2026 Spring Practice Thread

[Me2SouthBend]

Schmidt listed specifically as a punter:

View attachment 3062667

Joe? Thought for sure he’d be out of eligibility.

 

[Dale]

Not good. He needs to put on 25-ish pounds just to be in the rotation, IMO.

IMO Traore’s backup is Keeley then the linebackers (Sneed, Faraimo and KVA) then Dunham

 

[IAIrish]

They got heights and weights updated on the roster page. A couple of guys appear down on weight, so it could be a kind of cutting portion of the offseason program, but loghan Thomas is at 207lb.

They got heights and weights updated on the roster page. A couple of guys appear down on weight, so it could be a kind of cutting portion of the offseason program, but loghan Thomas is at 207lbs.

His inability to put on weight has been a mystery. I thought he'd be a factor in the rotation when he did. Reminder that is never a given.

 

[IAIrish]

IMO Traore’s backup is Keeley then the linebackers (Sneed, Faraimo and KVA) then Dunham

It'll be interesting if Dunham surges to the top backup role at some point in the season. Or Hulak?

 

[Rocketman84]

They got heights and weights updated on the roster page. A couple of guys appear down on weight, so it could be a kind of cutting portion of the offseason program, but loghan Thomas is at 207lbs.

That's got to be a misprint, if he is indeed 207lbs after a couple years strength training, something could be going on medically, he was about 220 a couple months ago.

 

[Dale]

James Flanigan is already at 250, Raridon was 245 at the Shrine Bowl last month and 250 on the fall roster

 

[Dale]

Ethan Long is down to 201. Good thing IMO, he had some bad weight in high school.

 

[Rocketman84]

Schmidt listed specifically as a punter:

View attachment 3062667

Looking at that roster breakdown even though it's missing a couple of guys who haven't reported yet (Premer, Jarrard, Nichols) how would you grade each position group?

 

[JD Irish]

1. CB
2. LB
3. S
4. QB
5. DL
6. OL
7. RB
8. WR
9. TE
10. ST

 

[IrishInOntario]

Some height and weight numbers I'm diggin' from the ND roster at UND.com

Boubacar Traore (6'5, 253lbs): listed an inch taller and up 3lbs from last season. Would like to see him up in the 255-257lb range by summer.

Keon Keeley (6'5, 270lbs): already 12lbs lighter than what he was listed at Alabama. As a true SDE I'd like him in the 265-270lb range at ND heading into the fall.

Kaydon Finley (6'1, 200lbs): I'm glad he came in a little bit lighter than expected. My concern was that he was going to come in around 215lbs and be a step slow. 200lbs is a great foundation with his frame.

Dominic Hulak (6'3, 254lbs): I need to see him take reps at that weight, but I'm encouraged to see his body filling out nicely. Could be a 260lb type guy heading into the season.

Chris Burgess (6'4, 299lbs): It seems pretty obvious that he's going to enter the year as a 300lb'er. The question will be about his immediate ability to play at the new weight or if it will take a year for him to adjust. Regardless, a really exciting development, IMO.

Cole Mullins (6'4, 273lbs): the fact that he's listed 2lbs lighter, rather than heavier tells that there is hope that they're cutting him down into that 265lb range to take snaps at DE with Burgess moving inside. One can hope!

Rodney Dunham (6'4, 230lbs): pretty much the weight I expected him to report at. Likely gets closer to 240lbs by the fall. Obvious choice as a situational pass rusher as freshman while he continues to grow into an every down player.

Will Black (6'7, 316lbs): nice weight for Will. Likely adds another 5lbs by the falls and plays at 320lbs this year. Excellent frame for a talented redshirt freshman.

Guerby Lambert (6'7, 322lbs): looks like they might be working on some weight distribution with Guerby and rebuilding him a little bit. Expecting him to play around 325lbs in the fall.

James Flanigan (6'6, 251lbs): already a grown ass man heading into his sophomore year. He's going to be a nasty kid in that 250-255lb range. Excited for his future.

Bryce Young (6'7, 264lbs): glad to see that Bryce isn't blowing up any further. Down 7lbs from last year. Really don't want to see him pushing 280lbs at DE. 265-270lbs at his height is perfect.

Football

The Official Athletic Site of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. The most comprehensive coverage of The Fighting Irish Football roster, schedule game summaries, scores, highlights on the web. Powered by WMT Digital.

fightingirish.com

 

[slick7410]

Kedren Young at 226; he had been listed 240+ prior right? Could be injury related.

 

[IrishInOntario]

Kedren Young at 226; he had been listed 240+ prior right? Could be injury related.

Could be injury related for sure. Carries a lot of mass in his lower half, which would be hard to keep on while rehabbing an ACL.

Could also be cutting down into better playing shape as well. Wouldn't mind seeing him at a completely rocked up 225-230lbs. Especially if it helps him add half a step.

 

[Dale]

Looking at that roster breakdown even though it's missing a couple of guys who haven't reported yet (Premer, Jarrard, Nichols) how would you grade each position group?

It’s the spring roster. Why McKinney is missing as well.

QB: A-
RB: B
WR: B+
TE: B
OL: B+

DE: B
DT: B+
LB: A-
CB: A
S: A+

 

[SDIrishFan]

QB: A- (starter is A, depth is C)
RB: B- (I’m gonna need someone to prove they can be THE guy)
WR: B+
TE: B-
OL: A- (I’m optimistic here)

DE: B+
DT: B-
LB: A
CB: A-
S: A+

 

[Rocketman84]

Could be injury related for sure. Carries a lot of mass in his lower half, which would be hard to keep on while rehabbing an ACL.

Could also be cutting down into better playing shape as well. Wouldn't mind seeing him at a completely rocked up 225-230lbs. Especially if it helps him add half a step.

Trimming down after that type of injury is to be expected but should help with his speed as well.

 

[Rocketman84]

It’s the spring roster. Why McKinney is missing as well.

QB: A-
RB: B
WR: B+
TE: B
OL: B+

DE: B
DT: B+
LB: A-
CB: A
S: A+

Pretty damn close to mine

QB: B+ ( Starter is A, Depth is a C)
RB: B
WR: B+ (A Potential)
TE: C (B+ Potential)
OL: B+ (A Potential)

DE: B
DT: B+
LB: A-
CB: A (A+ Potential)
S: A (A+ Potential)

ST: C-

 

[stpeteirish]

Schmidt is listed as a kicker on the latest roster. That depth chart thing might have been an error.
McKinney isn’t listed because he hasn’t enrolled yet, has to complete some on line courses to get his degree from his previous school. He is in South Bend doing work outs

 

[DomeFieldAdvantage]

Going through the updated roster, there are a couple things that are either mistakes or need some explanation.

Jagusah lost two inches and gained an extra year of eligibility because he is listed as a sophomore.

Peter Jones also gained an extra year, being listed as a freshman. Maybe they both got medical redshirts approved already?

But then there also guys who seem to be wrong in the other direction.

Quincy Porter is listed as a sophomore even though he only played 4 games last year. (Edit: According to Jack Soble's recent article, Ohio State messed up and he actually played in 5 games, so he is a true sophomore.)

And Jayden Sanders is listed as a junior even though he has only been in college one year!

Plus, the walk ons are all messed up. Whitman, Garrity, Anderson, Wollan, Kros, Powlus do not have their redshirts credited, but Jeffery, Southall, Vinci do.

 

[Dale]

Schmidt is listed as a kicker on the latest roster. That depth chart thing might have been an error.
McKinney isn’t listed because he hasn’t enrolled yet, has to complete some on line courses to get his degree from his previous school. He is in South Bend doing work outs

He was a better punter in high school and the punter job is open more than the kicker job. He’ll probably practice both in spring at least but it would make sense for him to switch to punter

 

[Penick44@]

I haven’t argued for Rudolph’s firing before because he’s dealt with numerous injuries and has, understandably, had to move guys around. However, Will Black practicing at Guard is coaching malpractice. He’s a tackle. Guerby’s natural position is at tackle and should be kicked outside. Jagusah has proven that he can be an incredibly effective tackle and even an all American guard but I hear people’s concerns about his injury history. Point is that Knapp has consistently struggled in big games, particularly in pass pro. When you have the talent of Guerby, Black, and Jagusah you should not be continuing to put Knapp on an island at tackle. His strength is run blocking and should be put inside and let one of the more natural tackles play there

Pass the bong Cheech...

 

[IrishInOntario]

Going through the updated roster, there are a couple things that are either mistakes or need some explanation.

Jagusah lost two inches and gained an extra year of eligibility because he is listed as a sophomore.

Peter Jones also gained an extra year, being listed as a freshman. Maybe they both got medical redshirts approved already?

But then there also guys who seem to be wrong in the other direction.

Quincy Porter is listed as a sophomore even though he only played 4 games last year. (Edit: According to Jack Soble's recent article, Ohio State messed up and he actually played in 5 games, so he is a true sophomore.)

And Jayden Sanders is listed as a junior even though he has only been in college one year!

Plus, the walk ons are all messed up. Whitman, Garrity, Anderson, Wollan, Kros, Powlus do not have their redshirts credited, but Jeffery, Southall, Vinci do.

Yeah, there are other strange changes as well. Ausberry has been listed at 6'0, then 6'2 and now back to 6'0.

 

[LifelongFan]

Looking at that roster breakdown even though it's missing a couple of guys who haven't reported yet (Premer, Jarrard, Nichols) how would you grade each position group?

CB: A+. Maybe the best position group in the country.
LB: A
S: A
OL: B+
QB: B+ (A+ starter, C- depth)
DT: B+
DE: B
WR: B
RB: C+
TE: C-
ST: D/TBD

 

[Veritate Duce Progredi]

Ya'll are some tough graders but I guess grades are subjective. I don't know how CB could be anything besides an A+? It has talent, returning AA and near-consensus best CB in the country, 3 year starter is Gray, we added 3 incredible CBs in the freshman class, we poached a true freshman from Michigan who logged over 200 snaps and we have ascending sophomores who played last year and got some experience. We also had a player who has logged over 2000 snaps from Colorado.

If anyone can find a team that has better top end talent and depth, I'd be very happy to see it.

 

[Dale]

Ya'll are some tough graders but I guess grades are subjective. I don't know how CB could be anything besides an A+? It has talent, returning AA and near-consensus best CB in the country, 3 year starter is Gray, we added 3 incredible CBs in the freshman class, we poached a true freshman from Michigan who logged over 200 snaps and we have ascending sophomores who played last year and got some experience. We also had a player who has logged over 2000 snaps from Colorado.

If anyone can find a team that has better top end talent and depth, I'd be very happy to see it.

Who is starting at Nickel?

That’s why I did not give it an A+. If spring camp happens and everyone says McKinney looks great at Nickel or Gray moved to Nickel and looks like a fit I would give it an A+. But I can’t no matter how good Moore is say it’s an A+ unit when 1/3 starters is uncertain.

 

[Rocketman84]

Ya'll are some tough graders but I guess grades are subjective. I don't know how CB could be anything besides an A+? It has talent, returning AA and near-consensus best CB in the country, 3 year starter is Gray, we added 3 incredible CBs in the freshman class, we poached a true freshman from Michigan who logged over 200 snaps and we have ascending sophomores who played last year and got some experience. We also had a player who has logged over 2000 snaps from Colorado.

If anyone can find a team that has better top end talent and depth, I'd be very happy to see it.

What players did at other schools doesn't always translate for one (Madden, Stroman, Smith) and we know that better than most. Secondly we don't have a surefire nickel so it's an A instead of an A+. One player being an A+ doesn't make an entire room an A+(hence the QB grade), you have to have the depth and talent is great but GOOD experience is more valuable.

 

[Rocketman84]

Who is starting at Nickel?

That’s why I did not give it an A+. If spring camp happens and everyone says McKinney looks great at Nickel or Gray moved to Nickel and looks like a fit I would give it an A+. But I can’t no matter how good Moore is say it’s an A+ unit when 1/3 starters is uncertain.

Precisely

 

[Dale]

“Notre Dame is expected to open spring camp on March 20 and is tentatively set to host its annual NFL Pro Day workout on March 24. The Fighting Irish will conclude spring camp April 25 with the annual Blue & Gold Game inside Notre Dame Stadium.”

Per Brice

 

[OKCDomer23]

“Notre Dame is expected to open spring camp on March 20 and is tentatively set to host its annual NFL Pro Day workout on March 24. The Fighting Irish will conclude spring camp April 25 with the annual Blue & Gold Game inside Notre Dame Stadium.”

Per Brice

Cannot get here quick enough. I'd be happy with any reports at this time of year. Love the motto this year "Leave no doubt." Go Irish!