Projecting the Notre Dame defense depth chart at the midway point of 2023 fall camp
Reporters watched a full Notre Dame practice Tuesday night, which means we got the clearest sense of the Irish depth chart that we’ll have until the official list comes out before Notre Dame takes on Navy on Aug. 26.
Here is Blue & Gold’s projection for the Irish defense and special teams, along with any changes since our last depth chart July 30.
Note: Players were only listed at two spots if they play two positions that are completely different. For example, Notre Dame sees weak-side linebacker (Will) and Rover as somewhat interchangeable, but it does not feel the same way about free safety and slot cornerback.
Strong-side defensive end
Graduate student Javontae Jean-Baptiste ORGraduate student Nana Osafo-MensahSophomore Tyson Ford
The rest: Sophomore Aiden Gobaira, freshman Brenan Vernon
Changes: Jean-Baptiste moves ahead of Osafo-Mensah. The longtime Notre Dame DE played enough to still be considered the co-starter, but the first-team reps dipped slightly in the Ohio State transfer’s favor. Jean-Baptiste will handle most pass-heavy situations, while Osafo-Mensah will play on run downs.
Three-technique defensive tackle
Senior Rylie MillsJunior Jason OnyeSophomore Donovan Hinish
The rest: Freshman Armel Mukam
Changes: Ford exits the three-technique section. Tuesday’s practice reinforced what Notre Dame defensive line coach Al Washington told us Aug. 1: Ford’s work is mostly coming at defensive end. That opens the door to the three-deep for Hinish.
Nose tackle
Graduate student Howard Cross IIIJunior Gabriel RubioSenior Aidan Keanaaina
The rest: Freshman Devan Houston
Changes: None.
Vyper
Senior Jordan BotelhoSophomore Joshua Burnham ORSophomore Junior Tuihalamaka
The rest: Freshman Boubacar Traore
Changes: An “or” appears, to ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter’s shock and horror. And unlike last time when Tuihalamaka looked solidly ahead of Burnham, Burnham is now slightly ahead of Tuihalamaka. This says more about Burnham, who looked terrific Tuesday, than it does about Tuihalamaka. Blue & Gold’s belief is that Tuihalamaka is slightly banged up, but it doesn’t sound serious.
Middle linebacker (Mike)
Graduate student JD BertrandSophomore Nolan ZieglerFreshman Drayk Bowen
Changes: None. Ziegler has been absent from the last few practices due to a medical circumstance, a source told Blue & Gold, but he hopes to return later this week. Notre Dame defensive coordinator and linebackers coach Al Golden said Ziegler will play rotational snaps this season if healthy.
Weak-side linebacker (Will)
Graduate student Marist LiufauFreshman Jaiden Ausberry ORFreshman Preston Zinter
Changes: Sophomore Jaylen Sneed not listed here due to the aforementioned two-position policy, but if Liufau went down, he would likely step in. Also, my impression of Ausberry is that his skillset is tailor-made for the Will position, so he goes here instead of Rover.
Rover
Graduate student Jack KiserSophomore Jaylen Sneed
Changes: Ausberry to Will, but that’s it.
Boundary cornerback
Graduate student Cam HartSophomore Jaden MickeyFreshman Christian Gray
The rest: Junior Ryan Barnes
Changes: Gray moves up, as he has solidified himself ahead of Barnes, junior Chance Tucker and fellow freshman Micah Bell as Notre Dame’s fifth outside cornerback. He looked like a veteran during Tuesday’s practice, and he’ll see the field sooner than later.
Field cornerback
Sophomore Benjamin MorrisonSenior Clarence LewisJunior Chance Tucker
The rest: Freshman Micah Bell
Changes: Lewis, who will factor in at outside cornerback more than I previously thought, moves into the three-deep on the field CB side. He should still primarily play in the slot, but he helped out on the outside when Hart went down.
Nickel cornerback
Graduate student Thomas Harper ORSenior Clarence LewisSenior Ramon Henderson
Changes: None, but Henderson is there for a different reason than he was last time. Henderson was part of Notre Dame’s new three-safety package, and he was the one playing closest to the line of scrimmage.
Strong safety
Senior Xavier WattsGraduate student Antonio Carter IIFreshman Ben Minich
Changes: None. Watts looks like he’s about to have a big year.
Free safety
Senior DJ Brown ORSenior Ramon HendersonFreshman Adon Shuler
The rest: Freshman Luke Talich
Changes: A few. First, Henderson moves up to co-starter status with Brown. That says more about the former than it does about the latter. Second, Harper has not taken a full-team rep at safety all camp, so he’s no longer listed here. And third, even though he’s a walk-on (which is why he was not listed last time), Notre Dame coaches believe Talich has sky-high potential and could help out on special teams this season.
Kicker
Graduate student Spencer ShraderSophomore Zac Yoakam
Changes: None.
Holder
Sophomore Dylan DevezinSophomore Bryce McFerson
Changes: None.
Long snapper
Graduate student Michael VinsonSophomore Rino Monteforte
Changes: None.
Kickoff specialist
Sophomore Zac Yoakam ORSophomore Bryce McFersonGraduate student Spencer Shrader
Changes: None, but this remains a complete guess. Reporters have not seen the kickoff team in action yet. Yoakam kicked off in 2022, but it was supposed to be McFerson before he got hurt.
Punter
Sophomore Bryce McFersonGraduate student Ben KrimmSenior Bryan Dowd
Changes: The strong-legged McFerson looks like he’ll be the punter, so the “or” that resided between him and Krimm is no more.
Kickoff returner
Senior Chris TyreeSophomore Gi’Bran Payne ORSophomore Jaden Mickey
Changes: None, but the second two are still guesses.
Punt returner
Senior Chris Tyree ORGraduate student Matt Salerno ORFreshman Jaden Greathouse
Changes: Tyree caught the first punt from McFerson during Tuesday’s practice, followed by Salerno, then Greathouse. Last time reporters saw the punt returners in action, it was Salerno, Greathouse and Tyree, respectively. Blue & Gold still believes Notre Dame might not completely decide on a starter by Aug. 26.
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