Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1535097
24 SUMMER 2025 BLUE & GOLD ILLUSTRATED Players Signed: 23 Players Available In 2025: 19 (4 transfers) 2023 Recruiting Rankings: No. 10 by On3, No. 11 by Rivals and No. 12 by 247Sports Name Pos. Ht. Wt. Sullivan Absher OL 6-8 318 Was on the field for 101 placekicking team reps in 2024, more than anyone else on the roster, and is pushing for interior offensive line playing time in 2025. Jaiden Ausberry LB 6-2 222 Was a valued member of a five-man linebacker rotation in 2024, playing in all 16 games and making two starts; finished fifth on the team with 58 total tackles. Micah Bell CB 5-10 185 Appeared in three games as a freshman at Notre Dame before transferring to Vanderbilt, where he didn't play in 2024; now at Georgia as a running back. Drayk Bowen LB 6-2 238 A season-long starter at middle linebacker in 2024, he has team captain potential for what he gives as the quarterback of Notre Dame's defense. Cooper Flanagan TE 6-6 250 Began the 2024 season as a starter, eventually logging 262 offensive snaps in a useful tandem with Mitchell Evans; tore his Achilles in the Sugar Bowl. Rico Flores Jr. WR 6-2 205 Caught 27 passes for 392 yards and 1 touchdown as a true freshman in 2023; transferred to UCLA where he had 12 catches for 187 yards and 1 score in 2024 before a season-ending injury. Christian Gray CB 6-0 187 His highs are high and his lows are low, but he is an unequivocally important piece to a stout Notre Dame secondary for his game-breaking ability. Jaden Greathouse WR 6-1 210 Led Notre Dame receivers in catches (42), receiving yards (592) and touch- downs (4) in 2024; had 6 catches, 128 yards and 2 scores in the national title game. Devan Houstan OL 6-4 301 Played in three games over two seasons as a defensive lineman; made a switch to offensive line this spring to supply depth at guard. Charles Jagusah OT 6-7 320 Has only started twice in two seasons but is billed as perhaps Notre Dame's very best offensive line talent on the 2025 roster. Braylon James WR 6-2 190 Made four appearances and caught 1 pass for 12 yards as a true freshman before transferring to TCU ahead of the 2024 season; played in nine games and caught 3 passes for 11 yards last year. Jeremiyah Love RB 6-0 212 Already appearing as a possible first-round NFL Draft choice in way-too-early 2026 mocks, he might be the most talented running back in college football. Kenny Minchey QB 6-2 206 Was QB3 for his first two seasons but has a chance to be Notre Dame's starter in 2025 if he can beat sophomore CJ Carr in preseason competition. Ben Minich DB 6-0 195 Was a staple on Notre Dame's kickoff and punt return teams in 2024 and is competing for playing time at nickel corner in 2025. Armel Mukam DL 6-3 305 Has only been on the field for 66 defensive plays in two seasons and is once again swallowed up on Notre Dame's defensive tackle depth chart in 2025. Joe Otting OL 6-4 297 Didn't play at all as a true freshman and played sparingly as a sophomore but enters his junior year in the mix as a viable option at center. Sam Pendleton OL 6-4 310 Started seven games, including the season opener at Texas A&M, in 2024 but transferred to Tennessee after losing his starting job midseason. Adon Shuler S 6-0 198 Won a starting safety job as a sophomore and will take that designation into his junior year; had 59 total tackles and 3 interceptions in 2024. KK Smith WR 6-0 174 Has battled injuries in his first two seasons at Notre Dame but is healthy this offseason and on the cusp of contributing in a big way for the Irish offense. Chris Terek OL 6-6 330 Appeared on the field for 82 placekicking reps in 2024 but is not necessarily close to competing for offensive playing time in 2025. Boubacar Traore DL 6-4 238 Had 3 sacks in five games before a season-ending knee injury in 2024; will return fully healthy in 2025 as perhaps Notre Dame's most feared pass rusher. Brenan Vernon DL 6-6 293 Has only made four appearances in his first two seasons and is still buried deep on the defensive line depth chart going into his third year. Preston Zinter LB 6-2 237 Saw limited action in all 16 games last fall, finishing with 4 tackles on 47 defensive snaps, and also blocked a punt versus Florida State. JUNIOR CLASS REVIEW Quarterback Kenny Minchey has been a third-stringer his whole career, but now he's got a chance to become Notre Dame's starter. PHOTO BY MICHAEL MILLER