The Notre Dame Fighting Irish football statistical leaders are individual statistical leaders of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish football program in various categories, including passing, rushing, receiving, total offense, defensive stats, kicking, and scoring. Within those areas, the lists identify single-game, single-season, and career leaders. The Fighting Irish represent the University of Notre Dame as an independent in the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS).
Although Notre Dame began competing in intercollegiate football in 1887, records from the early years are often incomplete and inconsistent and may not appear on this list. Notre Dame's official record book does not list a specific "modern era" beginning in a certain year, and the records listed below can go as far back as 1900, although they may not be complete.
These lists are dominated by more recent players for several reasons:
- Since the 1940s, seasons have increased from 10 games to 11 and then 12 games in length.
- The NCAA didn't allow freshmen to play varsity football until 1972 (with the exception of the World War II years), allowing players to have four-year careers.
- Since 2018, players have been allowed to participate in as many as four games in a redshirt season; previously, playing in even one game "burned" the redshirt. Since 2024, postseason games have not counted against the four-game limit. These changes to redshirt rules have given very recent players several extra games to accumulate statistics.
- Bowl games only began counting toward single-season and career statistics in 2002. Since then, the Fighting Irish have played in 19 bowl games and three other postseason games not billed as bowl games, allowing more recent players at least one extra game to accumulate statistics. Notre Dame no longer maintains a "bowl game" record in its official football record book, instead maintaining a "postseason record" that includes bowl games as well as the 2013 BCS National Championship Game (2012 season) and two games in the 2024âÂÂ25 College Football PlayoffâÂÂa first-round game and the 2025 College Football Playoff National Championship.
Passing
Passing yards
Passing touchdowns
Rushing
Rushing yards
Rushing touchdowns
Receiving
Receptions
Receiving yards
Receiving touchdowns
Total Offense/Scrimmage Offense
Total offense is the sum of passing and rushing statistics. It does not include receiving or returns.
Total offense yards
Touchdowns responsible for
"Touchdowns responsible for" is the official NCAA term for combined passing and rushing touchdowns.
Scrimmage Yards
"Scrimmage Yards" are the combination of yards gained from rushing and receiving, but not from passing or returning.
Scrimmage Touchdowns
This list reflects touchdowns scored from scrimmage; accordingly, it includes rushing and receiving but not returning or passing touchdowns.
Defense
Interceptions
Tackles
Sacks
Kicking
Field goals made
Field goal percentage
Scoring
Points
Touchdowns
These lists reflect touchdowns scored. Accordingly, they include rushing, receiving, and return touchdowns, but not passing touchdowns.
References