Projecting which offensive and defensive Notre Dame players breakout

While Notre Dame football returns a veteran group, there are still more than a few key positions that will need to get filled, and it all starts with impressing during the spring . Practices start later today, and there will be plenty of eyes on who will flash for the Irish over the next few weeks. Notre Dame is set at the most important positions on the field, quarterback with CJ Carr and linebacker with Drayk Bowen, but they’ll be working with new teammates all over the field.

This team is extremely talented, and since the majority of the 2026 recruiting class is already on campus, head coach Marcus Freeman won’t hesitate to play them this fall if he feels like they’re ready. There was also a great transfer class, while small, it was loaded with talent at key positions. Notre Dame will have more than a few players breakout during the spring, and the staff here at Fighting Irish Wire of Tim Healey, Sunnery Verma and Michael Chen each pick an offensive and defensive player who will stand out.

Tim Healey - defense A quick look at what other analysts are saying suggests defensive back Dallas Golden and / or defensive end Boubacar Traore could be the breakout stars. Traore is a veteran who has already made a mark, so for him to breakout would mean he's wrecking offenses more consistently -- and staying healthy after suffering an ACL injury in 2024. Golden, meanwhile, has a chance to bolster an already strong secondary.

Traore is more of a known commodity, only injuries holding him back, so I’ll take Golden as the true breakout for the spring. Sunny Verma - defense Cornerback Christian Gray is a strong breakout candidate on defense. New defensive backs coach Aaron Henry has quite the resume of putting defensive backs into the NFL and with more snaps available in the secondary, his length, fluid hips and ball skills give him a real chance to emerge as Notre Dame’s next consistent playmaker on the perimeter.