Some analysts have already started sorting out the top quarterback and wide receiver pairings for the 2026 college football season, and Notre Dame’s CJ Carr and Mylan Graham made the cut in On3’s JD Pickell’s rankings.
SleeperCFB, though, went a different direction. On its version of the exercise, Notre Dame didn’t land a spot with a top QB/WR duo.
That omission is easy enough to understand. There’s intrigue in the Irish receiver room, but there’s also a lot left to prove. Graham and Quincy Porter both transferred in from Ohio State without seeing much game action there, while the returnees come with their own questions.
Jordan Faison is one of the more interesting names in the mix. The former dual-sport star has now put his full focus on football instead of lacrosse, and the big question is whether he can finally become a true No. 1 target for Carr.
Then there’s Jaden Greathouse, whose talent has never really been the issue. Staying healthy has been. Injuries have slowed what looked like a promising run, and that uncertainty makes it hard to lock him into any kind of top-duo conversation right now.
SleeperCFB didn’t spell out why Notre Dame was left off the list, but that could change later on. If the ranking gets revisited down the road, the Irish may well have a duo in the mix. For now, the bigger truth is simple: a go-to receiver should emerge for Carr, but nobody can say with confidence who that will be yet.
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McKinneys path has also carried a family element that helps explain why the move took time to settle in. He said his parents were initially unsure about Colorados coaching staff before getting to know them, a reminder that these decisions are rarely just about depth charts or scheme fit. For Notre Dame, the interest is obvious: a player with real game experience is now in the building, and the next question is how quickly he can turn that background into a role with the Irish. [Read more 🡒]
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Igwebuikes rise has been backed by a big junior season at Mount Carmel, where he piled up 111 tackles, 9 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks and two forced fumbles. For Notre Dame, the appeal is obvious: a productive linebacker from Chicago with a long list of major offers and the sort of versatility that can anchor a class, even if the bigger question now is how the Irish keep building around him. [Read more 🡒]
Notre Dames Joey OBrien Faces A Crucial Early Career Stretch
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The encouraging part for Notre Dame is that O'Brien is expected back in time for fall camp, giving him a chance to rejoin the competition before the season gets rolling. From there, the focus shifts to how quickly he can get healthy, get comfortable and work his way into the mix for playing time in 2026, where the Irish are hoping his athleticism and versatility eventually translate into a real role on defense. [Read more 🡒]