Full Breakdown
Notre Dame Football Fall Camp: Run-Game Emphasis and the Backup Quarterback Race
8/7/2026, 9:40:22 PM
Core Event – Practice Highlights and Offensive Direction
Notre Dame’s first fall-camp practice in South Bend showcased a clear commitment to its traditional ground-oriented attack. The Irish fielded junior running back Aneyas Williams as the presumed starter, while senior quarterback CJ Carr took early reps, displaying the quick release that defined his redshirt-freshman season (2,741 passing yards, 24 touchdowns, 66.6 % completion, six interceptions).
Background & Context
The 2025 season ended with the departure of two first-round NFL draft picks: Jeremiyah Love, Doak Walker Award winner selected No. 3 overall by the Arizona Cardinals, and Jadarian Price, taken 32nd overall by the Seattle Seahawks.
Key Figures
- Mike Denbrock – Offensive coordinator, architect of the run-first identity.
- Marcus Freeman – Head coach.
- CJ Carr – Starting quarterback, returning after a breakout sophomore campaign.
- Aneyas Williams – Junior running back, expected to lead the ground attack.
- Teddy Jarrard – Freshman quarterback, emerging as a leading candidate for the backup role.
- Blake Hebert – Redshirt freshman quarterback, also in the depth-chart conversation.
- Ashton Craig – Interior offensive lineman, limited by a second ACL tear but practicing at center and guard.
Data & Statistics
- Notre Dame’s passing rank improved from 101st in 2024 to 35th in 2025.
- The Irish entered camp with a full complement of receivers, including transfers Mylan Graham and Quincy Porter (recovering from left-knee surgery).
Official Statements & Responses
Denbrock emphasized that the offensive line’s health is “a major priority,” noting that keeping Ashton Craig on the field—whether at center or guard—is essential for interior stability.
On-the-Ground Reports
- Punter Jasper Scaife impressed observers with punts exceeding 65 yards, establishing himself as the likely starter.
- Defensive back Joey O’Brien (No. 20) returned to drills following a spring-game injury, while safety Adon Shuler (No. 8) continued his strong play from the prior season.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
No substantive discrepancies emerged among the sources regarding player status or coaching intent. Information on the exact timing of the backup-quarterback decision remains pending.
What’s Next
The Irish will continue evaluating the quarterback depth chart throughout fall camp, with the backup competition expected to solidify before the regular season begins.
