The Notre Dame starting quarterback might still be a question mark, but whoever the starter is, he will have plenty of weapons to throw to. Throughout Spring and Summer, this group has been cushioned by several young players looking to make their mark this Fall. Wide receivers coach Mike Brown has a plethora of players to choose from and rotate heading into the 2025 season. This is reassuring for an offense that doesn’t yet have a lead signal caller.
No Starting Quarterback Decision, No Problem
Head Coach Marcus Freeman stated in his August 17 press conference that a quarterback battle remains. In the recap of the presser, On3 highlighted Freeman stating, “We’re still in a competition. We’ll go back and evaluate today’s practice, and we have to make a decision soon.” Freeman went on to say, “I don’t know when we’ll make it. I don’t want to put a timeline on it, but they’ve both been playing really well … The best thing is that they’ve both gotten better.” The “both” he is referring to are CJ Carr and Kenny Minchey. Freeman also indicated that the decision is his to make.
With the 2025 season fast approaching, it can cause panic when a starting quarterback hasn’t been named yet. However, there are two very good options, and the wide receivers will be ready for whoever is under center come August 31st. Malachi Fields and Jaden Greathouse highlight the Notre Dame wide receiver group. Additionally, looking for a comeback season is Jordan Faison. Fields is a transfer from Virginia who hauled in 55 passes in 2024 for 808 receiving yards. He finished the season with five touchdowns, matching his career high from 2023. Brown has high hopes for Fields this season, hopefully bringing his experience to an offense that will have an inexperienced quarterback, regardless of who starts.
Nov 9, 2024; South Bend, Indiana, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish wide receiver Jaden Greathouse (1) carries the ball against the Florida State Seminoles in the third quarter at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-Imagn Images
The Notre Dame Wide Receiver Group is Deep
Right up there with Fields are Greathouse and Faison. Greathouse didn’t cause many heads to turn during the regular season in 2024, but when push came to shove in the playoffs, the young receiver stepped up in a big way. Greathouse finished his sophomore season with four receiving touchdowns and 592 receiving yards. He averaged 14.1 yards per catch on 42 receptions. Notre Dame fans are hoping that Greathouse takes what he did in the playoffs last season and carries that into the start of 2025.
Faison is another receiver who will likely get a starting nod. He also saw inconsistencies in 2024, primarily due to injury. Faison played in 13 games last season and only produced one touchdown. When he was healthy, his speed shone. Showing fans his potential and flashes of the breakout player they are hoping for. If he can stay healthy this season, Faison should produce at a high level.
Will Pauling and Cam Williams are also poised for a big role in 2025. This is Pauling’s third program in his collegiate career. He started with the Cincinnati Bearcats, playing 15 games over two seasons in Ohio. From there, Pauling transferred to the Big Ten and Wisconsin, where he was a staple in that offense for two years. His production dipped slightly in 2024 as he was dealing with injuries, but he is a receiver who brings a wealth of experience to this wide receiver group. Pauling should help bolster this group during a long Fall.
Finally, another receiver that will show flashes this season is Williams. Thanks to the depth in this group, the five-star recruit out of Glen Ellyn, IL, won’t need to jump into a massive role in 2025. However, don’t expect him to sit on the bench for the entire season watching. The freshman will undoubtedly play meaningful time this season and give fans a peek into what is to come from him in the future.
Freeman Praises
Freeman didn’t just give an update on the quarterback battle during the August 17 press conference. The head coach gave some insight into a few freshmen and a sophomore as well. He stated that Elijah Burress, Micah Gilbert, Logan Saldate, and KK Smith are doing a “really good job of gaining confidence of our offensive coordinator and quarterbacks.”
None of these young guys should have to see much playing time this season, but it is reassuring that they are gaining confidence and earning trust, just in case they are called upon.
Main Image: MICHAEL CLUBB/SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
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