Note: This is College Football News Our preview takes a more general perspective for a more national audience and we will be analysing the 2024 Irish squad in more detail over the coming weeks as the season gets underway.
–It's the third round for Notre Dame's Mike Denbrock. He was the Irish offensive line coach in the early 2000s, then left the team, returned and became a key figure under Brian Kelly in the 2010s.
He became the offensive coordinator at Cincinnati before reuniting with Kelly at Louisiana State, where he once again took over the operating duties and handled the tight ends this season.
There's no pressure, but his offense should be impressive with all the talent he has, even with a lot of new pieces added.
Last year's offense was excellent in pass protection, had a strong ground game and featured quarterback Sam Hartman, a transfer from Wake Forest University. But now…
– Riley Leonard has the potential to be the best quarterback the Irish have had in a long time. The Duke transfer is big and quick, but missed most of last year with an ankle injury that didn't get better until it was repaired.
Sure, he only threw three touchdown passes for the Blue Devils last year, but he ran for 352 yards and four scores in the shortened season, helping lead the team to a win over Clemson.
He threw 20 touchdown passes in 2022 and was quietly rumored to be a potential first-round draft pick last year, and those rumors could grow quickly again. Everything seems to be on track for him to get healthy and in good form by the start of the season.
Sophomore Steven Angeli was a strong reserve last season, completing 77% of his passes and throwing seven touchdowns, most of which came off a near-perfect performance in the bowl game against Oregon State. Coming in next is CJ Carr, a 6-foot-3, 210-pound two-way player with great potential.
– The Irish didn't have any receivers to spare. Chris Tyree averaged 19 yards per catch but only had 26 catches. He transferred to Virginia, while Rico Flores was second on the team with 27 catches and transferred to UCLA.
The Irish will be fine.
The new coaching staff should see more from tight end Mitchell Evans, who had a team-high 29 grabs for 422 yards, and the combination of Jaden Thomas, Jaeden Greathouse and Jordan Faison should be more dangerous with their experience.
Adding to the power mix will be FIU transfer Chris Mitchell, who caught 64 passes for six scores last season, and Clemson transfer Beau Collins, who caught 91 passes for 1,290 yards and 11 touchdowns over the past three seasons. Former QB Tyler Buchner will also be a versatile player, which will be an asset, but…
– The offensive line is not a negative, But with Joe Alt now with the Los Angeles Chargers and Blake Fisher with the Houston Texans, that's what's drawing attention.
Tosh Baker was Alt's backup on the left side last year but is likely to start on the right side. Former top player Charles Jagsa, who started in a bowl game, will be the starting left wing. Both starting guards, Pat Coogan and Billy Shrout, return, with the versatile Ashton Craig at center.
– Notre Dame has become something of a factory for producing quality college running backs lately. Audric Estime has 29 touchdowns over the past two years and is now with the Denver Broncos. Kyren Williams was a 1,000-yard running back before his time with the Los Angeles Rams. Tony Jones Jr., Dexter Williams, Josh Adams and CJ Prosise all had impressive plays over the past decade.
Now it was Jeremiah Love's turn to take center stage as he averaged more than five yards per carry and was second on the team with 385. J'Darian Price returned, finishing third with 272 yards and three touchdowns.
Notre Dame Preview 2024
Notre Dame Football Preview 2024
Defence preview: Ireland are once again the best team in the country
Special teams preview: Kicker has to be successful
Keys of the season: top players, matches and transfers
Wins Predictions: What to expect this season
