Kyren Williams
Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman watches spring NCAA college football practice on March 17, 2022, inside the Irish Athletic Complex in South Bend, Ind. Coming off an 11-2 campaign in 2021 that ended with a 37-35 Fiesta Bowl loss to Oklahoma State, there's a lot of newness around the Notre Dame football program of first-year head coach Marcus Freeman. Offensive coordinator Tommy Rees returns on a staff which has eight new faces, including Freeman's successor at defensive coordinator in former college head coach Al Golden. There's also a battle for the No. 1 quarterback spot as sophomore Tyler Buchner and junior Drew Pyne duel to replace prolific passer Jack Coan. (Robert Franklin/South Bend Tribune via AP)
New coach Marcus Freeman liking his first Irish spring

By John Fineran Mar. 28, 2022 04:29 PM EDT

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

Oklahoma State cornerback Korie Black (4) knocks the ball away from Notre Dame wide receiver Braden Lenzy (0) during the second half of the Fiesta Bowl NCAA college football game, Saturday, Jan. 1, 2022, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
New coach, old pain: Notre Dame unravels in Fiesta loss

By David Brandt Jan. 01, 2022 05:20 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

Notre Dame head football coach Marcus Freeman holds a helmet while posing for a portrait with University president John I. Jenkins and Athletic Director Jack Swarbrick during a news conference Monday, Dec. 6, 2021 at the Irish Athletic Center in South Bend, Ind. Notre Dame formally introduced Freeman as its new football coach, a meteoric rise for the defensive coordinator. (Michael Caterina/South Bend Tribune via AP)
No. 5 Irish enjoy spirited workouts under new coach Freeman

By John Fineran Dec. 21, 2021 07:52 PM EST

Notre Dame's Kyren Williams, right, runs against Stanford's Lance Keneley , left, during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Stanford, Calif., Saturday, Nov. 27, 2021. (AP Photo/Jed Jacobsohn)
Hamilton, Williams to skip Irish bowl game for NFL draft

By John Fineran Dec. 10, 2021 03:13 PM EST

Marcus Freeman listens during a news conference Monday, Dec. 6, 2021 at the Irish Athletic Center in South Bend, Ind. Notre Dame formally introduced Freeman as its new football coach, a meteoric rise for the defensive coordinator. (Michael Caterina/South Bend Tribune via AP)
Freeman aims for national title as he takes over No. 5 Irish

John Fineran Dec. 06, 2021 06:27 PM EST

Oklahoma State running back Dezmon Jackson (27) is stopped short of the goal line by Baylor safety Jairon McVea on fourth down in the second half of an NCAA college football game for the Big 12 Conference championship in Arlington, Texas, Saturday, Dec. 4, 2021. (AP Photo/Tim Heitman)
No. 5 Notre Dame to face No. 9 Oklahoma State in Fiesta Bowl

By John Marshall Dec. 05, 2021 03:43 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

Notre Dame head coach Brian Kelly leaves the field following an NCAA college football game against Georgia Tech, Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021, in South Bend, Ind. Notre Dame won 55-0. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
No. 5 Notre Dame looks to keep playoff hopes vs. Stanford

By Josh Dubow Nov. 26, 2021 03:17 PM EST

Notre Dame's Kyren Williams (23) is tackled by Georgia Tech's Tariq Carpenter (2) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021, in South Bend, Ind. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Coan, No. 6 Irish dominate Yellow Jackets in 55-0 victory

By John Fineran Nov. 20, 2021 06:01 PM 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 tight end Michael Mayer (87) avoids Virginia cornerback Nick Grant (1) during the first half of an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021, in Charlottesville, Va. (AP Photo/Mike Caudill)
Coan's 3 TD throws lead No. 7 Notre Dame past Virginia 28-3

By Hank Kurz Jr. Nov. 13, 2021 10:53 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 running back Kyren Williams, center celebrates his 20-yard touchdown run with Braden Lenzy (0) and Kevin Austin Jr. (4) in the second half of an NCAA college football game against Navy in South Bend, Ind., Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
ACC dominator: Next stop Virginia for No. 7 Notre Dame

By The Associated Press Nov. 11, 2021 12:06 PM EST

Notre Dame wide receiver Avery Davis (3) celebrates his four-yard touchdown reception with quarterback Jack Coan (17) 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)
Notre Dame's o-line goes from question mark to strong spot

By Caroline Pineda Nov. 10, 2021 05:23 PM EST

Notre Dame running back Kyren Williams (23) runs against Navy in the first half of an NCAA college football game in South Bend, Ind., Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
No. 8 Irish ride Coan's arm, defense to 34-6 win over Navy

By John Fineran Nov. 06, 2021 07:05 PM EDT

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