On Monday, Notre Dame unveiled its first official depth chart for the season ahead of their road game against Texas A&M. One of the most notable aspects for Saturday night’s matchup at Kyle Field in College Station is the influx of young talent on the offensive line.
After losing key players Joe Alt and Blake Fisher to the NFL, Notre Dame is in a rebuilding phase upfront. The coaching staff has made a bold choice by placing their trust in a group of inexperienced but promising underclassmen for the season opener. Freshman Anthonie Knapp has earned the starting left tackle position over senior Tosh Baker, while sophomore Sam Pendleton secured the left guard spot, beating out upperclassmen Pat Coogan and Rocco Spindler.
**Notre Dame Offensive Line Depth Chart:**
– **LT1:** Anthonie Knapp (Fr.)
– **LT2:** Tosh Baker (Sr.)
– **LG1:** Sam Pendleton (So.)
– **LG2:** Rocco Spindler (Jr.)
– **C1:** Ashton Craig (Jr.)
– **C2:** Pat Coogan (Sr.)
– **RG1:** Billy Schrauth (Jr.)
– **RG2:** Sullivan Absher (So.)
– **RT1:** Aamil Wagner (Jr.)
– **RT2:** Guerby Lambert (Fr.)
**Quarterback:**
As expected, Riley Leonard has been named the starting quarterback for Week 1. The Duke transfer was anticipated to lead the team since joining the Irish last December, despite dealing with an ankle injury from Duke’s loss to Notre Dame last season. Now fully recovered, Leonard will start the season against his former coach, Mike Elko, who is now with Texas A&M. Leonard is also serving as a team captain this year.
– **QB1:** Riley Leonard (Sr.)
– **QB2:** Steve Angeli (Jr.)
**Running Backs:**
Jeremiyah Love will make his first start against Texas A&M. As a freshman, Love accumulated 385 rushing yards on 71 carries, averaging 5.4 yards per carry. He also contributed in the passing game, catching eight passes for 77 yards and a touchdown last season, primarily backing up Audric Estime, who has since moved on to the Denver Broncos.
– **RB1:** Jeremiyah Love (So.)
– **or:** Jadarian Price (Jr.) or Aneyas Williams (Fr.) or Devyn Ford (Sr.)
**Wide Receiver:**
Beaux Collins, a graduate transfer from Clemson, brings veteran experience to the young Notre Dame offense. He tallied 91 receptions for 1,290 yards and 11 touchdowns during his time with the Tigers. Sophomores Jaden Greathouse and Jordan Faison have also been named starters, while Jayden Thomas and Kris Mitchell are expected to get significant playing time in a deep wide receiver group.
– **WR1:** Beaux Collins (Sr.)
– **or:** Jayden Thomas (Sr.)
– **WR1:** Jaden Greathouse (So.)
– **or:** Jayden Harrison (Sr.)
– **WR1:** Jordan Faison (So.)
– **or:** Kris Mitchell (Sr.)
**Tight Ends:**
Mitchell Evans was on track to become one of the top tight ends in the country last season before a knee injury cut his season short after eight games. Despite missing the last four games of the 2023 season, he led the team in receiving yards, with 29 receptions for 422 yards and one touchdown, averaging 14.6 yards per catch.
– **TE1:** Mitchell Evans (Sr.)
– **TE2:** Cooper Flanagan (So.)
– **TE3:** Eli Raridon (Jr.)
**Defensive Line:**
Jordan Botelho, who played in all 13 games last season and started 12 as the primary Viper, returns as a key defensive player. Botelho recorded 32 tackles, including 4.5 for loss, and four sacks. He also has been named to the 2025 Senior Bowl Watch List. Rylie Mills, another defensive standout, is a team captain this year and has also been named to the Lombardi Award and Senior Bowl Watch lists.
– **VYP1:** Jordan Botelho (Sr.)
– **VYP2:** Boubacar Traore (So.) or Junior Tuilalamaka (Jr.)
– **DT1:** Rylie Mills (Sr.)
– **DT2:** Jason Onye (Sr.)
– **DT1:** Howard Cross III (Sr.)
– **DT2:** Donovan Hinish (Jr.)
– **DE1:** R.J. Oben (Sr.)
– **DE2:** Joshua Burnham (Jr.) or Bryce Young (Fr.)
**Linebackers:**
Jack Kiser, a senior captain, played in all 13 games last season and made three starts. He was third on the team with 62 tackles and tied for the team lead with 41 solo tackles. Kiser is on the 2025 Senior Bowl Watch List.
– **WLB1:** Jack Kiser (Sr.)
– **WLB2:** Jaiden Ausberry (So.) or Kyngstonn Villamu-Asa (Fr.)
– **MLB1:** Drayk Bowen (So.)
– **MLB2:** Kyngstonn Villiamu-Asa (Fr.)
– **ROV1:** Jaylen Sneed (Jr.)
– **ROV2:** Jaiden Ausberry (So.)
**Cornerbacks:**
Benjamin Morrison, a junior captain, is coming off a sophomore season where he made 31 tackles, including 3.5 for loss, and recorded three interceptions. He also led the team with 10 pass breakups. Morrison is on the 2025 Senior Bowl Watch List and is a second-team AP Preseason All-American.
– **Nickel1:** Jordan Clark (Sr.)
– **Nickel2:** Karson Hobbs (Fr.)
– **CB1:** Benjamin Morrison (Jr.)
– **CB2:** Leonard Moore (Fr.)
– **CB1:** Christian Gray (So.)
– **CB2:** Jaden Mickey (Jr.)
**Safeties:**
Xavier Watts, who started all 13 games last season and led the nation with seven interceptions, returns as a senior captain. Watts was the 2023 Bronko Nagurski Award winner and a unanimous All-American. He is on the 2024 AP Preseason All-American first team.
– **Boundary1:** Adon Shuler (So.)
– **Boundary2:** Luke Talich (So.) or Kennedy Urlacher (Fr.)
– **Field1:** Xavier Watts (Sr.)
– **Field2:** Rod Heard II (Sr.)
**Special Teams:**
Transfer Jayden Harrison, who ranked second in the nation in kickoff return average last year at Marshall, is listed as the top kick returner for Notre Dame.
– **KO/PK:** Mitch Jeter (Sr.)
– **P1:** James Rendell (Sr.)
– **P2:** Eric Goins (Sr.)
– **LS1:** Andrew Kros (So.)
– **LS2:** Rino Monteforte (Jr.)
– **H1:** Chris Salerno (Sr.)
– **H2:** Jack Polian (Sr.)
– **PR:** Jordan Faison (So.) or Jaden Greathouse (So.)
– **KR:** Jayden Harrison (Sr.) or Jeremiyah Love (So.) or Jadarian Price (Jr.)
