HomeNFLTop 10 Players Making Waves for Notre Dame Fighting Irish This Season

Top 10 Players Making Waves for Notre Dame Fighting Irish This Season

The Notre Dame Fighting Irish remain a dominant team in college football thanks to a roster full of gifted young players.

As the team aims for excellence, a few players have set themselves apart by demonstrating their talent and leadership.

These are the top ten players currently helping the Notre Dame Fighting Irish win this season.

Notre Dame PlayersPosition
1. Steve AngeliQuarterback
2. Gi’Bran PayneRightback
3. Jaden GreathouseWide Receiver
4. Jaylen SneedLinebacker
5. Benjamin MorrisonCornerback
6. Jordan BotelhoDefensive End
7. Kenny MincheyQuarterback
8. CJ CarrQuarterback
9. Jayden ThomasWide Receiver
10. Billy SchrauthOffensive Lineman

1. Steve Angeli, Quarterback

Born on November 18, 2003, Steven Angeli plays quarterback for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in college football.

Originally from Westfield, New Jersey, Angeli attended Bergen Catholic High School in Oradell, New Jersey, 30 miles (48 km) from his home, to play football during his high school years.

Furthermore, ESPN rated him a four-star quarterback, while 247Sports and Rivals.com rated him a three-star quarterback.

Angeli played in two games during the 2022 season, including his collegiate debut against UNLV on October 22, 2022.

Fans expect him to take over as leader after Riley Leonard leaves for the NFL. Angeli is one of the best players Notre Dame currently has, as evidenced by his outstanding leadership and passing skills in practice and minimal game action.

2. Gi’Bran Payne, Right-Back

Gi’Bran Payne is a right-back for Notre Dame who was committed in 2022 and hails from Cincinnati, Ohio.

Furthermore, he made his collegiate debut in the 35-32 victory over Navy after playing at his high school, La Salle.

For his first collegiate touch, he caught a kick in the first half while playing for the kick return unit.

With his explosiveness and versatility, he is set to play a key role in the Irish’s ground attack.

3. Jaden Greathouse, Wide Receiver

Born on October 29, 2004, Jaden Greathouse plays wide receiver for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in collegiate football.

Furthermore, Greathouse was a multisport athlete who played football and basketball for Westlake High School in Austin, Texas.

In his first season, he was a varsity starter with 47 receptions for 715 yards and 10 touchdowns.

Against Navy, Greathouse caught three passes for 68 yards and two touchdowns in his collegiate debut.

Although Greathouse struggled with a persistent hamstring injury during his rookie campaign, he ended the season with 18 receptions for 265 yards and five touchdowns.

Expected to be a main target in the passing game, this sophomore wide receiver has remarkable size and hands.

4. Jaylen Sneed, Linebacker

As the linebacker for Notre Dame College football, Jaylen Sneed was a standout athlete in high school, excelling in football, track, and basketball.

In his junior year, he placed third in South Carolina’s Class 4A with a shotput throw of 51 feet, 10 inches.

In addition to his 79-foot javelin throw and 20-foot, 2.75-inch long jump, he averaged 6.5 points and 3.6 rebounds per game in basketball in 2021.

A four-star recruit according to ESPN.com, Rivals, and 247Sports, he made four appearances during his rookie campaign and recorded seven tackles and one solo.

Additionally, against Boston College, Jaylen Sneed added a half tackle for a three-yard loss.

Rivals ranks the former Carolina player No.1 (6.0), the fourth linebacker in the country, and the 41st player overall.

5. Benjamin Morrison, Cornerback

Born on March 11, 2004, Benjamin Morrison plays college football for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish as a cornerback.

As a Phoenix, Arizona’s Brophy College Preparatory senior, Morrison recorded 53 tackles and two interceptions.

After participating in the 2022 Polynesian Bowl, Morrison decided to play collegiate football at the University of Notre Dame.

Furthermore, they announced Morrison as a Jim Thorpe Award semifinalist on November 1.

On June 9, 2023, Morrison was ranked as the fourth-best cornerback in college football. He was also named a preseason All-American by ESPN, NBCSports, and the FWAA.

One of Notre Dame’s best defenders, Morrison is a real ballhawk in the secondary and has continuously proven himself.

In addition, his speed, instincts, and technique make him a vital member of the Irish defense.

6. Jordan Botelho, Defensive End

Born on May 16, 2001, Jordan Botelho plays defensive end for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in college football.

At Saint Louis School in Honolulu, Hawaii, Botelho played linebacker for coach Cal Lee.

After winning three consecutive Hawaii football state titles, he committed to play collegiate football at the University of Notre Dame.

Prior to the 2023 season, he switched from linebacker to defensive end, and he won the 2023 Sun Bowl award for Most Outstanding Lineman.

Following his recovery from a leg injury he suffered against Purdue in Week 3, Botelho is expected to play in 2025.

His return is anticipated to strengthen the Irish defense after his early 2024 performance demonstrated his pass-rushing prowess.

7. Kenny Minchey, Quarterback

Kenny Minchey, a native of Hendersonville, Tennessee, is the Notre Dame Fighting Irish’s quarterback.

Prior to this, he was a consensus four-star recruit according to 247 Sports, ESPN, On3, and Rivals, and he graduated from Pope John Paul II High School.

During his actual freshman season, he played in three games and finished with a perfect completion percentage, completing two passes for 12 yards.

While playing quarterback for the Irish as a sophomore in 2024, he made two rushes for a total of 12 yards.

Additionally, he completed one pass for four yards and recorded his first touchdown of the season with a seven-yard TD, which was his longest rush of the season.

Despite playing little, Minchey, a redshirt freshman and a four-star recruit by consensus, has shown promise.

8. CJ Carr, Quarterback

Born in Saline, Michigan, CJ Carr plays football professionally at Notre Dame Fighting Irish as a quarterback.

After graduating from Saline High School, he made his debut with the Irish in the victory at PURDUE on September 15, 2024, as a freshman.

Additionally, ESPN ranks him as the state’s top prospect, the 37th overall prospect, the third quarterback, and a consensus four-star recruit.

According to 247Sports, Carr is the state’s top prospect, the 38th overall, and the fifth quarterback.

Carr, a highly regarded true freshman, is expected to compete for playing time after recovering from an elbow injury. Because of his athleticism and high school achievements, he is a great asset to the Irish.

9. Jayden Thomas, Wide Receiver

Born on October 18, 2002, Jayden Thomas plays wide receiver for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in collegiate football.

In Atlanta, Georgia, Thomas played baseball and football at Pace Academy. Former NFL Pro Bowler Chris Slade served as his football head coach, and Thomas decided to attend the University of Notre Dame to play collegiate football.

As a true freshman, Thomas played in just three games, and in his sophomore season, he played in all 13 games.

Additionally, he played on the front line of the kickoff return unit, which averaged 19.2 yards per return during the season and made seven starts at wide receiver.

In his junior season, Thomas pulled his hamstring against Ohio State and caught just five passes for 63 yards the rest of the season, finishing third on the team with 25 receptions and second with 362 receiving yards.

10. Billy Schrauth, Offensive Lineman

William Schrauth plays college football for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish as a guard. Schrauth was a student at the Wisconsin institution St. Mary’s Springs Academy in Fond du Lac.

Despite offers from Wisconsin and Ohio State, among other schools, he decided to play college football for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish instead.

As a redshirt freshman in 2023, Schrauth participated in all thirteen games despite not playing as a true freshman.

After Rocco Spindler suffered a season-ending injury, he took over as the starting right guard for the final three games, initially only playing on the field goal and extra point units.

Before hurting his ankle against Purdue, he started the 2024 season as the starting right guard. After missing four games, he made a comeback at left guard.

Known for his strength and technique, Schrauth is a junior offensive lineman who is expected to play a key role in the offensive line by protecting the quarterback and opening up running lanes.

These are the top ten Notre Dame Fighting Irish players right now, and the supporters anticipate that they will excel in the upcoming season.

Ritesh Thapa
Ritesh Thapa
Ritesh Thapa is a content writer focusing in the sports and entertainment industry. His enthusiasm for storytelling combined with his acute sense of trends allow him to create engaging content that appeals to a wide range of people. Aside from his professional life, Ritesh is an avid musician who writes and performs songs.
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