Marcus Freeman (HC) – Coach Freeman has led the Irish back into the College Football Playoff for the first time since 2020 under previous head coach Brian Kelly. After his team endured a heartbreaking loss to unranked Northern Illinois in the early weeks of the season, Freeman and his staff now find themselves preparing for a matchup with Smart and the Bulldogs in the Sugar Bowl. While many are questioning the validity of their win over Indiana, a victory over the SEC Champions would silence those who criticize the Irish.
Riley Leonard (QB #13) – This senior quarterback is the heart and soul of this Irish team. After spending three seasons at Duke, Leonard transferred to Notre Dame for his senior year and has been amazing this season. Along with 2,293 passing, he recorded his 15 rushing touchdown of the year in the Irish’s playoff win over the Hoosiers (which was a program single-season record for a quarterback). Keep an eye on Leonard’s scrambling ability as it will certainly be a go-to element of the Irish offensive attack.
Jeremiyah Love (RB #4) – Love has been a key piece of Notre Dame’s offense this season with his breakout abilities and elite skillset. The sophomore averages 7.4 yards per carry and showcased his speed with a 98-yard touchdown run against Indiana. That score continued his streak of finding the endzone in every game this season. He will need to continue his success against a stout Georgia defense that will look to slow Love and the Irish down.
Beaux Collins (WR #5) – Collins leads the Irish in receiving yards with 445 on the year. While he’s only found the endzone twice this season, the senior has been a reliable piece of this offense and will look to continue that role in New Orleans. He tends to get his yards in bunches, averaging around 12 yards per catch. Coach Smart and the Bulldogs will need to keep this player from breaking away for game-changing receptions.
Jack Kiser (LB #24) – The senior linebacker has played his best season in South Bend, tallying 69 total tackles which leads the team. Kiser’s experience as a longtime collegiate player will be one of his most important factors in slowing down Stockton and the Georgia offense on New Year’s Day.
Rylie Mills (DL #99) – Mills is another senior who has been a factor on the defensive side of the ball for Notre Dame. With 37 total tackles and a team-high 7.5 sacks, he will be looking to boost his draft stock while rattling the Bulldogs’ fresh starter under center. Look for Mills to keep Stockton in scrambling situations.
Xavier Watts (S #0) – Watts has been an absolute force in the secondary this season with six interceptions this season, which leads the team and ranks second in the nation for an individual player. After tallying another interception against Indiana, the senior will have his eyes set on baiting Stockton into making costly mistakes through the air.
Notre Dame’s two most iconic coaches are Knute Rockne and Frank Leahy. Rockne led the Irish to three national titles and a record of 105-12-5, while Leahy went 107-13-9 with four national titles.
Notre Dame won the national championship in 1988, as Lou Holtz led the Fighting Irish to a perfect 12-0 record, capped with a 34-21 victory over undefeated West Virginia in the Fiesta Bowl.
Notre Dame’s basketball program has turned out several outstanding NBA players, including the Detroit Pistons trio of Adrian Dantley, Kelly Tripuka and two-time champion Bill Laimbeer.