Notre Dame’s No. 46 Noah Burnette Emerging as a Crucial Piece in the Fighting Irish’s 2025 Championship Aspirations.
As the Notre Dame Fighting Irish prepare for what could be one of the most pivotal seasons in recent program history, attention is beginning to turn toward the players who could make the biggest difference when the pressure is highest. While the spotlight often shines brightest on quarterbacks, star receivers, or shutdown corners, there’s growing recognition within the walls of Notre Dame’s program that No. 46, Noah Burnette, may end up being one of the most quietly important figures of the entire 2025 campaign. In a sport where one kick can mean the difference between glory and heartbreak, Burnette’s leg—and his poise—might be exactly what propels Notre Dame to the next level.
Transferring from North Carolina, where he built a reputation as one of the most dependable kickers in the ACC, Burnette arrives in South Bend with something rare: battle-tested experience, precision under pressure, and the kind of demeanor that makes special teams coaches sleep easier at night. Notre Dame has long prided itself on doing the little things right, and few areas of football require more attention to detail than the kicking game. Whether it’s converting a go-ahead field goal as time expires, drilling a 50-yarder into the wind, or nailing every extra point with robotic consistency, the value of a kicker like Burnette is immense.
Last season with the Tar Heels, Burnette was nearly automatic, converting on 22 of 24 field goals and a perfect 41 for 41 on extra points. His calm delivery and smooth mechanics made him one of the top kicking talents in the country, and that consistency is exactly what Notre Dame was looking for in the transfer portal. There’s no question that Marcus Freeman and the Irish staff understand how thin the margin for error can be when you’re competing for a College Football Playoff spot. They needed reliability in every phase, and they found it in Burnette.
What makes Burnette even more impressive is how he responds under the brightest lights. In multiple high-pressure situations at UNC, he delivered kicks that swung momentum or preserved critical wins. In tight games, he never wavered. His leg strength is impressive, but it’s his mental strength that elevates him into a different category. With Notre Dame’s schedule in 2025 including heavyweight matchups against the likes of Texas A\&M, USC, and Florida State, there’s no doubt those kinds of moments will come again. This time, he’ll be wearing blue and gold—and Irish fans will be watching closely, knowing their season could hinge on his accuracy.
The transition from the ACC to Notre Dame’s independent schedule, filled with diverse opponents and national scrutiny, is a challenge that many transfer players can struggle with. But Burnette’s maturity and focus seem tailor-made for the stage. He’s not one to get lost in the noise. During spring practices, his routine was methodical. Every kick was treated like a game-winner. Teammates quickly took notice, not only of his consistency but of his leadership. In a room where special teams players can often be overlooked, Burnette has quietly emerged as a steadying force. It’s not flashy—but in this sport, that reliability is priceless.
Burnette’s presence also allows Notre Dame to be more aggressive in game-planning. Knowing they have a kicker who can confidently drill field goals from 50 yards out changes how the offense approaches fourth down situations. Inside the opponent’s 35-yard line, there’s a strong chance the Irish will come away with points, and that sort of scoring insurance can be demoralizing for opponents. It also gives the defense a chance to play with leads more often, and changes field position dynamics when the team stalls in midfield.
From a technical standpoint, Burnette’s kicking form is nearly textbook. His approach is balanced, and he gets incredible lift on the ball without sacrificing power. It’s that combination of strength and precision that makes his kicks so difficult to block or alter. On kickoffs, his ability to consistently generate touchbacks neutralizes opposing return games—again, one of those hidden strengths that can swing momentum in key moments. For a team like Notre Dame, where attention to detail defines the difference between ten wins and a title shot, those details matter deeply.
Looking at Notre Dame’s recent history, the importance of the kicking game cannot be overstated. There have been moments, some thrilling and others gut-wrenching, that turned on the ability—or inability—of the special teams unit to deliver in clutch situations. Burnette’s arrival is about more than replacing a position; it’s about upgrading confidence in a part of the game that can too often feel like a coin flip. With Burnette, that coin looks increasingly like a calculated certainty.
One of the most telling signs of how valued Burnette is within the program came during the offseason conditioning sessions. Veteran players and coaches praised his work ethic, noting that he trains with the same intensity as linebackers and linemen. That commitment to the process resonates throughout the locker room and sets a tone. Younger kickers and punters on the roster are now looking up to Burnette as a model of preparation. He’s not just executing his role—he’s elevating the standard.
It’s also worth noting the synergy Burnette has quickly developed with Notre Dame’s long snapper and holder. That operation is vital to any kicking game, and the chemistry between those three players will be tested throughout the season. But already, coaches are praising the speed and smoothness of the operation. It’s a small thing to outsiders—but again, for teams chasing greatness, every second counts.
As the 2025 season draws closer, the anticipation around South Bend is growing. Notre Dame’s fan base, one of the most passionate in college football, understands what’s at stake. Expectations are always high, but this year feels different. The roster is balanced. The coaching staff has continuity. The hunger is evident. And in close games, when nerves are frayed and tension builds, having someone like Burnette trotting onto the field could be the edge that makes the dream season a reality.
There will be moments in 2025 when the game comes down to one play, one snap, one kick. In those moments, Noah Burnette won’t be hoping to succeed—he’ll be expecting it. That mindset, forged through experience and hardened by repetition, is what separates good kickers from great ones. Notre Dame didn’t just bring in a transfer; they brought in a finisher.
As national analysts begin compiling preseason watchlists and naming key players to follow, Burnette might not be mentioned alongside quarterbacks or wide receivers. But ask anyone in the Notre Dame locker room, and they’ll tell you that No. 46 is every bit as important. When the game is on the line, few players can change the outcome with one swing of the leg. Burnette is one of them. For a team chasing greatness, that’s the kind of player you want lined up with the game in the balance. That’s the kind of player Notre Dame believes they’ve found in Noah Burnette.
