Wait, Marcus Freeman is staying? Honestly, that was the biggest exhale South Bend has had in years. For a few weeks there, every time the Pittsburgh Steelers or some random NFL opening was mentioned, Irish fans held their breath. But here we are in January 2026, and the "run it back" post from Freeman actually stuck. It’s kinda rare to see a coach with his trajectory turn down the league, but he’s basically betting on himself and this roster.
The notre dame fighting irish football news cycle hasn’t just been about coaching stability, though. It's been a whirlwind. If you haven't been refreshing the portal or checking the 2026 NFL Draft declaration lists every ten minutes, you've missed a lot. Between an all-time great recruiting class and some massive transfer portal wins, the Irish are shaping up to be more than just "playoff contenders." They’re looking like a problem for the rest of the country.
The NFL Draft Deadline: Who Stayed and Why It Matters
Let’s talk about the big one. The deadline just passed, and the defense got a massive boost. Usually, when a guy like Christian Gray or Adon Shuler has the kind of season they just had, you expect them to go get paid in the pros. But they’re back.
Actually, the split was pretty clean. On offense, the Irish took some hits. Both Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price are heading to the NFL. That’s a lot of speed leaving the backfield. Add in offensive linemen Billy Schrauth and Aamil Wagner, and suddenly the offense has some big shoes to fill.
But look at the defense.
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- Drayk Bowen (leading tackler) is back.
- Boubacar Traore (7.5 sacks, 31 pressures) is back.
- Christian Gray and Adon Shuler (the backbone of the secondary) are back.
Basically, Al Washington—who just got promoted to linebackers coach and defensive run game coordinator—is inheriting a gold mine. Keeping Jaylen Sneed for his final year was the icing on the cake. This defense finished 13th in scoring defense last year, and honestly, with these returners, they should be top five.
Notre Dame Fighting Irish Football News: The Portal Haul
Marcus Freeman and his staff didn't just sit around and wait for their own guys to decide. They went shopping. The transfer portal window just closed on January 16, and the Irish were aggressive.
The biggest name? Tionne Gray from Oregon. He’s 6'6" and 336 pounds. Notre Dame just hasn’t had a guy that big on the interior in a long time. He’s a mountain. Pairing him with Francis Brewu, the Pitt transfer, is a genius move by the staff. Brewu was a Charlie Partridge guy at Pitt, and since Partridge is now the defensive line coach in South Bend, that connection was a slam dunk.
Then there's the wide receiver room. Quincy Porter from Ohio State is finally the "boundary" threat fans have been begging for. He’s 6'4", 210, and spent his time in Columbus stuck behind guys like Jeremiah Smith. He’s got five-star talent and something to prove. If he clicks with the returning quarterbacks, the deep ball becomes a real threat again.
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What's Really Happening with the 2026 Schedule?
This is where things get a little weird. If you look at the 2026 schedule, it’s not your typical Notre Dame lineup. The Shamrock Series is kicking off on Sunday, September 6, at Lambeau Field against Wisconsin. That’s going to be an absolute circus in Green Bay.
But the real drama is the USC game.
Rumor has it—and it’s gaining a lot of steam—that the USC game might be moved to a neutral site, potentially Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. Fans are... let's say, less than thrilled. There’s a lot of talk about "protecting the home-and-home," but with the Big Ten’s scheduling demands, things are getting complicated.
The 2026 Slate (The Confirmed Bits)
- Sept 6: vs. Wisconsin (Lambeau Field)
- Sept 12: Rice (Home Opener)
- Sept 19: Michigan State
- Sept 26: at Purdue
- Oct 3: at North Carolina
- Oct 31: vs. Navy (Foxborough, MA)
- TBA: Miami, Stanford, and Boston College at home.
The Florida State game was reportedly dropped, which is a bummer for the strength of schedule, but adding SMU and keeping the Stanford rivalry (even as Stanford moves into the ACC sphere) keeps the balance.
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The Best Recruiting Class in a Decade?
The 2026 signing class is officially locked in, and it’s a monster. Ranked No. 4 nationally by 247Sports, it’s the highest-rated haul the Irish have had in the modern era. We’re talking about four five-star recruits and 16 four-stars.
The headliner is Ian Premer, the No. 1 tight end in the country. He’s 6'5", 220, and was a Gatorade Player of the Year in Kansas. With Eli Raridon declaring for the draft, Premer isn't just a "prospect"—he's a Day 1 starter candidate.
Then you have Ben Nichols, the 335-pound lineman from Michigan. He had offers from Alabama and Ohio State but chose South Bend because of his relationship with the staff. That’s the "Freeman Effect" in action. People used to say Notre Dame couldn't recruit the absolute elite against the SEC, but this class proves that's just not true anymore.
Actionable Insights for the 2026 Season
If you're looking to stay ahead of the curve this spring, keep an eye on these specific developments. The foundation is set, but the execution starts in the weight room this month.
- Watch the Nose Tackle Battle: With Tionne Gray arriving, the competition between him and the younger guys will define the defensive front. If Gray eats up double teams, the linebackers (Bowen and Viliamu-Asa) are going to have 100-tackle seasons.
- The Run Game Identity: Losing Love and Price is huge. Look for the coaching staff to lean on younger backs like Kedren Young or early enrollees during spring ball to see who has the "home run" speed.
- Coaching Chemistry: This is Al Washington’s first year handling the linebackers exclusively while Charlie Partridge takes the D-line. Their ability to sync the front six will determine if the Irish can "leave no doubt" for the CFP committee.
- Vegas Travel Plans: Keep your October/November flexible. If the USC game does move to Las Vegas, tickets will disappear in seconds.
The notre dame fighting irish football news right now is all about transition and ceiling. The program is no longer just happy to be "in the conversation." With Marcus Freeman staying put and a roster this deep, the 2026 season is officially National Championship or bust.