Jack Coan
Georgia head coach Kirby Smart celebrates winning the College Football Playoff Championship game against Alabama, getting a hoist from outside linebacker Bolan Smith, early Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2022, in Indianapolis. (Curtis Compton/Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP)
AP Top 25 Reality Check: Final rankings and future prospects

By Ralph D. Russo Jan. 11, 2022 12:11 PM EST

FILE - Notre Dame quarterback Jack Coan (17) throws during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Georgia Tech, Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021, in South Bend, Ind. Coan finally got a chance to don the Irish blue and gold in his final college season. He gets a chance to cap his season in a major way at the New Year's Day Fiesta Bowl. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings, File)
Fiesta Bowl pits No. 5 Notre Dame vs. No. 9 Oklahoma State

By The Associated Press Dec. 31, 2021 12:45 PM EST

FILE - Notre Dame quarterback Jack Coan (17) throws during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Georgia Tech, Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021, in South Bend, Ind. Coan finally got a chance to don the Irish blue and gold in his final college season. He gets a chance to cap his season in a major way at the New Year's Day Fiesta Bowl. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings, File)
No. 5 Notre Dame faces No. 9 Oklahoma State in Fiesta Bowl

By John Marshall Dec. 31, 2021 12:33 PM EST

FILE - Michigan defensive end Aidan Hutchinson rushes in on Maryland during the second half of an NCAA college football game between Maryland and Michigan, Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021, in College Park, Md.. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez, File)
Hutchinson, Milton, Weaver honored for college comebacks

By Ralph D. Russo Dec. 21, 2021 01:37 PM EST

FILE - Michigan defensive end Aidan Hutchinson rushers against Maryland during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021, in College Park, Md. Hutchinson was selected to The Associated Press All-Big Ten team in results released Tuesday, Dec. 7, 2021. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez, File)
Hutchinson leads Mayo Clinic Comeback Player semifinalists

By Ralph D. Russo Dec. 09, 2021 10:22 AM EST

Notre Dame's Tyler Buchner, left, runs for a touchdown against Stanford during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Stanford, Calif., Saturday, Nov. 27, 2021. (AP Photo/Jed Jacobsohn)
No. 5 Notre Dame to face No. 9 Oklahoma State in Fiesta Bowl

By The Associated Press Dec. 05, 2021 04:11 PM EST

Notre Dame quarterback Jack Coan prepares to throw a pass against Stanford during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Stanford, Calif., Saturday, Nov. 27, 2021. (AP Photo/Jed Jacobsohn)
Notre Dame at Stanford 11/27/2021

Nov. 27, 2021 08:41 PM EST

Georgia defensive lineman Jordan Davis (99) is lifted into the air by running back Zamir White (3) and offensive lineman Justin Shaffer (54) after scoring a touchdown in the first half of an NCAA college football game against Charleston Southern, Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021, in Athens, Ga.. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
AP Top 25 Reality Check: Places change but teams remain same

By Ralph D. Russo Nov. 22, 2021 03:44 AM EST

Notre Dame's Logan Diggs (22) runs past Georgia Tech's Quez Jackson (4) for a touchdown during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021, in South Bend, Ind. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Georgia Tech at Notre Dame 11/20/2021

Nov. 20, 2021 04:21 PM EST

The Notre Dame offense celebrates after tight end Michael Mayer, second from let, scored a touchdown against Virginia during the first half of an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021, in Charlottesville, Va. (AP Photo/Mike Caudill)
No. 6 Irish welcome Yellow Jackets for home season finale

By The Associated Press Nov. 18, 2021 05:31 PM EST

Notre Dame wide receiver Kevin Austin Jr. (4) makes a touchdown catch ahead of Virginia defensive back Anthony Johnson (3) in the second half an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021, in Charlottesville, Va. (AP Photo/Mike Caudill)
No. 6 Irish hoping to avoid Yellow Jackets’ sting

By John Fineran Nov. 18, 2021 03:24 PM EST

Notre Dame running back Kyren Williams (23) avoids a tackle attempt from Virginia defensive back Elijah Gaines (22) during the first half of an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021, in Charlottesville, Va. (AP Photo/Mike Caudill)
Notre Dame at Virginia 11/13/2021

Nov. 13, 2021 09:51 PM EST

Notre Dame quarterback Jack Coan throws against Navy in the first half of an NCAA college football game in South Bend, Ind., Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Navy at Notre Dame 11/6/2021

Nov. 06, 2021 05:11 PM EDT

Notre Dame wide receiver Avery Davis (3) runs into the end zone for a touchdown during the first half of an NCAA college football game against North Carolina , Saturday, Oct. 30, 2021, in South Bend, Ind. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
Williams has 91-yard TD run, No. 11 Notre Dame beats NC

By John Fineran Oct. 30, 2021 11:28 PM EDT

Notre Dame running back Kyren Williams runs against Southern California in the second half of an NCAA college football game in South Bend, Ind., Saturday, Oct. 23, 2021. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
No. 11 Irish leery if Tar Heels go bump on Saturday night

By John Fineran Oct. 28, 2021 01:09 PM EDT

Southern California safety Xavion Alford (29) breaks up a pass intended for Notre Dame tight end Michael Mayer (87) in the first half of an NCAA college football game in South Bend, Ind., Saturday, Oct. 23, 2021. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
No. 11 Notre Dame has star TE Michael Mayer back healthy

By Caroline Pineda Oct. 27, 2021 04:44 PM EDT

Notre Dame quarterback Jack Coan (17) throws against Southern California in the first half of an NCAA college football game in South Bend, Ind., Saturday, Oct. 23, 2021. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
USC at Notre Dame 10/23/2021

Oct. 23, 2021 09:07 PM EDT

FILE - Notre Dame safety Kyle Hamilton (14) plays during an NCAA football game against Florida State in Tallahassee, Fla., in this Sunday, Sept. 5, 2021, file photo. Hamilton was selected to The Associated Press Midseason All-America team, announced Tuesday, Oct. 19, 2021. (AP Photo/Gary McCullough, File)
No. 13 Irish and struggling USC renew intersectional rivalry

By The Associated Press Oct. 21, 2021 03:49 PM EDT

Southern California wide receiver Drake London (15) celebrates his touchdown catch during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Utah, Saturday, Oct. 9, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Records meaningless whenever No. 13 Irish and Trojans meet

By John Fineran Oct. 21, 2021 01:36 PM EDT

Notre Dame wide receiver Kevin Austin Jr. (4) catches a pass in front of Virginia Tech defensive back Jermaine Waller (2) during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Blacksburg, Va., Saturday, Oct. 9, 2021. (AP Photo/Matt Gentry)
Notre Dame at Virginia Tech 10/9/2021

Oct. 09, 2021 09:43 PM EDT