Notre Dame Needs To Make THESE Changes After Week 1...

Play A to Z Sports Daily Games: https://atozsports.com/games Notre Dame football is one week into the 2026 season, and Ryan Roberts believes the Fighting Irish already have several important changes they should consider making. After Notre Dame's 41-13 victory over Wisconsin, Ryan breaks down the players who could be in line for bigger roles, new starting opportunities and more playing time as the Fighting Irish prepare for the rest of the season. The first position Ryan wants to see change is defensive tackle. Francis Brewu and Tionne Gray both stood out against Wisconsin, and Ryan believes one of those two players should be one of Notre Dame's primary starting defensive tackles. Brewu brings a physical, explosive interior presence, while Gray provides a completely different skill set at 6-foot-5 and 320 pounds. With Jason Onye currently sidelined, Ryan believes this week provides an opportunity to see what Brewu and Gray can do with expanded roles. At cornerback, Ryan believes Notre Dame may have already answered one of its biggest questions. DJ McKinney impressed Ryan against Wisconsin and showed the experience and instincts that come from playing significant college football. Ryan believes McKinney should be the starting field corner opposite Leonard Moore, with Jaden Sanders playing a rotational role and potentially seeing snaps in the slot as well. Ryan also wants Notre Dame to get more of its young linebackers onto the field. With Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa expected to return from injury, Ryan wants to see KVA and Madden Faraimo receive opportunities alongside starting Mike linebacker Drake Bowen. Ryan is particularly critical of continuing to give Jalen Sneed significant snaps after several seasons of preseason hype without enough game-day production. The right guard position is another spot where Ryan believes Notre Dame has already found its answer. Ryan is adamant that Sullivan Absher should be the starting right guard after the difference he saw against Wisconsin. Styles Prescod could still have a role, but Ryan believes Absher should be the guy at the top of the depth chart for now. The slot receiver position is a little less clear. Ryan wants the next few games to serve as a foundational evaluation period for the position, with players such as Milan Graham and Jaden Greathouse competing for a larger share of the snaps. So which Notre Dame players should be starting after Week 1? Who deserves more playing time? Should Francis Brewu or Tionne Gray become a full-time starter? Is DJ McKinney the clear answer at field corner? Should Notre Dame move on from Jalen Sneed? And has Sullivan Absher already won the right guard job? Ryan Roberts breaks down the Notre Dame players who should be seeing new roles after Week 1. Subscribe for Notre Dame Fighting Irish football news, game analysis, recruiting, transfer portal updates, roster breakdowns and year-round college football coverage. #NotreDame #NotreDameFootball #FightingIrish #GoIrish #CollegeFootball For More Notre Dame coverage follow us here: https://atozsports.com/college-football/notre-dame-fighting-irish-news/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NotreDameFans4Life Twitter: https://x.com/AtoZSportsNFL Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/atozsportsnotredame/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@notredame.atozsports 0:00 Notre Dame's Week 1 Changes 0:52 What Could Change After Wisconsin? 2:04 Why Rice Gives Notre Dame An Opportunity 3:12 How Notre Dame's Depth Chart Works 3:35 Francis Brewu & Tionne Gray Need More Snaps 5:19 DJ McKinney Is The Starting Field Corner 6:42 Notre Dame's Linebacker Rotation Needs To Change 8:02 Sullivan Absher Should Start At Right Guard 8:33 The Slot Receiver Battle 9:13 Your Notre Dame Starting Lineup #notredame #notredamefightingirish #notredamefootball