In its 2025 College Football Preview, Athlon Sports ranked the Notre Dame offensive line as the No. 1 returning unit in all of college football. It was one of five position groups for Notre Dame that Athlon Sports has as the nation's best unit, and it's the only No. 1 unit for Notre Dame.

This has been quite the offseason for Notre Dame and coach Marcus Freeman. The College Football Playoff's decision to alter the seeding and first-round bye process for the 2025 season continues a string of wins for the Fighting Irish that includes an elite signing haul and the news of a 12-year partnership with Clemson for a future series that strengthens their stance as an independent program.

Notre Dame will cross another NFL venue off its list to start 2026 but something from that is missing regarding college football.