Notre Dame Fighting Irish: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights

Notre Dame Offers Wyatt Smith and Several Elite Recruits

Notre Dame did better than most expected in the transfer portal, but Marcus Freeman and his staff have turned their focus to the high school landscape after offering four recruits this week, including a five-star recruit When it comes to high school football programs, not many, if any, can stack up to St.

Features

The Morning Bark

The Quiz of the Day

Watch: Notre Dame vs. Cal Game Highlights | 2025-26 ACC Women's Basketball

Notre Dame Fighting Irish News / ACC Digital Network / January 30

Watch: Cal Guard Mjracle Sheppard Highlights vs. Notre Dame

Lou Holtz News / Notre Dame Fighting Irish on SI / January 29

Lou Holtz’s Love for Notre Dame Is Unmatched

There is no fun way to type the above headline as one of the best coaches the great sport of college football has ever seen nears the end. Lou Holtz, who led Notre Dame to the 1988 national championship, has entered hospice care as of Thursday.

Notre Dame Fighting Irish News / Notre Dame Fighting Irish on SI / January 29

Why The CFP Field Staying At 12 Teams Is Good For Notre Dame

After the Big Ten and the SEC couldn't come to an agreement on an expanded CFP format, debating between 16 and 24-team setups, it has been decided that for 2026, the 12-team format will remain.

College Football News / A to Z Sports / January 29

Notre Dame football has their eyes set on the next elite shutdown cornerback coming out of a very important recruiting area

While Notre Dame football fans are still accepting the loss of elite defensive backs coach Mike Mickens, there is still a lot to be excited about heading into the 2026 college football season.

Notre Dame Fighting Irish News / The Spun / January 29

Cam Newton Is Doubling Down On Controversial Notre Dame Opinion

You can make an argument that college football's biggest rivalry at the moment is between Cam Newton and Notre Dame. During last Friday's episode of "First Take," Newton accused the College Football Playoff of giving Notre Dame preferential treatment.

Notre Dame Fighting Irish News / Notre Dame Fighting Irish on SI / January 28

When You Compare Notre Dame and Miami’s Schedules, One Thing Becomes Clear

When you hear about Notre Dame's 2026 football schedule nationally, you'd think the Irish were playing the majority of Division III's CCIW, not FBS slate it actually is.

Watch: Virginia's Sam Lewis Highlights vs. Notre Dame

Notre Dame Fighting Irish News / ACC Digital Network / January 27

Watch: Notre Dame's Cole Certa Highlights vs. Virginia

Notre Dame Fighting Irish News / ACC Digital Network / January 27

Watch: Virginia's Thijs De Ridder Highlights vs. Notre Dame

Watch: Virginia's Sam Lewis Finishes Off Notre Dame

Marcus Freeman News / A to Z Sports / January 27

Notre Dame football just accomplished a rare recruiting feat that most doubted they could under HC Marcus Freeman

Notre Dame football has been recruiting on an extremely high level under head coach Marcus Freeman during his tenure. The 2026 recruiting class that the Fighting Irish were able to put together was an elite one, and arguably the best for the program since the Lou Holtz era.

Notre Dame Fighting Irish News / Notre Dame Fighting Irish on SI / January 27

One Overlooked Reason The Notre Dame Offense Will Improve in 2026

Marcus Freeman enters his fifth full season as Notre Dame's head coach in 2026, but some things are still new. For the first time in his tenure, Freeman returns both his starting quarterback and his offensive coordinator.

Notre Dame Fighting Irish News / Notre Dame Fighting Irish on SI / January 26

Notre Dame Dealt Major Blow As Top Assistant Heads to NFL

As many of you know, one of my all-time favorite sayings is that "there's never a dull moment in Notre Dame land." Just when you think Notre Dame has survived a rocky last month and a half and emerged on rock-solid footing, the Irish have been dealt a brutal blow as Marcus Freeman's best assistant coach, Mike Mickens leaves South Bend for the NFL.

Notre Dame Fighting Irish News / Notre Dame Fighting Irish on SI / January 26

Is It National Championship or Bust for Notre Dame in 2026?

Notre Dame finds itself in a unique position as we start to look forward to the 2026 football season. The Fighting Irish are returning the majority of the starters from the 2025 season, including star quarterback CJ Carr, to pair with a defense that is sure to be in the top-five nationally.

Notre Dame Fighting Irish News / Yardbarker / January 27

Notre Dame is looking to reap benefits from new 2026 CFP format

Notre Dame narrowly missed out on the 12-team playoff field in 2025.

10 notable college football transfers and where they landed

Vanderbilt QB Diego Pavia's Senior Bowl measurements another example of colleges lying about players' sizes before NFL Draft

Malachi Toney expected to see significant NIL boost after stellar freshman season

The '2024-25 college football bowl game host cities' quiz

Notre Dame Fighting Irish News / Athlon Sports / January 24

Cam Newton Sets Off Awkward Moment On ESPN

The College Football Playoff’s decision to stick with a 12-team format for the 2026 season was announced on Friday, and Cam Newton wasn't happy about it.

Notre Dame Fighting Irish News / College Football News / January 23

What Everyone Is Getting Wrong About Notre Dame’s 2026 Schedule

The Notre Dame 2026 football schedule came out, the College Football Playoff gave the program a sweetheart of a deal, and, shock of shocks, people are mad about both.

Notre Dame Fighting Irish News / College Football News / January 23

Notre Dame Football 2026 Schedule: Full Breakdown and Season Outlook

Notre Dame's 2026 football schedule might not be a killer, but that could quickly change if a few things break the right way. As is, the Irish don't play any FCS teams, play ten games against Power Four programs, and Technically, the schedule isn't all that bad.

College Football News / A to Z Sports / January 23

There's a new Notre Dame linebacker target to know for the Fighting Irish following the decommitment of Ellis McGaskin

Notre Dame football received some bad news on Friday when 2027 Mobile (Ala.) Williamson linebacker Ellis McGaskin opted to decommit. Over the last few months, the 6-0, 205-pound defender had shown a ton of interest in other programs.

Notre Dame Fighting Irish News / Mike Farrell Sports / January 21

Notre Dame Isn’t Even the Best Program in Its State

No matter what the product on the field is, Notre Dame’s program is always relevant nationally. That is especially true in recent years, when the Irish have totaled double-digit victories eight of the last nine seasons.

Notre Dame Fighting Irish News / Athlon Sports / January 19

ESPN Facing Backlash for Marcus Freeman Decision

Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman joined "College GameDay" to close out the 2025 college football season on Monday. He was on set to help preview Monday's National Championship Game between Miami and Indiana, and picked Miami to win right before the game started.

Marcus Freeman News / Yardbarker / January 15

Marcus Freeman hints at possible NFL pursuit at some point

Marcus Freeman hints at possible NFL pursuit if timing becomes right

Marcus Freeman stood at the podium Wednesday afternoon, facing reporters for the first time since Notre Dame's season ended. The questions came quickly.

Whispers linking Marcus Freeman with Steelers not quieting down despite commitment to Notre Dame

Top three winners and losers in the college football transfer portal

The 25 greatest players in Notre Dame football history

The 'College nicknames that don't end in s' quiz