IrishIllustrated.com Insider Irish Illustrated Insider: Notre Dame Turns the Page to its Off-Season
Jan 19, 2026
The discussion kicks off with a look at Notre Dame's portal recruiting, addressing key roster needs like defensive tackles and wide receivers. A deep dive into the cornerback lineup reveals Christian Gray's fit and the importance of veteran depth. The hosts also chat about Notre Dame's first 2027 QB offer and Teddy Gerrard's recruiting timeline. Other highlights include a heated debate on playoff expansion, a preview of the upcoming Indiana vs. Miami game, and an assessment of the men's basketball team's performance under Micah Shrewsbury.
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Keep Playoffs Small To Protect Regular Season
- Avoid expanding the playoff to 24 teams because it dilutes the regular season and invites eight-and-four teams into the title hunt.
- Keep the field smaller (12 or 16) to preserve meaningful regular seasons and limit late portal/return-game distortions.
Recruiting Success Isn't Immediate Wins
- Micah Shrewsbury can recruit high-end talent but on-court results lag, creating a disconnect between recruiting wins and wins.
- Recruiting top prospects alone hasn't yet translated into NCAA tournament consistency.
OL Depth Creates Tough Starter Decisions
- Notre Dame has a deep offensive-line pool, but position shifts (tackle to guard) and injuries complicate starters for fall camp.
- Coaches like Joe Rudolph will tinker; internal competition and health will decide the final five.