While offensive firepower like Jeremiyah Love, Jadarian Price, and Malachi Fields are moving on to the NFL, one reason why so many analysts believe Notre Dame will do so well in 2026 is because of the talent the Fighting Irish have returning. In fact, according to ESPN's Bill Connelly, the Golden Domers have more talent returning than any team in the country.
Connelly posted on social media earlier this week that he still has some tweaks to make, but he's mostly done calculating things. He didn't break down the percentages, but he believes Marcus Freeman's squad would headline his Top 10.
The most interesting takeaway from Connelly's list is that not only is Notre Dame No. 1 on the list, but only two other 2025 College Football Playoff teams are in his Top 10. That's even more of an advantage as the Irish try to make a run back to the National Title game.
Notre Dame tops the list of teams with the most returning talent in 2026
Some of the teams that are among those with the most returning talent on the ESPN analyst's list might surprise someone, especially when taking into account how much success the returning talent usually means.
- Notre Dame
- Maryland
- Nebraska
- Virginia Tech
- South Carolina
- Texas
- Minnesota
- Georgia
- UCLA
- Florida
Connelly also addressed those who tend to try to dismiss the importance of returning production.
"Before someone goes down the 'whatever, Clemson was No. 1 in ret prod last year, it means nothing in this new day and age' road, remember that Vandy, Illinois, Kennesaw State, Texas Tech, Texas A&M, and Oklahoma were also in the ret prod top 10."
It helps that an awful lot of Notre Dame's defensive production returns alongside its starting quarterback. The ESPN analyst just pointed out yet another reason Fighting Irish fans should be quite excited about what's to come in 2026.