Despite that, the state boasts a potential superstar in the 2026 recruiting class. Waukee (Iowa) High School star tight end Evan Jacobson is one of the biggest risers in the 2026 class, and has been garnering major interest from some prominent programs this offseason.

The Irish Illustrated team has its finger on the pulse of Notre Dame transfer portal news, recruiting, coaching staff moves and more after the Irish lost to Ohio State in the CFP National Championship

Why is Notre Dame not in a conference for college football? Here's what to know as the Irish are set to compete in the CFP championship game on Monday:

We now know the entire 2025 Notre Dame Fighting Irish football schedule, including dates and home/away locations. The Irish have seven home games on the schedule. Notre Dame will also face several teams that are considered rivals. Navy, USC, Boston College, and Stanford are on the schedule.

Rocco Spindler was a starting offensive lineman for the Notre Dame football team, but he is in the transfer portal now. Spindler is obviously one of the top available players in the portal, but he is also one of the top players in the portal in general.

A look at Notre Dame's freshly released 2025 football schedule with thoughts on the run of show for the Fighting Irish.

ATLANTA, GEORGIA – JANUARY 20: Head coach Marcus Freeman of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish looks on after losing to the Ohio State Buckeyes 34-23 in the 2025 CFP National Championship at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium on January 20, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

Ohio State football is only 30 minutes away from winning the College Football Playoff national championship over the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and the Buckeyes look amazing. OSU currently head into halftime with a 21-7 lead over Notre Dame and are set to receive the ball in the second half.

Days after Al Golden left to become the defensive coordinator of the Cincinnati Bengals, the Fighting Irish have hired former Rutgers coach Chris Ash to be their new defensive coordinator, according to ESPN's Pete Thamel. Ash has been in the NFL since the start of the 2021 season and worked as a scout for the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2024.

Al Golden came to Notre Dame as a defensive coordinator with prior head coaching and NFL experience. The Irish got a similar resume to replace him.

Notre Dame has officially hired a new defensive coordinator after Al Golden left for the same job with the NFL's Cincinnati Bengals. According to ESPN's Adam Rittenberg, Chris Ash is Notre Dame's new defensive coordinator after accepting the school's offer.