Notre Dame football’s 2025 season is officially in the books, and it’s time to look back and hand out some hardware. Tyler Wojciak is joined by Luke Smith for the fifth annual postseason awards show, breaking down the biggest breakout players, freshmen stars, unsung heroes, most confusing games, best wins, favorite plays, and the Most Valuable Player of the season. From made-up awards with very real meaning to preseason predictions that aged well and others that absolutely did not, this episode is a fun, cathartic look back at the highs, lows, and defining moments of Notre Dame football in 2025.

(0:00) - Intro

(2:19) - MVP

(5:41) - Club Fever Freshman of the Year

(9:49) - Jonas Gray Award (Breakthrough Senior)

(14:35) - Kyren Williams Award (Breakout Season)

(18:02) - Decio Cafe Award

(25:22) - Brothers Bar & Grill Award

(28:06) - 401k Award

(30:34) - Domerfest Award

(34:08) - Play of the Year

(39:25) - Biggest Win of the Season

Follow Tyler on Twitter: https://twitter.com/TylerWojciak

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Jeremiyah Love wins the Doak Walker award, we take a look at his time at Notre Dame, how high he ranks amongst Irish RB's, any belief the rumors about a freeze out and big questions for Marcus Freeman and this squad for 2026 on this episode of the Irish Squad Show!

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Notre Dame football fans are still reeling from the College Football Playoff snub, and this mailbag episode dives deep into the most pressing questions surrounding Marcus Freeman, potential staff movement, ACC controversies, leaked emails, and what changes could be coming to the CFP committee. Tyler Wojciak breaks down Notre Dame's possible future beyond the ACC, explores staff stability, portal departures, quarterback plans, and more as the Irish begin a turbulent offseason with plenty of drama and uncertainty.

(0:00) - Intro

(1:46) - Marcus Freeman NFL Rumors & Staff Moves

(15:11) - CFP/ACC Fallout

(28:00) - Player Movement

Follow Tyler on Twitter: https://twitter.com/TylerWojciak

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Gametime
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FanDuel
Today's episode is brought to you by FanDuel. Football season is around the corner, visit the FanDuel App today and start planning your futures bets now.

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Notre Dame football looks ahead to the transfer portal and the path forward after the College Football Playoff snub as the Irish focus on improving the roster and taking the next step in 2025. Tyler Wojciak is joined by Locked On recruiting and transfer portal insider Brian Smith to break down Notre Dame’s portal priorities, how aggressive the staff should be this cycle, and how the Irish can turn the CFP snub into motivation for a stronger season next year. The episode also provides perspective on how good this Notre Dame team was historically, evaluates whether the Irish can be even better in 2025, and examines the recruiting momentum that keeps Notre Dame positioned among college football’s top programs.

(0:00) - Intro

(1:37) - CFP & ACC Fallout

(13:33) - Transfer Portal Needs

(25:21) - Recruiting Trending Up

Follow Tyler on Twitter: https://twitter.com/TylerWojciak

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Rugiet

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Aura Frames

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Gametime
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FanDuel
Today's episode is brought to you by FanDuel. Football season is around the corner, visit the FanDuel App today and start planning your futures bets now.

FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)

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Notre Dame football is at the center of college football’s biggest controversy following its shocking exclusion from the College Football Playoff. Tyler Wojciak is joined by Notre Dame beat writer Pete Sampson of The Athletic to break down the CFP snub, Pete Bevacqua’s aggressive media response, rising tension with the ACC, and new backlash from the Big 12. They also discuss Notre Dame’s bowl opt-out, Marcus Freeman’s future, the program’s path forward as an independent, and why this offseason may be the most important in modern Notre Dame history.

Follow Tyler on Twitter: https://twitter.com/TylerWojciak

Follow Locked On Irish on Twitter: https://twitter.com/LockedOnIrish

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Everydayer Club
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Omaha Steaks
Save big on unforgettable gifts with Omaha Steaks. Visit https://OmahaSteaks.com for 50% off site-wide and an extra 20% off select favorites during their Cyber Sale.
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Rugiet

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Head to https://Rugiet.com/LOCKEDONCOLLEGE to get 15% off your order for a limited time.

Rugiet Ready. Feel present. Feel confident. Feel ready.

Aura Frames

For a limited time, save on the perfect gift by visiting https://AuraFrames.com to get $35 off Aura’s best-selling Carver Mat frames - named #1 by Wirecutter - by using promo code COLLEGE at checkout.

Gametime
Today's episode is brought to you by Gametime. Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONCOLLEGE for $20 off your first purchase. Terms and conditions apply.

FanDuel
Today's episode is brought to you by FanDuel. Football season is around the corner, visit the FanDuel App today and start planning your futures bets now.

FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)

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Notre Dame football was officially left out of the College Football Playoff, and the fallout from the CFP snub is just beginning. Tyler Wojciak is joined by Luke Smith to break down the flawed CFP process, who deserves the most blame, and why the system feels rigged against Notre Dame. The conversation dives into Notre Dame’s decision to opt out of a bowl game, the long-term implications for independence and the ACC relationship, the “us against the world” mentality forming around the program, and what roster movement could be coming next — including Kenny Minchey entering the transfer portal.

Follow Tyler on Twitter: https://twitter.com/TylerWojciak

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Everydayer Club
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Omaha Steaks
Save big on unforgettable gifts with Omaha Steaks. Visit https://OmahaSteaks.com for 50% off site-wide and an extra 20% off select favorites during their Cyber Sale.
And for an additional $35 off, use promo code COLLEGE at checkout.

Rugiet

If you’ve been thinking about taking the next step, now’s the time.

Head to https://Rugiet.com/LOCKEDONCOLLEGE to get 15% off your order for a limited time.

Rugiet Ready. Feel present. Feel confident. Feel ready.

Aura Frames

For a limited time, save on the perfect gift by visiting https://AuraFrames.com to get $35 off Aura’s best-selling Carver Mat frames - named #1 by Wirecutter - by using promo code COLLEGE at checkout.

Gametime
Today's episode is brought to you by Gametime. Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONCOLLEGE for $20 off your first purchase. Terms and conditions apply.

FanDuel
Today's episode is brought to you by FanDuel. Football season is around the corner, visit the FanDuel App today and start planning your futures bets now.

FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)

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The College Football Playoff Committee released its final CFP rankings, and Notre Dame was on the wrong end of a controversial decision. Despite not playing during conference championship weekend, the Irish dropped from No. 10 to No. 11, falling behind Miami, while Alabama remained unmoved after a lopsided loss to Georgia. Tyler Wojciak delivers a live reaction to the final rankings, breaks down why Notre Dame was snubbed, explains the flaws in the CFP committee’s logic, reacts to Notre Dame’s decision regarding bowl season, and discusses what this moment means for the future of the program.

Follow Tyler on Twitter: https://twitter.com/TylerWojciak

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Save big on unforgettable gifts with Omaha Steaks. Visit https://OmahaSteaks.com for 50% off site-wide and an extra 20% off select favorites during their Cyber Sale.
And for an additional $35 off, use promo code COLLEGE at checkout.

Rugiet

If you’ve been thinking about taking the next step, now’s the time.

Head to https://Rugiet.com/LOCKEDONCOLLEGE to get 15% off your order for a limited time.

Rugiet Ready. Feel present. Feel confident. Feel ready.

Aura Frames

For a limited time, save on the perfect gift by visiting https://AuraFrames.com to get $35 off Aura’s best-selling Carver Mat frames - named #1 by Wirecutter - by using promo code COLLEGE at checkout.

Gametime
Today's episode is brought to you by Gametime. Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONCOLLEGE for $20 off your first purchase. Terms and conditions apply.

FanDuel
Today's episode is brought to you by FanDuel. Football season is around the corner, visit the FanDuel App today and start planning your futures bets now.

FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)

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Marcus Freeman and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish were left out of the college football playoff. Why Miami got in? Should the beef be with Alabama? Did the Irish make the right call on skipping a bowl game and more on this episode of the Irish Squad Show.

Everydayer Club
If you never miss an episode, it’s time to make it official. Join the Locked On Everydayer Club and get ad-free audio, access to our members-only Discord, and more — all built for our most loyal fans.

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Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!

Omaha Steaks
Save big on unforgettable gifts with Omaha Steaks. Visit https://OmahaSteaks.com for 50% off site-wide and an extra 20% off select favorites during their Cyber Sale.
And for an additional $35 off, use promo code COLLEGE at checkout.

Rugiet
If you’ve been thinking about taking the next step, now’s the time.
Head to https://Rugiet.com/LOCKEDONCOLLEGEto get 15% off your order for a limited time.
Rugiet Ready. Feel present. Feel confident. Feel ready.

Aura Frames
For a limited time, save on the perfect gift by visiting https://AuraFrames.com to get $35 off Aura’s best-selling Carver Mat frames - named #1 by Wirecutter - by using promo code COLLEGE at checkout.

Gametime
Today's episode is brought to you by Gametime. Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONCOLLEGE for $20 off your first purchase. Terms and conditions apply.

FanDuel
Today's episode is brought to you by FanDuel. Football season is around the corner, visit the FanDuel App today and start planning your futures bets now.

FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.