Notre Dame slotted as the No. 2 team in the country after spring ball

TL;DR

Notre Dame is ranked No. 2 in the country in the latest post-spring football rankings, trailing only Ohio State. The team, led by quarterback CJ Carr, is expected to be stronger this season with new additions and returning players.

Key points

Notre Dame is ranked No. 2 in post-spring football rankings
CJ Carr returns as starting quarterback for the Irish
The team has added key defensive transfers
Notre Dame's schedule includes three ranked opponents
Expectations are high following a disappointing 2025 season

Notre Dame Fighting IrishMiami HurricanesBYU CougarsSMU Mustangs

SOUTH BEND, IN - APRIL 25: Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman locks arms with Notre Dame S Adon Shuler (8) and Notre Dame CB Christian Gray (29) following the Notre Dame Blue-Gold Spring football game with the Notre Dame Fighting Irish on April 25, 2026 at Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend, IN. (Photo by James Black/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images Notre Dame and CJ Carr took a little bit of heat from the casuals after a Blue-Gold spring football game that was a little underwhelming. The spring game should never be a major indicator — good or bad — of how a program will perform during the season, and in some post spring rankings, it didn’t move the needle for the Irish. In a post-spring-too-early-top-25 set of rankings by USA Today, Notre Dame comes in at the No. 2 team in the country behind No. 1 Ohio State.

2. Notre Dame (10-2) (5)

This shapes up to be Marcus Freeman’s best team. There are no questions at quarterback with CJ Carr returning for his second season as a starter. He is set to shoulder more of the offensive load with new running backs replacing and . anchors the wide receiver room with the hope and Ohio State transfer will be significant contributors. is the leader of a defensive line that added transfers (Pittsburgh) and () to bolster the front seven. But the biggest strength of the defense will a secondary with , Christian Gray and Colorado transfer . While Notre Dame’s 2026 schedule has took some heat, the Irish have 3 opponents ranked in the top 25 from a schedule that has 10 Power 4 opponents. No. 6 No. 14 No. 18 The expectations for the Irish next season have continually stacked up since the end of the 2025 season, when the were crowned national champions. Just about everything from 2025 left a bad taste in the mouths of the players, coaches, and fans — but it could serve as the fuel for a major title run this year.

Q&A

Why is Notre Dame ranked No. 2 in the post-spring football rankings?

Notre Dame is ranked No. 2 due to its strong roster, including returning quarterback CJ Carr and key defensive transfers, despite a lackluster spring game.

Who are the key players for Notre Dame in the upcoming season?

Key players include quarterback CJ Carr, wide receiver Jordan Faison, and defensive leader Bryce Young, along with transfers like Francis Brewu and Keon Keeley.

What does Notre Dame's 2026 schedule look like?

Notre Dame's 2026 schedule features 10 Power 4 opponents, including three ranked teams: No. 6 Miami, No. 14 BYU, and No. 18 SMU.