Spring football in South Bend serves as the ultimate laboratory for Marcus Freeman and his staff. As the 2026 spring practice window concludes, the Notre Dame depth chart reflects a program that has successfully transitioned from a bridge-building phase into a sustainable powerhouse. With continuity in the coordinator rooms—Mike Denbrock leading the offense and Al Golden anchoring the defense—the roster demonstrates a sophisticated blend of high-ceiling youth and battle-tested veterans.

The following projections represent the internal hierarchy of the Fighting Irish as they prepare for the summer conditioning phase, based on spring performance metrics, injury recoveries, and the integration of key transfer portal additions.

Offensive Depth Chart Analysis

The 2026 offense is designed around the concept of "explosive efficiency." After a season of significant statistical growth, Mike Denbrock’s scheme now has the personnel to threaten every blade of grass on the field.

Quarterback

  1. CJ Carr (So.)
  2. Noah Grubbs (Fr.)
  3. Blake Hebert (Fr.)

CJ Carr entered spring practice as the undisputed leader of the offense. His development from his freshman campaign to now has been marked by a noticeable increase in processing speed and pocket poise. In the final spring scrimmages, Carr displayed elite chemistry with the revamped receiving corps, particularly on intermediate timing routes. Behind him, the competition for the backup spot is fierce. Noah Grubbs, the highly touted true freshman, has acclimated faster than expected, showcasing a live arm that rivals most veterans. While Carr is the engine, the depth in this room is the strongest it has been in the Freeman era.

Running Back

  1. Aneyas Williams (Jr.)
  2. Kedren Young (So.)
  3. Jonaz Walton (Fr.)
  4. Javian Osborne (Fr.)

The departure of senior bell-cows opened the door for Aneyas Williams to take over the primary duties. Williams is a versatile threat, equally dangerous as a pass-catcher out of the backfield as he is between the tackles. Kedren Young serves as the physical counter-punch; his 225-pound frame was a constant problem for the second-team defense during spring ball. The true freshmen duo of Walton and Osborne provides elite track speed, suggesting that Notre Dame will continue its trend of rotating three or even four backs to maintain a high tempo.

Wide Receiver (X, Z, Slot)

Wide Receiver (X)

  1. Quincy Porter (So. - Transfer)
  2. Micah Gilbert (So.)

Wide Receiver (Z)

  1. Mylan Graham (So. - Transfer)
  2. Cam Williams (So.)

Wide Receiver (Slot)

  1. Jordan Faison (Sr.)
  2. Logan Saldate (So.)

This position group has undergone the most dramatic transformation. The integration of Ohio State transfers Quincy Porter and Mylan Graham has provided the vertical gravity the offense lacked in previous cycles. Porter is a prototypical X-receiver with a massive catch radius, while Graham offers elite separation skills. Jordan Faison remains the reliable heartbeat of the room in the slot, utilizing his veteran savvy to find soft spots in zone coverage. The sophomore depth here means the coaching staff can finally deploy "basketball-on-grass" personnel groupings.

Tight End

  1. Ty Washington (Sr.)
  2. Jack Larsen (So.)
  3. James Flanigan (So.)

Notre Dame continues its tradition of high-level tight end play. Ty Washington has emerged as a complete player, improving significantly as an inline blocker while remaining a primary red-zone target. Jack Larsen has solidified himself as the "move" tight end, often lining up in the slot or as an H-back to create mismatch nightmares for opposing linebackers.

Offensive Line

Left Tackle: Anthonie Knapp (Jr.) / Styles Prescod (So.) Left Guard: Sullivan Absher (Jr.) / Chris Terek (Jr.) Center: Joe Otting (Jr.) / Cam Herron (Fr.) Right Guard: Guerby Lambert (So.) / Chris Terek (Jr.) Right Tackle: Aamil Wagner (Sr.) / Guerby Lambert (So.)

Joe Rudolph’s unit is built on size and continuity. The interior rotation of Absher, Otting, and Lambert averages over 315 pounds and has logged significant snaps together. The most critical development this spring was Guerby Lambert’s move to Right Guard, where his power at the point of attack has become a focal point of the power-running game. Anthonie Knapp and Aamil Wagner provide the veteran bookends necessary to protect a sophomore quarterback's blind side.

Defensive Depth Chart Analysis

Al Golden’s defense remains a complex, NFL-style system that prioritizes versatility and pre-snap disguise. The 2026 unit appears faster and more aggressive in its blitz packages than last year.

Defensive Line (Vyper, DT, DE)

Vyper (Edge)

  1. Boubacar Traore (Jr.)
  2. Jordan Botelho (Gr.)

Defensive Tackle

  1. Jason Onye (Gr.)
  2. Cole Mullins (So.)

Defensive Tackle

  1. Donovan Hinish (Gr.)
  2. Jared Dawson (Gr.)

Defensive End (Strongside)

  1. Bryce Young (Jr.)
  2. Joshua Burnham (Sr.)

This is the deepest unit on the team. Boubacar Traore has developed into a projected high-round NFL talent, showing an array of pass-rush moves that were unblockable during the Blue-Gold game. On the interior, the veteran presence of Jason Onye and Donovan Hinish ensures that the Irish remain stout against the run. Bryce Young has added nearly 15 pounds of muscle without losing his quickness, making him a versatile piece that can slide inside on passing downs.

Linebacker (Will, Mike, Rover)

Will Linebacker

  1. Jaylen Sneed (Sr.)
  2. Jaiden Ausberry (Jr.)

Mike Linebacker

  1. Drayk Bowen (Sr.)
  2. Madden Faraimo (So.)

Rover

  1. Jaiden Ausberry (Jr.)
  2. Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa (Jr.)

Drayk Bowen is the undisputed quarterback of the defense. His ability to diagnose plays and flow to the ball is the standard for the room. Jaylen Sneed provides the twitch and sideline-to-sideline range needed in Al Golden’s sub-packages. The emergence of Madden Faraimo as a reliable backup allows Bowen to take occasional breathers without a drop-off in communication or physicality.

Secondary (Cornerback & Safety)

Cornerback

  1. Christian Gray (Sr.)
  2. Mark Zackery IV (So.)

Cornerback

  1. Leonard Moore (Jr.)
  2. Karson Hobbs (Jr.)

Nickel

  1. Devonta Smith (Gr.)
  2. Dallas Golden (So.)

Safety (Field)

  1. Adon Shuler (Jr.)
  2. Luke Talich (Sr.)

Safety (Boundary)

  1. Jalen Stroman (Gr.)
  2. Ethan Long (So.)

Christian Gray and Leonard Moore enter the 2026 season as arguably the best cornerback tandem in the country. Both possess the length and recovery speed required for isolated man coverage. At safety, Adon Shuler has taken a massive leap in his third year, becoming a vocal leader and a violent presence in the alley. The addition of Jalen Stroman’s experience via the portal has shored up the boundary, providing a safety net for the younger defensive backs.

Special Teams Overview

Placekicker: Erik Schmidt (So.) Punter: James Rendell (Gr.) Long Snapper: Joseph Vinci (Jr.) Return Specialists: Jordan Faison (Sr.) / Aneyas Williams (Jr.)

Special teams stability is often overlooked, but the Irish are well-positioned here. Erik Schmidt was perfect in spring sessions from inside 45 yards. In the return game, Jordan Faison remains one of the most dangerous players in the open field, giving the Irish a realistic chance to flip field position on every punt return.

Position Battles to Watch Heading into Fall Camp

While the spring provided clarity, several positions remain in a state of "healthy competition" that will likely extend through the first two weeks of August camp.

The Interior Offensive Line Shuffle

While Guerby Lambert and Sullivan Absher are the favorites for the guard spots, Chris Terek has performed at a level that makes him difficult to keep off the field. Terek’s versatility to play both guard and tackle provides the Irish with a vital "sixth man" on the line, but he is actively pushing for a starting role. If he continues his trajectory, we may see Joe Rudolph experiment with different combinations to get the five best athletes on the field simultaneously.

Backup Quarterback Hierarchy

There is no quarterback controversy at the top, but the battle for the QB2 spot is critical for the program’s long-term health. Noah Grubbs has the "it" factor, but Blake Hebert’s knowledge of the system and mobility give him a slight edge in a game-management scenario. The coaching staff has indicated they will continue to split second-team reps evenly through early August.

The Rover/Nickel Hybrid Role

In Al Golden’s defense, the distinction between the Rover linebacker and the Nickel back is often blurred based on the opponent's personnel. Devonta Smith is the primary Nickel, but Jaiden Ausberry’s ability to play in space means Notre Dame can stay in a "heavy" nickel look against teams that run the ball out of 11 personnel. This flexibility will be a key component of the game plans for high-profile matchups in the 2026 schedule.

Tactical Evolution and Scheme Fit

The 2026 depth chart is a direct reflection of a tactical shift toward high-velocity football. Offensively, the depth at wide receiver allows Mike Denbrock to utilize more 10-personnel (one back, zero tight ends) than in previous years, forcing defenses to defend the entire width of the field. This space-oriented approach should, in theory, lighten the box for Aneyas Williams and Kedren Young.

Defensively, the abundance of pass-rushing talent allows Al Golden to be less reliant on blitzing to create pressure. If the front four—Traore, Onye, Hinish, and Young—can consistently disrupt the pocket, it allows the secondary to remain in deep shells, effectively eliminating the explosive plays that have occasionally plagued the unit in high-stakes games.

Conclusion

As the team moves into the summer, the Notre Dame depth chart appears more robust and balanced than at any point in the Marcus Freeman era. The program has successfully addressed previous weaknesses at wide receiver and safety while maintaining its identity as a physical, line-driven team. While the sophomore-heavy nature of the offensive skill positions suggests there may be some growing pains, the ceiling for this 2026 unit is exceptionally high. Success will ultimately hinge on the health of the veteran offensive line and CJ Carr's ability to navigate the rigors of a demanding national schedule.