The Irish coaching staff often releases a depth chart that can be misleading, using the list not to signal a definitive starter but to hint at roster depth or lingering questions about readiness.
During a recent press conference, offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock fielded inquiries about running back Nolan James, receiver Elijah Burress and defensive back Styles Prescod, leaving observers unsure which of them will earn starting spots.
Analysts generally expect James to serve as the second‑string running back this fall, a projection that rests more on logical roster construction than on concrete performance evidence.
Meanwhile, quarterback prospect CJ Carr has begun to attract NFL scouting interest, with veteran draft analyst Dane Brugler placing him 27th among the 2027 quarterback class, behind names such as Arh Manning and Dante Moore.
Brugler’s top‑50 rankings also list Carr as the third‑best quarterback prospect, alongside other Irish standouts like Leonard Moore, Brauntae Johnson, Anthonie Knapp and Boubacar Traore.
Draft Outlook and Roster Dynamics
The conversation extends beyond individual evaluations; Notre Dame, together with the Big Ten and the SEC, has adopted a stance that discourages NFL players from returning to college football, a policy that could shape roster decisions as the team prepares for its season‑opening clash with Wisconsin.
The true test will come when the Irish step onto the field against Wisconsin; only then will the coaching staff’s intentions become clear and the draft narratives gain substance.