Mike Denbrock Sees Higher Floor for Notre Dame Offense Entering Spring

Notre Dame’s offense has a different feel this spring.

With CJ Carr returning as the starting quarterback and several key pieces back, offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock isn’t starting from scratch. Instead, the Irish are building on a strong foundation.

“What it affords us now at the beginning of spring ball is to go back and dig into the specifics,” stated Denbrock. “The details to install things that when you're cramming the install at them, you may not have a chance to concentrate on as much as you'd like. It gives us a chance to kind of double back and kind of reevaluate those things.”

If the first practice was any indication, Notre Dame is already ahead of schedule.

The Irish didn’t spend time on installation during Friday’s opener, opting instead for extended team periods. That approach allows the staff to evaluate personnel more closely while also establishing early consistency.

“I think the floor we’re starting at compared to last year or the year before is already so much higher,” explained Denbrock. “What’s the expectation? The devil is in the details and it always is. We’ve got to get way more consistent at the details and way more consistent at understanding why those details matter, especially in critical moments of the game, whether that’s third-and-short, which we’ve got to be way better at than we were a year ago. Is that the red zone scoring touchdowns?

“All those things can lead to really good stat lines, but an offense that’s way more consistent and kind of envisions what I feel like what we need to do to take the next step.”

That next step hinges on explosiveness.

Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price are off to the NFL and new playmakers must emerge. Notre Dame has made a concerted effort to add speed in recent recruiting cycles and Denbrock believes it’s beginning to show.

“I think you can always be faster, but I do feel that we’ve upgraded our speed at a number of the skill positions,” Denbrock said. “I think you can tell that by practice today that it’s a different-looking group.

“It makes it more exciting, especially when you’ve got somebody who, whether he should or not (Carr), wants to push the ball vertically down the field and be aggressive.” 

Carr did exactly that on Friday.

There were a few interceptions, but Denbrock wasn’t concerned. In fact, he expected it after weeks of football school, where quarterbacks go through reads and footwork without actually throwing.

“In football school, you can’t have a ball,” Denbrock explained. “We’re running 7-on-7, but there’s no ball. CJ is taking his footwork, here’s my read. He’s been chomping at the bit for like three weeks to throw the ball. 

“I knew exactly what was going to happen today when the ball came out. That ball was going down the field no matter what, no matter how deep the safety was or anything else, he was going to launch. I got a chuckle out of that on the sidelines because I knew what was coming.” 

At receiver, Jordan Faison returns after leading the Irish in receptions and yards last season, while Jaden Greathouse, who led the team in receiving yards in 2024, is also back.

The X-factor could be Ohio State transfer Mylan Graham. He worked primarily in the slot on Friday but has the versatility to move around the field.

“Early impressions are explosive, twitchy, competitive,” said Denbrock. “Somebody who I think can develop within the framework of this offense to be a really solid football player. I'm excited to watch him grow throughout the spring once he gets a little more comfortable with what we do and how we do it. The tools are there for him to really make a strong contribution to what we're doing.”

The standout of the day was redshirt sophomore Cam Williams. After two years of development, the Chicagoland native flashed the ability that made him a borderline five-star prospect.

“Cam has continued to make progress,” Denbrock stated. “His issue up to this point has been more about consistency than it has making ‘wow’ plays, but I thought he did a better job of that today. I'll have to go study the tape a little bit closer from play to play, but really excited for him.

“I think every time you put yourself in a scenario where it's a competitive atmosphere and you're making plays, confidence builds. He needs that as much as anybody on our team.” 

At running back, depth is limited this spring.

Nolan James Jr. and early enrollee Jonaz Walton are the only fully healthy options, while Aneyas Williams will be limited in a red jersey. Even so, Williams was active in team periods Friday, though his workload will likely be reduced once pads come on.

“He's champing at the bit for a chance to get in there and get his hands on it,” Denbrock said of Williams. “He's been waiting for a couple years here to have that chance.”

That puts added importance on James, who flashed during his freshman season.

Denbrock believes the New Jersey native brings a complete skill set.

“I think it starts with his approach to the game,” stated Denbrock. “He's mature beyond his years. His body is built like a prototypical running back. He's built kind of low to the ground. As he runs, he hovers near the ground, so he's hard to tackle. He's a put-together dude. He can take the punishment and be a really strong inside runner for us.”

But even more than his physical gifts, Denbrock has been impressed by James growing in the mental part of the game. 

“He's mature,” said Denbrock. “He sees things. He studies up. He just understands. It comes easier to certain guys than it does to others. He just has a natural feel for the game and the position in particular that I think doesn't make it easy for him, but makes it easier in some scenarios where he's farther ahead at this time in his career.”

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