Notre Dame had an elite secondary in the 2023 season. That has set the standout for what we should expect with the Irish moving forward under Mike Mickens. Things have changed very quickly on the backend.
Heading into the 2024 season, optimism continues to be high. Just how good can that unit be this fall? We will learn a lot during fall camp.
How good can this defensive line be?
We know that Howard Cross III and Rylie Mills is an outstanding interior duo, arguably the best in all of college football returning in 2024. You can’t ignore the production last season, totaling 113 tackles, 12.5 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, and two forced fumbles as a pair. The interior depth also can get you excited, including names like Jason Onye and Gabriel Rubio among others.
The edge should also be strong, although there is more projection required. Getting former Duke pass rusher RJ Oben from the portal was huge. He brings needed career projection (20 tackles for loss, 14.5 sacks) to a unit that needs it big time. Mix that in with Jordan Botelho, Joshua Burnham, Boubacar Traore, and Bryce Young, and you have a unit that could be far more impactful this season.
In the pretty recent past, the defensive line position hasn’t been good enough for the Irish. That began to change in a big way last season. Now it begs the question; Just how good could the defensive line be in 2024? That’s the key to unlock the upside of this defense.
Second level maturation
After both JD Bertrand and Marist Liufau left this offseason, the Notre Dame linebacker room became very young. Jack Kiser returns this fall, a veteran who has recorded 185 total tackles, 11 tackles for loss, four sacks, four interceptions, and four forced fumbles in his career. Even Kiser will be in a different spot this season, moving over from rover to WILL.
Outside of Kiser, the Irish linebackers are going to be very young. The projected starter at MIKE linebacker is Drayk Bowen, who is exceptionally talented but the inexperience will surely make for some mistakes early on in the season. He will be battling to hold off true freshman Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa, who appears physically ready to compete this fall.
Jaylen Sneed appears ready to take hold of the rover position, although he will need to show himself to be a consistent performer. From a talent perspective, it’s all there. Sneed is incredibly explosive and has a unique skill set at that position. Redshirt freshman Jaiden Ausberry is also worth keeping a close eye on, as is Kahanu Kia returning from his LDS mission.
Filling in for another elite secondary
Notre Dame has two elite members of their steller secondary returning. That includes cornerback Benjamin Morrison, who has recorded nine interceptions in two years. He is returning from a shoulder injury, but is expected to be back at full strength by the first game against Texas A&M .
The Irish also return safety Xavier Watts, who tied for the Division 1 lead with seven interceptions last season. Along with Morrison, the tandem has a propensity to create some big plays. The duo could be so good that opponents try desperately to avoid them, which will be hard to begin with.
If opposing offenses are able to fully avoid those two, that should create a lot of opportunity for several of the other talented members of the secondary. Sophomore cornerback Christian Gray could be one of the main beneficiaries, possessing outstanding ball skills and playmaking ability. Junior Jaden Mickey has also shown the talent to take advantage of opportunity.
At safety, Adon Shuler, Rod Heard, and Luke Talich will battle it out to start opposite of Watts. Jordan Clark will start at the nickel position. Then you throw in freshman Leonard Moore and Karson Hobbs, which should make for another tremendous secondary.
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