The Notre Dame Fighting Irish had a magical run through the College Football Playoff, making the national title game as the fifth seed before falling to Ohio State. Six players were drafted from the talented 2024 roster, including several others who signed as undrafted free agents.
What ten players will have to step up in 2025 as the Irish have their sights on a successful regular season and a national title push?
Notre Dame Fighting Irish Top 10 Returners in 2025
10) Aneyas Williams
Williams served as the team’s third running back during his redshirt freshman season and excelled when given more opportunities late in the season.
His rushing stats won’t blow you away — 219 yards and two touchdowns — but it’s his receiving prowess out of the backfield that made a difference, as he caught 18 passes for 172 yards, including five catches for 66 yards in the CFP semifinals. He’ll likely be resigned to a similar role with even more targets out of the backfield for the talented Williams.
9) Drayk Bowen, LB
The third-leading tackler from a season ago, Bowen is likely to fill the shoes of the departed Jack Kiser as the Irish’s tackle machine in 2025.
He already totaled 78 tackles, including 40 solo, and three forced fumbles as a sophomore — his junior season is expected to be even better. Bowen will be the leader in the middle of the field for Notre Dame.
8) Ashton Craig, C
Craig has served as a depth piece on the interior of the offensive line for the past few seasons, showing immense talent and promise.
A four-star prospect in 2022, he’s slated to be the starter and the anchor on the interior. At 6’5″, 312 pounds, he’s a reliable pass- and run-blocker, consistently getting the job done when he was on the field.
7) Jaden Greathouse, WR
Greathouse was Notre Dame’s leading receiver from a season ago after catching 42 passes for 592 yards and four touchdowns despite a slow start to the season.
The 6’1″, 215-pound wideout broke out during the CFP, posting stat lines of seven catches, 105 yards and a touchdown, and six catches, 128 yards and two touchdowns in the semifinals and national championship, respectively. Now, Greathouse is a national name after performing on the biggest state — it’ll be intriguing to see how he progresses as a junior.
6) Adon Shuler, Safety
Shuler stepped up big time during his sophomore season after contributing little during his freshman campaign.
MORE: College Football’s 10 Most Intense Rivalries
He was the team’s fourth-leading tackler with 59 total and 36 solo along with three interceptions, a forced fumble, and five passes defensed — displaying his entire playmaking repertoire. Now entering his junior season, he’ll be the undisputed leader on the back end and is poised for another big year.
5) Donovan Hinish, DL
Hinish played a big role last season as a rotational piece along the defensive line. At 6’2″, 280 pounds, he excels with his first step and quickness, which allowed him to have a strong statistical season in 2024.
He was second on the team with 4.5 sacks while totaling 35 tackles, 19 of which were solo. He’s widely expected to take a step forward and be the leader of the D-line, upping his sack numbers and putting pressure on opposing QBs.
4) Jadarian Price, RB
It was a slight surprise that Price decided to stay with the Fighting Irish after playing second fiddle to Jeremiyah Love in 2024 and is expected to fill the same role this upcoming fall.
Extremely explosive, Price averaged 6.2 yards per carry on his way to rushing for 746 yards and seven touchdowns a season ago. He was key in providing the backfield with a pop in the run game with Love on the sideline and will once again be a part of one of the best RB trios in the country along with Williams.
3) Charles Jagusah, OL
The potential is extremely high for Jagusah, who appeared in just three games in 2024 but is poised for a full-time role next season.
At 6’7″, 320 pounds, the former four-star recruit has all the tools to become the best O-lineman for the Irish by season’s end. Recruited as a tackle, he’ll either be that or a guard come Week 1.
2) Leonard Moore, CB
Already considered one of the top cover men in college football as a freshman, Moore is poised to break out further in 2025.
His stat line was impressive a season ago, as he amassed 48 total tackles — 34 solo — 11 passes defended, two interceptions, and forced fumbles apiece. Don’t be surprised to hear Moore’s name featured on postseason awards once the season comes to a close.
1) Jeremiyah Love, RB
Maybe the most electric player in college football heading into next season, Love is the definition of dynamic. He carried the ball 163 times in 2024 for 1,125 yards and 17 touchdowns — good for 6.9 yards per carry. He was also a threat out of the backfield, catching 28 passes for 237 yards and two more scores.
KEEP READING: Top 10 Winningest College Football Programs Heading Into 2025
His speed and electricity with the ball were on full display in the first round of the CFP when he blasted past Indiana Hoosier defenders for a 98-yard touchdown. Expect Love to have a monster junior season as he solidifies himself as a first-round pick come the 2026 NFL Draft.
College Sports Network has you covered with the latest news, analysis, insights, and trending stories in college football, men’s college basketball, women’s college basketball, and college baseball!
