Notre Dame football coach Marcus Freeman held a news conference Tuesday at Notre Dame Stadium as the team prepares to begin fall camp. The Fighting Irish, ranked No. 5 in the preseason coaches poll, entered the offseason with heightened expectations following a 10-2 record last year that fell short of a College Football Playoff appearance.
Freeman emphasized the continued importance of the team’s mantra, “Leave No Doubt,” which originated during last year’s postseason snub. Linebacker Drayk Bowen explained the phrase underscores the need for players to control their own destiny by focusing on present tasks rather than future uncertainties. Freeman echoed this sentiment, urging his team to concentrate on each moment to avoid complacency and bad habits. He noted that the extended offseason without a bowl game has allowed the team to improve physically, highlighting their increased size, strength, and explosiveness. With all three coordinators returning along with starting quarterback CJ Carr and a strong defensive lineup, Freeman said the team is off to a promising start but acknowledges there is substantial work to complete before their season opener on September 6 at Lambeau Field against Wisconsin.
Addressing previous early-season difficulties—such as last year’s 0-2 start and a loss to Northern Illinois in 2024—Freeman said the program has made targeted adjustments. These include changes to practice schedules, meeting times, and overall preparation strategies to avoid repeating early missteps. “We have to challenge everything,” Freeman stated, stressing the need to adapt rather than recycle past methods.
Freeman also identified quarterback CJ Carr as a key factor for success. Carr, who has 12 starts and posted 2,741 passing yards with 24 touchdowns last season, enters the year as a preseason Heisman Trophy candidate. Freeman described Carr as almost an on-field coordinator, capable of anticipating defensive schemes and avoiding negative plays, attributes that provide stability to the offense.
Defensive improvements were highlighted with the addition of Aaron Henry, a former Illinois defensive coordinator who joined Notre Dame as co-defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach. Freeman commented on the collaborative approach to integrating new ideas from Henry alongside existing staff leader Chris Ash, aiming to balance complexity with clarity to help players execute effectively.
The team also debuted the new Shields Family Hall, a $100 million, 150,000-square-foot facility that includes advanced training and sports medicine areas, expanded locker rooms, a large auditorium, and spaces dedicated to media and academic support. Freeman praised the facility as “unbelievable,” and players such as safety Adon Shuler and Bowen expressed enthusiasm about the upgrades, particularly the recovery amenities and nutrition areas.
Injury updates released on August 4 indicated six players are available for limited participation, including wide receivers Elijah Burress, Quincy Porter, and Brayden Robinson, offensive lineman Ashton Craig, linebacker Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa, and safety Nick Reddish. Five players remain sidelined fully, among them defensive linemen Christopher Burgess Jr. and Tiki Hola, offensive linemen Charles Jagusah and Peter Jones, and linebacker Ko’o Kia. The team expects to manage these recoveries carefully as it prepares to open the season.