The talk of the Notre Dame offense during the 2025 season was the dynamic running back duo and the young quarterback behind center. However, with both star running backs leaving for the NFL and CJ Carr entering his second year as the starter, it is time to look at the wide receiver room that added depth this Winter.
The Irish Add Depth in 2026
Not only is Mike Denbrock’s offense losing its top two running backs for 2026, but Carr has lost two of his top targets as well. Will Pauling and Malachi Fields are both out of eligibility. Additionally, both were at the top of receiving categories for the Irish this season. Pauling led the offense with six receiving touchdowns. Fields was right behind him with five. Both produced heavily for Notre Dame and will be missed, but the Irish are returning several key playmakers at this position and reloaded the depth chart.
Throughout the season, fans wanted to see Jaden Greathouse and waited for him to finally have his breakout season. Unfortunately, it was another year hampered by injury after showing flashes at the end of the 2024 season. Luckily for the Irish, Greathouse will be back for the 2026 season and hopefully healthy. If he can stay healthy, Greathouse will be an asset for Carr as he brings both veteran leadership and an intriguing matchup against defenders. Greathouse saw action in four games in 2025 and only had four receptions. Not only will Greathouse be returning, but so is Carr’s favorite target, Jordan Faison. Faison was the team-leader in receptions with 49 and receiving yards with 640. He averaged 53.3 yards per game through 12 games this past season. This was his first season with Carr, and their connection will only grow from here.
A Pair of Teammates from the Portal
The Irish didn’t go too heavy in the transfer portal this Winter, but they did take a pair of teammates at the wide receiver position. Ohio State teammates, Quincy Porter and Mylan Graham, chose Notre Dame. Porter played in five games in 2025 before an injury kept him out of competition. He tallied four receptions for 59 yards. According to 247Sports, he was a five-star recruit out of high school. Post-injury, he has a four-star transfer rank by the same platform. Signs point to Porter being fully available come Fall practice and should make an immediate impact for the Irish.
Graham is coming with his former teammate and joining Notre Dame’s depth in the wide receiver room. His impact may be less immediate, but will still be felt. In his two seasons at Ohio State, Graham played in 13 games and tallied six receptions for 93 yards, all coming in the 2025 season. The biggest takeaway from this addition is speed. Graham brings speed to the room that will put him on the field for the Irish.
The Incoming Freshmen
Notre Dame signed five wide receivers to the incoming 2026 recruiting class. Four out of the five signees are listed as four-star recruits according to the 247Sports ranking. The fifth is a three-star recruit. Devin Fitzgerald, Kaydon Finley, Bubba Frazier, Brayden Robinson, and Dylan Faison will all add much-needed depth to a room full of talent. There are many veterans ahead of each of these signees in terms of experience, but that doesn’t mean that one or two won’t make a splash in 2026. This could be at special teams, or in flashes during clean-up time at the end of a game, but these are highly recruited players who will definitely be household names soon.
Main Image: MICHAEL CLUBB/SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images