“Notre Dame Football: Ranking the Top 5 Offensive Stars for the 2025 Season”
The 2025 college football season is upon us, and few programs enter with as much anticipation and pressure as the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. Under the leadership of head coach Marcus Freeman, Notre Dame has steadily cultivated a program capable of competing with the elite. While their defensive unit often garners the headlines, the 2025 season is shaping up to be defined by what happens on the offensive side of the ball. With a mix of returning veterans, high-profile transfers, and breakout candidates, Notre Dame’s offense will have plenty of firepower as it seeks to reach the College Football Playoff for the first time since 2020.
The Fighting Irish are coming off a solid 2024 campaign in which the offense showed flashes of explosiveness but struggled with consistency against top-tier opponents. Now, with a bolstered offensive line, a reloaded receiving corps, and a new quarterback at the helm, the expectations are sky-high. The talent is undeniable, and much of the team’s success will hinge on a handful of key offensive players stepping into starring roles.
After careful evaluation of spring performances, fall camp insights, and projected impact, we rank the top five offensive stars expected to carry Notre Dame in the 2025 season. These rankings are based on their potential production, leadership, experience, and importance within offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock’s system.
At number five is running back Gi’Bran Payne. Although the Notre Dame backfield has depth, Payne stands out as the most versatile and complete running back in the room. After a 2024 season in which he showcased his ability to run between the tackles and catch out of the backfield, Payne is expected to take on a heavier load this season. His vision, balance, and quick burst through the line make him a threat to rip off big gains, but it’s his pass-catching and blitz pickup abilities that truly elevate his value in Denbrock’s offense. In today’s college football landscape, running backs must be multidimensional, and Payne fits that mold perfectly. With Notre Dame’s offensive line returning key starters and expected to be a strength, Payne should benefit from ample running lanes and opportunities in the passing game. Whether he’s breaking a screen pass for 30 yards or powering through contact at the goal line, Payne will be a consistent contributor and a crucial outlet for the quarterback. His leadership and toughness also make him a locker-room favorite, and his work ethic is often cited as among the best on the team.
Coming in at number four is left tackle Charles Jagusah. While offensive linemen don’t typically get the glory, Jagusah will play an essential role in the success of Notre Dame’s offense in 2025. At 6-foot-7 and over 310 pounds, he has the size and athleticism of a future first-round NFL Draft pick. The redshirt sophomore has steadily developed into one of the premier tackles in college football, earning All-American honors in the preseason by several outlets. Jagusah’s combination of strength, technique, and agility allows him to neutralize top-edge rushers and dominate in the run game. Protecting the blindside of a first-year starting quarterback is a massive responsibility, and Notre Dame fans can rest easy knowing Jagusah is up to the task. His consistency and durability will anchor a line that is expected to be among the best in the nation. Offensive success often starts up front, and in Jagusah, the Irish have a cornerstone player who sets the tone with his physicality and leadership. His ability to handle one-on-one matchups gives Denbrock the flexibility to scheme more creatively, knowing the left side is locked down.
In the third spot is tight end Mitchell Evans. The tradition of elite tight end play at Notre Dame continues with Evans, who is primed for a breakout campaign after an injury-marred 2024 season. When healthy, Evans is a matchup nightmare for defenses—too big for safeties and too fast for linebackers. At 6-foot-6 and 255 pounds, Evans combines soft hands, sharp route-running, and a wide catch radius that makes him a quarterback’s best friend, particularly in the red zone and on third down. With the departure of several top wide receivers from last season, Evans becomes even more critical to the Irish passing game. He’s expected to be the focal point on key downs, and his rapport with the new starting quarterback has already drawn praise in offseason workouts. Evans isn’t just a receiving threat; his blocking has improved significantly, allowing him to stay on the field in all situations and contribute to the run game. In Notre Dame’s pro-style offense, tight ends are utilized heavily in multiple alignments, and Evans’s versatility means he’ll line up all over the formation. If he can stay healthy, he has the potential to be a Mackey Award finalist and the most productive tight end in college football. His leadership and experience will also help younger skill position players develop and execute within a complex offensive scheme.
At number two is wide receiver Kris Mitchell, the speedy transfer from Florida International who brings a new dynamic to the Notre Dame receiving corps. Mitchell arrived in South Bend with high expectations after putting up eye-popping numbers at FIU, and he has not disappointed in camp. His combination of speed, route precision, and yards-after-catch ability gives Notre Dame a legitimate home-run threat on every play. In a position group that has lacked consistent playmakers in recent years, Mitchell’s arrival has energized the offense. His vertical threat forces safeties to play deep, opening up the intermediate passing game for tight ends and slot receivers. He’s not just a deep-ball specialist; Mitchell is adept at working across the middle, finding soft spots in zone coverage, and creating separation with sharp cuts. In practices and scrimmages, he has routinely torched the secondary, and coaches have praised his work ethic and film study. Notre Dame has often been criticized for lacking explosive playmakers on the outside, but Mitchell looks like a true WR1. If he can stay healthy and develop chemistry with the new quarterback, he has the potential to post 1,000-yard receiving numbers and earn All-American honors. His presence alone changes the way defenses game-plan against Notre Dame and gives the offense an identity it sorely needed.
Finally, the top offensive star for Notre Dame in 2025 is quarterback Riley Leonard. The transfer from Duke enters the season with the highest expectations and the most responsibility of any player on the roster. After an impressive stint in the ACC where he proved himself as both a passer and a runner, Leonard now takes the reins of one of the most high-profile programs in the country. His dual-threat ability is a perfect fit for Denbrock’s offense, which emphasizes mobility, play-action, and RPOs. Leonard brings a calm poise to the position, and his experience in big games at Duke gives him a maturity that will be invaluable in high-stakes matchups. What separates Leonard from his predecessors is his ability to extend plays and make off-schedule throws—traits that Notre Dame quarterbacks have lacked in recent years. He has a strong arm, quick release, and a deep understanding of defenses, allowing him to read coverages and make adjustments at the line. Already named a team captain, Leonard has quickly earned the respect of teammates with his leadership, competitiveness, and relentless preparation. While he may not have played a snap yet for the Irish, his ceiling is sky-high. If Leonard plays to his potential, he could become the most impactful quarterback at Notre Dame since Brady Quinn. The entire offense will go as he goes, and early signs suggest Leonard is ready for the moment. He doesn’t need to be Superman on every play, but his ability to elevate the talent around him and deliver in crunch time will determine whether Notre Dame is a New Year’s Six bowl team or a legitimate playoff contender.
The 2025 season could be a defining one for Notre Dame football. With the offensive stars aligned and the coaching staff experienced and aggressive, the Fighting Irish have the tools to make a serious run at glory. These five players—Leonard, Mitchell, Evans, Jagusah, and Payne—represent the core of an offense that aims to be both balanced and explosive. While challenges remain on the road to playoff contention, Notre Dame fans can be confident that the offensive firepower is in place. Whether it’s pounding the rock behind a dominant line, exploiting mismatches with elite tight end play, or taking the top off defenses with vertical threats, the Irish offense in 2025 will have no shortage of ways to attack. And at the heart of it all is a quarterback with the talent, drive, and experience to lead them where they’ve longed to go.
