Jersey number changes for Notre Dame Football’s fall roster
As the crisp anticipation of fall descends upon South Bend, the Notre Dame football program is once again reshaping not just its depth chart, but its identity—this time, through the seemingly subtle but deeply symbolic shift in jersey numbers. While casual fans may glance past numerical updates on the Irish fall roster, within the walls of the Guglielmino Athletics Complex, jersey numbers are more than stitched digits—they represent leadership, earned status, positional responsibility, and, at times, a new beginning.
With head coach Marcus Freeman entering a pivotal chapter of his tenure, the 2025 Irish look to establish a defined tone heading into the season. And as tradition dictates in South Bend, the numbers tell part of that story. From legacy digits handed down to new leaders emerging in the program’s culture, the jersey number shifts on this fall’s updated roster reveal more than a few strategic and symbolic developments.
Among the most notable changes comes at quarterback, where sophomore C.J. Carr, the blue-chip signal caller and grandson of former Michigan coach Lloyd Carr, has officially switched from No. 17 to No. 10. While his initial number carried a sense of being the “next guy up,” the move to No. 10 signals a stronger sense of permanence and poise—No. 10 having previously been worn by recent fan-favorite Tyler Buchner and, before that, Brady Quinn in his legendary run during the Charlie Weis era. Carr, widely regarded as the future of the program, appears ready to begin writing his own chapter in that iconic jersey.
On the defensive side, junior linebacker Drayk Bowen has shifted from No. 32 to No. 4, a number that’s become increasingly prominent among defensive stars in recent years. The number switch aligns Bowen with a faster, more versatile archetype—reflecting his off-season transformation into a sideline-to-sideline leader in Al Golden’s defense. According to staffers, Bowen requested the change not for aesthetics, but as a symbolic rebirth, moving into a more vocal, commanding role after two seasons of rotational work.
Joining him in a notable numerical reshuffle is safety Adon Shuler, who moves from No. 26 to No. 7, one of the most coveted single-digit numbers in the program. In Notre Dame tradition, numbers like 7, 1, and 9 are often given to players who are not only expected to produce but carry themselves with elite maturity and discipline. Shuler, now an upperclassman and one of the defense’s most consistent performers, is expected to anchor the back end of the Irish secondary.
Freshman phenom Justin Thurman, a high four-star running back out of Tampa, Florida, has moved from No. 35 to No. 2—a number most recently worn by All-American safety Xavier Watts. Thurman, who enrolled early in January, has reportedly impressed coaches with his vision, balance, and maturity, and the number switch suggests he may be in line for early playing time or at least a significant role in Notre Dame’s multi-back system. The move to a sleek, single-digit number mirrors the confidence the staff has in his readiness to contribute in Year 1.
At wide receiver, junior Tobias Merriweather will now wear No. 1, transitioning from his previous No. 15. The number 1 jersey at Notre Dame has long been reserved for a dynamic playmaker—think Golden Tate or Will Fuller—and Merriweather’s move into that spotlight signals a program expectation that he become the go-to vertical threat. After an inconsistent sophomore campaign, coaches say he’s poised for a breakout year, with the new number marking a clean mental and physical reset heading into 2025.
Another major offensive change comes from tight end Eli Raridon, who has opted to move from No. 9 to No. 87—the same number worn by Kyle Rudolph during his All-American tenure in South Bend. The shift may seem minor, but within the tight end room, 87 carries its own weight. For Raridon, who enters the season finally healthy after two years of injury battles, the switch symbolizes a renewed alignment with the tight end legacy Notre Dame prides itself on preserving.
The defensive line also sees changes: senior edge rusher Rylie Mills shifts from No. 99 to No. 5, a rare number for a defensive lineman. The move aligns with Freeman’s trend of allowing top-performing defensive linemen to don single digits—a trend started under Mike Elston and continued by current DL coach Al Washington. Mills, who has added explosiveness to his frame this offseason, will be tasked with not only leading the pass rush but embodying the toughness associated with one of the boldest numbers on the roster.
Sophomore cornerback Leonard Moore, one of the rising young stars from the 2024 class, makes the switch from No. 30 to No. 3—typically a cornerback or wideout’s number in recent Notre Dame rosters. Coaches say Moore has made significant strides in both man coverage and film study, and his early ascension up the depth chart has not gone unnoticed. Defensive backs coach Mike Mickens praised Moore’s “maturity beyond his years,” and the jersey shift is expected to accompany his transition to more reps against first-team receivers.
Incoming graduate transfer Chris Tyree, now back at wide receiver after a stint at running back and briefly entering the NFL Draft process before returning, has switched from No. 4 to No. 11. It’s a quiet but meaningful signal that Tyree is ready to redefine his role as a veteran presence on a young offense. The number 11, last worn by Tommy Rees and before him Michael Floyd, holds weight in offensive identity, and Tyree hopes to bring steadiness to the slot after a 2024 season marked by inconsistency.
In the trenches, offensive lineman Charles Jagusah moves from No. 75 to No. 70—a number worn by numerous All-American Irish linemen of the past. Jagusah is expected to contend for a starting spot this fall, and the number switch, while subtle, reflects the program’s desire to link its current front five with the heritage of toughness and excellence that has defined Notre Dame’s O-line lineage.
For fans, jersey numbers might be part of the aesthetic charm of Saturdays in South Bend. But inside the program, every change is discussed, debated, and ultimately approved based on internal standards of performance, leadership, and cultural fit. Single-digit numbers in particular are earned—not assigned—following spring workouts and leadership council evaluations.
Freshmen who have already made their jersey choices include wide receiver Micah Gilbert (No. 12), quarterback Deuce Knight (No. 5), linebacker Bodie Kahoun (No. 20), and safety Ivan Taylor (No. 21). These assignments may change before kickoff, as many young players often shift numbers after fall camp once their role becomes more defined.
One particularly notable freshman choice is offensive tackle Owen Strebig, who will wear No. 74—the same number worn by Joe Alt, now a top-10 NFL Draft pick. Strebig, who has drawn comparisons to Alt for his size and athleticism, hopes to follow a similar developmental trajectory, though coaches are preaching patience with the 6-foot-8 Wisconsin native.
Among special teams players, kicker Spencer Shrader’s departure has opened up No. 18, now worn by freshman punter James Reedy, while walk-on return man Kenny Minchey, who once wore No. 8, has switched to No. 13 following roster reorganization in the quarterback room.
And while number changes are often dictated by player preference or position availability, others are driven by symbolism. Jersey No. 41, for example, long worn by team captain JD Bertrand, has now been given to sophomore linebacker Preston Zinter—a clear nod to the work ethic and culture Bertrand instilled. According to staffers, the assignment was not random; it was voted on by players and presented as a passing of the torch during summer training sessions.
The psychological impact of number assignments isn’t lost on the coaching staff. In Marcus Freeman’s culture-driven philosophy, identity matters—and numbers serve as extensions of that identity. Whether it’s a freshman adopting the number of his childhood hero, a returning captain switching digits to reflect a changed role, or a legacy player reviving a number once worn by family, each switch tells a piece of the story.
“Jersey numbers are earned,” Freeman said during a spring press conference. “We want our players to understand that they’re not just representing themselves—they’re representing the tradition that comes with that number. And the brotherhood that came before them.”
As fall camp approaches, and Notre Dame begins its push for another College Football Playoff berth, the players wearing these updated jerseys will take the field not just as athletes, but as stewards of the numbers on their backs. And for a program rooted in history, pride, and purpose, those numbers carry weight—etched into the memory of every fan who’s ever cheered from the stands at Notre Dame Stadium or watched the Irish play under the lights.
They are more than digits. They are declarations.
