Honestly, the vibe around South Bend right now is just... different. You’ve probably seen the headlines or caught a snippet on social media about Marcus Freeman sticking around, but the real story of this winter isn't just a contract extension. It's about a program that finally got tired of being the "almost" team.
After that 10-2 finish in 2025 and the absolute gut-punch of being the first team left out of the 12-team College Football Playoff, things could have gone south. Fast. Instead, the latest notre dame news football cycle has been a masterclass in roster surgery and coaching upgrades.
The Freeman Factor: Why He Didn't Leap to the NFL
People were convinced Marcus Freeman was gone. The New York Giants were sniffing around, and the Tennessee Titans rumors wouldn't die. You’ve heard the talk—that he was a "pro guy" waiting for the right flight out of South Bend.
He didn't take it.
On January 13, 2026, Adam Schefter basically put the rumors to bed, confirming Freeman is staying put with a restructured deal. He’s 43-12 over four seasons. That’s solid, but losing the 2025 national championship to Ohio State and then missing the playoff entirely last year left a bad taste.
"2026... run it back. Go Irish," he posted. Short. Sweet. Point made.
The university doubled down, too. Athletic Director Pete Bevacqua basically told ESPN that everyone from Hollywood to the NFL has eyes on Marcus, but he’s the only man for the job. It feels like the administration is finally giving him the NIL war chest and the staff budget he needs to actually finish the job.
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Portal Fireworks: Rebuilding the Trenches
If you follow notre dame news football, you know the defensive interior was basically a disaster zone entering January. With Jason Onye’s eligibility still a giant question mark and some graduation losses, they needed size. Like, a lot of it.
They got it.
Tionne Gray is a massive human being. We’re talking 6-foot-6 and 336 pounds of "don't run here." He came over from Oregon on January 15, and honestly, he’s exactly what new defensive line coach Charlie Partridge needs to anchor things. Partridge himself is a huge get—he spent the last two years with the Indianapolis Colts and is widely considered one of the best D-line developers in the game.
Then you’ve got Francis Brewu from Pitt. He’s smaller, maybe 280-ish, but he’s a disruptor. Pairing Gray’s bulk with Brewu’s twitchy penetration gives the Irish a look they haven't had since the Kyle Hamilton era on defense.
Wait, it gets better. Remember Keon Keeley? The five-star who flipped to Alabama? He’s back. He entered the portal and chose to return to the place he originally committed to. Between Keeley, Bryce Young, and Boubacar Traore, the edge-rushing rotation is bordering on unfair for 2026.
The Wide Receiver Room: Real Speed This Time?
We have to talk about the "Scrap" Richardson situation. Antavious "Scrap" Richardson was the speedster every fan was hyped about. He dazzled in the Blue and Gold game but never saw the field in 2025. Now he’s likely headed to Auburn.
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It sucks to lose speed.
But Freeman didn't just sit there. He went and raided Ohio State’s cupboard. Quincy Porter (6-4, 210 lbs) and Mylan Graham are both coming to South Bend. Porter is the big, physical boundary threat they’ve lacked since Equanimeous St. Brown or maybe Chase Claypool. Graham is the pure speed. If CJ Carr is going to take the leap as the undisputed QB1, he needs guys who can win one-on-ones. These two do that.
That 2026 Schedule is... Weird
The notre dame news football schedule for 2026 dropped, and it’s missing a very big name. No USC.
I know, it’s weird.
Because of the BYU home-and-home series and some ACC scheduling locks, the USC rivalry is taking a one-year breather. Instead, the Irish open against Wisconsin at Lambeau Field on September 6. That’s going to be a madhouse.
The rest of the slate looks like this:
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- Sept 6: vs. Wisconsin (Lambeau Field)
- Sept 12: Rice
- Sept 19: Michigan State
- Oct 3: @ North Carolina
- Oct 31: vs. Navy (Foxborough)
- Nov 7: Miami (FL)
- Nov 21: Boston College
- TBA: @ BYU (Provo, UT)
Some fans are complaining that it’s an "ugly" schedule because teams like Purdue and Boston College struggled in 2025. But Miami and SMU will be top-25 tests, and going to Provo to play BYU is never easy. Plus, the new CFP rules mean as long as the Irish are in the top 12, they’re in. No more "first team out" heartbreak.
What Most People Get Wrong About This Roster
Everyone looks at the transfers, but the real "secret sauce" for 2026 is the linebacker room. Al Washington moved from D-line to linebackers after Max Bullough left for Michigan State.
He’s inheriting a gold mine.
Drayk Bowen is the captain and the heart of that unit. Jaiden Ausberry is everywhere. And then there's Madden Faraimo—the five-star freshman who started showing flashes late last year. This isn't just a good unit; it’s probably the best linebacking corps in the country.
The depth is insane.
Even with the departures of guys like Bodie Kahoun (to BC) and Anthony Sacca (to UCLA), the Irish are loaded. They’re bringing in the highest-ranked recruiting class in the modern era (No. 2 or No. 3 depending on who you ask).
Actionable Next Steps for Irish Fans
If you're trying to stay ahead of the curve on notre dame news football, here’s what you should actually be watching over the next few weeks:
- Monitor the Secondary Depth: While landing DJ McKinney from Colorado and Jayden Sanders from Michigan is great, keep an eye on the safety spot. They’re still a bit thin there if an injury hits.
- CJ Carr’s Development: With the transfer portal officially closing its winter window, the focus shifts to spring ball. This is Carr’s team now. Watch the reports on his chemistry with Quincy Porter.
- The Kicking Competition: Don't sleep on Spencer Porath (Purdue transfer). Notre Dame was a horrific 5-for-9 on field goals last year. If Porath is as steady as he was at Purdue (39-for-41 on all kicks), that’s an immediate 3-point swing in close games.
- Follow the 2027 Commits: The staff is already on a heater for the next cycle, recently landing four-star DL Richie Flanigan and safety Khalil Terry. The momentum is real.
The 2025 season ended in a way that felt like a slap in the face. But the response? It’s been calculated. Between the Partridge hire on the D-line and the influx of blue-chip talent from the portal, the Irish are no longer just "independent and proud." They're built for a 12-team playoff world.