Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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8 SEPT. 19, 2026 BLUE & GOLD ILLUSTRATED UNDER THE DOME Micah Gilbert Has To Grow Into A Receiving Threat By Kyle Kelly Notre Dame should already know what it has at the field and slot wide receiver positions. The boundary position remains the question. Field receiver Jordan Faison had a spectacular start to his senior season on the field, reeling in a team-high 4 catches for 81 yards against Wisconsin in the season opener. And even though the Badgers' defensive game plan erased senior slot receiver Jaden Greathouse (1 catch for 6 yards), the Fighting Irish should still be hopeful about his prospects after a promising preseason. With junior boundary receiver Micah Gilbert, however, it's more complicated. In his 2026 debut, Gilbert caught 3 of his 4 targets for 34 yards versus the Badgers. Fine, but not the type of performance that has anyone convinced he can elevate the Irish offense and become a true receiving threat. That has to change if Notre Dame wants to be a true championship contender. Notre Dame's prized transfer portal acquisition to play the boundary, for- mer Ohio State wide receiver Quincy Porter, has been out with a left knee injury. There's no definitive timeline for his return. As a result, the runway is completely clear for Gilbert to grow into the type of receiver that defenses have to account for, not just notice. It would give junior quarterback CJ Carr another reliable option and make it more difficult for defenses to focus on Notre Dame's other playmakers. It's about time the Irish have a homegrown boundary receiver who makes a difference. It's on Gilbert to make it happen. Cooper Flanagan Needs To Be A Productive TE1 By Tyler James The tight end rarely ends up being an afterthought in Notre Dame's best offenses in the 21st century. Each of the five Irish teams to average at least 36 points per game since the turn of the century featured tight ends who caught at least 29 passes for at least 421 receiving yards. If that trend is going to continue for the Irish this season, Notre Dame needs one of its tight ends to take a major step forward as a pass catcher. Senior Cooper Flanagan remains the leading candidate to do so, but sophomore James Flanigan might pass him up if he doesn't start producing more consistently. Flanagan may still be the best bet to break through despite Flanigan catching a touchdown pass against Wisconsin in the season opener. The 6-foot-6, 255-pound Flanagan was described as an "alpha male" by head coach Marcus Freeman in August. He's the leader of the group, and he brings a toughness to the offense that typically shows up in his blocking. Because Notre Dame wants to be a balanced offense that can run the foot- ball to win games, a well-rounded version of Flanagan feels like a necessity for the offense to become the best version of itself. It shouldn't have to take a tight end off the field on passing downs either. That junior Jack Larsen played in more obvious passing situations on third downs against Wisconsin suggests Flanagan isn't fully trusted to be a pass- catching threat. But if he can develop into that as the season progresses, the ceiling for the offense will rise in multiple ways. Point ✦ Counterpoint: WHICH PLAYER NEEDS TO STEP UP FOR NOTRE DAME'S OFFENSE TO TAKE THE NEXT STEP? Because Notre Dame football opened its season on a Sunday, former Irish offensive lineman Aaron Taylor (1990-93) was able to see his alma mater play in person without conflicting with his job as an in-studio college football analyst for CBS Sports. Before Notre Dame's 41-13 victory over Wisconsin at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis., where Taylor previously played as a member of the Green Bay Packers, he joined Blue & Gold Illustrated's Third & Gold Podcast. Here's how Taylor answered, in part, five questions during the podcast. BGI: When you look at this team, do you see a roster that reminds you of the talent and depth from the Lou Holtz era? Taylor: "We're built the way we need to be built to accomplish what we're set out to accomplish: to leave no doubt. There are a lot of similarities there. The five-stars and having the best at posi- tion and best available from around the country is what we were as the class of '94." BGI: Is it concerning that Notre Dame had an unsettled position battle at right guard heading into its season opener? Taylor: "Notre Dame is going to play more than five offensive linemen this year. There are going to be seven to nine that are going to have to step in and contribute. That's just what we're seeing nationwide. Guys get hurt. They get banged up. They go down. You play as long as you want to play to go as deep in the playoffs as you want, there's going to be roster management, either through injury or by intention. You're going to have to be able to circulate guys." BGI: What are the challenges of switching sides and switching positions on the offensive line? Taylor: "The simplest analogy that I've found to help people understand it, and not everybody might appreciate this, but if you've ever gone from a Mac to a PC or the other way, you're frustrated. They do the exact same thing, but everything's called differently or it's in a little bit different location. "And there's this learning curve where you're like, dang it, because you're going to your old habits and doing the things you've always done. Now, eventually you get it figured out and you become proficient in whatever new platform that you're using." BGI: What is your perspective on the state of offensive line play in college football? Taylor: "Offensive line play is getting worse by the year because of the development that's required to be able to create that skill is being diminished. The triumvirate of the portal, imme- diate eligibility and NIL, guys are just sticking and moving. They're not sticking around." BGI: Did you ever get to do a Lambeau Leap? Taylor: "Yes, because Robert Brooks had a song that I taped a video with him and Gilbert Brown, The Grave Digger. And part of that was me jump- ing into the stands. I also filmed some things for NFL Films where we did a little parody of us jump- ing into the stands. "So, it was completely mocked up. And if I'm being honest, let's be real. Probably don't have enough hops to get my fat *** up over into the stands. So, they had one of those things for like gymnasts to be able to jump on to give me a little bit of assist. But technically, yes, I have made it into the stands." — Tyler James Five Questions With …COLLEGE FOOTBALL HALL OF FAMER AARON TAYLOR Taylor, a former two-time All-American at Notre Dame, stays connected to college football through his work with CBS Sports and the Joe Moore Award. PHOTO COURTESY CBS SPORTS GILBERT FLANAGAN