For a team with championship aspirations, any loss of personnel is a concern. But for Marcus Freeman, losing players on both sides of the ball this early in spring camp presents an immediate test of Notre Dame’s depth.

The Irish kicked off their spring practices on Friday, March 20. Their latest practice (6th) saw the Irish players go live with full tackling during red-zone drills. After the practice, Freeman said the current roster is “the closest group” he has had since taking over as head coach. At the same time, he also provided updates on his team’s health, and there are two concerns.

The defensive lineman Jason Onye suffered a minor fracture in his right hand during practice. Onye underwent surgery yesterday to repair his hand. His availability for the rest of spring practice seems to be a question mark, but Freeman expresses no stress about it. The team expects him to be fully ready for summer workouts and fall camp.

In January 2026, the NCAA granted Onye a hardship waiver for a sixth year of eligibility, as he couldn’t continue his 2024 season due to personal reasons. The DL finished the 2025 season with 26 tackles and 1.5 sacks. His fitness would be key to the Irish’s defense next season, as he is one of the most experienced voices in the DL room.

The tackling machine, Nick Reddish, also took a blow to his left shoulder. He sustained a labrum (shoulder) tear. The Notre Dame cornerback is scheduled for surgery on April 2 to get himself fixed before fall camp. He will be missing the remainder of spring practice.

The true freshman was the fourth commitment Notre Dame landed for the class of 2026. He is a pretty consistent ball hawk and plays strategically. Reddish predominantly aligns as a deeper safety, which is why he was a target prospect for the Fighting Irish.

Injuries are part of who you are when you take up football as your sport. Freeman emphasized that minor things happen when you practice football. The rest of the dressing room is fit and has had a healthy spring ball so far. The Irish Blue-Gold game is scheduled for April 25.

Notre Dame is looking good

These minor setbacks do not concern Freeman, as his team suits up for the upcoming season. The Fighting Irish have had 6 practices so far at LaBlar, and the team appears to be coming together as a close-knit group. The coach has noted great improvement from when they started till now.

In particular, Freeman mentioned the progress of young receivers like Micah Gilbert, Mylan Graham, and Cam Williams, noting that they are doing “really, really good things.”

“For some of those guys that just got here in January, I mean, I remember, shoot, at the end of practice, Larry—not Larry, Devin Fitzgerald. They started screaming, ‘Larry,’ that’s what I said. But Devin made a heck of a catch right there on the sideline. And Bettis and Burris, they’re all getting better, and they’re all making plays when opportunities come to them in practice,” Freeman said.

Nolan James, the running back from a family of wrestlers, is a favored player to bloom this season as great reps are coming in practice. The Brotherhood also speaks at Notre Dame, as Aneyas Williams chose to stay in the transfer portal to remain loyal to his team.