Notre Dame football: 3 bold predictions for the Irish in 2023

Marcus Freeman’s first three games as Notre Dame football’s head coach did not quite go as planned. In fact, they were a nightmare. He lost all three, including blowing a 21-point lead in the Fiesta Bowl and also dropping a home game to Marshall.

Since that horrid stretch to start his career, though, he’s completely turned it around. Notre Dame actually finished the 2022 season ranked after beating South Carolina in the Gator Bowl.

Now expectations are sky-high after landing Sam Hartman in the transfer portal.

Can the Irish make the playoff for the first time under Freeman? Let’s get bold ahead of the 2023 season.

3. Tobias Merriweather finishes with over 1,000 yards

Tobias Merriweather had a quiet first season with Florida after coming in as a top-100 receiver. He finished with just one reception, but he made it count, recording a 41-yard touchdown catch.

Sure, he probably expected to have a larger role right away, but he can’t be too upset with his minimal production, especially since it’s prepared him to be a projected starter in 2023. Many believe he’s locked into one of the starting receiver roles along with Chris Tyree and Jayden Thomas. Deion Colzie could also start, but I see it being Tyree, Thomas, and Merriweather.

If that’s the case, I expect Merriweather to break out as the No. 1 receiver as the offense needs one and Sam Hartman is going to salivate at the thought of tossing to the 6-foot-4 athletic specimen. He’s going to have over 1,000 receiving yards in his first year as a starter.

Notre Dame fans might want to mentally prepare for just three years of Merriweather.