Notre Dame’s secondary has been a cornerstone of the Fighting Irish defense, posting top‑10 finishes in pass efficiency defense for three straight seasons and capturing the No. 1 spot in both 2023 and 2024.
At the helm of that turnaround is new co‑defensive coordinator Aaron Henry, who arrived after Mike Mickens departed for the Baltimore Ravens. Henry repeatedly stresses that attention to detail will be the differentiator as the unit looks to preserve its elite status.
A Focus on Detail
Returning standouts such as Leonard Moore, projected as a first‑round NFL pick, will anchor the boundary cornerback spot, while transfer DJ McKinney, who shined at Oklahoma State, is slated for field cornerback duties. Christian Gray has moved to nickelback, battling for snaps with Dallas Golden and Jayden Sanders.
The starting safeties, Adon Shuler and Brauntae Johnson, combined for six interceptions in 2024, including a pick‑2 by Shuler against Pittsburgh in mid‑November. Their play has set a high bar for the younger contingent.
Adding versatility, former walk‑on Luke Talich brings a hybrid role at 6‑foot‑4, while fresh faces like Joey O’Brien, Ethan Long and Ayden Pouncey deepen the depth chart.
With a blend of seasoned veterans and promising newcomers, the Fighting Irish hope to keep their defensive metrics at the pinnacle as they prepare for the upcoming season.