Notre Dame football coach Marcus Freeman praised his team’s progress following Spring Practice No. 9, which featured more than 60 live plays — a step forward from last week's 40-play scrimmage — and highlighted the development of young players across the roster.
“We just finished a pretty good practice — about 60-plus plays live, which is encouraging,” Freeman said. “We’re getting better. That’s the ultimate goal.”
Freeman singled out the improvement of the young offensive line, which is gaining experience against a more seasoned defensive front, as well as the growth of the wide receiver group and quarterback unit. He confirmed that all three quarterbacks — CJ Carr, Steve Angeli and Kenny Minchey — have shown steady improvement throughout spring camp.
“He’s much improved,” Freeman said of Carr. “All three of them have. That’s all you ask — that they keep improving.”
Injury updates included confirmation that freshman offensive lineman Guerby Lambert underwent shoulder surgery and is expected to return in the fall. Freshman wide receiver Micah Gilbert is recovering from an earlier procedure, and junior running back Jeremiyah Love sustained a hamstring injury during practice, which Freeman said appeared minor.
Defensively, Freeman discussed the team’s transition to more zone coverage under new defensive coordinator Mike Mickens, a shift influenced by analyst Chris Ash.
“It was probably a thought from Chris Ash more than anything,” Freeman said. “We’ve got to continue to enhance the way we play zone.”
Among defensive standouts, Jason Onye, Donovan Hinish and Gabriel Rubio were all praised for their growth on the line.
When asked what he needs from linebacker Drayk Bowen in terms of leadership and performance this season, Freeman responded with high praise for the junior from St. John, Indiana, and Andrean High School.
“Drayk’s been a great leader for our program, especially within the linebacker room,” he said. “Even last year as a freshman, he was a vocal leader when necessary. This year, he’s continued to step up. My expectations for Drayk are high, but his expectations of himself are probably even higher. We need him to lead when it’s needed — guys respect him because of how he plays — and also help line people up, correct teammates and continue being the best version of himself.”
Freeman emphasized that team leadership is currently “by committee,” with players like Bowen, safety Adon Shuler and linebacker Jaylen Sneed playing vocal roles.
“This is probably the best spring we’ve seen from Jaylen Sneed,” Freeman added. “He’s putting it all together — fundamentals, energy and weight gain — and it’s paying off.”
Freeman also lauded freshman safety Tae Johnson for his versatility and intelligence, noting that he's taken reps at safety, cornerback and potentially nickel.
Offensively, tight end Eli Raridon has taken on a larger role in the wake of Holden Staes’ departure, and freshman wide receiver Elijah Burress has stood out for his work ethic and route running.
The upcoming spring game will feature an offense-versus-defense format rather than a team draft due to roster depth.
On a personal note, Freeman shared his pride in his son Vin’s recent commitment to Cornell University for wrestling. Reflecting on the recruiting process from a father’s perspective, he emphasized how meaningful relationships are for student-athletes.
Lastly, Freeman acknowledged the looming uncertainty surrounding potential roster cuts if a proposed 105-player limit is enforced.
“We have a plan,” Freeman said. “It’s going to be difficult, but we’ll wait until there’s a final decision before we spend too much time on it.”
The Blue-Gold Game, which will conclude spring drills, is scheduled for next Saturday at Notre Dame Stadium, beginning at 2 p.m. Eastern.
Check out Len Clark's full breakdown at the Len Zone!