ball. He did not take many snaps from under center this season. He has appeared on point in Senior Bowl practices throughout the week.

Leonard, an Alabama native, admitted this week that he is still feeling the repercussions of the physical title game loss against Ohio State.

“I’m still feeling it,” Leonard said on Collegefootballnetwork.com after a Senior Bowl practice this week. “Those dudes could hit. I took a lot of them. But it’s good to be out here. But shoot, everything goes away as soon as you step onto the field. It’s good to be back. The weather is a whole lot warmer than it is in South Bend, so it’s like a vacation for me coming home. To be able to work with the best in the country, what more could you ask for?

“Everybody talks about the long season in the NFL and the longer season in college, playing 16 games this year for me, but sign me up,” he added. “I want to play as many games as possible. What am I going to do in the off-season? I’m just trying to play ball. As many games as possible. That’s why I’m here this week. I’m playing. If you give me a chance to play football, I’m going to play it.”

Irish Players Look to Solidify Their Draft Stock

The Senior Bowl presents a unique challenge and a significant opportunity for Leonard, Kiser, and Oben. After a stellar season and unprecedented Irish victories in the Sugar Bowl and the Orange Bowl, the three Notre Dame standouts will now face top-tier competition from across the nation to showcase their skills to NFL scouts and executives. Solid performances from the trio in the Senior Bowl could go a long way in proving to scouts that they are worth selecting in the upcoming 2025 NFL Draft.

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According to reports, Notre Dame is expected to hire Chris Ash as its new defensive coordinator. The news comes just days after Al Golden left the program to join the staff of the Cincinnati Bengals in the NFL. It has been speculated that Ash could share the coordinating responsibilities with Notre Dame’s highly thought of current defensive backs coach Mike Mickens.

Chris Ash: From the NFL to South Bend

A college safety himself at Drake, Ash brings extensive experience to Notre Dame. Head coach of Rutgers from 2016-19 (8-32 overall), Ash is an Iowa native. He won a national championship ring with Ohio State under Urban Meyer in the 2014 season. Ash served as safeties coach and co-defensive coordinator for the Buckeyes that season. Ohio State finished 19^th in total defense that year and defeated Oregon 42-20 in the title game. The following season in Ash’s second and last year with the Buckeyes, Ohio State finished ninth nationally in total defense and second in scoring defense.

Ash’s most recent job as a defensive coordinator was in 2020 with Texas. In recent years, Ash has worked with the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Las Vegas Raiders. He was Jacksonville’s safeties coach in 2021 and coached the Raiders defensive backs in 2022 and 2023.

Optimistic Outlook

Golden left the Notre Dame program better than he found it. The defensive mastermind spent three years at Notre Dame and deserves immense credit for his contributions to the defense. In that time, he developed the unit into one of the best in the nation. The Irish boasted one of the best defenses in the country in 2025. Notre Dame surrendered just 15.5 points per game and 4.8 yards per play. Just four teams, including Ohio State, allowed fewer points per game. Ohio State defeated Notre Dame in the CFP title game. The Irish defense was shorthanded in the national championship, missing key cornerstones such as Rylie Mills and Benjamin Morrison.

At Notre Dame, Ash will inherit a solid returning core of defenders. Though Jack Kiser, Xavier Watts, Morrison, Mills, and Howard Cross III will be gone, players like Jaylen Sneed, Drayk Bowen, Adon Shuler, and Jaiden Ausberry will be back.

The addition of Ash, with his deep well of experience at the collegiate and professional level, signals a new chapter for Notre Dame football. His expertise is precisely what Marcus Freeman needs to further solidify the Irish defense as a national powerhouse. The hire is a clear indication of Notre Dame’s commitment to fielding another stout defense in the coming season and beyond. It’s a move that should have Irish enthusiasts feeling optimistic about the future.

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Notre Dame football will kick off the 2025 season with a Labor Day weekend match-up at Miami. The two programs will collide on Sunday, Aug. 31 at 7:30 p.m. ET at Hard Rock Stadium. It will mark the 28^th meeting between the two teams. The Irish own an 18-8-1 record in the all-time series against the Hurricanes. The most recent meeting in 2017 resulted in a 41-8 Miami win. Notre Dame owns a 1-2 record in Hard Rock Stadium. The Irish won their most recent appearance there in the CFP semifinal, defeating Penn State 27-24 in the Orange Bowl to advance to the CFP title game.

Notre Dame is 114-17-5 (.857) in season openers and has won seven of its last eight season openers. The 2025 lid-lifter marks the fifth straight season the Irish will start a season away from Notre Dame Stadium (2021 at Florida State, 2022 at Ohio State, 2023 vs. Navy at Aviva Stadium in Dublin, 2024 at Texas A&M). It is the first time in program history that the Irish have started five straight seasons away from Notre Dame Stadium.

Xavier Watts, Benjamin Morrison to Enter the NFL Draft

Ahead of Friday’s deadline for players who took part in the national title game, safety Xavier Watts and cornerback Benjamin Morrison announced their plans to enter the NFL Draft. Watts had 82 tackles, four for loss, and six interceptions, including one returned for a touchdown. The two-time All-American is bypassing the opportunity to return to South Bend for a sixth season.

“As I embark on the next chapter of my football journey, I’m filled with pride as I look back on the many memories and people that I’ll forever cherish, Watts wrote on X. “I hope that my time in the Irish uniform has helped continue the tradition of those that came before me.”

Morrison, a freshman All-American in 2022, suffered a season-ending hip injury against Stanford on Oct. 12 that curtailed his 2024 campaign. He announced his decision, writing on X, “This is not just the end of one chapter—it’s the beginning of another. I’ll carry the lessons, memories, and love from Notre Dame every step of the way. ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. has Morrison pegged as the No. 3 cornerback in this year’s draft.

Morrison had three interceptions and a team-high 10 pass breakups in 2023. He was a semifinalist for the Thorpe Award that season. Morrison concludes his collegiate career with nine interceptions, 27 passes defended, and 84 tackles.

Beaux Collins Declares for NFL Draft

Clemson transfer wide receiver Beaux Collins officially declared for the NFL Draft on Friday. He shared his thoughts on X, writing, “Thank you to all the alumni and fans that are a part of the Irish family. The past four years have been incredibly life-changing and has led to say that I’m looking forward to entering the 2025 NFL Draft.”

Collins caught four passes for 32 yards in Notre Dame’s 34-23 loss to Ohio State last week. He was a solid contributor throughout the season despite dealing with a calf injury that hampered his productivity. In his lone season in South Bend, Collins finished the year third on the team in receptions (41) and second in receiving yards (490). He hauled in a key 13-yard touchdown pass in Notre Dame’s Sugar Bowl win over Georgia in the CFP quarterfinal.

Transfer Portal Claims Several Players From Notre Dame

Following last week’s loss to Ohio State in the CFP National Championship, a slew of Notre Dame players hit the transfer portal. Offensive linemen Rocco Spindler and Pat Coogan entered the portal. So too did back-up offensive lineman Sam Pendleton, as well as wide receivers Jayden Thomas and Deion Colzie. All told, Thomas started 12 games for the Irish during the 2022 and 2023 seasons. He caught 43 passes for 838 yards and scored seven touchdowns for Notre Dame. He was used sparingly this season. While at Notre Dame, Colzie saw action at receiver and on special teams. In 2023, he caught three passes for 45 yards and a touchdown.

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The accolades continue to roll in for Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman. On Wednesday night, Freeman won the Paul “Bear” Bryant Coach of the Year Award. Freeman becomes just the second Notre Dame head coach to win the honor. Lou Holtz also won it in 1988. The award was first bestowed in 1986. Freeman is already this year’s recipient of the George Munger College Coach of the Year Award and the Bobby Dodd Trophy. He is also a finalist for the Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year Award.

Despite a rash of injuries and an early-season loss to Northern Illinois, Freeman landed the Irish in the College Football Playoff National Championship. Stumbling blocks included 13 different starters or key reserves missing games this season due to injuries. Those include defensive stars Benjamin Morrison and Rylie Mills, two of the Irish’s top players.

Marcus Freeman Named Bear Bryant Coach of the Year

A Record Run for Marcus Freeman and Notre Dame

Following the loss to NIU, Notre Dame fell to No. 19 in the Associated Press poll. Freeman turned the shocking loss into a teaching moment for his young squad. He rallied the team, and the Fighting Irish ran off 13 consecutive wins. The impressive streak started with a dominating 66-7 win over Purdue the next week.

All told, Freeman led Notre Dame to a record-setting 14 wins this season. The Irish won the Sugar Bowl over Georgia, marking the first major bowl win by Notre Dame in 30 years. It was also the school’s first-ever win over the Bulldogs. One week later, the Irish defeated Penn State in the Orange Bowl. That hard-fought victory landed Notre Dame in the National Championship game. The win over Penn State was the 14th-ranked win of the Freeman era at Notre Dame. That is more than any other Irish head coach in the first years of his tenure.

A Season to Remember

Despite the tough 34-23 loss to Ohio State, Notre Dame enjoyed a season to remember. It was a brilliant season for Freeman and the Irish. Notre Dame finished the year ranked No. 2 in the AP poll. It is the highest postseason finish for the program since 1993. Freeman’s exceptional ability to guide the Irish through adversity and achieve such remarkable success makes his Coach of the Year awards thoroughly deserved.

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