Notre Dame Aims for a More Explosive Offense: Can It Deliver?

Are the pieces in place for Notre Dame to become a modern offense?

Notre Dame quarterback Riley Leonard (13) who is hurt, dresses and throws some pre-game passes with fellow quarterbacks Saturday, April 20, 2024, at the annual Notre Dame Blue-Gold spring football game at Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend. | MANDATORY CREDIT GREG SWIERCZ / USA TODAY NETWORK

Notre Dame is looking to become more balanced and explosive

Mike Denbrock does not coach offense scared.

In his first year as OC for Notre Dame for his 3rd go around, he plans on pushing the ball downfield by all accounts and attacking opposing defenses.

No, the Irish don't plan to abandon the run game, which will always be a part of Notre Dame's DNA, but they intend to add options to it that will certainly give defenses something new to worry about.

They're going to take some chances.

The Irish feel great about their backs Jadarian Price and Jeremiyah Love. They also feel terrific about their tight ends, Mitchell Evans and Eli Raridon.

For the first time in a long time the Irish feel like they may have a group of well-rounded receivers that can test a defense. And of course, on top of all of this Notre Dame likes the versatility and size of their new QB, Riley Leonard.

“We’re not afraid to throw the ball down field.”

Notre Dame fans, if you’re wondering what the offense looks like under new OC Mike Denbrock, sophomore WR Jaden Greathouse defines it as “explosive”. Denbrock was the OC at LSU last year. Their offense finished #1 in the country. pic.twitter.com/L8nhprAyIn

— LeVon Whittaker TV (@levonwhitt_tv) August 15, 2024

What could hold Notre Dame back from reaching its new offensive goals?

It's one thing for the Irish program to desire to be more electric.

It's another thing altogether to actually make that happen. For the passing game to open up, specifically the mid-range and deep passing game, the offensive line must be able to protect Riley Leonard.

If the Notre Dame offensive line can simply be serviceable and respectable, the Irish offense can take a massive leap forward in excitement and productivity. But should they struggle to protect Leonard for any sustained length of time, Denbrock will have no choice but to reign his offensive desires in and become more predictable and vanilla with plays the line can block up.

If ever there were a year when "O Line U" must come through, 2024 is it.

For the second media viewing session in a row, the projected Notre Dame starting offensive line was...

Left tackle: Anthonie Knapp
Left guard: Sam Pendleton
Center: Ashton Craig
Right guard: Billy Schrauth
Right tackle: Aamil Wagner

A freshman, a sophomore and three juniors. pic.twitter.com/Kc9ndVirlM

— Tyler Horka (@tbhorka) August 15, 2024

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