NAMES TO WATCH: Notre Dame
Notre Dame is the toughest team NC State will play so far this season. Here are several names to watch ahead of a game that has NC State as heavy underdogs.
#13 QB CJ Carr - 6’3 210 - Redshirt Freshman
Year one of the CJ Carr era has arrived. The redshirt freshman quarterback was a former high 4-star recruit in high school. After backing up Duke transfer QB Riley Leonard in his true freshman season, he has had a year to develop and now is the starting quarterback for the Fighting Irish.
Carr has been efficient statistically throwing for 1,180 passing yards, 11 touchdowns and two interceptions, along with a 67.7% completion percentage and a 86.3% QBR that ranks 7th nationally. He is an accurate pocket passer who is able to consistently hit his targets on time.
#4 HB Jeremiyah Love - 6’0 214 - Junior
Jeremiyah Love is easily the best running back in the country. Love had a breakout season last year as a sophomore where he ran for 1,125 yards and 17 touchdowns at 6.9 yards/carry. Love is easily the most balanced running back prospect.
He’s obviously a great runner, but is also a solid pass blocker as well. Love isn’t often used in the pass game but he has been used more in that area this year, having 14 catches for 160 receiving yards and two touchdowns already.
NC State’s run defense has struggled so far this season, which makes this a tough matchup for the Wolfpack. Expect to see a lot of 7 and 8 man boxes to try and combat that. Heavy boxes means nothing if the defense isn’t sound in their gap discipline. That will be what NC State needs to do to limit Jeremiyah Love.
#5 EDGE Boubacar Traore - 6’4 250 - Redshirt Junior
Boubacar Traore is having a breakout season himself, leading Notre Dame’s defense in sacks so far at 3.5. Traore has also proven to be a strong run defender with 4.5 tackles for loss and 20 total tackles. He appears to be a complete player at this point in his career after being at Notre Dame for four years.
Traore has a nice mix of speed and power as a pass rusher. He’s been able to learn and develop for three years. Now he earned a full-time starting role in Notre Dame’s defense and is thriving.
#6 CB Christian Gray - 6’0 190 - Junior
Christian Gray is known to be one of the best cornerbacks in the country. In 2024, he had a strong season with 3 interceptions and 9 pass deflections. According to PFF, he allowed 583 passing yards on 68 targets and just 4 touchdowns last season in 426 coverage snaps.
He is at his best in zone coverage and has good ball skills. His instincts to track the ball when it’s in the air are second to none. However, he isn’t the fastest defensive back out there.
So that could be something NC State receivers Wesley Grimes, Terrell Anderson, and Noah Rogers could take advantage of. Gray’s new DC Chris Ash has a lot of experience in college and in the NFL recently. Gray has been able to learn from him to help improve his game in Gray’s pivotal NFL draft year.
#15 CB Leonard Moore - 6’2 195 - Sophomore
Second year DB Leonard Moore has emerged as Notre Dame’s best cornerback in their secondary. He started right away as a freshman last year and played against Jeremiah Smith in the National Championship game. Moore used that season to learn and develop his game a lot. Playing early helped him become one of the best cornerbacks in the country.
Moore is off to a fast start in 2025 with 3 interceptions and 2 pass deflections already. He’s battle tested having faced teams with quality receivers in Miami and Texas A&M.
Moore’s long frame and speed helps him excel in man coverage. He has strong ball skills in 50-50 situations, his long arms and high football IQ helps him know where to be in every situation.
Moore also has some versatility in run defense, his size and speed helps him get off blocks and make plays in the backfield as he tallied 2 tackles for loss last season.
This could be an interesting thing to watch to see how Notre Dame defends HB Hollywood Smothers.
