by Leprechaun Express & Steve Welsh
Extended highlights of ‘Notre Dame’s’ 28-7 win over Boise State. The Fighting Irish averaged 7.2 yards per play on offense, outgaining Boise State 389 yards to 315, despite running only 54 plays compared with 71 by the Broncos.
Fighting Irish Football student-athletes QB CJ Carr, CB Leonard Moore, RB Jadarian Price, and LB Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa speak with reporters after their 28-7 victory over Boise State in the annual “Irish Wear Green” game on Saturday, October 4, 2025.
Highlights of ‘Notre Dame’s’ 28-7 win over Boise State. The Fighting Irish averaged 7.2 yards per play on offense, outgaining Boise State 389 yards to 315, despite running only 54 plays compared with 71 by the Broncos.
Marcus Freeman talks with reporters after the 28-7 Irish win over Boise State.
After ‘Notre Dame’s’ solid 28-7 win over Boise State at home on “Irish Wear Green” day, the Irish climbed five spots and jumped well into the top-20 at #16 in the AP and the Coaches Poll.
Five top-20 teams lost over the weekend, three of them to unranked opponents. That included two then-top-10 teams, Penn State and Texas, losing to unranked opponents with losing records. All five of the top-20 losers plummeted below the Irish, in some cases falling completely out of the rankings.
Last week the Irish were the only team without a winning record ranked in the top-25, sitting at .500. With the win over Boise State they finally climb above .500 on the year, to 3-2.
In the AP top-25, the Irish are joined by one other 3-2 team, #25 Florida State, with previous top-10 Texas and Penn State, each now 3-2, falling out of the top-25 entirely. Over in the Coaches Poll, it was Florida State that dropped out, while 3-2 Texas and Penn State are at #19 and #22.
More of the story follows below the rankings.
| – AP –
1 Ohio State 5-0 Also receiving votes: Cincinnati 129, Texas 111, Penn State 97, Utah 82, Nebraska 60, USC 46, UNLV 19, North Texas 16, TCU 14, Mississippi State 10, Washington 10, Navy 4, Louisville 3, Auburn 1 |
– AFCA Coaches Poll –
1 Ohio State 5-0 Also receiving votes: Utah 134, Florida State 93, Cincinnati 70, South Florida 65, North Texas 28, Navy 26, Washington 25, USC 23, UNLV 21, Nebraska 17, TCU 15, Old Dominion 13, Louisville 10, Tulane 8, Duke 7, Auburn 7, Iowa 5, SMU 2 |
Then-#10/7 Texas lost to a Florida team with a losing record. Most infamously, then-#7/6 Penn State lost to a previously winless UCLA, with the Bruins under an interim coach after firing their previous head coach.
In the AP, the Longhorns and the Nittany Lions went into freefall, actually going from being in the top-10 to falling completely out of the rankings. In the Coaches Poll, Texas fell to #19, while the Nittany Lions plummeted to #22.
Iowa State lost to unranked Cincinnati, who has a solid 4-1 record but remains unranked. Vanderbilt lost to top-10 Alabama. Then-#19 Florida State lost by six points to top-5 Miami (Fla.) and fell out of the rankings in the Coaches Poll, while hanging on at #25 in the AP.
(Steve Welsh – SCW 10.5.25)
(* Texas A&M wins include one where the winning touchdown in the final seconds was essentially the result of cheating, when, on the Aggies’ last offensive play of the game, an Aggie offensive lineman tackled a pass rusher from behind as he was barreling towards the quarterback; but an SEC officiating crew ignored the penalty and did not throw a flag; without the cheating and/or the non-call, the Aggies likely would be 2-1)
While the official Irish depth chart released earlier in the week remains unchanged, reports raise the prospect that starting Wide Receiver Jaden Greathouse it out with a thigh injury. The alternate starter for his position, with an “or” next to his name, is senior transfer Will Pauling, who reputedly has 4.4 speed.
Average size interior offensive line: 6-6, 312
(average size OL starters 6-6, 314)
[Jersey Number, Name, Height, Weight, [Eligibility-]Year, unofficial 40 times (from third-party sources; 40 times not necessarily current)]
– QB –
13 CJ Carr 6-3 210 Fr. – 4.94
8 Kenny Minchey 6-2 208 So. – 4.78
10 Tyler Buchner 6-1 206 Sr. – 4.65
– RB –
RB 4 Jeremiyah Love 6-0 214 Jr. – 4.44
24 Jadarian Price 5-11 210 Jr. – 4.42
22 Aneyas Williams 5-10 205 So. – 4.46
23 Nolan James Jr. 5-10 215 Fr.
– WR –
0 Malachi Fields 6-4 222 Sr. – 4.5
14 Micah Gilbert 6-2 204 Fr. – “closer to a 4.7 … than … a 4.4”
5 Cam Williams 6-2 200 Fr. – 4.4
1 Jaden Greathouse 6-1 215 Jr. – 4.46
or 2 Will Pauling 5-10 190 Sr. – 4.39
19 Logan Saldate 6-0 189 Fr. – 4.47
6 Jordan Faison 5-10 185 Jr. – 4.4
11 KK Smith 6-0 176 So. – 4.59(?)
17 Elijah Burress 6-0 185 Fr. – 4.5 “range”
– TE –
9 Eli Raridon 6-7 252 Sr. – 4.68
7 Ty Washington 6-4 248 Jr. –
or 85 Jack Larsen 6-3 250 Fr. – 4.87
– LT –
54 Anthonie Knapp 6-4 300 So. – 5.33
71 Styles Prescod 6-6 292 Fr.
– LG-
74 Billy Schrauth 6-4 310 Jr.
55 Chris Terek 6-6 322 So.
– C-
70 Ashton Craig 6-5 310 Jr.
64 Joe Otting 6-4 308 So.
– RG –
76 Guerby Lambert 6-7 335 Fr.
or 75 Sullivan Absher 6-8 327 So.
– RT –
59 Aamil Wagner 6-6 300 Jr. – 5.15
76 Guerby Lambert 6-7 335 Fr.
[official release for offense, defense, special teams at: fightingirish.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/2025-Depth-Chart-Game-05.pdf]
On defense, sophomore Cornerback Leonard Moore is still listed as questionable on the injury report, recovering from an ankle injuy. Also questionable is junior Defensive Tackle Donovan Hinisch, who only played five snaps last week, after a shoulder injury. Both are still listed as starters on the official depth chart.
Reportedly, as against Purdue and Arkansas, if Moore is unable to play, freshman Mark Zackery IV will start in his place. On the depth chart, Zackery is technically listed as a back-up to Christian Gray, who is healthy. Hinisch’s backup on the depth chart is Jared Dawson, a 6-1, 288-pound senior.
[Jersey Number, Name, Height, Weight, [Eligibility-]Year, unofficial 40 Times (from third-party sources; 40 times not necessarily current)]
– CB –
15 Leonard Moore 6-2 195 So. – 4.5 – Questionable
18 Chance Tucker 6-0 183 Sr.
or 21 Karson Hobbs 6-1 189 So. – 4.4
– BOUND –
8 Adon Shuler 6-0 205 So. – 4.54
28 Luke Talich 6-4 210 Jr. – 4.5
22 Ethan Long 6-3 210 Fr. – 4.6
– FIELD –
9 Tae Johnson 6-2 192 Fr.
7 Jalen Stroman 6-1 201 Sr. – 4.57
11 JaDon Blair 6-5 205 Fr. – 4.56
– CB –
6 Christian Gray 6-0 190 Jr. – 4.45
24 Mark Zackery IV 5-11 175 Fr.
20 Cree Thomas 6-1 189 Fr.
– NICKEL –
0 DeVonta Smith 5-11 195 Sr. – 4.48
14 Dallas Golden 6-0 187 Fr.
13 Ben Minich 6-0 197 So.
– WILL –
3 Jaylen Sneed 6-2 230 Jr.
4 Jaiden Ausberry 6-2 228 So.
19 Madden Faraimo 6-2 235 Fr.
– MIKE –
34 Drayk Bowen 6-2 235 Jr.
27 Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa 6-3 230 So.
19 Madden Faraimo 6-2 235 Fr.
– VYPER –
5 Boubacar Traore 6-4 250 So. – 4.68
44 Junior Tuihalamaka 6-2 255 Sr.
or 12 Jordan Botelho 6-3 260 Sr.
– DT –
47 Jason Onye 6-5 302 Sr.
97 Gabriel Rubio 6-5 321 Sr. – 4.90
42 Cole Mullins 6-5 275 Fr.
– DT –
41 Donovan Hinish 6-2 277 Jr. – Questionable
93 Jared Dawson 6-1 288 Sr.
56 Elijah Hughes 6-3 300 Jr.
– DE –
95 Bryce Young 6-7 271 So.
40 Joshua Burnham 6-4 260 Jr.
10 Loghan Thomas 6-4 220 So.
[Note: Athough it had been reported in early 2025 that the program was moving beyond a Vyper concept, they do have “Vypers” on the current depth chart. The same players are listed as DE on the roster]
[official release for offense, defense, special teams at: fightingirish.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/2025-Depth-Chart-Game-05.pdf]
After blowing out the SEC’s Arkansas Razorbacks 56-13 on Saturday, the Fighting Irish jumped only one spot to #21 in the AP and merely held steady at #21 in the Coaches Poll.
Nevertheless, the Irish are the only 2-2 team ranked at all, and the only ranked team that does not have winning record, sitting at .500.
Indeed, they are ranked ahead of a 4-0 BYU and several one-loss teams. Multiple additional undefeated teams also linger in the “also receiving votes” category, Navy and Houston in the Coaches Poll.
The Irish and their opponents are in boldface below.
| – AP –
1 Ohio State 4-0 Also receiving votes:Auburn 122, Mississippi State 102, South Florida 77, Utah 45, Arizona State 30, Memphis 23, Louisville 23, Maryland 6, UNLV 3, UCF 3, North Texas 2 |
– AFCA Coaches Poll –
1 Ohio State 4-0 Also receiving votes: Memphis 88, Louisville 83, Virginia 63, South Florida 29, Maryland 17, USC 17, Auburn 12, UNLV 11, Navy 9, Mississippi State 9, Tulane 8, Washington 7, North Texas 7, TCU 6, Nebraska 4, Duke 4, Iowa 3, Houston 1 |
(* Texas A&M wins include one where the winning touchdown in the final seconds was essentially the result of cheating, when, on the Aggies’ last offensive play of the game, an Aggie offensive lineman tackled a pass rusher from behind as he was barreling towards the quarterback; but an SEC officiating crew ignored the penalty and did not throw a flag; without the cheating and/or the non-call, the Aggies likely would be 2-1)
Marcus Freeman talks with reporters Monday, looking back on ‘Notre Dame’s’ 56-13 win over Arkansas in Fayetteville, and looking ahead as the Irish prepare to host Boise State at home for an “Irish Wear Green” game next Saturday.
Marcus Freeman, Adon Shuler and CJ Carr talk with reporters after the 56-13 Irish win over the Razorbacks in Fayetteville.
Highlights of ‘Notre Dame’s’ 56-13 blowout win over the Razorbacks in Fayetteville.
‘Notre Dame’ Football media has indicated that all players are available for the Irish in their game at Arkansas, with the exception of preseason All-American Leonard Moore being a game-time decision with his recovery from an ankle injury.
That could mean they might be stronger on field goals with starter Noah Burnette back. And if DeVonta Smith can play, that should strengthen their options in the defensive secondary on pass defense.
The @NDFootball availability update for today’s game at Arkansas (12 p.m. ET, ABC):
CB Leonard Moore (right ankle) is a game-time decision.
All other student-athletes on the two-deep this week are available.
— Notre Dame Football PR Team (@NDFootballPR) September 27, 2025
#22 ‘Notre Dame’ Fighting Irish (1-2) vs. Arkansas Razorbacks (2-2)
Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium in Fayetteville, AR
Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025, 11 a.m. CT
ABC, Sirius XM 129, ‘Notre Dame’ Football Radio
[PDF 86pp] ‘Notre Dame’ game notes
The Fighting Irish road game with Arkansas at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium in Fayetteville is scheduled for 11 a.m. local time — 12 noon ET, 11 CT, 10 MT, 9 PT, Saturday, Sept. 27. [click here for ‘Notre Dame’ media game notes, an 86-page PDF]
ABC is broadcasting the game on live national television.
‘Notre Dame’ Football Radio offers the game on Sirius XM 129, various radio affiliates and live streaming audio.
Among others, ABC Sports’ cable affiliate ESPN will offer a live online “gamecast” showing play-by-play and cumulative stats, accompanied by a live box score.
In his initial “bird’s eye view” early in the week, Marcus Freeman said Arkansas had a top-5 offense and a solid defense.
That would seem to promise a weakness-on-strength match-up challenging a still rebuilding Irish defense, with a few key injuries in the secondary.
Particularly concerning is big dual-threat Arkansas quarterback Taylen Green, who leads the country in total offense. Green threw for 325 yards and ran for 53 last week against Memphis.
If Arkansas can get its offense rolling, that might mean a “track meet” with an increasingly explosive Irish offense trying to outpace the Razorbacks with scoring.
Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price are increasingly regarded as the best running back tandem in college football, and both are looking more and more like NFL running backs, combining flash, speed and true tailback moves with aggressive running into the teeth of opposing defenses keying on them.
Fourth-semester rookie quarterback CJ Carr is being used more judiciously, only throwing four passes in the first half against Purdue yet also looking sharp throwing deep.
On the other hand, some commentators have cautioned against a back-and-forth scoring fest on the road in front of a rabid crowd, and that the Arkansas defense, itself “trying to find its feet” has proven itself soft against the run, something that a power running game like ‘Notre Dame’s’ should exploit to gain control of the game flow.
The 2025 Irish arguably have shown themselves to be a “diamond in the rough” work-in progress, with flashes of championship-caliber play mixed in with lapses, inconsistency or, on defense, surrendering big plays.
The Irish quality of play has grown by leaps and bounds each game, with the flashes of brilliance becoming more common, as the lapses persist, yet show improvement.
Marcus Freeman has shown himself to be the right man at the helm, voicing a sense of tireless diligence, drawing on the best of a vintage Notre Dame ethos, calling for ownership and acceptance of responsibility, accountability, and thoughtful, excellence-driven steadfast effort and improvement.
Even amidst the potpourri of extremes, the Irish have played well enough to have tight game with a highly ranked Miami (Fla.) on the road in Everglades-type weather, and to actually beat a somewhat highly-ranked Texas A&M on the field, even if the record books show a close loss, due to SEC officials blowing the game in its final moments.
Last week, of course, the Irish throttled a good, rebuilding Purdue team under a new successful coach, winning 56-30 and outgaining the Boilermakers 537 yards to 379. The Irish pulled their starters at the end of the third quarter leading 56-23.
Yet the main thrust has been a game-by-game ramping up. The season is reminiscent of a game that starts slow but promises to crescendo with a furious rally, with the question being whether a team fighting from behind has enough time left to pull it off.
The Irish defense, reloading, and recently coping with injuries to key defensive backs Leonard Moore and DeVonta Smith, also lost one of the best assistant coaches in college football when defensive coordinator Al Golden jumped to the NFL.
Marcus Freeman indicated that new defensive coordinator Chris Ash was making the right play calls, and that his focus was on helping teach and coach the players to develop and carry out their execution the way they needed to.
An immediate question will be the secondary, with reshufflings of replacements that includes a freshman, covering and tackling well, and giving up fewer big plays. The overall defense, however, is a work in progress that still needs to ramp and gel.
Yet it is not a static black box in some kind of mediocre inertia. The defense is highly talented, mostly plays hard, and is stepping up to make great plays. The issue is to keep progressing towards a more competitive level of play.
Freeman has said he is not taking over defensive play-calling, which apparently is similar to past play-calling and, in Freeman’s view, sound. Yet apparently it has not blitzed as often as in recent years. It will be interesting to see how all that is balanced with Arkansas having a big passing quarterback who also can run well.
Arkansas has a big line of scrimmage, although not necessarily much bigger than any power conference team, except for a few behemoths. Yet, as with past opponents like that, the issue will be how that is countered by strength, technique and athleticism, combined with what is good size for the Irish as well.
Unlike last week’s game with Purdue, with its two-hour storm delay, this week’s game in Fayetteville appears to have favorable weather, with sunny skies and temperatures in the mid- to upper-70s.
Fighting Irish Media highlights the dazzling, hard-running play of Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price.
Full replay of the Irish victory over Purdue on Sept. 20, 2025.
In “Resurrection: The Miracle Season That Saved Notre Dame” by Jim Dent, we are taken back to Hall of Fame Coach Ara Parseghian‘s first team meeting as Notre Dame head football coach, in a Golden Dome auditorium:
“… You know what it takes to win. Just look at my fist. When I make a fist, it’s strong and you can’t tear it apart. As long as there’s unity, there’s strength. We must become so close with the bonds of loyalty and sacrifice, so deep with the conviction of the sole purpose, that no one, no group, no thing, can ever tear us apart. …
“… You have to make a believer out of me that you want to be football players! And I must make you believe I am the best capable leader for you! What will I promise you? I will promise you that you will be the best-conditioned football team that Notre Dame has ever had. You will have absolutely the best strategy in football. I will constantly study and update our techniques. I will also promise you that my door will always be open to you and I will talk to you about anything. I will work as hard as I can. …”
“Resurrection: The Miracle Season That Saved Notre Dame,” (2009) by best-selling sports author Jim Dent, is available on Amazon with editions in hardcover, paperback, kindle, and mass-market paperback. [The book’s author also made a related guest contribution to ESPN.]
Parseghian inherited a Notre Dame team that had gone 2-7 the year before and immediately improved them to 9-1 and a #3 final ranking in his inaugural season. Quarterback John Huarte won the Heisman.
After taking a #1 ranking into their final game, they finished within three points of winning a consensus national championship and were still credited with a non-consensus national title.
Parseghian would got on to win two consensus national championships and multiple major bowl games.
In a seismic shift for modern college football, Parseghian, in mid-stride, was the first coach since Knute Rockne to convince the Holy Cross Priests running Notre Dame to allow the team to go to bowls.
Indeed, Parseghian still won at least one national championship without going to a bowl.
It was during Parseghian’s Notre Dame tenure that the two major polls, who for many years awarded “mythical” national championships, started issuing final polls after the bowl games, after previously wrapping up the rankings at the end of the regular season.
Parseghian had an overall record at Notre Dame of 95-17-4 (.836). His overall career winning percentage of .739 included a stint at “the Cradle of Coaches,” Miami of Ohio, and a major rebuilding job at Northwestern. Within six years of retiring from Notre Dame, Pareseghian would be inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.
“Wake Up the Echoes: The Official Show of the Fighting Irish” welcomes Marcus Freeman; starting “Mike” (middle) linebacker, and team captain, Drayk Bowen; and cornerback Isaiah Dunn; hosted by ‘Notre Dame’ Football Radio announcer Tony Simeone. They talk about what it takes to be a Fighting Irish captain, including the slow grind of daily discipline over instant gratification, and how Drayk learned from leaders like JD Bertrand and Jack Kiser. We also hear about Coach Freeman’s Disney cruise, life in Drayk’s family, scary movies and Drayk
getting stung by a scorpion in Texas [spoiler alert: it was the scorpion that died].
Sophomore Cornerback Leonard Moore and fifth-year defensive back (Nickel Back) DeVonta Smith are listed as questionable on the injury report, as well as Placekicker Noah Burnette, yet still are listed as starters on the depth chart. In addition to the injuries, some additional ebbing and flowing has occurred on the depth chart among the defensive backs. (More details follow below the chart.)
[Jersey Number, Name, Height, Weight, [Eligibility-]Year, unofficial 40 Times (from third-party sources; 40 times not necessarily current)]
– CB –
15 Leonard Moore 6-2 195 So. – 4.5
18 Chance Tucker 6-0 183 Sr.
or 21 Karson Hobbs 6-1 189 So. – 4.4
– BOUND –
8 Adon Shuler 6-0 205 So. – 4.54
28 Luke Talich 6-4 210 Jr. – 4.5
22 Ethan Long 6-3 210 Fr. – 4.6
– FIELD –
9 Tae Johnson 6-2 192 Fr.
7 Jalen Stroman 6-1 201 Sr. – 4.57
11 JaDon Blair 6-5 205 Fr. – 4.56
– CB –
6 Christian Gray 6-0 190 Jr. – 4.45
24 Mark Zackery IV 5-11 175 Fr.
20 Cree Thomas 6-1 189 Fr.
– NICKEL –
0 DeVonta Smith 5-11 195 Sr. – 4.48
14 Dallas Golden 6-0 187 Fr.
13 Ben Minich 6-0 197 So.
– WILL –
3 Jaylen Sneed 6-2 230 Jr.
4 Jaiden Ausberry 6-2 228 So.
19 Madden Faraimo 6-2 235 Fr.
– MIKE –
34 Drayk Bowen 6-2 235 Jr.
27 Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa 6-3 230 So.
19 Madden Faraimo 6-2 235 Fr.
– VYPER –
5 Boubacar Traore 6-4 250 So. – 4.68
44 Junior Tuihalamaka 6-2 255 Sr.
or 12 Jordan Botelho 6-3 260 Sr.
– DT –
47 Jason Onye 6-5 302 Sr.
97 Gabriel Rubio 6-5 321 Sr. – 4.90
42 Cole Mullins 6-5 275 Fr.
– DT –
41 Donovan Hinish 6-2 277 Jr.
93 Jared Dawson 6-1 288 Sr.
56 Elijah Hughes 6-3 300 Jr.
– DE –
95 Bryce Young 6-7 271 So.
40 Joshua Burnham 6-4 260 Jr.
10 Loghan Thomas 6-4 220 So.
Amidst the injuries, several changes ebb and flow in the depth chart at defensive back, some made more relevant by the injuries, even if the injured players are still nominally listed.
Sophomore Karson Hobbs, who reputably has 4.4 speed in the 40, was previously listed as third-string at Nickel Back, yet is now listed as an alternate back-up for Moore at Corner Back, which means he could actually really be a kind of 1(b) alternate starter at CB, if Moore continues being unavailable.
Meanwhile, freshman Dallas Golden, who was nominally listed as a back-up to Moore at CB, ended up starting against Purdue, not at CB, but rather at Nickel. He is now listed as the nominal back-up to Smith at Nickel, which means Golden would continue to be the starter at Nickel, if Smith continues to be out.
Meanwhile, at the “Field” Defensive Back position, freshman Tae Johnson and senior Jalen Stroman have flipped, where Johnson now has the starting position and Stroman is the backup. Ethan Long is no longer third-string at Field, yet Long is third-string at Bound.
Replacing him as third-string at Field is towering, 6-5 freshman JaDon Blair. Estimates Blair’s 40 time seem to range from roughly 4.4 to 4.6
[Note: Athough it had been reported in early 2025 that the program was moving beyond a Vyper concept, they do have “Vypers” on the current depth chart. The same players are listed as DE on the roster]
[official release for offense, defense, special teams at: fightingirish.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/2025-Depth-Chart-Game-04.pdf
While their latest injury report lists two key defensive backs and a placekicker as questionable for Arkansas, the Irish offensive depth chart remains unchanged.
Average size interior offensive line: 6-6, 312
(average size OL starters 6-6, 314)
[Jersey Number, Name, Height, Weight, [Eligibility-]Year, unofficial 40 times (from third-party sources; 40 times not necessarily current)]
– QB –
13 CJ Carr 6-3 210 Fr. – 4.94
8 Kenny Minchey 6-2 208 So. – 4.78
10 Tyler Buchner 6-1 206 Sr. – 4.65
– RB –
RB 4 Jeremiyah Love 6-0 214 Jr. – 4.44
24 Jadarian Price 5-11 210 Jr. – 4.42
22 Aneyas Williams 5-10 205 So. – 4.46
23 Nolan James Jr. 5-10 215 Fr.
– WR –
0 Malachi Fields 6-4 222 Sr. – 4.5
14 Micah Gilbert 6-2 204 Fr. – “closer to a 4.7 … than … a 4.4”
5 Cam Williams 6-2 200 Fr. – 4.4
1 Jaden Greathouse 6-1 215 Jr. – 4.46
or 2 Will Pauling 5-10 190 Sr. – 4.39
19 Logan Saldate 6-0 189 Fr. – 4.47
6 Jordan Faison 5-10 185 Jr. – 4.4
11 KK Smith 6-0 176 So. – 4.59(?)
17 Elijah Burress 6-0 185 Fr. – 4.5 “range”
– TE –
9 Eli Raridon 6-7 252 Sr. – 4.68
7 Ty Washington 6-4 248 Jr. –
or 85 Jack Larsen 6-3 250 Fr. – 4.87
– LT –
54 Anthonie Knapp 6-4 300 So. – 5.33
71 Styles Prescod 6-6 292 Fr.
– LG-
74 Billy Schrauth 6-4 310 Jr.
55 Chris Terek 6-6 322 So.
– C-
70 Ashton Craig 6-5 310 Jr.
64 Joe Otting 6-4 308 So.
– RG –
76 Guerby Lambert 6-7 335 Fr.
or 75 Sullivan Absher 6-8 327 So.
– RT –
59 Aamil Wagner 6-6 300 Jr. – 5.15
76 Guerby Lambert 6-7 335 Fr.
[official release for offense, defense, special teams at: fightingirish.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/2025-Depth-Chart-Game-04.pdf
Marcus Freeman talks with reporters as the Fighting Irish prepare to take on Arkansas in Fayetteville. Freeman cited growth in all three phases in a much-needed victory over Purdue. After celebrating, everyone has been getting back to work, looking forward to the opportunity to take on an Arkansas team who could easily have been undefeated, with a top-5 offense and solid defense. Freeman calls for continued focus on improvement, accountability, and ownership with acceptance of responsibility.
After throttling Purdue 56-30 on Saturday, the Fighting Irish merely hold steady at #21 in the Coaches Poll and jump only two spots to #22 in the AP.
Nevertheless, the Irish (1-2) are the only team with a losing record ranked at all.
Indeed, they are ranked ahead of multiple 4-0 or 3-0 undefeated teams, as well as a team that is 3-1. Multiple additional undefeated teams also linger below them in the “also receiving votes” category.
As expected, strength of schedule already is ebbing and flowing as the season progresses. Three Irish opponents are now ranked. Another two are “knocking on the door” in the “also receiving votes” category of one of the polls.
Both the Irish and their opponents are in boldface below.
| – AP –
1 Ohio State 3-0 Also receiving votes:Auburn 122, Mississippi State 102, South Florida 77, Utah 45, Arizona State 30, Memphis 23, Louisville 23, Maryland 6, UNLV 3, UCF 3, North Texas 2 |
– AFCA Coaches Poll –
1 Ohio State 3-0 Also receiving votes: Arizona State 104, Utah 99, Louisville 67, Mississippi State 57, Memphis 55, Auburn 48, South Florida 32, Washington 19, Navy 17, Maryland 10, Kansas 6, Houston 4, Syracuse 4, Tulane 3, UNLV 3, Nebraska 3, North Texas 2, Iowa 1 |
(* Texas A&M wins include one where the winning touchdown in the final seconds was essentially the result of cheating, when, on the Aggies’ last offensive play of the game, an Aggie offensive lineman tackled a pass rusher from behind as he was barreling towards the quarterback; but an SEC officiating crew ignored the penalty and did not throw a flag; without the cheating and/or the non-call, the Aggies likely would be 2-1)
Watch the extended game highlights as the Fighting Irish route the Boilermakers 56-30 in The House That Rockne Built on September 20, 2025.
Highlights from Notre Dame’s 56-30 victory over Purdue in The House That Rockne Built, Sept. 20, 2025.
‘Notre Dame’s’ Dick Corbett Head Football Coach, Marcus Freeman, talks with reporters after Notre Dame’s 56-30 victory over Purdue, Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025.
This author, of course, already raised the prospect of thunderstorms disrupting the ‘Notre Dame’-Purdue game days ago, and reiterated the issue in the hours before game-time.
True enough, the game was suspended with 1:31 to go in the first half, due to lightning and thunderstorm activity across the Michiana region. Under public safety protocols and NCAA guidelines, the stadium outdoor seating has been evacuated, and both teams and fans are taking shelter.
Hourly forecasts from The Weather Channel indicate that thunderstorms might continue in the area for another one or two hours, which would have to be followed by an additional half-hour wait.
The Irish lead the Boilermakers 28-13, with a little more than a minute to go in the first half. Now that the game is essentially going to be a two-mini-game doubleheader, it will be interesting to see which coaches and players do a better job of adjustments, with all this time to study the first half.
The Weather Channel presently predicts an 80% to 94% chance of thunderstorms running well past 6 p.m. ET. However, after, not long ago, predicting a 35% chance of “scattered thunderstorms” continuing past 7 p.m. ET, the forecast has shifted. Now there is a forecast of cloudiness after 7 p.m. ET with a 24% chance that rain will continue.
So it looks like yet another primetime game might be in order for The House That Rockne Built, at least for the final minute-and-change of the first half and the second half.
Keep in mind, however, that even if the lightning moves on, everyone still has to wait a half-hour to resume play.
Curiously enough, NBC announcers said they knew about the weather issue before the game. One does not necessarily recall them highlighting it. As the game began, NBC seemed to be showing bright, sunny blue skies with a campus shot that one presumes must have been shot earlier. >Live scenes inside the stadium right before kickoff already showed overcast.
NCAA
“NCAA Guideline 1 E – Lightning Safety” is a part of the NCAA’s 2013-14 NCAA Sports Medicine Handbook, at p.16 (as opposed to the 2025 NCAA Football Rules Book, which is a separate publication).
NCAA guidance calls for a game to be suspended, and an outdoor stadium evacuated, as a thunderstorm approaches. When lightning and thunder are within six miles, the stadium should already have been evacuated:
“… Lightning awareness should be heightened at the first flash of lightning, clap of thunder, and/or other signs of an impending storm such as increasing winds or darkening skies, no matter how far away. These types of activities should be treated as a warning or ‘wake-up call’…. Lightning safety experts suggest that if you hear thunder, begin preparation for evacuation …
* * *
The following specific lightning safety guidelines have been developed with the assistance of lightning safety experts. Design your lightning safety plan to consider local safety needs, weather patterns and thunderstorm types.
• As a minimum, lightning safety experts strongly recommend that by the time the monitor observes 30 seconds between seeing the lightning flash
and hearing its associated thunder or by the time the leading edge of the storm is within six miles of the venue, all individuals should have left the athletics site and be wholly within a safer structure or location. Individuals just entering the outdoor venue should be directed to the safer location.
• Please note that thunder may be hard to hear if there is an athletics event going on …”
(emphasis added)
If the storm is passing, the NCAA cites expertise calling for a 30-minute wait after both the last audible thunder and last flash of lightning are at least six miles away.
In other words, after the storm starting leaving, everyone would need to wait until the lightning and thunder were at least six miles away, and heading off, and then wait another half-hour.
Of course, if lightning and thunder resumed later within six miles, the delay would have to start all over again.
(Steve Welsh – SCW 9.20.25)
A ‘Notre Dame’ Football official x/twitter profile announced that both preseason All-American starting cornerback Leonard Moore and lead “nickel back” (defensive back) DeVonta Smith are “game-time decisions” regarding their availability to play. Both have ankle injuries.
Last week against Southern Cal, Purdue threw for more than 300 yards, in game that was 20-10 in the third quarter, with a final margin of 33-17.
The @NDFootball availability update for today’s game vs. Purdue (3:30 p.m. ET, NBC):
CB Leonard Moore (right ankle) & CB DeVonta Smith (right ankle) are game-time decisions. K Noah Burnette (right hip) is out.
All other student-athletes on the two-deep this week are available.
— Notre Dame Football PR Team (@NDFootballPR) September 20, 2025
Already listed as “questionable” on ‘Notre Dame’s’ injury list, preaseason All-American Irish cornerback Leonard Moore was reportedly observed, roughly an hour before game time, still in street clothes and not warming up. According to Irish Illustrated,
#GoIrish cornerback Leonard Moore was in a hoodie and pants on the field, throwing passes to his teammates and did not warm up.
— Irish Illustrated (@irishillustratd) September 20, 2025
The Irish take on the Boilermakers in The House That Rockne Built at 3:30 p.m. ET, 2:30 CT, 1:30 MT, 12:30 PT, live on NBC and ‘Notre Dame’ Football Radio.
‘Notre Dame’ may be heavy favorites against Purdue, yet, aside from sitting at 0-2, the Irish might literally have storms on the horizon when they take on the Boilermakers.
The Irish already have a need for faster starts and sustained momentum, and the prospect of lightning-related game stoppage should add to that urgency.
Winless ‘Notre Dame’ might be the first 0-2 team nationally ranked since 1988, but unranked Purdue has a better record at 2-1, with wins over Southern Illinois and Ball State, followed by a 16-point loss to now-#25 Southern Cal.
Last week against the Trojans, the Boilermakers gave up only one second-half touchdown. And after trailing 17-3 at the half, Purdue made it 20-10 late in the third quarter before finally losing 33-17.
Against a Purdue team with that kind of all-day tenacity against a ranked opponent, the Irish cannot afford to take their time with a slow start, and then get into a possible lightning delay with the score still close, emboldening Purdue visions of an upset.
Against Southern Cal, Purdue showed that they are capable of moving the ball early, even while also being prone to interceptions.
While passing for more than 300 yards against a now-ranked Southern Cal, Purdue also gave up three interceptions, including an early interception when they were third-and-goal on the Southern Cal 3-yard-line on just their second possession.
After a 72-yard-drive, a touchdown rather than an interception would have given the Boilermakers an early 7-3 lead. Either way, it sounds like Purdue is capable of a strong start.
Indeed, on their very next possession, they drove 56 yards to the Southern Call 22, only to settle for a field goal, making it 10-3 a third of the way into the second quarter.
Overall, outgained 460 yards to 357, Purdue still only gave up two touchdowns in the second quarter and another touchdown in the third quarter. While Southern Call had six scoring drives, only half managed to reach the end zone, with the other half limited to field goals.
On the ground Purdue allowed the Trojans a respectable 4.5 yards per carry for 178 yards total rushing, with no Southern Cal running back reaching 100 yards. But one Southern Cal running back averaged 7.5 yards per carry.
So if the Irish are at least competent with their blocking and running, they should be able to sustain drives and score efficiently, and the potentially electrifying Irish running backs might be able to gash the Boilermaker defense here and there.
Both Southern Cal touchdowns were on the ground. While the Trojans threw for 282 yards on 17/28 (61%) passing, the Purdue passing defense did not gave up a touchdown through the air. But neither did they snag an interception.
Hopefully that will not change against an Irish quarterback still learning “on the job,” who has had at least one jaw-dropping bad decision and bad throw in each game thus far.
Yet, with the passing game should be there for the Irish, to whatever extent, with some decent play-calling and competent execution, opened up by some steady success with the running game.
The Purdue rushing attack was fairly weak against Southern Cal, totaling only 52 yards at an anemic 1.9 yards per carry.
However their leading rusher, senior Devin Mockobee, did roll up 45 yards at 3.8 yards per carry, which might be enough to plug into the overall flow of a drive here and there, especially with a potent passing attack.
In Purdue’s second drive that went to the Southern Cal 3-yard-line, Mockobee had a 17-yard run and a 2-yard run, with a 4-yard run added by back-up quarterback Malachi Singleton, a transfer from Arkansas with running ability. Singleton apparently made a very brief appearance in a drive led mostly by Purdue’s 6-4 junior quarterback Ryan Browne, listed as a sophomore despite three years of stats.
Against a now-ranked Southern Cal, Browner threw for 305 yards on 24/39 (62%) passing. However, Browne also threw 3 interceptions to only 1 passing touchdown.
The Irish defensive secondary was highly touted coming into the season. But after two games, their passing defense is 114th out of 136 teams in Div. I-A/FBS in terms of passing yards surrendered, giving up 283 yards per game.
As with some of the other units, the secondary has had some uneven play, including periodic issues with coverage or tackling. That included a long touchdown run-after-catch by Texas A&M that featured non-tackles by a cluster of two Irish defenders, along with a baffling half-hearted “tackle” by yet a third defender that was more of a light torso tap with a shoulder pad. (As an aside, that tackle stood in stark contrast to a later, massive, full textbook-tackle takedown by Irish linebacker Drayk Bowen. So the Irish do have some defenders who know how to tackle.)
Even worse for the Irish secondary, their injury report lists their best defensive back, preseason All-American cornerback Leonard Moore, as questionable for Purdue after an ankle injury against Texas A&M.
Bob and Leslie Mohr Family Quarterbacks Coach/Pass Game Coordinator Gino Guidugli and Notre Dame Football student-athletes Eli Raridon, Malachi Fields, Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa, and Adon Shuler spoke with reporters following practice on Tuesday, September 16, 2025, as the Irish readied for Purdue.
The Fighting Irish might just have to wait a bit longer to make another attempt at their first win of the season, if the elements do not cooperate.
They are set to host Purdue in The House That Rockne Built on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. ET. The actual kickoff presumably comes some minutes later, with the game likely running past 7 p.m.
But less than 48 hours before game time, forecasts warn of thunderstorms possibly rolling in before, or during, the game.
Three major weather sources predict thunderstorms in the area Saturday afternoon, either a 51% chance before the game, a 60% chance later in the game, or a 30% chance starting mid-afternoon.
Now, these days, in many places including northern Indiana, it is not just that the weather can vary and change quickly. The forecasts themselves, the predictions, can also change dramatically.
That would time the storms for a bit later in the second half, lasting through what would have been the normal time frame for concluding the game.
The Accuweather forecast is a bit of a mish-mash. Their daily forecast, also embedded below, simply says Saturday will be warm and mostly cloudy. Yet the hourly forecast is predicting a 51% chance of thunderstorms from roughly 1 p.m. until 3 p.m., and cloudy at game time. (Clicking on the link for the hourly forecasts, one might then have to scroll down and click again for “Saturday.”)
NCAA
“NCAA Guideline 1 E – Lightning Safety” is a part of the NCAA’s 2013-14 NCAA Sports Medicine Handbook, at p.16 (as opposed to the 2025 NCAA Football Rules Book, which is a separate publication).
NCAA guidance calls for a game to be suspended, and an outdoor stadium evacuated, as a thunderstorm approaches. When lightning and thunder are within six miles, the stadium should already have been evacuated:
“… Lightning awareness should be heightened at the first flash of lightning, clap of thunder, and/or other signs of an impending storm such as increasing winds or darkening skies, no matter how far away. These types of activities should be treated as a warning or ‘wake-up call’…. Lightning safety experts suggest that if you hear thunder, begin preparation for evacuation …
* * *
The following specific lightning safety guidelines have been developed with the assistance of lightning safety experts. Design your lightning safety plan to consider local safety needs, weather patterns and thunderstorm types.
• As a minimum, lightning safety experts strongly recommend that by the time the monitor observes 30 seconds between seeing the lightning flash
and hearing its associated thunder or by the time the leading edge of the storm is within six miles of the venue, all individuals should have left the athletics site and be wholly within a safer structure or location. Individuals just entering the outdoor venue should be directed to the safer location.
• Please note that thunder may be hard to hear if there is an athletics event going on …”
(emphasis added)
If the storm is passing, the NCAA cites expertise calling for a 30-minute wait after both the last audible thunder and last flash of lightning are at least six miles away.
In other words, after the storm starting leaving, everyone would need to wait until the lightning and thunder were at least six miles away, and heading off, and then wait another half-hour.
Of course, if lightning and thunder resumed later within six miles, the delay would have to start all over again.
One would have to keep checking back, as game day, and even game time, approaches, to see how the somewhat variegated forecasts might ebb and flow.
“Wake Up the Echoes: The Official Show of the Fighting Irish” continues Season 3 with Marcus Freeman and starting left guard Billy Schrauth. As the Irish ready for Purdue, Billy also takes us from his competitive big-family roots in small-town Wisconsin to his love of golf – before revealing how a stage combat class turned him into Gotham’s most convincing henchman.
Several offensive lineman and a tight end are listed on the injury report as unavailable, and another offensive lineman is back from injury, yet that did not impact the depth chart.
Average size interior offensive line: 6-6, 312
(average size OL starters 6-6, 314)
[for original PDF click here]
[Jersey Number, Name, Height, Weight, [Eligibility-]Year, unofficial 40 times (from third-party sources; 40 times not necessarily current)]
– QB –
13 CJ Carr 6-3 210 Fr. – 4.94
8 Kenny Minchey 6-2 208 So. – 4.78
10 Tyler Buchner 6-1 206 Sr. – 4.65
– RB –
RB 4 Jeremiyah Love 6-0 214 Jr. – 4.44
24 Jadarian Price 5-11 210 Jr. – 4.42
22 Aneyas Williams 5-10 205 So. – 4.46
23 Nolan James Jr. 5-10 215 Fr.
– WR –
0 Malachi Fields 6-4 222 Sr. – 4.5
14 Micah Gilbert 6-2 204 Fr. – “closer to a 4.7 … than … a 4.4”
5 Cam Williams 6-2 200 Fr. – 4.4
1 Jaden Greathouse 6-1 215 Jr. – 4.46
or 2 Will Pauling 5-10 190 Sr. – 4.39
19 Logan Saldate 6-0 189 Fr. – 4.47
6 Jordan Faison 5-10 185 Jr. – 4.4
11 KK Smith 6-0 176 So. – 4.59(?)
17 Elijah Burress 6-0 185 Fr. – 4.5 “range”
– TE –
9 Eli Raridon 6-7 252 Sr. – 4.68
7 Ty Washington 6-4 248 Jr. –
or 85 Jack Larsen 6-3 250 Fr. – 4.87
– LT –
54 Anthonie Knapp 6-4 300 So. – 5.33
71 Styles Prescod 6-6 292 Fr.
– LG-
74 Billy Schrauth 6-4 310 Jr.
55 Chris Terek 6-6 322 So.
– C-
70 Ashton Craig 6-5 310 Jr.
64 Joe Otting 6-4 308 So.
– RG –
76 Guerby Lambert 6-7 335 Fr.
or 75 Sullivan Absher 6-8 327 So.
– RT –
59 Aamil Wagner 6-6 300 Jr. – 5.15
76 Guerby Lambert 6-7 335 Fr.
[official release for offense, defense, special teams at: [PDF] fightingirish.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/2025-Depth-Chart-Game-03.pdf
Sophomore Cornerback Leonard Moore and fifth-year defensive back (Nickel Back) DeVonta Smith are listed as questionable on the injury report, yet are still listed as starters on the depth chart.
[Note: Athough it had been reported in early 2025 that the program was moving beyond a Vyper concept, they do have “Vypers” on the current depth chart. The same players are listed as DE on the roster]
[Jersey Number, Name, Height, Weight, [Eligibility-]Year, unofficial 40 Times (from third-party sources; 40 times not necessarily current)]
– CB –
15 Leonard Moore 6-2 195 So. – 4.5
14 Dallas Golden 6-0 187 Fr.
18 Chance Tucker 6-0 183 Sr
– BOUND –
8 Adon Shuler 6-0 205 So. – 4.54
28 Luke Talich 6-4 210 Jr. – 4.5
22 Ethan Long 6-3 210 Fr. – 4.6
– FIELD –
7 Jalen Stroman 6-1 201 Sr. – 4.57
9 Tae Johnson 6-2 192 Fr.
22 Ethan Long 6-3 210 Fr. – 4.6
– CB –
6 Christian Gray 6-0 190 Jr. – 4.45
24 Mark Zackery IV 5-11 175 Fr.
20 Cree Thomas 6-1 189 Fr.
– NICKEL –
0 DeVonta Smith 5-11 195 Sr. – 4.48
21 Karson Hobbs 6-1 189 So.
13 Ben Minich 6-0 197 So.
– WILL –
3 Jaylen Sneed 6-2 230 Jr.
4 Jaiden Ausberry 6-2 228 So.
19 Madden Faraimo 6-2 235 Fr.
– MIKE –
34 Drayk Bowen 6-2 235 Jr.
27 Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa 6-3 230 So.
19 Madden Faraimo 6-2 235 Fr.
– VYPER –
5 Boubacar Traore 6-4 250 So. – 4.68
44 Junior Tuihalamaka 6-2 255 Sr.
or 12 Jordan Botelho 6-3 260 Sr.
– DT –
47 Jason Onye 6-5 302 Sr.
97 Gabriel Rubio 6-5 321 Sr. – 4.90
42 Cole Mullins 6-5 275 Fr.
– DT –
41 Donovan Hinish 6-2 277 Jr.
93 Jared Dawson 6-1 288 Sr.
56 Elijah Hughes 6-3 300 Jr.
– DE –
95 Bryce Young 6-7 271 So.
40 Joshua Burnham 6-4 260 Jr.
10 Loghan Thomas 6-4 220 So.
[official release for offense, defense, special teams at: [PDF] fightingirish.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/2025-Depth-Chart-Game-03.pdf
Marcus Freeman talks with reporters as the Fighting Irish ready for Purdue. Freeman opened by emphasizing consistency; high standards; acceptance of responsibility; accountability; making every rep count; and, on defense, not letting a bad play turn into an explosive play.
‘Notre Dame,’ still without an official win for the season, somehow remains ranked in the top-25, the only “winless” team to do so. One source indicates this is the first time since 1988 that an 0-2 team has been ranked in the AP. Full rankings are listed at the bottom of the page.
The Irish dropped from #8 in the AP and Coaches Polls to #24 and #21, respectively.
Most recently they arguably won on the field over Texas A&M but lost in the record books, following a UFO-like non-call by SEC officials on the Aggies’ final score with 19 seconds remaining. A veteran NFL official, turned network commentator, called the non-call “patently egregious,” and it essentially handed the game to the Aggies.
The Irish remain the only officially “winless” team still ranked in the AP and Coaches Polls.
Three Irish opponents are now ranked, including Southern Call at #25 in the AP, along #4/6 Miami (Fla.) and #10 Texas A&M. Although, like Colorado the year they accidentally were offered five downs instead of four at a key moment in a close game, Texas A&M seems destined to have a large asterisk next to them the remainder of the season.
North Carolina State and Navy are in the “also receiving votes” category, joined by Southern Cal in the Coaches Poll. Southern, as mentioned, cracked the top-25 in the AP.
Despite their long history, and former relevance, both the AP and Coaches Poll, of course, are unofficial.The first official 2025 College Football Playoff rankings come out Tuesday, Nov. 4 at 8 p.m.
In the ‘Notre Dame’-Texas A&M game, the Aggies, trailing by six, took one final shot on a 4th-and-goal from the Irish 11 with 19 seconds left. An Irish pass rusher beat his blocker(s) and was rushing into the backfield, practically up the middle, For an instant, he was barreling after the quarterback, but an apparently desperate Texas A&M offensive lineman reached out from behind and essentially tackled the pass rusher.
Multiple SEC officials in position for a clear line of sight ignored the illegal take-down. They let stand an Aggie touchdown that would not have been possible without the cheating.
The effort to determine a clear winner, short-circuited by the SEC officials, capped a wild back-and-forth game with big plays, ugly lapses and flashes of championship-caliber potential. Each team seemed like a potential “diamond in the rough,” even as the Irish had the upper hand, if the rules been enforced accurately and honestly.
In a bizarre twist, at least one of SEC officials on hand, the umpire, responsible for monitoring line play, was also a part of the infamous SEC officiating crew whose non-call in last year’s SEC conference title game was one of the worst, and most physically dangerous, non-calls in modern memory. In that instance, at key moment, the SEC officials failed to throw a flag on someone flying in, using their own head like a medieval battering ram to knock off somebody else’s helmet.
All of this, of course, begs the question, what in the world were SEC officials doing at ‘Notre Dame’ in the first place, rather than ACC officials. For that matter, in the past, ‘Notre Dame’ sometimes used neutral MAC officials for home games.
| – AP –
1 Ohio State 3-0 Also receiving votes: BYU 94, South Florida 83, South Carolina 82, Mississippi State 69, TCU 67, Arizona State 57, Tulane 33, Louisville 25, Nebraska 9, Baylor 6, Clemson 6, SMU 4, NC State 4, UNLV 2, Navy 1 |
– AFCA Coaches Poll –
1 Ohio State 3-0 Also receiving votes: BYU 158, Arizona State 141, USC 117, Clemson 116, Tulane 107, Louisville 53, TCU 49, South Florida 48, Mississippi State 27, SMU 24, Nebraska 24, Navy 15, Memphis 14, Washington 13, NC State 13, Baylor 8, Houston 5, Kansas 2, UNLV 1, California 1 |
(* Texas A&M wins include one where the winning touchdown in the final seconds was essentially the result of cheating, when, on the Aggies’ last offensive play of the game, an Aggie offensive lineman tackled a pass rusher from behind as he was barreling towards the quarterback; but an SEC officiating crew ignored the penalty and did not throw a flag; without the cheating and/or the non-call, the Aggies likely would be 2-1)
Marcus Freeman talks with reporters after the Fighting Irish primetime matchup with Texas A&M.
‘Notre Dame’ football student athletes talk with reporters after taking on Texas A&M; featuring running back Jeremiyah Love, cornerback Leonard Moore, quarterback CJ Carr, and middle linebacker Drayk Bowen.
Wake Up the Echoes: The Official Show of the Fighting Irish, kicks off Season 3 with Marcus Freeman and the newest member of the 2025 Notre Dame Football Captains, Will Pauling. Learn about Will’s life growing up in Chicago, the hard work ethic instilled in him by his father, and the time he found himself in over his head in the team’s ping pong tournament.
Pat and Jana Eilers Defensive Backs Coach/Defensive Pass Game Coordinator Mike Mickens talked with reporters Tuesday, joined by student athletes Boubacar Traore, Jadarian Price, Jaden Greathouse, and Leonard Moore, as the #8 Fighting Irish readied for #16/17 Texas A&M.
[for original official PDF click here]
[Jersey Number, Name, Height, Weight, [Eligibility-]Year, unofficial 40 times (from third-party sources; 40 times not necessarily current)]
[Note: Although it had been reported in early 2025 that the program was moving beyond a Vyper concept, they do have “Vypers” on the current depth chart; same players listed as DE on the roster]
– CB –
15 Leonard Moore 6-2 195 So. – 4.5
14 Dallas Golden 6-0 187 Fr.
18 Chance Tucker 6-0 183 Sr
– BOUND –
8 Adon Shuler 6-0 205 So. – 4.54
28 Luke Talich 6-4 210 Jr. – 4.5
22 Ethan Long 6-3 210 Fr. – 4.6
– FIELD –
7 Jalen Stroman 6-1 201 Sr. – 4.57
9 Tae Johnson 6-2 192 Fr.
22 Ethan Long 6-3 210 Fr. – 4.6
– CB –
6 Christian Gray 6-0 190 Jr. – 4.45
24 Mark Zackery IV 5-11 175 Fr.
20 Cree Thomas 6-1 189 Fr.
– NICKEL –
0 DeVonta Smith 5-11 195 Sr. – 4.48
21 Karson Hobbs 6-1 189 So.
13 Ben Minich 6-0 197 So.
– WILL –
3 Jaylen Sneed 6-2 230 Jr.
4 Jaiden Ausberry 6-2 228 So.
19 Madden Faraimo 6-2 235 Fr.
– MIKE –
34 Drayk Bowen 6-2 235 Jr.
27 Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa 6-3 230 So.
19 Madden Faraimo 6-2 235 Fr.
– VYPER –
5 Boubacar Traore 6-4 250 So. – 4.68
44 Junior Tuihalamaka 6-2 255 Sr.
or 12 Jordan Botelho 6-3 260 Sr.
– DT –
47 Jason Onye 6-5 302 Sr.
97 Gabriel Rubio 6-5 321 Sr. – 4.90
42 Cole Mullins 6-5 275 Fr.
– DT –
41 Donovan Hinish 6-2 277 Jr.
93 Jared Dawson 6-1 288 Sr.
56 Elijah Hughes 6-3 300 Jr.
– DE –
95 Bryce Young 6-7 271 So.
40 Joshua Burnham 6-4 260 Jr.
10 Loghan Thomas 6-4 220 So.
[official release for offense, defense, special teams at: [PDF] fightingirish.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/2025-Depth-Chart-Game-02.pdf]
[for original PDF click here]
[Jersey Number, Name, Height, Weight, [Eligibility-]Year, unofficial 40 times (from third-party sources; 40 times not necessarily current)]
Average size interior offensive line: 6-6, 312
(average size OL starters 6-6, 314)
– QB –
13 CJ Carr 6-3 210 Fr. – 4.94
8 Kenny Minchey 6-2 208 So. – 4.78
10 Tyler Buchner 6-1 206 Sr. – 4.65
– RB –
RB 4 Jeremiyah Love 6-0 214 Jr. – 4.44
24 Jadarian Price 5-11 210 Jr. – 4.42
22 Aneyas Williams 5-10 205 So. – 4.46
23 Nolan James Jr. 5-10 215 Fr.
– WR –
0 Malachi Fields 6-4 222 Sr. – 4.5
14 Micah Gilbert 6-2 204 Fr. – “closer to a 4.7 … than … a 4.4”
5 Cam Williams 6-2 200 Fr. – 4.4
1 Jaden Greathouse 6-1 215 Jr. – 4.46
or 2 Will Pauling 5-10 190 Sr. – 4.39
19 Logan Saldate 6-0 189 Fr. – 4.47
6 Jordan Faison 5-10 185 Jr. – 4.4
11 KK Smith 6-0 176 So. – 4.59(?)
17 Elijah Burress 6-0 185 Fr. – 4.5 “range”
– TE –
9 Eli Raridon 6-7 252 Sr. – 4.68
7 Ty Washington 6-4 248 Jr. –
or 85 Jack Larsen 6-3 250 Fr. – 4.87
– LT –
54 Anthonie Knapp 6-4 300 So. – 5.33
71 Styles Prescod 6-6 292 Fr.
– LG-
74 Billy Schrauth 6-4 310 Jr.
55 Chris Terek 6-6 322 So.
– C-
70 Ashton Craig 6-5 310 Jr.
64 Joe Otting 6-4 308 So.
– RG –
76 Guerby Lambert 6-7 335 Fr.
or 75 Sullivan Absher 6-8 327 So.
– RT –
59 Aamil Wagner 6-6 300 Jr. – 5.15
76 Guerby Lambert 6-7 335 Fr.
[official release for offense, defense, special teams at: [PDF] fightingirish.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/2025-Depth-Chart-Game-02.pdf]
It may be true, at least at the moment, that #16/17 Texas A&M is the only remaining top-25 Irish opponent. Yet it seems a bit silly to couch “must-win” game status within the notion that an 0-1 ‘Notre Dame’ is somehow a playoff contender.
Nevertheless, there still should be a sense of urgency to “right the ship” addressing weaknesses and making strides. And an 0-2 start would make it mathematically impossible to rise above .500 before October, and mathematically impossible to become bowl-eligible before November. That’s not playoff-eligible. That’s bowl-eligible.
But it might not be timely to analyze, as a playoff contender, an 0-1 Irish team with spotty play-calling, a somewhat tentative rookie quarterback, weak and inconsistent line play, UFO-like clock management problems, and other weaknesses.
Their inflated ranking is a residual after-effect of a preseason ranking influenced by last season, as is their inflated reputation. Their season-opening opponent looked lackluster as well, and, themselves, might well be destined to lose this weekend.
Their undoubtedly will be ebbing and flowing with the records and rankings of the mostly solid Irish opponents across the season, several of whom already in the “also receiving votes” category.
Time will tell whether this year’s Irish club will “find its feet” or, instead, turn out to be like some of those Florida State and Southern Cal teams in the past who struggled to stay above .500, yet were stocked with elite talent that would step up to do something fancy once in a while.
Bob Davie
Late in Bob Davie’s ‘Notre Dame’ tenure, late in a season with some losses accruing, the news media apparently thought it might be interesting to ruminate about whether the Irish would be interested in “just” going to a minor bowl game.
They even got Bob Davie, whose low-key affability and verbosity later helped him become a TV commentator, to go along with the imaginary exercise. He responded, why yes, they would be happy to go to a minor bowl.
The problem was *ahem* at the time of the article, they were not even bowl-eligible.
Sure enough, when the regular season was complete, they still were not bowl eligible, winding up with a losing record.
Texas A&M Only Remaining Currently-Ranked Opponent
As mentioned before, in 2025, #16/17 Texas A&M is the only remaining regular-season opponent still currently ranked, at least heading into their game in The House That Rockne Built. After an early season softening of ‘Notre Dame’s’ remaining strength of schedule, the Aggies momentarily seem like they might be the best remaining opportunity for a “quality win.”
Only Matters for the Playoff
On the other hand, that might only matter for the playoff, which, these days, is one and the same with the “major bowls.”
Being 0-2 against ranked opponents might be a label that loomed over the Irish for the duration, even if they manage wins against programs that are solid but unranked.
But unless the team improves, they are not really good enough for the playoff regardless.
With the team presently at 0-1 and looking a bit lackluster, it might not be timely to project, presume and assume about whether the Irish might be a playoff contender.
For any other bowls, including ACC-connected sub-major bowl games close to New Year’s, the Irish “resume” against ranked opponents might not really turn out to be all that pertinent.
All that matters might be the win-loss record; TV popularity and ticket sales; head-to-head matchups with ACC teams, a partner in bowl selections; and perhaps some vague sense of being able to put on a decent game.
The last time the Irish went to a sub-major bowl game, with a decent purse, it turned into a glorified exhibition game. The starting quarterbacks and a host of other quality players sat out, resting up for the NFL combine and draft.
Of course, ironically, the starting quarterback for the Irish, who was a bit of ringer to begin with as an older transfer, ended up going undrafted after playing hooky from the bowl game.
As an aside, for his part, the replacement starting quarterback, played well and they won, with a number of backups against backups, almost like a strike replacement team in the NFL.
One of the multiple reasons the Irish are in a mess right now, of course, is that the replacement quarterback from that bowl game, more recently, would go on to get a bit sandbagged and nudged out by the coaches in the current year. So the Irish entered the season without any scholarship quarterbacks with meaningful game experience, going up against a front-loaded schedule.
If the quarterback who left, Steve Angeli, hangs onto his current starting job at Syracuse, the potential NFL prospect could end up coming back to haunt the Irish when he goes up against them in the regular season finale. Last week he threw for more than 400 yards in an overtime win.
Strength of Schedule Ebbing and Flowing
As for rankings and records among remaining 2025 opponents, as always, a lot of ebbing and flowing can still occur across what can be a long season. Several remaining Irish opponents are already in the “also receiving votes” category. And at least some of the opponents who picked up losses early, even ugly losses, are actually solid programs making strides to regain their footing.
Urgency
Even though it is rather early to think of a game as a “must-win” game, it still might be helpful to think of the matchup with Texas A&M as “must-win,” to lend a needed sense of urgency.
In a broad sense, the Irish have looked lackluster while being winless, and the chance to go 1-1 against ranked opponents instead of 0-2 does make the game pivotal. That is the especially the case, given that the first opponent also looked lackluster, and seems destined to lose this weekend.
From a purely mathematical standpoint, if the Irish start 0-2, but go on to find a way to win against unranked opponents, it still would be mathematically impossible for them to rise above .500 until early October. And that would only be possible if they can beat a decent SEC team on the road as well as a 2024 playoff team.
As mentioned before, generally speaking, if the Irish start 0-2, and then somehow start “running the table,” it still would be mathematically impossible to become minimally bowl-eligible, for even a minor bowl, until early November.
If they picked up another loss along the way, November could get a bit dicey, counting down the weeks left to gain bowl eligibility.
That would especially be the case if either the Boston College game or Pitt game, with kickoff times still to-be-determined, turned into night games, followed up by tough games the following week, against, respectively, Navy and Syracuse.
The program has had a poor record the week after long-distance night games, raising suspicions that the institution is still have players take red-eye flights back, disrupting a sound training regimen and leaving lingering physiological deficits from sleep disruption and sleep deprivation.
Even back in the Charlie Weis era, the four-game losing skid that cost Weis his job included going 0-2 to unranked opponents the weeks after long-distance night games and apparent red-eye flights.
There are actually a few parallels. In Weis’ last year, they took a red-eye flight back from a good win, at night, in San Antonio, and lost a close game the following week to Navy. Later, they had a night game at Pitt. Presumably they took a red-eye flight again, and lost the following week to an unranked opponent.
This year, if they end up with a night game at Boston College, it is Navy they have to play the following week. If they might end up playing a night game at Pitt, as well, just like in Charlie Weis’s final season. This time it would be followed by a tough game hosting Syracuse, led by a quarterback on a mission.
In any event, future strength of schedule is not as clear as some might like to think. And it is a bit silly to make playoff predictions for a lackluster team sitting at 0-1, no matter how inflated their ranking.
Yet there certainly should be a sense of urgency about the Texas A&M game, perhaps more to do with the urgency of remedying multiple weaknesses and subpar execution.
(Steve Welsh – SCW 9.12.25)
Marcus Freeman speaks with the media as the #8 Fighting Irish prepare to take on the #16/17 Texas A&M Aggies this coming Saturday in prime-time on NBC.
Another week into the season, ‘Notre Dame’ is now the only winless team in the top-25.The Irish rise to #8 in both the AP and Coaches Poll, still sitting at 0-1 after an early bye week.
One recalls how, in Lou Holtz’s first game at ‘Notre Dame,’ the Irish became the first, possibly only, team to open the season unranked, only to jump into what was then the top-20 after losing their first game.
However, that Irish team, after a losing record under Gerry Faust in 1985, played quite well in Lou Holtz’s 1986 debut, only to lose 24-23 to a #3-ranked, Bo Schembechler-coached Michigan team.
By contrast, the 2024 Irish and their opening-game opponent looked decidedly lackluster.
As a residual carryover from last year’s achievements, they both still enjoy inflated rankings carrying over from the preseason, at least thus far.
The Irish improvement from #9 to #8 during a bye week was due to 1-1 Clemson dropping multiple places after struggling against Troy.
| – AP –
1 Ohio State 2-0 Also receiving votes: Arizona State 94, BYU 92, Georgia Tech 78, Florida 70, USC 64, TCU 58, Mississippi State 52, Louisville 49, SMU 26, Nebraska 10, Tulane 9, Baylor 7, UNLV 5, Pittsburgh 3, Navy 2, Vanderbilt 1, Memphis 1 |
– AFCA Coaches Poll –
1 Ohio State 2-0 Also receiving votes: Missouri 142, Louisville 88, SMU 87, USC 87, Florida 68, Auburn 57, Tulane 55, TCU 36, Georgia Tech 26, Nebraska 19, Navy 16, Mississippi State 15, Washington 15, Memphis 11, Baylor 9, Vanderbilt 7, Kansas 4, UNLV 3, Pittsburgh 1, NC State 1 |
During his brief head coaching tenure, Marcus Freeman has gone 2-4 the week after a long-distance night game, 1-3 against unranked opponents. More than a third of Freeman’s total career losses as a head coach have come the week after a long-distance night game, 4 losses out of 11.
Curiously enough, the only opponent he has beaten the week after a long-distance night game is Southern Cal.
One wonders if the university might still be “ignoring the science” by having red-eye flights back in the middle of the night. There have been multiple studies over the years showing sleep deprivation after-effects persisting a number of days, even after someone thinks they have “caught up” on their sleep.
One of the biggest strokes of luck for the Irish in 2025 has been an early bye week after their lackluster nighttime showing in Miami Gardens. In contrast, last year, after grinding out a nighttime win at Texas A&M, back home a week later they had their infamous loss to Northern Illinois.
Another stroke of luck is that their game with Arkansas in Fayetteville is the same day Georgia hosts Alabama in Athens. So instead of the SEC-hosted game with the Irish being in primetime, it is Alabama-Georgia in primetime. The Irish and Razorbacks help kick off the day at 11 a.m. local time, 12 noon Eastern.
The following week the Irish host Boise State. Even though Boise State seems a bit less daunting than their playoff team last year, that matchup still would have meant even bigger trouble if the Irish were taking them on the week after a red-eye flight.
Multiple studies, including by the military, have shown that the physiological effects of sleep deprivation can linger on for days, even after someone imagines that they have caught up on their sleep.
According to the Sleep Foundation:
Of added concern would be whether the players ever really do actually get “caught up,” given both academic and athletic demands upon their time, and whether those suffering from sleep deprivation do not realize its full effects.
(emphasis added)
The situation presumably could be even more precarious for college-aged student athletes facing academic demands, social demands, noisy dorms, and a young-guy feeling of invincibility, while also playing in sport that traditionally valued “shrugging things off.”
Yet the issue is not simply whether or not the players and coaches finally get back into form in time for a game a week later. There also is the question of squandering valuable, limited practice time with sub-par practices throughout the week. That is especially the case, if the intensity of practices has to taper off closer to game day, making the practices earlier in the week even more valuable.
2022 – losing twice in a game coming one week after a long-distance night game
In 2022, Marcus Freeman’s first year as head coach, the Irish led off with a night game at #2 Ohio State. Even though ‘Notre Dame’ lost by 11 points, 21-10, they still played well enough to look reasonably competitive.
But the week after the long-distance night game, the Irish lost at home to unranked Marshall 26-21.
At mid-season, ‘Notre Dame’ had a night game against a good #16-ranked BYU team, at a neutral site in Las Vegas. The Irish played well and won 28-20.
But the week after the long-distance night game, the Irish lost at home to unranked Stanford, 16-14.
2023 – going 1-1 the weeks after long-distance night games
In 2023, the Irish had an unusual three-week sequence at mid-season, all involving night games.
First, they played well in a night game at Duke, winning 21-14.
But the week after the long-distance night game, they had to play a Louisville team barely ranked #25. The Irish trailed 24-13 early in the fourth quarter, falling to 33-13 with a few minutes to go.
They had to rally, not to win, but just to mitigate the humiliation, scoring with a minute-and-a-half to go, to close the gap to two touchdowns instead of three, 34-20.
Yet the game at Louisville was itself a long-distance night game, followed by another game a week later. This time the Irish did temporarily break out of their pattern, beating a then-#10-ranked Southern Cal 48-20.
Although it did turn out that Southern Cal would finish the season unranked. Strangely enough, it was Louisville that Southern Cal beat by two touchdowns in the Holiday Bowl.
2024 – loss to Northern Illinois the week after a long-distance night game; holding off Southern Cal
In 2024, the Irish returned to their losing ways the week after a long-distance night game, with seismic repercussions.
They opened the season playing well in a grinding nighttime win at Texas A&M.
But the week after the long-distance night game, back home the Irish had their infamous to unranked Northern Illinois.
That loss loomed large in later attempts to estimate where they really deserved fit in amongst the upper echelons of the rankings.
At the end of the regular season, Freeman very nearly lost again to an unranked opponent the week after a long-distance night game.
The Irish played a night game against Army in the Bronx, which they played well and won.
If they did, presumably, take a red-eye flight back, they at least had a few logistical advantages. The game started a half-hour earlier than some night games, and, even though service academy Army had been trying to diversify their offense, the game still ran about a half-hour shorter. Although Freeman himself squandered that half-hour, by talking for a half-hour at his press conference. Thankfully at least it can be a quick bus ride from Yankee Stadium to LaGuardia.
Nevertheless, a week after that long-distance night game in the Bronx, the Irish had difficulties facing an unranked Southern Cal struggling to stay above .500.
Despite winning by 14 points on paper, the Irish easily could have been taken into overtime, or lose in regulation, giving up four medium-to-long drives in the fourth quarter that totaled more than 230 yards.
Two individual big plays by two Irish defensive backs, historic proportions, caused a 28-point swing.
Instead of Southern Cal scoring 28 points off the four drives, they scored only 14, while the Irish defensive backs had two pick-six interceptions returned for touchdowns, one for 99 yards and the other rounded down to 100 yards. The latter tied a nearly-century-old school record and the first one missed the record by a yard.
So, even though the Irish pulled out a win the week after their second long-distance night game of the year, they still struggled and could have had things turn out a lot worse without two plays of historic proportions. What was, in the Al Golden era, one of the best defenses in college football gave up 557 yards to a team hovering around .500, including four long drives in the fourth quarter. And that was while the offense also underperformed, being outgained and scoring the same points as the weaker opponent, without factoring in the defensive return touchdowns.
Longtime issue
The issue of having trouble after long-distance night games, of course, did not start with Marcus Freeman.
Brian Kelly had his issues as well, from time to time, including just a year before Freeman took the top job.
After beating Florida State in overtime in Tallahassee on a Sunday night, Kelly’s 2021 team struggled mightily the following week against Toledo, nearly losing. They had to come from behind multiple times, including in the fourth quarter.
This author wondered, at the time, if they would have pulled out the win if they did not, in a positive way, have an old warhorse of head coach who knew how to cobble together wins, whether his team deserved it or not.
The following year, of course, with a rookie head coach, the opposite happened. They did not pull out the win against an unranked team, the week after a night game on the road, losing the Marshall.
Charlie Weis era ends after long-distance night games
Yet the most consequential red-eye flight issues that originally drew this author’s attention were the red-eye flights that were pivotal in the Charlie Weis era coming to an end.
After going 6-2 and being ranked #19, Charlie Weis was fired after a 4-game losing streak that included going 0-2 to unranked opponents the week after long-distance night games. In one of those instances, a loss to unranked Navy, it was clear that they had, indeed taken a red-eye after the previous game.
In Weis’s final season, the Irish played well in a 40-14 win over Washington State in the Alamo Dome in San Antonio. That win pushed them to 6-2 and a #19 ranking.
After the game, players posted photos of the team sitting on a red-eye flight in the wee hours of the morning, flying back right away instead of sticking to a sound training regimen by returning to the hotel for a good night’s sleep.
The very next week, the Irish lost to unranked Navy 23-21 at home. They plummeted out of the rankings and dropped to 6-3.
Given Navy’s tenacity, and how they regard games with ‘Notre Dame’ as a test of character dovetailing with their military training, they are probably the last opponent one would want to face after a week of subpar practices trying to climb out of the ill effects of sleep deprivation.
The following week, the Irish played competitively against a #8 Pitt, albeit losing 27-22, dropping to 6-4.
But, even worse, that was a night game, on the road at Pitt. And the Irish had to play just a week later.
Coming a week after that long-distance night game, presumably with a red-eye flight back, the Irish lost yet another close game at home to an unranked opponent. This time it was Connecticut. That dropped the Irish to 6-5.
The week after that, of course, they lost a fairly close, competitive game at then-juggernaut Stanford. The athletic director reportedly told Charlie Weis before the game that he was recommending Charlie Weis’s firing regardless of the outcome.
After firing Weis, the school sat out the bowl season, despite being bowl eligible at 6-6.
When asked if there was one moment that tipped the balance, or something to that effect, the athletic director reportedly referenced the loss to Navy
So, with Weis’s job on the line, the Irish were sitting at 6-2 with a #19 ranking.
They then went on a four-game losing skid, going 0-2 to unranked opponents the week after long-distance night games. In at least one instance there was clearly a red-eye flight involved.
Lou Holtz
Broader sleep deprivation issues certainly came up back in the Lou Holtz era, when one of his losses to Stanford came about after some players reportedly were going on five hours of sleep some nights. The reason apparently was poor planning relating to mid-terms.
Squandering opportunities
One recalls an obscure in-house video interview with a positions coach years ago, who had a long string of All-Americans across multiple programs, as well as multiple future NFL players. That success continued with the Irish, even with a depleted roster, until he had to step down for health reasons,
He said that one reality that he stressed to his players was that they had to get everything they possibly could out of every single rep; that they only got a certain number of reps, and that once a rep was gone, it was gone forever. So they had to make sure that they learned everything they could, and make every effort, and get everything they could out of each and every rep.
Against that context, why would anybody want to squander multiple of days of limited practices on the after-effects of sleep deprivation, and perhaps even carry some of the ill effects into the next game itself.
2025
If ‘Notre Dame’ is still “ignoring the science” and using red-eye flights back from night games on the road, they still are potentially vulnerable on two occasions later this season.
Their road game at Boston College that still has not set a start time. The very next week they play, of all teams, Navy.
If the network tries to set the road game at Boston College for primetime, and the Irish take a red-eye flight back, that might bode well for their game a week later hosting Navy.
Then the Irish have another road game that has not set a start time, at, of all places, at Pitt.
If the network moves the road game at Pitt to primetime, the Irish would end up playing yet another game a week after a long-distance night game.
The week after Pitt, ‘Notre Dame’ plays a Syracuse team quarterbacked by Irish transfer Steve Angelli, who just threw for more than 400 yards against Connecticut.
So, if the Irish end up having to come off another long-distance night game, and perhaps a red-eye flight with lingering after-effects of sleep deprivation, they would be doing it against a solid Syracuse team. And they would be facing a quarterback who is a potential NFL prospect with special reason to put on a special show against the Irish. He likely thought he might be starting for the Irish in The House That Rockne Built, before being effectively nudged out by treating him as an equal two unproven rookies, despite his years of quality experience, including leading the Irish to a sub-major bowl win and contributing in last year’s playoff.
Time will tell, whether the Irish will end up with late-season road games in primetime, with potential red-eye flights back, followed by struggles the following week.
[Jersey Number, Name, Height, Weight, [Eligibility-]Year, unofficial 40 times (from third-party sources; 40 times not necessarily current)]
– CB –
15 Leonard Moore 6-2 195 So. – 4.5
14 Dallas Golden 6-0 187 Fr.
18 Chance Tucker 6-0 183 Sr
– BOUND –
8 Adon Shuler 6-0 205 So. – 4.54
28 Luke Talich 6-4 210 Jr. – 4.5
22 Ethan Long 6-3 210 Fr. – 4.6
– FIELD –
7 Jalen Stroman 6-1 201 Sr. – 4.57
9 Tae Johnson 6-2 192 Fr.
22 Ethan Long 6-3 210 Fr. – 4.6
– CB –
6 Christian Gray 6-0 190 Jr. – 4.45
24 Mark Zackery IV 5-11 175 Fr.
20 Cree Thomas 6-1 189 Fr.
– NICKEL –
0 DeVonta Smith 5-11 195 Sr. – 4.48
21 Karson Hobbs 6-1 189 So.
13 Ben Minich 6-0 197 So.
– WILL –
3 Jaylen Sneed 6-2 230 Jr.
4 Jaiden Ausberry 6-2 228 So.
19 Madden Faraimo 6-2 235 Fr.
– MIKE –
34 Drayk Bowen 6-2 235 Jr.
27 Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa 6-3 230 So.
19 Madden Faraimo 6-2 235 Fr.
– VYPER –
5 Boubacar Traore 6-4 250 So. – 4.68
44 Junior Tuihalamaka 6-2 255 Sr.
or 12 Jordan Botelho 6-3 260 Sr.
– DT –
47 Jason Onye 6-5 302 Sr.
97 Gabriel Rubio 6-5 321 Sr. – 4.90
42 Cole Mullins 6-5 275 Fr.
– DT –
41 Donovan Hinish 6-2 277 Jr.
93 Jared Dawson 6-1 288 Sr.
56 Elijah Hughes 6-3 300 Jr.
– DE –
95 Bryce Young 6-7 271 So.
40 Joshua Burnham 6-4 260 Jr.
10 Loghan Thomas 6-4 220 So.