Notre Dame receiver Jordan Faison is entering his senior season and couldn’t be more eager for a new experience.
A returning quarterback.
For the first time in his Notre Dame career, Faison will have the opportunity to build a passing game with a familiar face. CJ Carr is back as the Irish starting quarterback, giving Notre Dame’s offense continuity.
A year ago, Faison led Notre Dame with 49 receptions for 640 yards and four touchdowns. Now, the Florida native believes he and the Irish offense are ready to take another step after spending three years learning Mike Denbrock’s system.
“It means we can dig way more into our offense and our offensive schemes,” Faison said of Carr’s return. “When you have first-year guys, you can't really go as deep because they're just learning stuff.
“Then when you build onto that next year, especially with having Coach Denbrock and his offense for the past three years, we're digging deeper and more than we have before. It's just opened up more opportunities on the field.”
Faison has also noticed a different version of Carr.
The junior quarterback has become more assertive and taken greater ownership of the Irish offense during the offseason, exactly what Notre Dame needed from its returning starter.
“He's definitely taken strides as a leader,” explained Faison. “He's way more vocal. We'll hold film sessions during the summer. He’s running film sessions, telling us what he likes and what he doesn't like from us.”
Those summer film sessions have also helped strengthen the connection between Carr and Faison.
In an era when college football rosters can change dramatically from one season to the next, the two have developed the kind of chemistry that comes from actually knowing what the other is thinking and seeing.
“We all watch film together, so kind of understanding the defenses together and kind of in the same mind when we're out on the field,” Faison said. “We're not talking about it obviously because we're so far apart, but we both see the field, and we know kind of where the ball is going, so that definitely helps the timing and connection.”
That connection is another step in a remarkable journey for Faison.
He arrived at Notre Dame to play lacrosse and walked on to the football team. By the middle of his first season, he had carved out a role in the Irish offense. He hasn’t looked back since.
“It's kind of awesome looking back to see how far I've come,” stated Faison. “I came here playing quarterback in a wing-t offense in high school and then a walk-on. I knew nothing about receiver and then to where I am now, I wouldn't even have thought I'd be here.”
Now, as Faison prepares for his senior season, he has another new experience to embrace.
His younger brother, Dylan, has joined the receiver room after spending the spring with the lacrosse program.
“It’s awesome,” Faison stated. “Growing up with the kid, we only got one year together in high school. But now playing here, it's frickin' surreal. It's all you could ask for. Having your built-in best friend play on the same field with you.”
The Faison brothers could potentially have another season together thanks to the NCAA’s new 5-for-5 eligibility rule.
As of now, Faison isn’t expected to return in 2027 and he hasn’t given it much thought.
“It's cool and all knowing that they changed it up to 5-for-5,” said Faison. “Right now, there's nothing on my mind. I’m just focusing on the season at hand right now. Haven't put much thought into it, but it's definitely a cool opportunity.”
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