Notre Dame players who have shown the most significant growth and development during the offseason as the 2025 college football season approaches.

Notre Dame players who have shown the most significant growth and development during the offseason as the 2025 college football season approaches.

As the calendar inches closer to the start of the 2025 college football season, few programs have generated as much offseason buzz as Notre Dame. Coming off a strong 2024 campaign and boasting one of the top recruiting classes in the country, the Fighting Irish are eyeing a legitimate run at the College Football Playoff. But a large part of that potential success will rest not just on the new additions or established stars, but on the players already in the program who have made significant strides during the offseason. Whether through physical development, technical improvement, or seizing a leadership role, several Notre Dame players have made major gains in recent months, positioning themselves for breakout campaigns when the lights come on in the fall.

Quarterback CJ Carr stands at the forefront of that discussion. The former five-star recruit spent last season absorbing the system and adjusting to the speed of the college game. Though he didn’t see extended action in 2024, his potential was evident in the limited snaps he took. Since then, Carr has transformed both physically and mentally. He’s bulked up to handle the physical rigors of Power Five football and developed a more assertive presence in the locker room. His timing, accuracy, and pocket awareness have all improved during spring ball, and coaches have raved about his ability to read coverages and adjust protections at the line. Carr is expected to be the centerpiece of the offense and his offseason work has ensured he’ll be more than ready to meet those expectations.

Another player drawing considerable praise is sophomore wide receiver Jaden Greathouse. After flashing potential in 2024, Greathouse spent the offseason refining his route tree and improving his conditioning. He’s quicker in and out of his breaks, and his chemistry with Carr has become a highlight of offseason workouts. What’s especially notable is the way he’s taken on more responsibility, mentoring younger receivers and embracing the leadership void left by departing veterans. With his combination of strength, body control, and improved footwork, Greathouse looks primed to be one of the top playmakers in the offense.

The offensive line, long a strength at Notre Dame, also has its share of players who’ve made notable offseason gains. Sophomore left tackle Charles Jagusah has emerged as a foundational piece up front. Jagusah was already physically imposing, but he’s slimmed down slightly to increase his agility without sacrificing power. His footwork and hand placement have improved tremendously, and he’s shown greater consistency in one-on-one pass protection. Jagusah’s growth has allowed the coaching staff to be more flexible with their protections and play designs, knowing the blind side is in reliable hands. His physical dominance in spring practices was so pronounced that he often forced coaches to shuffle defensive line matchups just to get a fair look at others.

On the defensive side of the ball, linebacker Drayk Bowen has taken a massive leap. As a freshman, Bowen displayed raw athleticism but struggled at times with reads and over-pursuing plays. Now a sophomore, he’s added weight to his frame and matured into a more cerebral player. Film sessions, combined with on-field reps, have allowed him to slow the game down. His improved awareness and reaction time were evident during the Blue-Gold spring game, where he consistently found himself in the right position to make plays. With his enhanced strength and growing leadership presence, Bowen is expected to be a key cog in the heart of Notre Dame’s defense.

Another defensive standout who’s made a name for himself this offseason is cornerback Christian Gray. A year ago, Gray was a promising young player still figuring out the nuances of playing man coverage against elite receivers. This offseason, he’s turned that potential into production. Gray dedicated himself to film study, working extensively with coaches to understand route combinations and opponent tendencies. That intellectual growth, coupled with improved technique and added muscle mass, has helped him become a far more reliable cover man. He’s breaking on passes quicker, staying in-phase through routes, and showing the kind of competitiveness that can anchor a secondary.

Defensive end Joshua Burnham has also taken steps toward stardom. The former linebacker has fully transitioned to the edge and has reshaped his body accordingly. With increased size and strength, Burnham has become a more complete player against the run while maintaining the explosive first step that made him a promising pass-rusher. Coaches have praised his motor and intensity, and he’s emerged as one of the tone-setters on the defensive front. His offseason development has been instrumental in shoring up a defensive line that lost some key contributors to graduation and the NFL Draft.

One of the biggest surprises of the offseason has been the rise of tight end Cooper Flanagan. In a program known for its tight end legacy, Flanagan has made a compelling case to be the next great one. With more reps available due to roster turnover, Flanagan seized the opportunity by becoming a more complete tight end. His blocking, once a weakness, has improved dramatically thanks to a focus on technique and leverage. In the passing game, he’s developed into a reliable target with soft hands and a strong catch radius. His connection with Carr is building, and his ability to line up both inline and in the slot adds a valuable layer to the Irish offense.

Running back Jeremiyah Love is another name that cannot be ignored. Love showed flashes of brilliance last year but has used the offseason to elevate his game to the next level. He’s added muscle without sacrificing his blazing speed, allowing him to run through contact more effectively. His vision has improved, and he’s more decisive in hitting holes. Perhaps most impressively, his work in the passing game has expanded. He’s become a viable weapon on screens and wheel routes, and his improved pass-blocking has made him an every-down back option. With the Irish looking to diversify their offensive attack, Love’s growth could be a major asset.

Along the defensive interior, Donovan Hinish has quietly become one of the most improved players on the roster. Once considered more of a rotational piece, Hinish has transformed his body and approach. He’s stronger at the point of attack and more explosive off the line. His understanding of gap responsibilities has sharpened, and he’s become much more consistent in anchoring against double teams. Coaches now see him as a potential starter, and his offseason work has played a pivotal role in raising the overall floor of the defensive tackle group.

Special teams often fly under the radar during the offseason, but punter Bryce McFerson has made notable strides. McFerson worked extensively on hang time and directional punting during the spring, and the results have been impressive. He’s added five yards on average to his distance, but more importantly, he’s learned to place the ball with greater precision, limiting return opportunities. His ability to flip field position will be a valuable weapon in tight contests, and his offseason dedication reflects a hunger to be elite at his position.

Kicker Spencer Shrader also deserves mention for his offseason refinement. While already known for his leg strength, Shrader focused heavily on consistency and mental preparation. He’s developed a more compact and repeatable motion, reducing his margin for error. During spring scrimmages, he converted kicks from a variety of distances and conditions with minimal variance. Given how close games can be at the top of the college football landscape, having a steady kicker like Shrader could make the difference between a New Year’s Six bowl and a playoff berth.

Veteran safety Xavier Watts, though already a known commodity, has not rested on his laurels. The All-American candidate has used the offseason to refine his game even further. Watts has focused on becoming a more vocal leader in the secondary and improving his tackling angles. His football IQ continues to grow, and he’s taken younger players under his wing. In addition to on-field work, Watts has become more involved in team culture, organizing workouts and study sessions. His growth off the field has been just as valuable as his development on it.

While much of the attention goes to the skill positions and high-profile names, it’s the collective improvement across the roster that bodes well for Notre Dame’s 2025 ambitions. From the trenches to the perimeter, from special teams to the secondary, players throughout the program have used the offseason to get stronger, smarter, and more confident. That internal development, paired with strong recruiting and coaching continuity, gives the Irish one of the most complete and battle-ready rosters in the nation heading into the new season.

There’s still a long way to go, and the true tests will come on Saturdays in the fall, but the groundwork being laid this offseason has positioned Notre Dame to compete with the very best. If the gains made by these players continue to translate under the pressure of real game situations, the Fighting Irish could be on a collision course with college football history.

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