JD4
All-American
- Joined
- Dec 2, 2015
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- 3,124
Coach Freeman with a lot of good things to say about Miami.
Transcript/Summary:
We’re excited to get this 2025 season underway. We haven’t met since we named captains, and I was proud of our guys for voting those six to be captains: Drake Bowen, Billy Shout, Don Scheler, Will Pauling, Emil Wagner, and Donovan Heinish. They’ll represent our team, but we also have leadership across the board. That’s something I’m really proud of—not only the captains, but multiple guys showing vocal leadership. We knew we’d need it, and I’ve been pleased.
We obviously named a starting quarterback last week, CJ Carr. I think CJ and Kenny both improved during training camp, which is what you want from competition. Both elevated their games. I had to make a difficult decision, and I told them both we’ll need each of them this year. They both have to be mature enough to handle that. Being named the starter isn’t the ultimate goal—the goal is to reach your full potential. Both guys have gone back to work, and I’m excited to see CJ lead our offense into this first game.
We’re facing a very talented Miami team coming off a 10-win season. They’re well-coached, and I’ve got a lot of respect for Coach Cristobal. He’s done a great job acquiring and developing talent. Their offensive line is strong, returning four starters plus a transfer center from TCU. Their defensive line has impressive depth—guys like numbers three and four, Bane and another edge, are as good as we’ll see. Carson Beck is as experienced and talented a quarterback as any we’ll face. We studied him last year preparing for Georgia. He makes fast, good decisions. I don’t see Miami taking a step back offensively, and their skill positions are explosive. They’ve added transfers at receiver and defensive back, including a freshman All-American corner. Their running back room is deep. We’ve had time to evaluate, and this will be a great challenge.
We’ve also looked at the rivalry. It dates back to 1955. Notre Dame is 0–6 the last six times down in Miami, so we understand the challenge. We’ve been to Hard Rock Stadium, but this environment will be completely different. We’ll be prepared.
On Confidence in the Team
I’m confident our team will handle whatever challenge comes Sunday night. We’ve put both sides of the ball in tough spots during camp to see how they respond. I trust our leadership and coaches to make adjustments. Week one is always about adjustments. We need to protect the football, create takeaways, run the ball, and stop the run. I believe we’ll be ready.
On CJ Carr as Starter
Since being named the starter, CJ has stepped naturally into leadership. When you’re in a competition, there’s hesitation to fully lead. Now there’s direction and clarity. Our offense believes in him and Kenny, but it’s good for the whole program to have that direction moving forward.
The quarterback competition was statistically as close as any I’ve been part of. Both were really good. I trusted my gut, considering what we needed week one and who could handle the decision the right way. With a first-time starter, we can’t expect perfection. There will be ups and downs. We need to protect him with the offensive line and in the plays we call. We can’t overload him. Defensively, we need to help him by creating takeaways. We can’t let it become a shootout.
On Christian Gray’s Growth
Christian is a reflection of our program. After giving up plays against Ohio State and USC, his teammates rallied around him. That support is part of our brotherhood. Sometimes you have to lose to win, and those negative moments help you grow. He’s an extremely good player, and he’s had a great fall camp.
On Leadership and Starting the Season on the Road
Leadership was a question entering camp, but I’ve been very pleased. It’s come from multiple positions, players, and age groups. The ability to handle adversity and tough moments has stood out. Anybody can lead when things are going well; I’ve seen leadership when things aren’t. That gives me confidence for Sunday.
I embrace starting on the road. Would I prefer to start at home? Sure. But there’s something about going on the road—it’s you against the world. No distractions, just us. That’s what you come to Notre Dame for: to play in prime-time games against great opponents. That’s what competitors want.
On Personnel
Defensive line: Jordan Botelho will be available this week. The defensive tackle position was a question mark entering camp, but it’s become one of our strengths. Riley Mills, Howard Cross, Jason Onye, Donnie Heinish, Gabe Rubio, and Jared Dawson have all performed well. I’m very confident in that group.
Defensive ends: Bryce Young has grown into a complete player against the run and pass. With our depth—Botelho, Logan Thomas, Burnham Jr., Bubacar, Bryce—we’ll use them all.
Tight ends: Eli Raridon leads, but Tai Washington and Jack Larsen have shown great growth. Losing Kevin Bauman pushed younger guys into bigger roles, and they’ve developed well.
Running backs: Jadarian Price is as complete a back as we have—great runner, improved blocker, and team-first guy despite a loaded room.
On Kenny Minchey
Kenny was disappointed not being named the starter—that’s natural. But after a day, he responded the way I expected: back to work, practicing at a high level, preparing the right way. He’ll be ready if called. That maturity is what you want to see.
Closing
Our defensive tackle group may be the best example of growth this fall. They’ve developed into one of our most reliable units. We’re confident heading into Miami. It’s a great challenge, but our team has the leadership, maturity, and preparation to handle it.