SOUTH BEND — Here is a look at the new faces on the Notre Dame football roster for the 2023 season, from the new starting quarterback to players who could make an impact on the defensive side of the ball.
NOTRE DAME FOOTBALL TRANSFERS
4 | Antonio Carter II, safety
HT: 6-1 | WT: 200 | FROM: Rhode Island
Carter announced his commitment May 13 after spring camp had ended. Originally from Orlando, Carter still has two seasons of eligibility left due to redshirting his freshman season at Rhode Island and gaining an extra year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He started in 21 of the 22 games he played the last two years for the Rams, recording a combined 112 tackles and 17 pass breakups. Carter could make an immediate impact as the Irish graduated starting safety Brandon Joseph.
"What stood out about Notre Dame the most was the fact that it's a great quality school," said Carter in an interview with ESPN in May. "Just being on campus, me and my parents saw that it's a quality school. Being on campus, it's a very chill environment and it's what I need and what I'm looking for.”
22 | Devyn Ford, running back
HT: 5-11 | WT: 200 | FROM: Penn State
Ford will join, a crowded running backs room that includes junior Audric Estimé and sophom*ores Jadarian Price and Gi’Bran Payne. After a solid freshman season in 2019 where he appeared in all 12 games, Ford's role decreased each of the past three years. He has experience on special teams, specifically in kickoff returning, and two years of eligibility remaining.
13 | Thomas Harper, safety
HT: 5-11 | WT: 195 | FROM: Oklahoma State
Harper spent the spring with Notre Dame after enrolling in January. Despite just six games with the Cowboys last season due to injury, Harper recorded a career-high 30 tackles. His role was limited in the spring after coming off shoulder surgery.
“I’m just getting in where I fit in,” Harper said of what his role will be back in February. “Playing some free safety, some nickel; really, just getting in wherever I fit in and wherever I’m needed. That’s where I’ll be.”
More:Harper hopes versatility elevates defense this fall
10 | Sam Hartman, quarterback
HT: 6-1 1/8 | WT: 210 | FROM: Wake Forest
The clear-cut starting quarterback for the Irish after Tyler Buchner transferred to Alabama following spring practices, Hartman set numerous passing records at Wake Forest and in the ACC. He is tied with a slew of other players with the sixth-best odds to win the Heisman Trophy entering the season, per the sports betting website FanDuel.
Baring disaster, Hartman will be the fourth different starting quarterback for Notre Dame in the past three seasons after Ian Book started 28 in a row from late-2018 through 2020.
“You see an opportunity to play football again,” Hartman said in March. “This is a great opportunity for myself to take a challenge and a leap of faith in a program and to play a sport we call football. I love football.”
Noie:The old guy now one of the new guys in some ways for Notre Dame
1 | Javontae Jean-Baptiste, defensive line
HT: 6-4 1/2 | WT: 255 | FROM: Ohio State
Jean-Baptiste played in all 13 games for the Buckeyes the last two seasons. Had a total of 53 tackles across four seasons at Ohio State, including a career-high 19 this past year. He also recorded four sacks in his senior season in Columbus. Jean-Baptiste has one year of eligibility remaining and is expected to be a factor on the Irish defensive line.
“Putting my name into the portal was kind of a tough decision,” admitted Jean-Baptiste back in February. “It was just a long evaluation with my family and truly thinking what the next best step for me was and for the path I want to take in my future. … When you think of Notre Dame, what isn’t there that can’t be done here? I just felt like this was a great opportunity that I couldn’t overlook.”
INCOMING NOTRE DAME FOOTBALL FRESHMEN
75 | Sullivan Absher, offensive line
HT: 6-7 | WT: 305 | FROM: Belmont, N.C.
Absher enrolled at Notre Dame in the summer, missing spring practices. Went to South Point High School in North Carolina. 247Sports had Absher ranked as the 12th-best Class of 2023 interior offensive lineman prospect. With a veteran offensive line, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Absher redshirt this season.
“When you’re looking for the best, you’ve got to follow your heart and do what you know is right,” Absher said in his signing day video. “I found it here. This place — I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again — Notre Dame is the best place in the world for a football student-athlete, and that’s not going to change anytime soon.”
Jaiden Ausberry, linebacker (#23)
HT: 6-0 1/8 | WT: 215 | FROM: Baton Rouge, LA
Ausberry’s father, Verge, is the Executive Deputy AD at LSU, while his older brother, Austin, is also a collegiate player at Auburn. Ausberry had a productive high school career, totaling 391 tackles, 122 of which came in his senior season this past fall. He was a consensus top-20 linebacker prospect in the country and showed flashes of his ability during spring practices.
“I’ve really been learning all three of the (linebacker) positions: Rover, Mike and Will,” said Ausberry during a media availability in the spring. “Hopefully, I can potentially become a three-down back. But I think right now, they’re looking at me to play Rover.”
Micah Bell, cornerback (#16)
HT: 5-10 | WT: 162 | FROM: Houston, TX
Bell did not enroll at Notre Dame until June. One of the fastest players in the country, he posted a 100-meter dash time of 10.41 seconds. He played both running back and cornerback in high school but will focus on defense to start his collegiate career.
“I just thought (Notre Dame) fit me from where I’ve grown up,” said Bell in an interview with ABC-13 in Houston on Dec. 21, 2022. “I’ve been going to a private school, so it’s the same kind of environment. They have a great football program, so it just fit me as a person, as a student and as a player.”
Drayk Bowen, linebacker (#34)
HT: 6-2 | WT: 230 | FROM: St. John, IN
Bowen has already started his Notre Dame athletic career, playing for the Irish baseball team this past spring. He was also going through spring football practices, joining past Notre Dame standouts in Cole Kmet and Jeff Samardzija as multi-sport stars for Notre Dame.
“That was always the dream of mine, so I always wanted to play both sports,” said Bowen in March. “If a school wasn’t willing to do that, I didn’t want to go to that school. Playing two sports was probably the biggest thing for me, outside of football.”
Bowen had a decorated high school football career at Andrean, winning the IndyStar Mr. Football award for his senior season. He led the Fighting 59ers to a Class 2A state championship in 2021 and runner-up showing in 2022. Defensively, he recorded 379 tackles (54 for loss) and 16 sacks in his preps career. Offensively, he rushed for 2,969 yards and 49 touchdowns.
Related:Marcus Freeman on signing Indiana Mr. Football Drayk Bowen
Cooper Flanagan, tight end (#87)
HT: 6-5 | WT: 239 | FROM: Pleasant Hill, CA
Although he didn’t enroll at Notre Dame until the summer, Flanagan enters an open competition for playing time at the tight end position. A standout at De La Salle High School, Flanagan was the 11th-ranked tight end prospect in the country last year, per 247Sports. More of a blocking tight end, Flanagan still finished his high school career with 814 receiving yards and four touchdowns.
“This place is special; nothing else like it anywhere,” said Flanagan in his signing day video. “When I’m here, I’m home. … This bond goes beyond football. It’s a brotherhood.”
Rico Flores Jr., wide receiver (#17)
HT: 6-0 1/8 | WT: 198 | FROM: North Highlands, CA
The first of four wideout signees listed here, Flores Jr. enrolled early to practice with the team in the spring. Flores Jr. has back-to-back 1,000-yard receiving seasons at Folsom High School, ultimately ending his prep career with a combined 3,222 yards and 32 touchdowns. Flores could potentially see playing time as a freshman, given the overall youth and inexperience at the position for Notre Dame.
“It keeps you hungry every day,” said Flores Jr. in March when asked about the other receiver recruits coming into the program. “You can’t ever get comfortable or start slacking because the man to the left and the right of you is working for your position.”
Christian Gray, cornerback (#29)
HT: 5-11 3/4 | WT: 184 | FROM: St. Louis, MO
Gray played in high school at powerhouse DeSmet. He was unable to finish spring practices due to an injury, but still participated in most of the spring activities. Before the injury, Gray had already added 10 pounds to his frame, helping him become a stronger player overall. Gray was the 22nd-ranked cornerback recruit in the Class of 2023, according to 247Sports, and will be joining a young, crowded defensive backfield in South Bend.
“I think I should improve more on everything, really,” said Gray in February. “This is a hard transition. I can’t do the same things that I did in high school, and so I know I have to work on everything.”
More:The tradeoff for early enrollees as they advance their football careers
Jaden Greathouse, wide receiver (#19)
HT: 6-1 | WT: 213 | FROM: Austin, TX
The true freshman that created the most buzz for himself this spring, Greathouse could potentially be starting for Notre Dame in the season opener against Navy. After a strong six weeks of practices, Greathouse showed Irish fans what he was capable of in the Blue-Gold Game, hauling in 11 receptions for 118 yards.
“The balls just kept coming to me, and I just tried to stay disciplined and do what I’m supposed to do,” said Greathouse after the Blue-Gold Game. “They just kept coming my way, and I’ll never complain about that. It’s all thanks to the quarterbacks for giving me the ball in the first place.”
Devan Houstan, defensive line (#98)
HT: 6-4 | WT: 287 | FROM: Mississauga, Ontario, Canada
Houstan enrolled early, but ended up missing most of the spring due to a shoulder injury. He had surgery to get it repaired, and his timetable to return is unclear.
“Mainly just for the experience and the people here,” said Houstan on why he chose Notre Dame back in February. “There’s no place like Notre Dame. I know that’s the cliché and everybody says that kind of thing, but there’s definitely no place like Notre Dame. The connections I made throughout the recruiting process were closest with Notre Dame. With the players and the recruits, it’s just been love from the beginning, and it’s still love now. I think that’s a testament to me making the right decision to be here.”
Charles Jagusah, offensive line (#56)
HT: 6-6 | WT: 300 | FROM: Rock Island, IL
The top-rated prospect of the Class of 2023 for Notre Dame, Jagusah checked in at No. 46 in the final overall 247Sports national rankings. He was also the eighth-ranked offensive lineman in the country and the top prospect from Illinois, regardless of position. Jagusah did not come to Notre Dame this spring, instead enrolling over the summer. He’s coming off having knee surgery as well. Given the fact that the Irish are deep at the position, Jagusah will probably spend most of 2023 on the scout team.
“The decision to commit to Notre Dame was a tough one, it wasn’t easy,” said Jagusah in a story published by the Quad-City Times this past December. “There was a lot of great programs around the country, and it was tough to find the right place for me. But once I figured it out, I committed — and now I’m setting it in stone. I’m really happy.”
Braylon James, wide receiver (#14)
HT: 6-2 1/8 | WT: 195 | FROM: Round Rock, TX
James comes to Notre Dame with a lot of upside. He was the 126th recruit overall in the country, per 247Sports, and the 20th best wide receiver prospect. For his high school career, James had 1,795 receiving yards and 17 touchdowns. He enrolled at Notre Dame early, getting a full 15 practices in during the spring.
“My deep threat ability, I feel like that’s something that stands out a lot to people in my film and in my game,” said James in March. “Just my explosiveness and my speed; I feel like that’s something I can really add once I get the hang of things and once I learn the ropes a little bit. I can see the field a lot, so I’m excited.”
Jeremiyah Love, running back (#12)
HT: 6-1 | WT: 195 | FROM: St. Louis, MO
The other top-100 recruit for Notre Dame based on 247Sports’ rankings, Love decided to enroll over the summer. In high school, Love averaged nearly 10 yards a carry for his career, finishing with 2,287 yards on 235 attempts to go along with 36 rushing touchdowns. Love could redshirt this year, given the number of running backs that will be ahead of him on the depth chart.
“I want the best training, the best training and the best education possible,” said Love in his signing day video. “This program, Notre Dame, has got plans for me, and I most definitely have plans for Notre Dame.”
Kenny Minchey, quarterback (#8)
HT: 6-1 5/8 | WT: 215 | FROM: Hendersonville, TN
Minchey is expected to settle into the third string quarterback role this year behind Hartman and sophom*ore Steve Angeli. There is a lot of upside with Minchey, who was the 14th-ranked quarterback in the Class of 2023 per 247Sports. Minchey, who had initially verbally committed to Pitt, enrolled at Notre Dame in January, getting a chance to learn the Irish offense all throughout spring practices.
“You want to early enroll, get in as early as you can, learn the playbook because that’s big compared to any other position,” said Minchey in March.
Ben Minich, safety (#22)
HT: 5-11 7/8 | WT: 190 | FROM: West Chester, OH
Like Gray, Minich was able to start spring practices, but did not finish due to a broken thumb. The 19th-ranked safety in the Class of 2023 by 247Sports, Minich was having a strong March before the injury set him back. With depth at the position, it’s unlikely Minich will see a lot of playing time this season. In February, Minich mentioned that the leaders in the safety room had started taking him under their wing.
“DJ Brown, he’s definitely one of my safety guys,” Minich said. “He’s the leader in the room, and he’s definitely taken me under his wing, given me some advice with just trying how to balance school and football.”
Armel Mukam, defensive line (#93)
HT: 6-4 | WT: 250 | FROM: La Prairie, Quebec, Canada
Another summer enrollee, Mukam is also the second Canadian in the class, alongside Houstan. Although he’s from Canada originally, he did play in high school at Woodberry Forrest High School in Virginia. While there, he recorded 50 tackles, 14 quarterback hurries and three sacks in his senior season. He was also prolific in track and field, winning the Virginia state title in discus and finishing second in shot put this spring. Mukam had originally committed to Stanford, but flipped to Notre Dame late in the process.
“Very intelligent kid,” said Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman of Mukam on signing day this past December. “He’s a good football player, you watch his film (and) he makes a lot of plays. … I’m dang glad we got him because I think he’ll do some great things for us.”
Related:From Quebec to South Bend, Armel Mukam always wanted to play for ND
Joe Otting, offensive line (#64)
HT: 6-5 | WT: 271 | FROM: Topeka, KS
Otting enrolled in June after a successful high school career in Kansas. He was a three-sport standout at Hayden High School, including finishing eighth in shot put at the state track and field finals in May. He’s expected to play the guard position in college. He was the 15th-ranked interior offensive lineman recruit in the country and third overall player in Kansas, per 247Sports.
“The biggest accomplishment I want to get is to earn that degree,” said Otting in an interview with KSNT in June. “I’ll start from there, and then hopefully get to what my next dream is, which is in the NFL.”
Sam Pendleton, offensive line (#72)
HT: 6-4 1/8 | WT: 300 | FROM: Lawsonville, NC
Another interior lineman recruit, Pendleton had been recruited by Notre Dame offensive line coach Joe Rudolph back when Rudolph was still at Virginia Tech. Pendleton has been locked-in to Notre Dame since April 2022, however, enrolling early as well to help with his development as a player.
“I’ve always wanted to go somewhere where its academics first, then football next,” said Pendleton in March. “… I knew Notre Dame had great tradition, and that was a big reason why I came here. But until you’re in it, I don’t think you really understand how deep it really runs. Even the guys who just got here like myself take a lot of pride in what we represent.”
Adon Shuler, safety (#21)
HT: 5-11 1/2 | WT: 195 | FROM: Irvington, N.J.
Shuler was the second-ranked player from New Jersey in the Class of 2023, per 247Sports. Like Houstan, though, Shuler had shoulder surgery shortly after arriving in South Bend, leaving him out of spring practices. He had a strong senior season of high school ball, showing why he’s a great run stopper by recording 103 tackles.
“It was just a minor (surgery) that the coaches thought I should get done before the season,” said Shuler on March 8. “… I’m around a lot of great people that are leading me in the right direction.”
Kaleb “KK” Smith, wide receiver (#11)
HT: 5-11 | WT: 170 | FROM: Frisco, TX
The only one of the four receivers to not enroll early, Smith decided to finish his prep athletics career at Reedy High School. He had originally committed to Texas Tech, but flipped to Notre Dame in early December before officially signing later that month. With plenty of competition at the spot, it will be interesting to see where Smith fits in this fall.
“This here is nothing short of a lifechanging blessing, and I intend to use it, take it all in, appreciate it, maximize it,” said Smith in his signing day video. “I keep my head down, I stay humble. Everything is earned, nothing is given. That’s how I do it.”
Chris Terek, offensive line (#55)
HT: 6-4 | WT: 295 | FROM: Glen Ellyn, IL
For a while, it seemed as if Terek would be playing collegiately at Wisconsin. He, like Smith, Minchey and Mukam, changed to Notre Dame in the final weeks of the recruiting process, with Terek not committing to the Irish until signing day itself. A three-star prospect, Terek will more-than-likely redshirt this season after not enrolling until June. He will get a chance to develop behind future NFL draft picks in left tackle Joe Alt and right tackle Blake Fisher, as well as the likes of Zeke Correll on the interior of the offensive line.
“My recruiting journey has been fun, crazy; some ups-and-downs for sure,” said Terek in his signing day video. “But in the end, I know I made the right decision.”
Related:How Notre Dame refined its recruiting class with a quartet of flips
Boubacar Traore, defensive line (#51)
HT: 6-4 | WT: 250 | FROM: Boston, MA
A player with a lot of upside for Notre Dame, Traore enters as the 19th-ranked defensive line prospect and the third overall recruit from Massachusetts, according to 247Sports. He decided to wait until June before coming to campus. Traore was on a state championship-winning team at Catholic Memorial High School this past fall.
“When coach Freeman looks you in the eye, you just know,” said Traore during the video announcing his signing. “He cares about you both on and off the field. He expects me to be a great football player, and an even better person.”
Brenan Vernon, defensive line (#17)
HT: 6-4 | WT: 250 | FROM: Mentor, OH
Vernon was one of eight Irish commits to be invited in the All-American Bowl this past January, alongside Absher, Bell, Bowen, Flores, Jagusah, Minchey and Shuler. Vernon was one of the first verbal commits for Notre Dame in the Class of 2023, doing so in June 2021. His Notre Dame career didn’t begin until the summer, but there is a lot of potential for Vernon to make some noise early in his college career.
“This was about finding the right fit, relationships, the degree and the chance to play for championships,” said Vernon in his signing video. “It’s about these guys and the connection, and when I’m here, I already feel like I’m at home.”
Preston Zinter, linebacker (#25)
HT: 6-2 | WT: 233 | FROM: North Andover, MA
Zinter had a nice moment in the Blue-Gold Game in April, shooting the gap and making a tackle for loss on a 4th-and-1 play in the second half for the Blue team. It was a sign of what’s maybe to come for Zinter, who has bulked up from 215 pounds in high school to the 233 pounds he’s listed at on the Notre Dame website. Zinter will get to learn behind some veteran linebackers this year like JD Bertrand and Jack Kiser.
“They’re all awesome,” said Zinter of the upperclassmen linebackers. “They all welcomed us pretty well and have been really nice to us. … In the workouts, they’re always motivating and pushing us. It’s definitely been great leadership.”
