Irish Breakdown
Nick Shepkowski

Nick Shepkowski

Joined: Jun 6, 2024

Managing Editor for Notre Dame On SI. Started covering Chicago sports teams for WSCR the Score, and over the years worked with CBS Radio, Audacy, NBC Sports, and FOX Sports as a contributor before running the Notre Dame wire site for USA TODAY.

Sep 22, 2012; South Bend, IN, USA; The Notre Dame Fighting Irish and the Michigan Wolverines line up at the line of scrimmage in the third quarter at Notre Dame Stadium. Notre Dame won 13-6.
Football

Will Notre Dame Win the Battle for Important Defensive Lineman Over Michigan?

Old rivals are at it again as Notre Dame and Michigan both await the commitment choice of defensive lineman Alister Vallejo.

Nick Shepkowski
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Notre Dame Fighting Irish running back Jeremiyah Love (4) scores a touchdown while being chased by Indiana Hoosiers defensive back D'Angelo Ponds (5) and Indiana Hoosiers defensive back Jamari Sharpe (22) during the first half of a game between the Indiana Hoosiers and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in first round of the College Football Playoff on Friday, Dec. 20, 2024, in South Bend.
Football

Could Jeremiyah Love Win the Heisman? Here's What It Would Take

Jeremiyah Love is as exciting of running back as there is in college football but he starts his Heisman Trophy campaign behind the eight-ball.

Nick Shepkowski
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Nov 8, 2018; South Bend, IN, USA; Chicago State Cougars athletic director Chris Zorich looks on after a game against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at the Purcell Pavilion.
Football

Godson of Notre Dame Legend Set for Campus Visit

Notre Dame is looking to make quite the impression on a rising star defensive tackle in the 2027 recruiting class.

Nick Shepkowski
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Jan 9, 2025; Miami, FL, USA; (Editors Note: Caption Correction) Notre Dame Fighting Irish running back Jeremiyah Love (4) leaps over Penn State Nittany Lions linebacker Kobe King (41) in the second half in the Orange Bowl at Hard Rock Stadium.
Football

Top Notre Dame, Penn State Recruiting Target Reveals Commitment Date

Notre Dame has a seat at the table for a big-time 2026 recruiting safety, but has a lot of work left to do to beat other powerhouse programs.

Nick Shepkowski
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Nov 30, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Southern California Trojans head coach Lincoln Riley and Notre Dame Fighting Irish head coach Marcus Freeman shake hands after the game at United Airlines Field at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.
Football

Lincoln Riley Avoids Tough Notre Dame Talk — Comes Off Cowardly

Forget the actual Notre Dame vs. USC game, Lincoln Riley can't even answer questions regarding the rivalry.

Nick Shepkowski
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Oct 28, 1989; South Bend, IN, USA; FILE PHOTO; Notre Dame Irish receiver Raghib Ismail (25) returns a punt for a touchdown against the Pittsburgh Panthers at Notre Dame Stadium.
Football

College Football Legend Greets Star Wide Receiver During Notre Dame Visit

One of the fastest players in the 2026 recruiting cycle met one of the fastest to ever play at Notre Dame during a recent visit.

Nick Shepkowski
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Jan 20, 2025; Atlanta, GA, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish head coach Marcus Freeman reacts after a play against the Ohio State Buckeyes during the second half the CFP National Championship college football game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Football

Notre Dame Gets Head-Scratching Playoff Projection from ESPN FPI

ESPN's FPI significantly downplays Notre Dame's title hopes in 2025.

Nick Shepkowski
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Nov 30, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Southern California Trojans running back Quinten Joyner (0) runs the ball ahead of Notre Dame Fighting Irish safety Xavier Watts (0) during the second half at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.
Football

Nation’s No. 1 Tight End Announces College Commitment

Notre Dame's biggest rival, for now, landed one of the nation's top recruits in the 2026 cycle on Friday.

Nick Shepkowski
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Jan 2, 2025; New Orleans, LA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs quarterback Gunner Stockton (14) runs with the ball during the second half against Notre Dame Fighting Irish running back Gi'Bran Payne (3) at Caesars Superdome.
Football

Elite Notre Dame 2026 Defensive Recruit Set to Visit SEC Power

Could Notre Dame be in serious risk of losing a commitment to an SEC powerhouse program?

Nick Shepkowski
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Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman greets his players during a Notre Dame football spring practice at Irish Athletic Center on Wednesday, March 19, 2025, in South Bend.
Football

Marcus Freeman on Notre Dame’s Recruiting Surge Since Title Game Run

Notre Dame is coming off a dream season that ended one win short of a national championship and is parlaying that into big-time recruiting success.

Nick Shepkowski
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Oct 14, 2023; South Bend, Indiana, USA; USC Trojans head coach Lincoln Riley and Notre Dame Fighting Irish head coach Marcus Freeman chat before the game at Notre Dame Stadium.
Football

Marcus Freeman Channels WWE Energy to Keep Notre Dame–USC Alive

Marcus Freeman isn't scared to say what he thinks of the Notre Dame-USC rivalry and isn't scared about continuing it - every single year.

Nick Shepkowski
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Feb 11, 2024; Paradise, Nevada, USA; San Francisco 49ers former quarterback Joe Montana cheers in the first quarter in Super Bowl LVIII against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium.
Football

With Mike Leach Now Eligible, Should Joe Montana Be Next in the Hall?

Win a national championship and lead a historic Cotton Bowl comeback? That's great, but not College Football Hall of Fame-worthy.

Nick Shepkowski
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