CJ Carr, Bryce Young, and an underrated secondary piece highlight sophomores that Notre Dame needs to breakout most in 2025

Heading into the 2025 college football season, the Notre Dame Fighting Irish are riding a ton of momentum, and even higher expectations have been created. A big reason for that is what head coach Marcus Freeman and the staff has been able to do on the recruiting trail. It has been nothing short of fantastic. 

When you talk about the 2024 recruiting class, there are several players who look set for potential breakouts this fall. Those sophomores will have a big say in just how good this 2025 version of the team could be. 

Forget about the sophomore or redshirt freshman label, we are talking about second year breakouts. Here are a few to keep a close eye on. There is a lot of talent to choose from. 

QB CJ Carr

Carr still has to beat out Kenny Minchey to become the starting quarterback for Notre Dame, but he is the odds on betting favorite right now. The redshirt freshman is certainly talented, and there is a reason he was such a highly rated recruit. At 6-3 and 210 pounds, Carr does his best work in the pocket. He will be expected to raise the floor and the ceiling for a middling passing offense from a season ago. 

EDGE Bryce Young 

At 6-7 and 270 pounds, we haven’t seen a talent like this on the defensive line in a very, very long time. The son of former Notre Dame legend Bryant Young, there is going to be a lot of pressure on Bruce the rest of his career. We got a taste of his talent in 2024, but I expect Young to take a substantial step this fall. If he does tap into his upside, Young could become one of the more disruptive defensive ends in the country. 

EDGE Loghan Thomas 

At around 6-4 and 220 pounds, it’s very unlikely that Thomas pushes for a substantial role in 2025. It would not be shocking, however, if Thomas finds a role as a designated pass rusher this season. His combination of length, explosiveness, and bend is fantastic. Adding him more to the rotation in obvious passing situations is very intriguing, especially after the flashes we saw a year ago. 

LB Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa 

Viliamu-Asa flashed his potential as a true freshman as a part of the rotation, managing to connect 37 total tackles, three tackles for loss, a sack, and an interception. At 6-3 and 235 pounds, the sophomore is an impressive blend of size, length, and versatility. You could see Viliamu-Asa playing either inside linebacker spot this fall, as well as rushing off of the edge. 

CB Karson Hobbs 

After playing in nine games last season, mostly on special teams, Hobbs is making the most of his offseason. He has spent time at both outside cornerback and nickel with the Fighting Irish so far. At 6-1 and 190 pounds, Hobbs has the body type, foot speed, and physicality to play all over the secondary. I wouldn’t be surprised to see him be the first cornerback off the bench to fill a couple different roles, whether as the main rotation guy, or to fill in for an injury.