Breakout Candidates For Notre Dame's 12 Opponents
From dynamic dual-threat quarterbacks to physical defensive anchors, identify the hidden playmakers on the 2026 schedule poised to challenge the Irish and redefine their teams' seasons.
Every season, new players rise to the forefront of college football but didn't generate as much preseason buzz throughout the offseason. Last year, players like Trinidad Chambliss at Ole Miss, Cooper Barkate at Duke and Jordan Faison at Notre Dame all flew under the radar in the preseason but would go on to lead their teams in some way, shape or form. This year, I expect there to be several breakout candidates in college football, and some will be found on Notre Dame's 2026 schedule.
We're going to spend a lot of time this offseason breaking down Notre Dame's opponents for this fall. I looked at every opposing roster the Irish will face and highlighted a breakout player from each roster from first opponent, the Wisconsin Badgers, to the final opponent of the season in the Syracuse Orange. Here are the top breakout candidates on Notre Dame's 2026 schedule: QB - Colton Joseph, Wisconsin BadgersJoseph transferred from Old Dominion and looks to change the outlook of the Badger offense.
Last season, Wisconsin ranked No. 135 in the country in scoring offense, No. 135 in total offense, No.
135 in yards per play and No. 116 in rushing yards per game. Joseph's presence in Madison changes the outlook in all of those categories.
The dual-threat signal caller threw for 2,624 yards and 21 touchdowns last season. He also rushed for 1,007 yards and 13 touchdowns for ODU. He'll be a difficult quarterback to stop in Notre Dame's season opener.
TE - Preston Zinter, Rice OwlsSure, I might be a little biased, but Zinter, a former Notre Dame linebacker, transferred to Rice this offseason and made the transition to tight end. He enters the Rice two-deep as the most physically gifted tight end on the roster and one of the best pass catchers on the team. He'll be a go-to target for transfer quarterback Jacurri Brown this season.
Will Zinter go out and win the Mackey Award? No, but he'll be a focal point in the Rice offense in 2026. LB - Jordan Hall, Michigan State SpartansTop-level linebac
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