Notre Dame Football Christmas Wish List 2024
It's Christmas, so what better time to make Notre Dame football wishes for 2024! This past year was quite an up-and-down affair, but things are ending on a strong note heading into the Sun Bowl.
Time to ask Santa for some 2024 presents on this Christmas Day!
OFFENSE
1. Riley Leonard Is Everything I Hope He Can Be - The ultimate goal is a national championship, and Notre Dame isn't going to win a championship without a dynamic quarterback. Leonard isn't a finished product yet, but he has loads of talent and potential. If Notre Dame can get the best out of him in his one season the offense will be outstanding, and it will give the team a chance to go toe to toe with anyone. Leonard has that kind of ability, but now we need to see if the Notre Dame coaches can get it out of him.
2. Offensive Line Gets Back On Track - Of course, the bedrock of a great Notre Dame is great line play. Notre Dame's line was disappointing for much of the 2023 campaign even with Joe Alt playing left tackle. The Irish will lose him and two other players that spent most of the season in the starting lineup. Notre Dame will put a younger line on the field in 2024, but it will be very talented. It's up to line coach Joe Rudolph to get it going, and if he can do that in year two Notre Dame will have a chance to be special on offense.
3. Youth Movement On Offense - Notre Dame was a mostly veteran offense in 2023, but that is going to change next season. The Irish will start a number of younger players, and even more will be part of the rotation. This is true at the skill positions and the line. Youth and inexperience can be a detriment, but the young players at Notre Dame are incredibly talented. Young players like Jeremiyah Love, Jaden Greathouse, Jadarian Price, Eli Raridon, Jordan Faison, KK Smith, Cam Williams and others are a very gifted group of players. There is a lot of talent for the staff to work with, and if they can get the most out of this group of talented young players the Notre Dame offense will be very, very fun to watch.
DEFENSE
1. One More Year From Watts - Notre Dame had the nation's best secondary in 2023, of that I have no doubt. Half of that group is gone, and it's over half if you consider the nickel alignment. There is plenty of young talent returning, but they need a dynamic veteran to lead the way. That can be Xavier Watts. The Nebraska native still has a final decision to make, and if he chooses to return for a final season it will give the Notre Dame defense a huge piece to build its defense around. Watts returning is a big key to Notre Dame once again putting a championship caliber defense on the field.
2. Defensive Staff Stays Together - Notre Dame's defensive staff did a lot of good things in 2023, which was their second together as a group. When NFL hiring season opens up you can expect all four of their full-time assistants to have their phones ring. If Marcus Freeman can keep this staff together for just one more season there is little doubt that Notre Dame will have the coaching chops and continuity to keep the group rolling, and possibly make it even better.
3. Pass Rush Jump - For all the great things the defense did in 2023, there were two areas where it needs to continue improving. One is the pass rush, which had its moments, but overall just wasn't good enough at getting to the quarterback, especially in big moments. The return of Rylie Mills and Howard Cross III up the middle should help, and the addition of Duke transfer RJ Oben on the edge gives a boost as well. The pass rush taking a big jump next season ultimately comes down to the younger edge players. Notre Dame needs edge players like Josh Burnham, Boubacar Traore and others to really make the leap in 2024. If they do this defense could be really, really scary.
BIG PICTURE
1. Loren Landow Is A Home Run Hire - Losing Matt Balis was a huge loss, and you can't help but wonder how this season would have turned out if he stayed. He was ultimately replaced by Loren Landow. Simply put, this needs to be a home run hire. Notre Dame needs its strength program to be among the best, and Freeman is banking on Landow getting it back to being as good as it was under Balis, if not better.
2. Good Overall Health - This ties into point number two. A mediocre or poor strength program can create a lot of injury issues, which we saw too much of in 2023. If Landow is as good as advertised this Christmas Wish should come true, and it is needed for the Irish.
3. Big Game Success - Notre Dame did a lot of good things last season, but one of the big drawbacks under Freeman is the same one that was true under past head coaches. They just don't win enough of the "big games." Victories over teams like Texas A&M, Florida State, Louisville and USC could prove to be that in 2024, but the true test of winning big games will be what happens after the regular season.
4. Playoff Appearance - That brings us back to the final points, and I'm saving my most important for last. If Notre Dame makes a playoff appearance next season it will mean a lot of the above wishes came true, and Notre Dame will be dangerous. I'd love to see a Notre Dame team that sees the above "wishes" get answered in the postseason. That's thek ind of team that could make a run, but you have to get there first.
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Notre Dame 2024 Scholarship Offers
2024 Commit Rankings - Offense
2024 Commit Rankings - Defense
2023 Recruiting Class Grades - Offense
2023 Recruiting Class Grades - Defense
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