Notre Dame’s first depth chart leaves key battles open, but Marcus Freeman confident in Week 1 depth

NOTRE DAME, Ind. -- Notre Dame released its first depth chart of the season Monday, and while several position battles remain unresolved, head coach Marcus Freeman is not treating that uncertainty as a concern.

The Irish still have “or” listed at several notable spots heading into Sunday’s season opener against Wisconsin at Lambeau Field, including backup quarterback, right guard and cornerback.

Freshmen Noah Grubbs and Teddy Jarrard remain locked in the competition for the No. 2 quarterback job behind CJ Carr, while Sullivan Absher and Styles Prescod are both listed at right guard. On defense, DJ McKinney and Jayden Sanders are listed as co-options at cornerback.

“I feel confident about the depth,” Freeman said. “I know there’s some inexperience, but there is some talent and ability at those backup positions that we have no hesitation to put in the game.”

One of the most closely watched battles remains at right guard. Absher and Prescod are both listed as possible starters, and Freeman indicated Notre Dame could use both players against Wisconsin.

“We feel confident at the right guard position no matter if it’s Sully or Styles,” Freeman said. “We might even see them both. But I think it’s a credit to the progression Styles has made in training camp.”

The offensive line remains one of the groups worth monitoring entering Week 1, particularly with Chris Terek listed as out. There was, however, encouraging news in the middle of the line. Center Ashton Craig is listed as the full-time starter with no restrictions after working his way back during fall camp.

At wide receiver, Quincy Porter is also listed as out for the opener. Matt Jeffrey, meanwhile, has worked his way into Notre Dame’s top six receivers and is listed behind Jordan Faison at the field receiver position.

Perhaps the biggest surprise on the depth chart came along the defensive line.

Armel Mukam is listed as a starting defensive tackle alongside Jason Onye, with no “or” designation attached to his name. Francis Brewu and Tionne Gray are both listed with the second group, giving Notre Dame several options in a defensive tackle room Freeman has praised throughout camp.

Despite the youth and a few competitions still being settled, Freeman’s message to the team this week has remained consistent.

“It’s a reminder to leave no doubt today, leave no doubt with what you have,” Freeman said. “So that message will be ‘leave no doubt’ on this Monday, and same thing on Tuesday. And then when we get close to Week 1, we have to leave no doubt on game day.”

Notre Dame also finalized its captains ahead of the opener. Freeman said the voting ultimately left him deciding between naming four captains or nine, but he felt nine was too many.

Players including Leonard Moore and Anthonie Knapp were among those who did not receive the title, but Freeman emphasized that leadership inside the program is not limited to the players wearing a captain’s “C.”