Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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BLUEGOLDONLINE.COM PRESEASON 2026 35 spent the last three seasons as an of- fensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach working wonders for Oregon quarter- backs Bo Nix, Dillon Gabriel and Dante Moore. Now Minchey will get his turn to take the steering wheel in a Stein offense. Flores made a name for himself as a freshman at Notre Dame with 27 recep- tions for 392 yards and 1 touchdown. Unfortunately for Flores, those still re- main his career highs after spending the past two seasons at UCLA, one of which was cut short by a knee injury. Flores transferred this offseason to a Virginia program that's featured quality wide receivers under head coach Tony Elliott. Three receivers have produced at least 800 receiving yards in each of the past three seasons at Virginia: Malik Washington (1,426 in 2023), Malachi Fields (811 in 2023 and 808 in 2024) and Trell Harris (847 in 2025). Can Flores be next in line as a star receiver for the Cavaliers? ✦ Players Signed: 23 Players Available In 2026: 13 (8 transfers, 1 NFL, 1 medical retirement) 2023 Recruiting Rankings: No. 13 by On3, No. 12 by 247Sports, No. 11 by Rivals and No. 7 by ESPN Name Pos. Ht. Wt. Sullivan Absher OL 6-7 320 Made the first five starts of his career last season after replacing an injured Billy Schrauth at left guard; will be given chance to win starting right guard role this season. Jaiden Ausberry LB 6-1 226 Played in all 28 games and recorded 109 tackles the past two seasons follow- ing a redshirt season as a freshman; will continue to be a starter or rotational player at linebacker. Micah Bell RB 5-10 185 Transferred out of Notre Dame as a cornerback following his freshman season with three game appearances; spent one season at Vanderbilt (no ap- pearances) before playing in five games on special teams at Georgia in 2025. Drayk Bowen LB 6-2 232 Started all 28 games the past two seasons while tallying 145 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, 4 forced fumbles and 6 passes broken up; will likely remain a captain for a second season in 2026. Cooper Flanagan TE 6-6 250 Started five games as a sophomore in 2024 before suffering an Achilles injury in the College Football Playoff quarterfinals; entered 2026 preseason camp as the favorite to win starting role despite playing in only one game last season. Rico Flores Jr. WR 6-2 211 Transferred to UCLA after a 27-catch, 392-yard freshman season at Notre Dame; suffered a season-ending knee injury in 2024 after starting the first four games of the season; rebounded to make 26 catches for 274 yards last season, then transferred to Virginia. Christian Gray CB 6-0 186 Started in all 25 games he played the past two seasons; started to train as a potential nickel back this spring, where he can become starter to make room for Colorado transfer DJ McKinney. Jaden Greathouse WR 6-1 215 Failed to carry momentum from 2024 season, which included 13 catches for 233 yards and 3 touchdowns in the final two CFP games, due to hamstring issue that limited him to four games in 2025; could be a major X-factor at receiver this season. Devan Houstan OL 6-4 305 Played in just three games in his first two seasons as a defensive lineman and matched that total in 2025 as a reserve offensive lineman; is expected to remain a depth piece in 2026. Charles Jagusah OL 6-5 330 Suffered a serious arm injury during the 2025 offseason that continued to keep his future uncertain this summer; can become an impact starter if healthy, as he proved in limited opportunities as a freshman and sophomore. Braylon James WR 6-2 190 Transferred to TCU after catching 1 pass for 12 yards in four games as a freshman at Notre Dame; added 3 receptions in 2024 before missing the 2025 season with a wrist injury. Jeremiyah Love RB 6-0 212 Dazzled in two seasons as a starting running back for Notre Dame, which ended as a Heisman Trophy finalist in 2025; selected third overall by the Arizona Cardinals in the 2026 NFL Draft. Kenny Minchey QB 6-2 211 Lost the starting quarterback competition to CJ Carr last preseason; trans- ferred to Kentucky after a brief commitment to Nebraska; expected to start for the Wildcats in 2026. Ben Minich DB 6-0 197 Played primarily on special teams in 29 games across three seasons at Notre Dame; transferred to Miami (Ohio) with chance to become a starter. Armel Mukam DT 6-3 296 Spent first three seasons at Notre Dame as a deep reserve; returned to Irish after exploring transfer portal options; will fight to break into defensive line rotation. Joe Otting OL 6-4 305 Made first six career starts after center Ashton Craig suffered a season- ending knee injury against NC State last season; should remain starter until Craig returns to full health. Sam Pendleton OL 6-4 315 Started seven games at left guard for Notre Dame in 2024 before losing his job; transferred to Tennessee and became starting center for all 13 games last season. Adon Shuler S 6-0 202 Became a captain in 2025 after starting all 16 games as a sophomore in 2024; Amassed 112 tackles, 6 tackles for loss, 5 interceptions, 3 forced fumbles and 10 passes broken up the past two seasons; will remain a key piece in the Irish secondary. KK Smith WR 6-0 180 Transferred to Michigan State this offseason after failing to find consistent role in Notre Dame's rotation; logged career highs in receptions (8), receiving yards (123) and receiving touchdowns (2) last season. Chris Terek OL 6-5 321 Played in 26 games primarily as a blocker on the field goal/extra point units; likely will remain in reserve role as an interior lineman. Boubacar Traore DE 6-5 253 Showed potential in 2024 with 3 sacks and 5 tackles for loss in five games be- fore season-ending knee injury; expanded his production with team-leading 6.5 sacks and 10 tackles for loss in 11 games; still has room to elevate as Notre Dame's most important defensive lineman. Brenan Vernon DT 6-5 300 Made four appearances in first two seasons but didn't see game action in 2025; stepped into role as scout team offensive lineman when Irish needed bodies; medically retired from football this offseason. Preston Zinter TE 6-2 254 Contributed to special teams in 30 games in three seasons but couldn't crack rotation in transition from linebacker to defensive end; transferred this off- season to play tight end at Rice. SENIOR CLASS REVIEW