Following the conclusion of spring practices and the traditional Blue-Gold exhibition, the Notre Dame depth chart for the 2026 season has begun to take a definitive shape. While the coaching staff, led by Marcus Freeman, continues to emphasize that no starting job is set in stone until late August, the pecking order observed during the final weeks of April provides a clear blueprint of how the Fighting Irish intend to attack the upcoming campaign. This roster represents a blend of seasoned veterans utilizing their final years of eligibility and a highly-touted wave of underclassmen ready to step into the spotlight.

The Quarterback Room: Stability Under CJ Carr

The most significant headline coming out of the spring is the clear hierarchy at the quarterback position. CJ Carr, now entering a pivotal year in his development, has solidified his status as the primary signal-caller. After a 2025 season that saw him flash elite arm talent and improved decision-making, Carr’s command of Mike Denbrock’s offense appears more intuitive than ever. His ability to navigate the pocket and progress through multiple reads suggests that the passing attack could be more vertical this year.

Behind Carr, the competition for the primary backup spot remains one of the more intense battles on the roster. Kenny Minchey has shown remarkable resilience and a high floor as a game manager, but the staff has also been giving significant reps to the younger talent. The logic here is simple: in the modern era of the College Football Playoff, having a backup who can win three games in a row is no longer a luxury—it is a requirement. The spring game highlighted Minchey’s accuracy on short-to-intermediate routes, while the third-string options showed more mobility, suggesting a package-specific role might be available for change-of-pace situations.

Running Backs: A Two-Headed Monster

Notre Dame’s backfield remains the envy of many programs across the country. The depth chart here is less about "who starts" and more about "who finishes." Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price continue to operate as a 1A and 1B tandem. Love’s explosive speed and improved pass-blocking make him a dynamic threat on all three downs, while Price’s vision and physicality between the tackles provide the necessary balance for a ball-control offense.

What makes the 2026 depth chart interesting at this position is the emergence of the younger rotation players. With several freshmen showing high-end lateral quickness during spring drills, the Irish have the flexibility to maintain fresh legs throughout the fourth quarter. The coaching staff has hinted at using more two-back sets, which would allow both Love and Price to be on the field simultaneously, creating significant schematic headaches for opposing defensive coordinators.

  1. Jeremiyah Love (Sr.)
  2. Jadarian Price (Sr.)
  3. Aneyas Williams (Jr.)

Wide Receivers: Finding the Vertical Threat

The receiver room has undergone a significant transformation. The focus during the 2026 spring sessions was on identifying consistent threats at the X, Z, and Slot positions. Jaden Greathouse has evolved into the reliable veteran leader of this group. His technical route running and strong hands make him the go-to target on third downs.

On the perimeter, the depth chart reflects a push for more raw speed. Jordan Faison’s multi-sport athleticism continues to translate into big-play capability, but the real intrigue lies with the sophomores and redshirt freshmen like Micah Gilbert and Elijah Burress. These players have the size-speed profiles that the Irish have occasionally lacked in high-stakes postseason matchups. The rotation at wideout is expected to be deep, often reaching six or seven players to maintain a high tempo. The "OR" designation is likely to be seen frequently on the official weekly releases between the field-side deep threats.

X-Receiver:

  1. Micah Gilbert (So.)
  2. Malachi Fields (Grad.)

Z-Receiver:

  1. Jordan Faison (Sr.)
  2. Elijah Burress (So.)

Slot:

  1. Jaden Greathouse (Sr.)
  2. KK Smith (Jr.)

Tight Ends: Maintaining the Tradition

Notre Dame remains "Tight End U," and the 2026 depth chart suggests no decline in that reputation. With the departure of previous starters to the professional ranks, Cooper Flanagan has stepped into the TE1 role with authority. Flanagan is a devastating inline blocker who has worked extensively on his receiving range over the winter.

The battle for the TE2 spot is where the intrigue lies. Jack Larsen and other younger prospects offer a more "flex" profile, allowing the offense to transition from heavy 12-personnel (one back, two tight ends) to a spread look without making a substitution. This versatility is a hallmark of the Denbrock system, and the spring performance of the tight end group suggests that the middle of the field will remain a primary target zone for CJ Carr.

Offensive Line: Rebuilding the Interior

While the tackle positions appear relatively settled with Anthonie Knapp and Guerby Lambert, the interior of the offensive line has been a focal point of spring evaluation. The depth chart currently lists Sullivan Absher and Billy Schrauth as the anchors of the guard positions, but the center spot saw a rotating cast of characters throughout April.

The coaching staff is looking for a center who can handle the complex blitz identifications required to protect Carr. The physical profile of the 2026 line is massive, with the average starter exceeding 310 pounds. However, the premium is being placed on footwork and lateral agility. The second unit on the offensive line is younger than in previous years, which places a high priority on the health of the starting five. Any injury to the tackles would force a shuffle that could see players moving from guard to tackle, a contingency the Irish practiced heavily during the final week of spring.

LT:

  1. Anthonie Knapp (Jr.)
  2. Styles Prescod (RS So.)

LG:

  1. Sullivan Absher (Jr.)
  2. Sam Pendleton (Jr.)

C:

  1. Ashton Craig (Sr.)
  2. Joe Otting (Jr.)

RG:

  1. Billy Schrauth (Sr.)
  2. Chris Terek (Jr.)

RT:

  1. Guerby Lambert (Jr.)
  2. Tosh Baker (Grad.)

Defensive Line: Pass Rush by Committee

Defensively, Al Washington’s unit is built on the philosophy of a rolling wave. The 2026 depth chart at defensive end features Bryce Young as a marquee name. His length and suddenness off the edge have improved to the point where he requires constant double-teams. Opposite him, Joshua Burnham provides a high-motor veteran presence that excels in run containment.

Inside, the Irish are looking for "space eaters" who can also collapse the pocket. Gabriel Rubio and Jason Onye provide the veteran bulk, but there is a push from the younger interior linemen to steal snaps in pass-rushing situations. The "Vyper" role remains a specialized position in this defense, often filled by a hybrid linebacker/defensive end who can drop into coverage or rush the passer with equal effectiveness. The spring depth chart suggests that this role will be split based on the down and distance, rather than having a single entrenched starter.

Strongside End:

  1. Joshua Burnham (Sr.)
  2. Boubacar Traore (Jr.)

Interior (DT/NT):

  1. Gabriel Rubio (Grad.)
  2. Jason Onye (Grad.)
  3. Donovan Hinish (Sr.)

Vyper:

  1. Bryce Young (Jr.)
  2. Loghan Thomas (Jr.)

Linebackers: The Cerebral Core

Drayk Bowen has fully assumed the leadership mantle in the middle of the defense. As the Mike linebacker, Bowen is responsible for the pre-snap alignments, and his performance this spring has been described as clinical. Flanking him is Kyngstonn Viliam-u-Asa, whose instinctual play and ability to cover tight ends in the seam make him an indispensable part of the sub-packages.

The depth at linebacker is perhaps the strongest it has been in several cycles. Jaiden Ausberry and Jaylen Sneed provide different looks at the Rover and Will positions. Sneed offers elite sideline-to-sideline speed, while Ausberry has shown a knack for forcing turnovers in the nickel and dime packages. The 2026 depth chart at linebacker reflects a move toward smaller, faster athletes who can negate the "space-and-pace" offenses that dominate the modern landscape.

Mike:

  1. Drayk Bowen (Jr.)
  2. Preston Zinter (Jr.)

Will:

  1. Kyngstonn Viliam-u-Asa (Jr.)
  2. Jaiden Ausberry (Jr.)

Rover:

  1. Jaylen Sneed (Sr.)
  2. Teddy Rezac (So.)

Secondary: Cornerback Stability and Safety Rotations

The cornerback position is headlined by Christian Gray and Leonard Moore. Both players have established themselves as high-level man-coverage specialists. Their ability to lock down opposing WR1s allows the defensive coordinator to be more aggressive with blitz packages. Behind them, the depth is young but talented, with several 2025 recruits pushing for time in the rotation.

Safety is a position of ongoing evaluation. Adon Shuler has secured one starting spot with his physical style of play and improved communication. The spot opposite him remains a battle between Luke Talich and a host of younger players. The staff experimented with three-safety looks during the spring, suggesting that the depth chart here might be more fluid than at other positions. The goal is to find a pairing that can balance the need for deep-field coverage with the necessity of supporting the run against heavy personnel teams.

CB:

  1. Christian Gray (Sr.)
  2. Karson Hobbs (Jr.)

CB:

  1. Leonard Moore (Jr.)
  2. Dallas Golden (So.)

Safety:

  1. Adon Shuler (Jr.)
  2. Luke Talich (Jr.)
  3. Kennedy Urlacher (Jr.)

Special Teams: Precision and Return Ability

Special teams often fly under the radar during spring, but the 2026 depth chart indicates some key decisions have been made. After some inconsistency in previous seasons, the placekicker spot appears to have a frontrunner based on spring scrimmage percentages. The punting unit remains a strength, with a focus on directional kicking to neutralize dangerous returners.

In the return game, the Irish are spoiled for choice. Jordan Faison, Jeremiyah Love, and several freshmen have all taken reps at punt and kickoff return. The philosophy here appears to be risk mitigation; while explosive plays are welcomed, the staff values ball security and field position above all else. Expect to see a rotation of returners early in the season until one player proves they can handle the pressure of live game situations consistently.

Schematic Impacts on the 2026 Depth Chart

It is important to understand that a modern depth chart is not a static list of players ranked 1 through 3. In 2026, Notre Dame is leaning heavily into "positionless" concepts on defense and "multiple" looks on offense. This means that a player listed as a second-string linebacker might actually play more snaps than a starter if the opponent frequently uses four-receiver sets.

The coaching staff spent much of the spring installing packages that move players like Bryce Young and Jaylen Sneed around the formation to create mismatches. Therefore, the depth chart should be viewed as a baseline of talent rather than a rigid hierarchy. The "Next Man In" philosophy remains central to the program's identity, and the spring results suggest that the gap between the first and second units has narrowed significantly across the board.

Transfer Portal and Summer Additions

While the spring depth chart is a strong indicator of the roster's health, the summer months always bring the possibility of late additions via the transfer portal. The Notre Dame staff has been selective, but they remain open to adding veteran depth at safety or along the interior defensive line if the right fit becomes available. These potential moves are not a reflection of dissatisfaction with the current roster but rather a strategic effort to ensure the team can withstand the rigors of a twelve-game regular season and a potential playoff run.

The current 2026 Notre Dame depth chart reflects a program that has transitioned from a period of building to a period of sustaining elite performance. With a clear leader at quarterback, a devastating ground game, and a defense built on speed and versatility, the Fighting Irish are positioned to be a major factor in the national landscape. As the team moves into summer workouts, the focus will shift from identifying starters to refining the chemistry and execution that will be required when the lights turn on in late August.

Monitoring the health of the offensive line and the development of the young secondary will be the primary tasks for the staff in the coming months. If the projected starters can stay healthy and the second-string talent continues to develop at its current trajectory, the 2026 season could be one of the most balanced campaigns in recent memory for the Irish.