Unleash the firepower: Notre Dame's 2024 class ignites the offense with a star quarterback, dynamic backs, and experienced linemen ready to dominate.
The goal of any program is to continually stack recruiting classes and supplement calculated attrition with top-level talent. Notre Dame is one of the top five programs in the country that have done that under head coach Marcus Freeman and this year, with the exception of a few, all players on the 2026 roster have been recruited, signed and developed under Freeman and his coaching staffs.
Breaking out in a college football season has various levels, and the 2024 class will feature several different levels of a 'breakout season'. This class returns a starting quarterback, a potential No. 1 running back, hidden talent amongst pass catchers and experience along the offensive line.
IMPACT PLAYERS
It's hard to start talking about the 2024 recruiting class and not lead off with starting quarterback CJ Carr. Carr burst onto the scene this past season; after starting the year off 0-2, he helped engineer a 10-game win streak to end the regular season as a redshirt freshman. The Michigan native finished the year with 2,741 passing yards, 24 touchdown passes, three rushing touchdowns and six interceptions. The 6-3, 210-pound quarterback returns for his second year under center and looks to build on his 2025 season.
Notre Dame's No. 1 running back will also likely be from this class, whether it will be Aneyas Williams or Kedren Young will depend on Young's health as he returns from a knee injury and a potential push from a younger class. Williams has been a big-play weapon in back to back seasons for the Irish and has played on big stages. His performance in the Orange Bowl in 2024 ignited the comeback which sent Notre Dame to the national title game.
Offensive lineman Guerby Lambert and Anthonie Knapp return this season as two of Notre Dame's most experienced starters in the trenches. Knapp has started 27 career games while Lambert now has 12 under his belt after starting every regular season game as a redshirt freshman. There's a chance that Knapp and Lambert both play different positions on the offensive line in 2026; that remains to be seen. But what we do know, is that no matter where they play, their impact will be felt and needed for offensive success.
STARTING CALIBER
Receivers Cam Williams and Micah Gilbert have the talent and opportunity to be starting receivers this year. We've seen more of Gilbert than Williams; Gilbert caught Carr's first career touchdown pass against Miami down in Hard Rock Stadium this past season. Williams has all the talent in the world, and might have the highest ceiling in the receiving corps. Will this be the season he puts it all together? If it is, it will be hard to keep the Illinois native off the field.
Gilbert has had his fair share of health issues throughout his career, which has stunted his growth in certain areas. A healthy offseason for the 6-2, 207-pound boundary receiver will go a long way. They'll be pushed by two incoming Ohio State transfers in Mylan Graham and Quincy Porter. That being said, Williams and Gilbert are two players that should, and arguably need, to see the field this upcoming season.
DEPTH PLAYERS
Tight end Jack Larsen has yet to have his breakout in South Bend. His skillset in the tight end room is unlike the other players. He's a 6-3, 247-pound pass-catching tight end that might have the best hands on the team. It will be up to the coaching staff to carve out a role for Larsen this season and it will be up to the North Carolina native to accept that role, whether that's as a starter or rotational player, and take it head on.
The same can be said for Logan Saldate at receiver. He has loads of potential in this offense, but there are several players in front of him. It's not beyond the realm of possibility that he carves out a spot in the rotation in the slot this year. Saldate is a talented player that can make plays after the catch.
Offensive lineman Peter Jones and Styles Prescod will likely round out the depth in the offensive line room. Barring injury, it's likely we won't see either player in quantity this season. It will be up to Joe Rudolph to continue developing them and have them ready if their number is called.
CLASS EXPECTATIONS
The 2023 offensive class will anchor this offensive unit, but this class will be the class that dictates how good Mike Denbrock's side of the ball will be in 2026. How will Carr perform in year two under center and year three in Denbrock's offense? Who emerges as the No. 1 running back now that Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price are gone? Which young pass catcher between Williams, Gilbert and Larsen in the tight end room emerges?
The answers to the questions will get this offense closer and closer to their potential. Mind you, this is an offense coming off of a historic season in South Bend. They set the record for yards per play and a modern day scoring record. The scary thought, is that this offense has the potential to be better in 2026.
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