Notre Dame has a plethora of incoming freshmen that could see the field early in their career in South Bend. Read who are the most likely candidates.
Photo via Madden Faraimo, Art by The Irish Tribune
Fresh off the heels of a national championship bid, spring ball is just around the corner for the University of Notre Dame.
After the Fighting Irish accounted for the fourth-most snaps by true freshmen last season, it will be interesting to see if the Irish continue to have their top ranked recruits see the field right away. While last season's snaps were jumpstarted due to injuries to Charles Jagusah and Benjamin Morrison, the 2025 team has major holes to fill from the departing seniors.
Let's take a look at the candidates most likely to see playing time early for the Fighting Irish.
Madden Faraimo
The most obvious candidate to get immediate playing time next season is Madden Faraimo, the product of JSerra Catholic High School in Southern California.
Faraimo hails from the Trinity League, arguably the most competitive level of high school athletics across the country, where he faced talent comparable to that of smaller Division I schools. The Trinity League is highlighted by Mater Dei and St. John Bosco, which played a key role in preparing Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa for playing time immediately when he stepped onto campus last year as well.
This season, the Irish are returning all their linebacking room except for Jack Kiser. Kiser, who now hosts the record for most games played by a Notre Dame football player, is taking the next step to the NFL Draft. Despite the return of Drayk Bowen, Viliamu-Asa, Jaylen Sneed, and Jaiden Ausberry, it will be very hard to keep Faraimo off the field, especially because he is an early enrollee.
When Faraimo went through the bowl game walk-throughs, he already looked the part of an elite level linebacker. The 6'2" 220 lb product from Oceanside, Calif. was the fourth ranked recruit in California by Rivals. Even in this experienced room, Faraimo's blend of speed and athleticism can earn him early playing time in his career with the Fighting Irish.
JaDon Blair
The next most likely candidate to make an immediate impact for the Fighting Irish is another early enrollee S JaDon Blair.
Blair was a consensus four-star product from Winston-Salem, N.C. who brings a lengthy frame to the safeties room. His 6'5" build helped Blair receive All-State DB honors during his junior and senior seasons.
Blair has a chance to earn playing time early because of the departure of Xavier Watts. Blair is battling against the likes of transfer portal acquisition Jalen Stroman, along with Luke Talich and Kennedy Urlacher to play opposite to Adon Shuler.
Stroman has dealt with injuries in the past, so it will be imperative for the Fighting Irish secondary to gain valuable reps especially in spring and summer camp. It should be interesting to see how far Blair's intangibles and naturally athleticism take him while competing for a starting job.
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Will Black
Notre Dame's most prized recruit from this 2025 class, Will Black appears to be next in-line for Fighting Irish greats at the offensive line positions.
Black is ranked among the Top 10 overall prospects in this cycle, according to On3, yet he is entering Notre Dame's deepest position room.
The Irish are returning many offensive lineman including three players who started at tackle for the Golden Domers this season. Aamil Wagner started every game at RT, Anthonie Knapp starting every game at LT besides the national championship, to which he gave the reigns to Charles Jagusah who was the projected starter at the beginning of summer camp before a pectoral injury.
The configuration of next season's offensive line should be interesting as the Irish are returning those three superstar talents along with Ashton Craig, Guerby Lambert, and Billy Schrauth.
Black could earn a starting role if he dominates during summer practice, but he may need an extra year to break into Notre Dame’s talented offensive line unit.
Christopher Burgess Jr.
The last player that I could see making an immediate impact for Notre Dame this year is EDGE rusher Christopher Burgess Jr.
In a similar route that Bryce Young saw playing time last year, Burgess is an athlete that the Irish didn't really have on the exterior of their defensive line after the injuries to Jordan Botelho and Boubacar Traore.
While I expect Burgess to get limited snaps due to the emergence of Young coupled with the return of Botelho and Traore, he provides intangibles that may be hard to keep off the field.
Burgess also had a fantastic showing at the All-American Bowl in early January that turned many heads. If the Irish are struggling to get edge pressure next year, which I don't see happening, Burgess could be the answer off the bench for defensive line coach Al Washington.
Wrap-Up
Notre Dame has a young core of players currently on the roster that will make it difficult to crack the lineup for the incoming freshmen. Yet, those are the four most likely players I see making an immediate impact for the Fighting Irish next season. Let me know below which players you think can give Notre Dame a boost next season.
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