Final four questions about the Notre Dame Fighting Irish heading into the second half of Spring Practice for the 2025 CFB season.

As Notre Dame enters the second half of spring practice for the 2025 college football season, excitement and anticipation are building around the program. The Fighting Irish are looking to make a deep run in the postseason and potentially challenge for a national title. While the first half of spring practice has provided valuable insight into the team’s progress, there are still several major questions that remain unanswered. As the Irish continue to prepare for the upcoming season, these critical areas will play a significant role in determining the team’s success. With that in mind, here are the final four questions that will dominate Notre Dame’s spring practice as they work towards solidifying their roster and strategies for 2025.

1. Who Will Be the Starting Quarterback?

Arguably the most important question for any football program, and especially for Notre Dame, is who will take the helm as the starting quarterback in 2025. After the departure of Jack Coan and Drew Pyne, the Irish are once again in the midst of a quarterback competition that has fans, analysts, and the coaching staff alike wondering who will step up and lead the team into the new season.

The Candidates

Notre Dame has several promising candidates vying for the role, each with unique strengths, but none have yet proven they can fully seize control of the job. Let’s take a deeper dive into the contenders:

• Ryan Matthews (Sophomore): A former five-star recruit, Matthews brings an impressive blend of arm strength, mobility, and raw potential. However, while he has shown flashes of brilliance during the early stages of his career, Matthews remains an unproven commodity at the collegiate level. His inconsistency in practice has raised questions about whether he’s ready to handle the pressure of being Notre Dame’s starting quarterback.
• Eli Foster (Junior): Foster has more experience in the program and has seen game time, albeit in a backup role. Known for his calm demeanor and football IQ, Foster has often been praised for his leadership and understanding of the playbook. However, his physical tools have not always matched up with the high ceiling that other quarterbacks possess. While Foster could be a steady option, the Irish are hoping for someone who can elevate the offense to another level.
• Jacob Taylor (Freshman): Taylor is the wildcard in this competition. A highly regarded recruit, the freshman possesses incredible upside with an elite arm and strong athleticism. However, there are concerns about his ability to adapt to the speed and complexity of college football so quickly. While he may have the talent to become Notre Dame’s future star, throwing him into the starting role as a freshman could be a gamble that the coaching staff is reluctant to take.

What to Watch For in the Second Half of Spring

While spring practices have offered the coaching staff an opportunity to evaluate these quarterbacks, the lack of a clear frontrunner is evident. The second half of spring ball will be crucial for all three contenders to assert themselves. With only a few weeks left until the end of spring practices, it will be essential for one of these quarterbacks to take charge and separate themselves from the pack.

The coaching staff will likely continue to give each of them opportunities with the first team, and it will be interesting to see which quarterback can not only produce in practice but also show the leadership qualities needed to thrive in such a high-pressure environment. The quarterbacks’ ability to make adjustments, read defenses, and lead the offense will be key in the coming weeks. If none of the candidates truly emerges as the clear choice, the competition could continue into the fall, leaving uncertainty heading into the start of the 2025 season.

2. How Will the Offensive Line Evolve?

Over the past several seasons, Notre Dame’s offensive line has been a staple of the team’s success. The Irish have consistently fielded one of the best offensive lines in the nation, producing NFL-caliber talent year after year. However, with key players graduating and leaving for the NFL, the offensive line is undergoing significant changes in 2025. While the unit has always been a source of strength for Notre Dame, the question now is whether they can maintain that high level of play despite having to replace several starting spots.

Key Losses and New Faces

Notre Dame lost several key players from the offensive line after the 2024 season, including standout tackle Blake Fisher, who entered the NFL Draft. In addition, interior linemen like Zeke Correll and Josh Lugg have departed, leaving gaps that need to be filled.

However, the Irish do have some talented returning players who will be counted on to anchor the line. Joe Alt, a returning All-American candidate at left tackle, will be expected to play a critical leadership role in 2025. The rest of the line, though, is a bit of a mystery. Players like Pat Coogan, Andrew Kristofic, and Rocco Spindler have had experience but are yet to fully establish themselves as elite players at their positions.

In addition, Notre Dame has several promising young linemen waiting for their turn, including highly touted recruits like Charles Jagusah and Sam Pendleton, who will need to prove themselves capable of stepping into starting roles.

What to Watch For in the Second Half of Spring

As the second half of spring practice unfolds, the Irish coaching staff will closely monitor the development of the offensive line, particularly in terms of cohesion and consistency. Spring practices offer a critical opportunity for young players to gain experience, but building chemistry on the offensive line takes time. The line will need to develop continuity in their blocking schemes, as well as communication, to ensure that the quarterback and running backs have the protection they need.

One area to watch closely is the development of the interior line. Whether it’s Coogan, Kristofic, or one of the younger players, the Irish need to fill these spots with reliable players who can both protect the quarterback and create running lanes. The line’s ability to adjust to various defensive fronts and its success in spring scrimmages will give a strong indication of how well they will fare in the fall.

3. Who Will Emerge as Notre Dame’s Go-To Playmaker at Wide Receiver?

The wide receiver position has been a long-standing question mark for Notre Dame. The team has had talented receivers in recent years, but they’ve struggled to consistently find that one playmaker who can elevate the offense and be a legitimate threat in the passing game. While Notre Dame has made strides at quarterback and tight end, the receiver position has often felt like a weak link.

The Candidates

In 2025, the Irish return several receivers with potential, but none have truly solidified themselves as the clear-cut number one target. Jayden Thomas and Chris Tyree are both talented players with the ability to contribute in the passing game, but neither has proven to be the go-to target in key situations.

Matt Salerno has also emerged as a reliable target in the slot, providing a steady option for the quarterback. However, to truly compete at the highest level, Notre Dame needs a playmaker who can stretch the field and make big plays when the game is on the line. Rico Flores, a highly-touted freshman, is another name to watch. His speed and playmaking ability could help fill the void as a deep threat, but it’s unclear whether he’s ready to make an immediate impact.

What to Watch For in the Second Half of Spring

As the Irish continue to evaluate their receiving corps, spring practice will be a pivotal time for players to step up and prove their worth. The second half of spring ball will give the coaching staff an opportunity to see which receiver can consistently get open, catch passes in critical situations, and make plays after the catch. The Irish will be looking for a dynamic, game-breaking receiver who can take pressure off the running game and become a reliable target for whichever quarterback takes the reins.

The emergence of a true playmaker at wide receiver is crucial for Notre Dame’s offense. If the team can find that reliable, explosive option on the outside, it would significantly improve their chances of competing at a high level in 2025.

4. How Will the Defensive Secondary Perform?

As with the offensive line, Notre Dame’s defense has consistently been a point of strength in recent years. The Irish have developed a reputation for fielding elite defensive units under head coach Marcus Freeman, but the secondary remains an area of concern heading into the 2025 season. While the team has some talented players in the secondary, they will need to continue developing depth and consistency if they hope to challenge for a national championship.

Key Losses and New Faces

Notre Dame lost standout cornerback Cam Hart to graduation, which leaves a significant void at the top of the depth chart. However, the Irish do return several players with starting experience, including Benjamin Morrison, who showed flashes of elite playmaking ability during the 2024 season. Morrison will be expected to step up and become a true lockdown cornerback in 2025.

Additionally, players like Jaden Mickey and Clarence Lewis will need to step into more prominent roles. While the secondary has some solid veterans, the overall depth is still a concern, especially when facing elite passing offenses.

What to Watch For in the Second Half of Spring

As the Irish enter the second half of spring practice, the coaching staff will be closely monitoring the development of their cornerbacks and safeties. With a challenging schedule ahead, the secondary’s ability to cover and make plays in crucial moments will be tested. Players will need to step up and prove they can handle the pressure of covering elite receivers and defending against high-powered offenses.

A major point of focus will be developing depth behind the starters, as injuries and fatigue often come into play during the course of the season. If the Irish can establish a reliable secondary with strong depth, they’ll be in a much better position to compete for a playoff berth.