Notre Dame slotted as the No. 2 team in the country after spring ball
Despite a less than thrilling spring game, Notre Dame is still going to be one of the best teams in the nation in 2026.
SOUTH BEND, IN - APRIL 25: Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman locks arms with Notre Dame S Adon Shuler (8) and Notre Dame CB Christian Gray (29) following the Notre Dame Blue-Gold Spring football game with the Notre Dame Fighting Irish on April 25, 2026 at Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend, IN. (Photo by James Black/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images Notre Dame and CJ Carr took a little bit of heat from the casuals after a Blue-Gold spring football game that was a little underwhelming. The spring game should never be a major indicator — good or bad — of how a program will perform during the season, and in some post spring rankings, it didn’t move the needle for the Irish.
In a post-spring-too-early-top-25 set of rankings by USA Today , Notre Dame comes in at the No. 2 team in the country behind No. 1 Ohio State.
2. Notre Dame (10-2) (5) This shapes up to be Marcus Freeman’s best team. There are no questions at quarterback with CJ Carr returning for his second season as a starter.
He is set to shoulder more of the offensive load with new running backs replacing Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price. Jordan Faison anchors the wide receiver room with the hope Jaden Greathouse and Ohio State transfer Mylan Graham will be significant contributors. Bryce Young is the leader of a defensive line that added transfers Francis Brewu (Pittsburgh) and Keon Keeley (Alabama) to bolster the front seven.