Notre Dame Reaffirms Run-First Identity After Losing Two First-Round Running Backs

The University of Notre Dame football program announced that its offensive approach will remain centered on the running game despite the departure of its two top running backs to the NFL draft.

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Notre Dame saw record-setting running back Jeremiyah Love, the Doak Walker Award winner, selected third overall by the Arizona Cardinals, while teammate Jadarian Price was taken with the final first-round pick (32nd) by the Seattle Seahawks. This marked the first time in the common-draft era that a single school produced the first two running backs selected, and the first occurrence since Arkansas in 2008 of a program having two backs taken in the first round.

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Returning quarterback CJ Carr posted 2,741 passing yards, 24 touchdowns and a 66.6 % completion rate in his first year as a starter. The Irish also added transfers Mylan Graham and Quincy Porter from Ohio State, and retain receivers such as Jordan Faison, who led the team in catches the prior season.

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• Two running backs drafted in the first round (Love #3, Price #32).

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• First team in the common-draft era to supply the first two running backs selected.

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• First program since Arkansas (2008) with two first-round running backs.

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• CJ Carr: 2,741 passing yards, 24 TDs, 66.6 % completions.

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• Junior RB Aneyas Williams recorded five rushing touchdowns last season and is projected as the starter.

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• Notre Dame’s passing rank improved from 101st nationally in 2024 to 35th last season.

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Head coach Marcus Freeman is cited as sharing the same run-first philosophy, reinforcing continuity despite the roster turnover.

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• “We're a little stronger in some areas on the perimeter maybe than we have been the last couple of years,” — Mike Denbrock

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