There have been a lot of changes in South Bend, Indiana, for Notre Dame Football: new coordinators, a new quarterback, and several other transitions. Year two of Marcus Freeman as head coach is sure to be an exciting and entertaining time. Hopefully, there will be a little more cohesion among both staff and players. Here are five different things to be on the lookout for on the field this fall for the Irish.
1 : A New Look Notre Dame Offense Under Gerad Parker
Notre Dame OC Gerad Parker – Chad Weaver/BGI
Gerad Parker, who was Notre Dame’s Tight End coach last season was promoted by Marcus Freeman to offensive coordinator in February of this year. Parker being a former college wide receiver himself and coaching wide outs and tight ends since 2011 will surely bring a spark to ND’s offense in a big way. Parker spent a big stint of his college coaching career with Purdue University from 2013-2016 as the wide receiver coach, tight ends coach, and even interim head coach for a short stint.
During that time, he coached several future NFL players including David Blough, Raheem Mostert, Brycen Hopkins, and DeAngelo Yancey. In the 2016 season, Gerad served as the interim head coach for half the season, and during that season, quarterback David Blough threw 517 pass attempts, which was enough for 5th in the country. Expect some of that “air it out” mentality to come to South Bend this fall.
2: Sam Hartman Could Put Up Video Game Numbers
Notre Dame QB Sam Hartman (10) – Rick Kimball/ISD
Sam Hartman is and has been gathering plenty of buzz since he entered the transfer portal after the close of the 2022 season. Sam, even though playing with some of the worst talent in the ACC, managed to set the Wake Forest single season record for passing yards and touchdowns. Even with an inexperienced group at wide receiver, Hartman should help elevate the passing offense much further than recent QBs like Jack Coan or Drew Pyne did.
3: Chris Tyree in the Slot
Notre Dame Chris Tyree RB – Michael Chen/Fighting Irish Wire
Chris Tyree has been a staple of the Notre Dame offense for years now. We have seen him score a combined 13 TDs over the last three years via rush, reception, and return. Chris has caught 24 passes out of the backfield each of the last two seasons. This was enough to turn the gears in Coach Freeman’s and Coach Parker’s minds to try him at wideout. Chris is expected to start as the primary slot receiver for the Irish offense. Expect him to maintain the role of the “security blanket” for QB Hartman.
4: Javonta Jean-Baptiste Coming Off the Edge
Former Ohio State DE Javontae Jean-Baptiste (8)- G Fiume/Maryland Terrapins/Getty Images
Javontae Jean-Baptiste is a grad transfer from Ohio State University. Javontae’s measurements are music to NFL scouts’ ears; at 6’5 and 253 lbs., he sizes up well as a pro-style defensive end. There is a big need for someone to fill the void from Isiah Fosky’s departure to the pros last season, and Jean-Baptiste may be just the man to do it. He started every game for the Ohio State Buckeyes in 2022 and recorded the second-highest sack total on the team with 4. Watch for Jean-Baptiste to rack up the quarterback pressures this year and garner a lot of media praise as a potential day-one prospect in the NFL draft.
5: Another Elite Year of Linebacker Play for Notre Dame
Notre Dame LB JD Bertrand (27) – Tim Prister/247sports
One of the strongest units for Notre Dame this season will be the linebacker core once again. Notre Dame has historically had great linebacker play year after year, and that trend seems like it will continue. Returning for the Irish as starting linebackers this year are four graduate seniors, JD Bertrand, Jack Kiser, and Marist Liufau. Jack and JD are coming off of seasons in which they both lived in the opponents’ backfield. Jack posted a career-high 5.5 tackles for loss and for the first time in his career, recorded sacks with 2.5. JD also posted career highs in both of those categories with 8.5 tackles for loss and two sacks.
Marist missed the entire 2021 campaign with an injury he suffered before the season even started, however he attacked the 2022 season with a vengeance. He recorded 51 total tackles, 4.5 were for loss, and he even notched his first-ever interception. With the cohesion, chemistry, and of course, being coached by former linebacker Marcus Freeman, these three will make up one of the best linebacker units in the country this fall.
There will be several differences between the 2022 and 2023 Notre Dame football teams. I believe this team has more star power and some better playmakers than last season. So much potential for greatness with this roster, and I cannot wait to see how the season unfolds.
