Notre Dame Needs To Get THESE Young Players On The Field...

Download the Kalshi app and use code ATOZ to get $20 when you trade $20. Kalshi. Trade on anything. Sign up today: http://kalshi.com/r/ATOZ Sponsor Disclosure: Kalshi: 18+ only. Restrictions and eligibility requirements apply. Event contract trading involves risk and may not be suitable for all investors. Kalshi products are not available in all jurisdictions. Prices, values, and available markets may differ from those mentioned. For more information see kalshi.com/regulatory. Notre Dame football has a perfect opportunity against Rice to get a glimpse of the future. Play A to Z Sports Daily Games: https://atozsports.com/games After opening the 2026 season with a 41-13 victory over Wisconsin, the Fighting Irish return home for their first game at Notre Dame Stadium. With Rice presenting a favorable matchup, Ryan Roberts believes Marcus Freeman and the Notre Dame coaching staff should use the game to get some of the program's younger players meaningful opportunities. Ryan breaks down the young Notre Dame players he is most excited to see against Rice and explains why several of them could eventually become important pieces for the Fighting Irish. One of the biggest names is Rodney Dunham. The five-star true freshman defensive end already received some playing time against Wisconsin, and Ryan believes his combination of explosiveness, bend and power gives him the upside to eventually become a high-level NFL Draft prospect. With Notre Dame's defensive end room already featuring Boubacar Traore, Bryce Young and Keon Keeley, Dunham will have to take advantage of every opportunity he gets. Ryan is also excited to see five-star safety Joey O'Brien. O'Brien played only one snap against Wisconsin, but Bryant Johnson's injury has moved him up the depth chart. Ryan expects O'Brien to see the field against Rice and believes his versatility and physical tools could eventually make him a tremendous player for Notre Dame. Freshman cornerback Khary Adams is another player Ryan wants to see. Notre Dame has a deep cornerback room featuring Leonard Moore, Jaden Sanders, DJ McKinney, Mark Zachary and Dallas Golden, which makes it difficult for Adams to find snaps as a freshman. However, a potential second-half blowout against Rice could provide an opportunity to finally see what the highly regarded freshman can do. Ryan also wants to see the young quarterbacks. Noah Grubbs and Teddy Jarrard are both listed behind CJ Carr, and Ryan would love to see one or both get second-half drives if Notre Dame takes control of the game. At running back, Jonaz Walton and Javion Osborne are two more young players Ryan wants to see receive opportunities. Ryan is particularly intrigued by Walton after hearing consistently positive reports about his offseason work, including from Notre Dame running backs coach John McNulty. The player Ryan may be most excited to see on offense, however, is five-star freshman tight end Ian Premer Ryan believes Premer may be one of the most physically gifted tight ends Notre Dame has signed in quite some time. The question is how quickly the 6-foot-6, 245-pound freshman can adjust to the college game. Finally, Ryan discusses freshman wide receiver Bubba Frazier, who brings speed and playmaking ability to a talented Notre Dame freshman class. So which young Notre Dame players should see the field against Rice? Could Rodney Dunham become a future star? Is Joey O'Brien the next major piece of the Notre Dame secondary? Could Ian Premer eventually become a major weapon? And will Notre Dame give its young quarterbacks meaningful snaps? Ryan Roberts breaks down the Notre Dame youngsters he is most excited to watch against Rice. Subscribe for Notre Dame Fighting Irish football news, game analysis, recruiting updates, transfer portal coverage, roster breakdowns and year-round college football content. 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 #notredame #notredamefightingirish #notredamefootball