Offensive Coordinator Mike Denbrock Pleased With Notre Dame's Progress Throughout Fall Camp

Notre Dame offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock is heading into his second year at the helm of the offense. Many are expecting a jump, and for good reason. Denbrock has consistently elevated the play of offenses he has coached at numerous stops, and all of them have elevated their level on play in his second year. For this to happen, Denbrock will be relying on a few key position groups to step up their level of performance from a season ago.

The wide receiving corps has been a hot topic of discussion throughout this offseason, and with players like Malachi Fields and Will Pauling transferring in and Jaden Greathouse and Jordan Faison returning, this unit is poised for a breakout year. So far this camp, they have been going against one of, if not the best, secondary in the country. That will pay major dividends when the regular season comes around.

"I think you really have to look at it as a positive, right?," Denbrock said when asked about the competition level in practice. "We’re blessed that we get that type of competition, on a day-in and day-out basis, against a defense that is complex in their coverage schemes, can lock you down when they decide to play man and can do about anything that they need to do from a coverage standpoint.

I think that exposes our guys to understanding the level of competitiveness at the wide receiver position and what it takes to be really good at what you do. We’re fortunate to be in that scenario, and I think it helps young guys grow up faster. I’m comfortable in where we’re headed at wide receiver."

The offensive line is another unit that has impressed Denbrock this offseason. Last year, their pass protection was subpar over the course of the season. Left tackle Anthonie Knapp is headed into his se cond year as the starter along with right tackle Aamil Wagner and with guys like Billy Schrauth and Ashton Craig returning, the offensive line should play at a more consistent level in 2025.

"It’s been really good, even though there’s been some rotating in and rotating out at different positions," Denbrock explained. "Coach Rudolph does an amazing job with the offensive line, putting those guys in and moving those guys around, just in case different types of situations occur. Those guys have all been trained, some guys inside and some guys outside, but they’ve gotten a good variety of work in at different positions. Then on top of that, the four in particular that are returning, working together consistently, I think, has led to really good developme nt."

Last season, Notre Dame was the No. 10 scoring offense in the country, the No. 7 rushing offense in the country in yards per carry and was the No. 9 touchdown scoring offense in the country down in the red zone. Denbrock will be looking to remain at that level as well as elevate the pass game going into year two. The offense holds the key to Notre Dame getting over the hump and bringing home their 12th National Championship; this group is in position for a big year.

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