Malachi Fields Named Top Newcomer For Notre Dame By Lindy's Sports
Notre Dame's receiving corps is set to have, potentially, their most productive season in quite some time this fall. Year two of the Mike Denbrock offense will likely be more balanced than year one, in large part due to the personnel and makeup of the offensive roster. The Irish will have a one-two punch at receiver they haven't had in several seasons in junior Jaden Greathouse and Virginia transfer Malachi Fields. Both players were ranked in Lindy's Sports Top 20 wide receivers for 2025 and Fields was ranked as Notre Dame's 'top newcomer' ahead of this fall.
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Fields spent his first four seasons playing wideout for the Cavaliers. He had a relatively quite freshman year in 2021, but at 6-4 220 pounds, his potential flashed at times. In 2022, he was poised for a breakout season, but it was cut short and he missed almost the entire season with a foot injury. Fields returned to the starting lineup in 2023 and broke out immediately.
He finished his junior season playing 783 snaps, recorded 58 receptions, 811 yards, averaged 14.0 yards per catch and had five receiving touchdowns. Out of his 58 receptions, 39 of them went for first downs, he forced nine missed tackles and recorded 10 contested catches in 12 games, all according to PFF. The only blemish on his season long resume was the number of drops he tallied (6) in 2023. It was a part of his game that was quickly corrected in 2024.
Last season, Fields finished the year with 701 snaps played, 55 receptions, 808 receiving yards, averaged 14.7 yards per catch and repeated his five touchdown performance. In less snaps, he became a more efficient player in almost every category. He recorded 12 missed tackles forced, 13 contested catches, 34 first downs and only dropped two passes all season long.
Fields recorded three 100 yard performances, two of them back to back, in 2024. His lowest output of the season came in their final regular season game against Virginia Tech where he finished the day with two receptions for 20 yards. Fields shined against the tougher opponents on the Cavaliers' schedule last year. Against Notre Dame, he recorded four receptions for 81 yards. He tallied nine receptions for 129 yards against Louisville and three receptions for 65 yards and a touchdown against Clemson.
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Fields will join Greathouse and the rest of the Irish receiving corps this summer. The offensive line will be a year more experienced, they will have a strong run game as a foundation of the offense and the quarterback under center this year will be more comfortable consistently pushing the ball down the field. Fields' presence will change the dynamic of the receiving corps for Notre Dame; it's not surprising that he was named the top newcomer for the Irish this fall.
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This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 10, 2025, where it first appeared.
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