Nick Shepkowski
June 3, 2024 9:32 pm ET
We’re all well aware here that Notre Dame enters 2024 with very high expectations.
A national championship might be a bit of a reach but anything short of making and winning at least one game in the College Football Playoff will feel like a bust.
In the first year of the 12-team playoff, can Notre Dame work through their regular season to put themselves in the best position to earn a home playoff game and set up the more favorable bracket that would come with that?
While we’re plenty high on Notre Dame’s chances to make 2024 memorable, others aren’t necessarily as sold on the Fighting Irish.
Athlon Sports had their annual college football preview magazine hit newsstands last week and in it a scout broke down who Athlon ranks as the nation’s best teams. Below is what they said about Notre Dame in 2024.
Related: Where Notre Dame Ranks in ESPN FPI’s Initial 2024 College Football Rankings
On Marcus Freeman
Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports
The scouting report starts with a bit of a jab at Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman.
“Marcus Freeman hasn’t exactly been Knute Rockne over there.”
Freeman has had his struggles at times through his first two seasons, going 19-8 dating back to his first game as head coach in the 2022 Fiesta Bowl. He inherited a different program than his predecessor Brian Kelly, but a kind reminder that Kelly went 16-10 his first two seasons at Notre Dame before having the Fighting Irish in the national championship game in year three.
Praise for Al Golden
Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports
“I’ll tell you what: The real glue to this team is (defensive coordinator) Al Golden. If the Irish are going to make any noise this season, they’re goign to have to lean on that defense…”
Golden has certainly been a huge get for Marcus Freeman early on in his time at Notre Dame and just as big was the ability to keep him in South Bend. Golden undoubtedly brings a veteran presence to the defensive coordinator position and gives Freeman a great leaning post entering their third season together at Notre Dame. The scout’s piece did not mention anything about new offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock and how that could end up being a very similar type of hire for the offense, though. I do agree with the scout in that this team will go as far as their defense takes them, although I do expect significant improvement on the offense despite some key departures.
Big-Time Comparison for Howard Cross III
Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Howard Cross III is perhaps Notre Dame’s most important defensive player entering 2024 and the scout gave the defensive tackle a massive compliment in comparing him to a legend.
“I like (defensive tackle) Howard Cross III in the middle of that defense; he gives me Aaron Donald vibes. That’s saying a lot.”
Yeah, comparing him to one of the very best defensive linemen to ever play the game that is now bound for Canton and the Pro Football Hall of Fame the second he’s eligible? I would say that’s saying a lot.
Playmakers in Secondary
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“They’ve got a playmaker on the back end of that defense, too, in (safety) Xavier Watts. Benjamin Morrison is probably a first-round pick…”
The scout’s section is very limited on words, but Notre Dame enters this season as legitimately having one of the best defensive backfields in all of college football. It has been a very long time since those words have been able to be uttered.
On Riley Leonard
Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports
“…Riley Leonard is actually an upgrade at quarterback over Sam Hartman; more arm talent.”
Most observers probably think this is true, but Leonard hasn’t seemed to have any luck in terms of health since his final down playing against Notre Dame with Duke last year. That is something the scout mentions later on but in order to see improvement from Leonard over Hartman, Leonard will have to not just get on the field but stay on the field in 2024.
Related: See Athlon Sports 2024 College Football Preseason Rankings
Overall View
Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports
“Don’t get me wrong, there is loads of talent on this team, but they did lose seven draft picks, a pair of tackles and you wonder about the long-term health of Riley (Leonard).”
I’m not sure enough is being made about Notre Dame losing both Joe Alt and Blake Fisher to the NFL. Notre Dame has been an offensive line factory for quite some time but having a pair of first-time starting tackles will be a tough challenge, especially starting the season on the road at Texas A&M.
