NFL
By: Greg Rector
Mike Denbrock returns to South Bend to lead the Notre Dame Fighting Irish as the new offensive coordinator. Denbrock was an offensive line/tight ends coach in the early 2000s. Then, on his second return, he was again the tight ends coach under Brian Kelly and eventually served as the offensive coordinator in the 2014 season. Afterward, he served as the OC for the Cincinnati Bearcats, and then for the last two years, he has been the OC for the LSU Tigers. The Tigers’ offense was the top-scoring and led the nation in yards per game last season. It’s evident after last season that the Notre Dame Fighting Irish offense will change.
Marcus Freeman is entering his third season as the head coach at Notre Dame, and he hopes to see the same success as Lou Holtz had in his third season leading the Fighting Irish to the national title in 1988. This is a fact I am often reminded of by those folks who dismiss Notre Dame, something this Fighting Irish fan shall never forgive nor forget. Now, I’m not saying the Notre Dame Fighting Irish will be playing for the National Championship, but with the new CFB playoff format in place, there is no doubt in my mind and the minds of most of us Fighting Irish fans that there will be a playoff game that will be played at South Bend, Indiana something I have often said will bring me much joy especially seeing one of those SEC teams having to play a playoff game up north in the down and dirty style Notre Dame fans love to see.
So, let’s look ahead to the Notre Dame Fighting Irish Offense.
The Quarterbacks
Riley Leonard, who spent last season on the injured list for the Duke Blue Devils, just returned from the 28th annual Manning Camp as the top quarterback, winning the “Air It Out” award as the most accurate quarterback at the prestigious camp. Go back to Leonard’s 2022 season, and you’ll see the world of the modern-day quarterback. Leonard runs the ball masterfully, and he passes the ball well enough to turn Duke into a powerhouse in the ACC. Coach Denbrock has to have dreams of seeing another quarterback drafted highly in the next NFL Draft, just as he saw Jalen Daniels drafted second overall by the Washington Commanders.
Before he hurt his ankle last season, I told Bill Carroll of Team NBS Draft Central that Riley Leonard would be an excellent NFL quarterback. I would love to see him being drafted by the Dallas Cowboys when he led the Blue Devils to beat the Clemson Tigers. Leonard is 6’4″ and 216 lbs, and his running ability means defenses must focus on stopping him from running with the football. Oh, and for all these draft nuts who are ranking quarterbacks, this year’s list is even longer than last year’s group, and while the superstar names aren’t as long, Leonard needs to be ranked in this group.
Riley Leonard will open the season against his former head coach, Mike Elko, who now leads the Texas A&M Aggies. That will be an exciting start to the season.
If Riley Leonard goes down, then the Fighting Irish offense will be led by Steve Angeli. Angeli led the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in their bowl victory over Oregon Stae 40-8 in last year’s Sun Bowl.
CJ Carr is the freshman quarterback, a five-star recruit from ‘The State Up North” who opted to come to South Bend rather than remain in his home state. Yes, everyone, I still despise ” That School Up North,” and nothing will change that for me.
Running Backs
While I wish Audric Estime all the best playing for the Denver Broncos, I am just as pleased with Notre Dame’s two leading running backs in the 2024 season. Jeremiyah Love and Jadrian Price are both sophomores, and Love brings excellent receiving skills to the backfield.
Wide Receivers
This group needs to see a significant improvement over the 2023 season. Kris Mitchell comes to Notre Dame from the FIU program, while Beaux Collins comes to the Fighting Irish from ACC rival Clemson. Finally, the transfer window saw Jayden Harrison come from the Marshall Thundering Herd. Harrison has been a standout special teams player, so the Fighting Irish should see excellent yardage from their punt returns. Collins needs to bring his superb blocking skills to the Fighting Irish. How Mitchell plays will be a massive key for Notre Dame. Mitchell is listed as the number one WR at the Z position.
The returnees are Jaden Greathouse and Jordan Faison, who will man the slot receiver role. Jayden Thomas is listed as the top receiver at the X position. I pray this group improves over last season. With the addition of Leonard at quarterback, this group needs to be a whole lot better than last year’s team. Micah Gilbert, a freshman, will also see plenty of work at the X position.
TIGHT ENDS
Last season’s top receiver for Notre Dame was Mitchell Evans, and he might not be ready to go for the start of the season. Cooper Flanagan, a sophomore, and the often-injured Eli Raridon, a junior, should be the two TEs that Mike Denbrock can depend upon. When he returns, though, Evans will again be the top receiving threat for the Fighting Irish.
THE OFFENSIVE LINE
Indeed, losing both tackles from last season might hurt the Notre Dame offensive line. Charles Jagusah, 6’7″, 329 lbs, replaced Joe Alt at the left tackle position, and all I’ve heard of his play this far has been that he has looked good. Denbrock has enough experience coaching the offensive line, so his experience will come in handy in keeping Riley Leonard’s blind side safe. Tosh Baker takes over from Blake Fisher at the right tackle position. He is back for his 5th season.
The two freshmen guards from last season, Pat Coogan and Billy Schraurth, come back and should be better than they were last season as freshmen.
The Notre Dame Fighting Irish offense will be a better group than last season. Mike Denbrock will be a much better offensive coordinator than Gerard Parker ever was. In 2024, I expect this group to be one to watch in the 2024 NCAA football season.
