Mike BerardinoSouth Bend Tribune
SOUTH BEND — When Notre Dame football opens fall camp on July 31, optimism will abound.
And while that’s typically the case when the monotony of summer conditioning gives way to actual football activities, there’s good reason for Irish followers to dream big in 2024.
It’s undeniable that key losses from last year’s 10-3 team included a pair of highly drafted offensive tackles, a record-setting rusher, a rugged linebacker that led the team in tackles three years running, a multiyear starter at cornerback and impactful imports via the transfer portal at quarterback, nickelback and defensive end.
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Just as apparent, however, is that the Irish roster remains deep and talented, thanks to a recruiting operation that continues to roll under third-year coach Marcus Freeman and an incoming transfer policy that keeps evolving with the times.
Here are five compelling storylines to follow ahead of the season opener on Aug. 31 at Texas A&M:
Is this still a shutdown secondary for Notre Dame football?
Notre Dame led the nation in defensive pass efficiency last season, thanks in large part to safety Xavier Watts and the seven-interception breakout that helped him claim the Bronko Nagurski Award as the nation’s top defender.
Watts’ decision to return for a follow-up campaign bodes well for defensive pass game coordinator Mike Mickens and Co., but fellow preseason All-America candidate Benjamin Morrison will be a limited participant as he works back from late March surgery on his right shoulder.
With multiyear starter Cam Hart and Oklahoma State grad transfer Thomas Harper now with the NFL’s Los Angeles Chargers along with former Irish safeties coach Chris O’Leary, the Irish must break in three new starters on their base nickel defense.
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Can Notre Dame football still pound the rock on offense?
With 1,300-yard rusher Audric Estime now a Denver Bronco and third-down weapon Gi’Bran Payne out with a torn ACL suffered in the spring game, associate head coach/running backs Deland McCullough will be asked to reconstitute a four- or five-headed monster in the Irish backfield.
Redshirt sophom*ore Jadarian Price, coming off his first career 100-yard game in the Sun Bowl win over Oregon State, will split the primary load with versatile sophom*ore Jeremiyah Love, who also spent time with the wideouts in the spring.
Sixth-year back Devyn Ford returns for a second season after transferring in from Penn State, freshman Aneyas Williams flashed in the spring as an early enrollee and Kedren Young should be healthy again after dealing a nagging hamstring injury in the spring.
Is Riley Leonard ready for his Notre Dame football rollout?
Before a stress fracture in his right ankle forced Riley Leonard to undergo a second surgical procedure on March 22, the Duke senior transfer was just starting to get the hang of Mike Denbrock’s freewheeling offense.
Missing the final month of spring practice means Notre Dame’s presumed starting quarterback will need to make the most of every possible practice snap he takes in August. The coaching staff will be watching closely to see how much of Leonard’s two-way game he’ll be able to reclaim in advance of the season-opening assignment against the Aggies.
Adding to the intrigue: Former Duke coach Mike Elko, who coached Leonard the past two seasons, is now at the helm in College Station.
Which Notre Dame football wideouts will gain separation?
First-year receivers coach Mike Brown has three intriguing transfers (Beaux Collins, Kris Mitchell and Jayden Harrison) in his position room and just as many fascinating freshmen (Cam Williams, Micah Gilbert and Logan Saldate).
With two-sport sensation Jordan Faison, fresh off a national championship in lacrosse, the frontrunner in the slot, the floor is open for ideas on how the rest of the wideouts will be deployed.
Sophom*ore Jaden Greathouse and upper classmen Jayden Thomas and Deion Colzie should be healthy again after nagging injuries slowed them last fall, and the group also includes speedy KK Smith and former starting quarterback Tyler Buchner.
Is Notre Dame football still dominant in the trenches?
Every practice rep that matches a rebuilt offensive line against an experienced defensive front will be of great interest.
Notre Dame lost a combined 60 career starts at the two offensive tackle spots with the departures of first-round NFL draft pick Joe Alt and second-rounder Blake Fisher, and former starting guard/center Zeke Correll took 31 more with him to N.C. State as a grad transfer.
Young Charles Jagusah made his first career start at left tackle in the Sun Bowl, while the starting right tackle might not be determined until mid- to late August.
It helps that center Ashton Craig and right guard Billy Schrauth started the final three games of last season, but Pat Coogan is suddenly the elder statesman after just one season as the starter at left guard.
Mike Berardino covers Notre Dame football for the South Bend Tribune and NDInsider.com.
