The big takeaway from The Solid Verbal’s 2026 Notre Dame preview is simple: they think this is the Irish’s most complete team since at least 2008. Ty said there is no obvious Achilles’ heel on this roster, called CJ Carr “one of the favorites for the Heisman Trophy,” and pointed to a team that returns major production, should be strong again on the offensive line, and has both edge depth and “one of the best secondaries in the nation.”
The questions they raised were mostly about replacing proven skill talent and how quickly new defensive assistants settle in. Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price are gone, so Mike Denbrock has to find the next backfield answer, with Aneyas Williams mentioned first. The bigger perimeter question is whether Jordan Faison, Jaden Greathouse, Mylan Graham, Quincy Porter, or another target becomes the receiver who can stress elite defenses. They also flagged turnover around Chris Ash on defense and a schedule built around Wisconsin at Lambeau, BYU in Provo, Miami, and SMU, while noting Notre Dame could still be favored in all 12 games.
- The show called Notre Dame No. 1 nationally in returning production.
- Carr’s biggest remaining question was framed around postseason-level games: What does he look like in late December or early January when defenses have a full season of tape?
- The offensive line was treated as a known strength, even with new faces.
- On defense, Mike Mickens, Max Bullough, and Al Washington departing was cited as a real thing to monitor, even with Ash still in place.
- Their schedule point was direct: Notre Dame is not just a schedule story; they said the roster itself is good enough for playoff expectations.
Comments
BE FIRST TO RESPOND