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Contrary to the national narratives sputtering around about the Notre Dame offense, this unit possesses quite a bit of star power potential and it goes beyond their proven star running back. The 2023 offensive recruiting class has a handful of players who have the potential for a breakout season in 2025, and we're already starting to see the signs. Injuries have played a role in this group breaking out in previous seasons, but delayed gratification is always on the mind of their head coach, and this upcoming season might be the perfect opportunity for this class to showcase it's true impact.
Star running back Jeremiyah Love already had his breakout season, and is being coined as the best returning running back in college football by most major media outlets, rightfully so. Last season, Love finished with 1,125 rushing yards, 17 rushing touchdowns, averaged 6.9 yards per carry, recorded 237 receiving yards and two receiving touchdowns. Last season, Love showcased his big play ability and recorded touchdown runs of 39, 48, 64, 68, 76 and 98 yards. He returns this season as the most explosive running back in the country.
Offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock has a pair of wide receivers from this class who are set up for another impactful season as well, but their paths to get to this point were vastly different respectively. Texas native Jaden Greathouse is a former four-star recruit. He was a three-time state champion in high school and holds his high school's record for receiving yards and touchdowns. Greathouse also holds the record for the most receiving yards in a state championship game in Texas.
Last season, Greathouse had an up and down season statistically, but his presence in the big and clutch moments were undeniable. In 2024, he recorded 42 receptions and 25 of them went for first downs. He finished the year as the team's leader in yards, yards per catch and touchdowns. Greathouse's performance in the semifinals and the national title game showcased his big play making ability against quality defenses. Against Penn State and Ohio State, he combined for 13 receptions, 233 yards and three touchdowns. He is set up for a stellar year alongside Virginia transfer Malachi Fields which gives the Irish a dynamic one-two punch at receiver.
Fellow 2023 recruiting classmate Jordan Faison took a different path to his success at Notre Dame. He came in primarily as a lacrosse recruit, and still plays for the team today. Faison was a walk-on as a freshman, but has since earned a football scholarship due to his performance in 2023. He first came onto the scene on the road against Louisville, hauling in a 36 yard touchdown reception. Faison then went on to record a four catch, 39 yard and one touchdown performance against Wake Forest, a three catch, 66 yard and 1 touchdown performance against Stanford and a five catch, 115 yard and one touchdown performance against Oregon State in the Sun Bowl.
Last season, Faison was not able to stay healthy early in the season after suffering an ankle injury against Texas A&M in the opener. He only caught one touchdown pass in 2024 against Army in the Shamrock Series, but was one of their more impactful receivers in the first two postseason games. This year, he adds a lot of proven depth and big play making ability to this receiving corps. With a lot of attention going towards Fields and Greathouse, Faison will have to remain a reliable weapon in the pass offense this fall.
This was an extremely loaded offensive line class, but we've only seen one play meaningful snaps on the field and that's presumed starting right guard Charles Jagusah. The 6-7 330 pound Illinois native was arguably their highest rated recruit in the 2023 class. He only played in two game as a true freshman and two games as a sophomore. He started against Oregon State in the Sun Bowl at left tackle in 2023 and was set up to be Notre Dame's starting left tackle for the 2024 season. Unfortunately, an injury sustained at the beginning of fall camp sidelined him until the post season.
He entered the Penn State game at right guard, replacing an injured Rocco Spindler and then stepped into the starting lineup against Ohio State in the National Championship at left tackle replacing an injured Anthonie Knapp. Jagusah has limited starts and limited on the field experience, but his size, athletic ability and raw power sets him up to be a force on the interior of Notre Dame's offensive line this fall. Despite his limited experience, he's been projected as a potential first round draft pick in 2026 in some way-too-early mock drafts barring a healthy season.
The remainder of this class has yet to see the field in meaningful minutes with the exception of tight end Cooper Flanagan who will likely be out for the season as he is recovering from an achillies injury suffered last post season. The remaining members of the class are along the offensive line. Center Joe Otting saw a lot of reps with the first team in spring practice and will push Ashton Craig this fall for the starting center position. Illinois native Christopher Terek was held out of spring for a right foot and left shoulder injury.
North Carolina native Sullivan Absher has worked at every position along the offensive line during his time in South Bend and will likely be the No. 2 guy on the depth chart at multiple positions this fall. Former defensive lineman Devan Houston made the switch to offense this spring and looked to be a natural at guard when given his opportunity throughout the spring. It's unlikely he will play much on offense in 2025, but at 6-4 300 pounds, he can make a push to work his way into the two-deep down the road.
At the top, the 2023 offensive recruiting class has a chance to be elite. Love is the only proven star player on this offense, but I would be shocked if he's the only player on offense we talk about from this class once the season is over. Greathouse, Faison and Jagusah are all impact players on this offense and will all have their opportunities to shine when the moment is at it's brightest. They will all play a key role in Notre Dame's offense taking the next step in year two of the Denbrock system.
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Star running back Jeremiyah Love already had his breakout season, and is being coined as the best returning running back in college football by most major media outlets, rightfully so. Last season, Love finished with 1,125 rushing yards, 17 rushing touchdowns, averaged 6.9 yards per carry, recorded 237 receiving yards and two receiving touchdowns. Last season, Love showcased his big play ability and recorded touchdown runs of 39, 48, 64, 68, 76 and 98 yards. He returns this season as the most explosive running back in the country.
Offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock has a pair of wide receivers from this class who are set up for another impactful season as well, but their paths to get to this point were vastly different respectively. Texas native Jaden Greathouse is a former four-star recruit. He was a three-time state champion in high school and holds his high school's record for receiving yards and touchdowns. Greathouse also holds the record for the most receiving yards in a state championship game in Texas.
Last season, Greathouse had an up and down season statistically, but his presence in the big and clutch moments were undeniable. In 2024, he recorded 42 receptions and 25 of them went for first downs. He finished the year as the team's leader in yards, yards per catch and touchdowns. Greathouse's performance in the semifinals and the national title game showcased his big play making ability against quality defenses. Against Penn State and Ohio State, he combined for 13 receptions, 233 yards and three touchdowns. He is set up for a stellar year alongside Virginia transfer Malachi Fields which gives the Irish a dynamic one-two punch at receiver.
Fellow 2023 recruiting classmate Jordan Faison took a different path to his success at Notre Dame. He came in primarily as a lacrosse recruit, and still plays for the team today. Faison was a walk-on as a freshman, but has since earned a football scholarship due to his performance in 2023. He first came onto the scene on the road against Louisville, hauling in a 36 yard touchdown reception. Faison then went on to record a four catch, 39 yard and one touchdown performance against Wake Forest, a three catch, 66 yard and 1 touchdown performance against Stanford and a five catch, 115 yard and one touchdown performance against Oregon State in the Sun Bowl.
Last season, Faison was not able to stay healthy early in the season after suffering an ankle injury against Texas A&M in the opener. He only caught one touchdown pass in 2024 against Army in the Shamrock Series, but was one of their more impactful receivers in the first two postseason games. This year, he adds a lot of proven depth and big play making ability to this receiving corps. With a lot of attention going towards Fields and Greathouse, Faison will have to remain a reliable weapon in the pass offense this fall.
This was an extremely loaded offensive line class, but we've only seen one play meaningful snaps on the field and that's presumed starting right guard Charles Jagusah. The 6-7 330 pound Illinois native was arguably their highest rated recruit in the 2023 class. He only played in two game as a true freshman and two games as a sophomore. He started against Oregon State in the Sun Bowl at left tackle in 2023 and was set up to be Notre Dame's starting left tackle for the 2024 season. Unfortunately, an injury sustained at the beginning of fall camp sidelined him until the post season.
He entered the Penn State game at right guard, replacing an injured Rocco Spindler and then stepped into the starting lineup against Ohio State in the National Championship at left tackle replacing an injured Anthonie Knapp. Jagusah has limited starts and limited on the field experience, but his size, athletic ability and raw power sets him up to be a force on the interior of Notre Dame's offensive line this fall. Despite his limited experience, he's been projected as a potential first round draft pick in 2026 in some way-too-early mock drafts barring a healthy season.
The remainder of this class has yet to see the field in meaningful minutes with the exception of tight end Cooper Flanagan who will likely be out for the season as he is recovering from an achillies injury suffered last post season. The remaining members of the class are along the offensive line. Center Joe Otting saw a lot of reps with the first team in spring practice and will push Ashton Craig this fall for the starting center position. Illinois native Christopher Terek was held out of spring for a right foot and left shoulder injury.
North Carolina native Sullivan Absher has worked at every position along the offensive line during his time in South Bend and will likely be the No. 2 guy on the depth chart at multiple positions this fall. Former defensive lineman Devan Houston made the switch to offense this spring and looked to be a natural at guard when given his opportunity throughout the spring. It's unlikely he will play much on offense in 2025, but at 6-4 300 pounds, he can make a push to work his way into the two-deep down the road.
At the top, the 2023 offensive recruiting class has a chance to be elite. Love is the only proven star player on this offense, but I would be shocked if he's the only player on offense we talk about from this class once the season is over. Greathouse, Faison and Jagusah are all impact players on this offense and will all have their opportunities to shine when the moment is at it's brightest. They will all play a key role in Notre Dame's offense taking the next step in year two of the Denbrock system.
Be sure to check out the Irish Breakdown message board, the Champions Lounge
Irish Breakdown Content
2025 Depth Chart
2025 Football Schedule
Notre Dame 2026 Scholarship Offers
2025 Commit Rankings - Offense
2025 Commit Rankings - Defense
2024 Recruiting Class
2023 Recruiting Class
2022 Recruiting Class
———————
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Join the Irish Breakdown community!
Subscribe to the Irish Breakdown YouTube channel
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Continue reading...
