Notre Dame football 2024 opponent superlatives: Defense

In Texas A&M’s spring game, junior edge rusher Nic Scourton made 3.5 tackles for loss, including 2.5 sacks. The Purdue transfer led the Big Ten last year with 10 sacks, but he’s not the lone star on the Aggies’ defensive front.

“Even our interior line has high motors and slimmer guys that I’ve played with,” Scourton said, according to KBTX-TV. “The sky’s the limit for our pass-rush packages.”

When Notre Dame travels to College Station, Texas, Aug. 31, its rebuilt offensive line will face a massive test. However, it won’t end there.

Four weeks later, Notre Dame will contend with second-team All-American Ashton Gillotte , who picked up 1.5 sacks last season in Louisville’s win over the Irish. Six weeks after that, it’s first-round hopeful Patrick Payton and a Florida State front four that can match up with anyone in the country.

The strength of Notre Dame’s schedule is, without question, on the defensive line. Otherwise, the slate is not as intimidating as it’s been in recent years. Here’s a look at some of the top defensive units the Irish will face this season.

Related — Notre Dame football 2024 opponent superlatives: Offense

Best defensive lines on Notre Dame’s 2024 schedule

1. Texas A&M — The Aggies are loaded up front. Scourton and senior defensive tackle Shemar Turner (6 sacks) are studs, and head coach Mike Elko believes junior Shemar Stewart is a future NFL player, too.

Redshirt junior Cashius Howell is coming off a 9.5-sack season at Bowling Green, and he likely won’t even start. A&M will be a nightmare to block on third down.

2. Florida State — The margin is razor-thin between FSU and A&M. Payton alone is a problem, but joining him on the edge will be junior Georgia transfer Marvin Jones Jr. , whom the Seminoles believe is going to be a force.

On the inside, redshirt juniors Joshua Farmer (5 sacks in ’23) and Darrell Jackson Jr. (redshirted in ’23 due to since-dissolved eligibility rules) are as physically imposing a duo as there is in the sport.

3. Louisville — Gillotte’s return was the Cardinals’ biggest offseason win, and senior edge rusher Mason Reiger picked up 5 sacks in 2023.

Immaculately named Harvard graduate transfer Thor Griffith demolished Ivy League competition for three years and was one of the top defensive tackles in the portal. Redshirt senior Florida International transfer Jordan Guerad totaled 27 pressures and 21 defensive stops last season.

Best linebackers

1. Miami (Ohio) — The RedHawks were the top scoring defense in the Group of Five last season, and their linebackers were a huge factor. Redshirt senior Matt Salopek made a whopping 394 tackles, including 25.5 for loss, from 2021-23.

Senior Ty Wise wasn’t far behind in 2023, adding 122 tackles. Wise also finished the season with 8 sacks and 5 passes defended.

2. USC — The Trojans returned their leading tackler, redshirt senior Mason Cobb (85). Here’s the thing — he might not even start.

Senior Easton Mascarenas-Arnold was a monster in the middle for Oregon State last year, and the Trojans love 6-foot-6, 215-pound senior Eric Gentry at the weak-side linebacker spot.

3. Florida State — Redshirt senior DJ Lundy is a rock-solid leader for FSU’s linebacker room, and redshirt junior Shyheim Brown (technically a safety but often acts as a third backer) is right there with him.

They combined for 107 tackles in 2023. A trio of sophomores led by Blake Nichelson give the group quality upside and depth.

Best secondaries

1. Florida State — In junior Azareye’h Thomas and redshirt senior Fentrell Cypress II , the Seminoles could feature two elite all-around cornerbacks this season. Redshirt sophomore Earl Little Jr. claimed the starting nickel back role almost instantly in spring ball.

Brown is a steady veteran presence at safety and FSU has some options at the other safety spot, such as promising sophomore Conrad Hussey .

2. Louisville — Redshirt senior cornerback Quincy Riley is a monster in coverage, and senior free safety Devin Neal ’s numbers against the run (74 tackles) and pass (6 passes defended, 4 picks) are impressive.

The Cardinals augmented their already-impressive unit with — and you’ll never believe this — a transfer addition in senior Corey Thornton from UCF.

3. USC — New defensive coordinator D’Anton Lynn brought redshirt senior cornerback John Humphrey and redshirt sophomore safety Kamari Ramsey with him from UCLA. They were two of the catalysts for the Bruins’ top-20 pass efficiency defense in 2023.

Senior Oregon State transfer Akili Arnold (Easton’s stepbrother) should help the safety room as well.

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