Irish Illustrated Insider previews Notre Dame's portal efforts for the upcoming week and examines the missed opportunity of the weekend. We also discuss portal versus retention versus recruiting, and offer a rundown of a few crucial hits and losses along the way.

Irish Illustrated Insider discusses Marcus Freeman's announced return, the loss of the annual USC series, the transfer portal, the roster, five interrelated predictions for next season, and the College Football Playoff from our own purview.

Episode No. 12 of the Irish Illustrated Interviews podcast series features Trevor Ruhland, a former Notre Dame offensive guard who served as "the sixth man" on some of the greatest lines in program history. He played for the Fighting Irish from 2015 to 2019. We discussed what it was like to be "sandwiched" between several All-Americans on the offensive line and the wear and tear he endured that ultimately led to eight surgeries. Trevor also offers some unique stories on the Joe Moore Award and playing for former offensive line coach Harry Hiestand. Our conversation goes into some of the struggles he faced and has worked to overcome in his life after football, including an eating disorder that developed with a loss of control during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Of course, his story doesn't end there. After years of hardship, he's come out of that dark place and has been sharing his story in recent months so others can learn the importance of asking for help.

Irish Illustrated Insider offers an update on Marcus Freeman's pending contract signature, the program's portal plans and ongoing roster decisions, and (just in the nick of time) a Brigham Young scheduling agreement.

Irish Illustrated Insider discusses Notre Dame's most important portal plans, likely rookies and redshirt freshmen of impact offensively, and the clearly incomplete opening weekend of the 2025 College Football Playoff.

Irish Illustrated Insider reviews the season's top plays, the off-season's portal needs and likely personnel losses, and prepares for myriad roster changes entering winter conditioning.

Episode No. 11 of the Irish Illustrated Interviews podcast series features Tom Carter III, a former high school quarterback who became a standout cornerback at the University of Notre Dame in the early 1990s after he learned to tackle and stopped believing coach Lou Holtz would kick him off the team. In 1993, he was drafted by Washington in the first round of the NFL Draft and spent nine years in the league. Eventually, an injury confirmed his decision to leave the game. Still, he returned to professional football after a few years, joining the NFL Players Association as the Director of Players Affairs. He held that position for a decade and a half. Lastly, our conversation delves into his role as CEO of The Shield Foundation, where we discuss his involvement with Project LAND, which stands for Life After Notre Dame. (https://lifeafternotredame.com/)

Irish Illustrated Insider discusses the fallout of Notre Dame's bowl decision, snub by the Playoff Committee, and how to best label the 2025 campaign.

Irish Illustrated's Tim O’Malley and Drew Mentock react to what they heard during Tuesday’s press conference with Notre Dame athletic director Pete Bevacqua, who recently created news by saying the partnership with the ACC has been “permanently damaged.” The conversation also delves into Notre Dame’s decision to remove its name from bowl consideration, coach Marcus Freeman’s contract and more. Instant Analysis is sponsored by the RV/Manufactured Housing Hall of Fame in Elkhart, Indiana (https://www.rvmhhalloffame.org/). In addition to the museum and various exhibition halls, the campus is open to the public for free camping, just under an hour from Notre Dame's campus, with no reservation required.

Irish Illustrated Insider discusses Notre Dame's exclusion from the College Football Playoff, its decision to forgo any postseason, and turns its focus to the 2026 roster and transfer portal plans. We also offer thoughts on the Heisman, NIL enhancements (from greater to greatest?) and the future offensive line.

Irish Illustrated's Drew Mentock and FootballScoop's John Brice react to the College Football Playoff Committee leaving Notre Dame out of the Playoffs in favor of Miami and Alabama, and what it means for the program going forward.

Irish Illustrated Insider discusses Notre Dame's Playoff hopes and the now (almost) concluded 2026 recruiting class. Will the Irish add one more? Will Notre Dame be part of the Committee's chosen few? And which position groups are poised for success in the next month and ensuing seasons?

Irish Illustrated’s Tracking the Trail is back for the early signing period, which has effectively become the new national signing day for the Fighting Irish. According to the 247Sports Composite team rankings, Notre Dame owns the nation’s fourth-best class of 2026. If it holds, it would be the program’s highest-rated crop of recruits in nearly two decades. Of course, the 2026 class is headlined by a trio of 247Sports five-stars: edge rusher Rodney Dunham, tight end Ian Premer and safety Joey O'Brien. Overall, there are 14 top-247 prospects and the Irish are the only Power Four team that didn't have a decommitment this cycle. Irish Illustrated’s Drew Mentock and Eric Thomas delve into the highly rated recruit class, press conferences from Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman and Mike Martin and answer subscriber questions.

Irish Illustrated Insider reviews Notre Dame's blowout of Stanford, examines Portal options, discusses Playoff machinations, and takes a deeper dive into roster improvements and necessities for another long run through January.

Irish Illustrated's Drew Mentock and John Brice go live to react to Notre Dame's late-night 49-20 win over Stanford and what it means for the Irish as far as the College Football Playoffs are concerned.

Episode No. 10 of the Irish Illustrated Interviews podcast series features Matt Cashore, a professional photographer who has captured noteworthy and inspiring photos from around the University of Notre Dame's campus since he was a student in the early 1990s. Today, we're sharing my conversation with Matt Cashore, a professional photographer who has captured noteworthy and inspiring photos from around the University of Notre Dame's campus since he was a student in the early 1990s. He got his start shooting for his class yearbook and then freelancing for Notre Dame Magazine. He also got hired by Tim Prister at publications such as Blue & Gold Illustrated and Irish Illustrated, which brought him into the world of athletics and Fighting Irish football. In 2007, he joined Notre Dame full-time as a University photographer, where he's worked ever since as a self-described "generalist." Our conversation spans his entire career, diving into some of the biggest requests he's made of the higher-ups at the University to get the perfect shot, his "Rudy Rule," his love for Kevin McDougal and Matt Cashore Airlines. We discuss how he picks his four "favs" from each game and his four all-time favorite images of Notre Dame football that he's captured. Lastly, we chat about his most recent book, "Love Thee, Notre Dame," available here - https://undpress.nd.edu/9780268210328/love-thee-notre-dame/

Irish Illustrated Insider breaks down Notre Dame's matchup with Stanford, what it needs elsewhere to potentially host a home game, and who might garner the biggest NIL bump next season.

Irish Illustrated Insider reviews the near-perfect performance vs. Syracuse, re-examines the future of the Irish running backs room, opines on Love's Heisman pace, the team's Playoff chase, Stanford's improved defense…and discusses Purdue and Cal? (Don't hold it against us.)

Irish Illustrated's Tim Prister and FootballScoop's John Brice break down Notre Dame's dominant showing against Syracuse as the Irish beat the Orange 70-7. The guys react to Notre Dame's explosive defense, which scored the game's first three touchdowns, all before the Irish offense set foot on the field, and in 15 minutes of real time. Jeremiyah Love continued his historic season with over 170 rushing yards and 3 rushing touchdowns on just 8 carries, helping Notre Dame's explosive offense put the game away early, even as CJ Carr finished with just 49 passing yards. With the win, the Irish improve to 9-2 and have a high chance of making the playoffs, so the guys break down what scores from this weekend could have an impact on Notre Dame's chances.

Irish Illustrated Insider discusses Notre Dame's Playoff positioning, our ideal road trip for Round 1, seniors who might return in 2026, and the Syracuse Orange as they limp in on a seven-game losing skid.