Notre Dame football and the Fighting Irish secondary are generating serious 2027 NFL Draft buzz this summer.

Head coach Marcus Freeman has built one of the most talented defensive backfields in college football, and draft analysts are taking notice. Cornerback Leonard Moore and safety Tae Johnson both landed in the top 10 of a prominent early big board, reinforcing what those who watch Notre Dame every Saturday already know: this secondary is loaded with future NFL talent.

Cory Kinnan from Daft on Draft released a top 25 summer big board for the 2027 NFL Draft class, and two Fighting Irish defenders made the cut. Moore came in at No. 4 overall, while Johnson checked in at No. 9, the highest ranking I have personally seen any draft analyst give the redshirt sophomore safety to this point.

Leonard Moore’s case as the top prospect in the 2027 NFL Draft

The only three players Kinnan ranked above Moore were Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith, South Carolina pass rusher Dylan Stewart, and Texas quarterback Arch Manning.

Kinnan wrote about the All-American cornerback: “3-star recruit, no problem. Leonard Moore was perhaps the best cornerback in college football a year ago and let 2026 first-round pick Makai Lemon know about it. A legit shutdown corner with plus ball skills, Moore brings much to love to the table.”

Moore has the potential to eventually turn into one of the best cornerback prospects we have seen come out in quite some time. His combination of length, size at nearly 6-2, long speed, and instincts is truly bordering on generational. If he puts together a 2026 season that includes even a slight step forward, this has a chance to rival Jeremiah Smith as the top overall prospect in the 2027 NFL Draft. Leonard Moore is that good.

Tae Johnson could be Notre Dame’s most explosive safety prospect ever

Johnson earned the top safety spot on Kinnan’s board. Kinnan wrote that “if you love ultra-ranging explosive single high safeties, Tae Johnson is your guy — and that he’s an impressive tackler working downhill in run support as well, the ideal backstop in an NFL defense.”

Johnson has been receiving high grades from NFL evaluators this spring, which leads one to believe the 2026 college football season might be his last in South Bend despite him only being a redshirt sophomore. He sits in a strong safety class that includes Georgia’s KJ Bolden and several Ohio State talents, but Johnson’s combination of range and playmaking instinct could rise him above all of them.

He missed some time down the stretch while dealing with an injury, and that will be something to watch closely heading into 2026.

If healthy, Johnson has the tools to take a massive jump with a program that has produced Harrison Smith and Kyle Hamilton over the last 15 years. There is a legitimate conversation about whether Tae Johnson is the highest-upside coverage player of any safety to come out of Notre Dame, and that is a massive statement given the talent that has preceded him.

Freeman’s secondary pipeline continues to deliver

Notre Dame’s secondary under Freeman has been incredibly stable and sustainable over the last few years, and it continues to produce NFL-caliber talent. The fact that two members of the current defensive backfield sit in the top 10 of an early 2027 NFL Draft big board speaks to the recruiting and development happening in South Bend. With Moore and Johnson leading the way, the Fighting Irish secondary should be one of the best units in college football this fall, and the NFL is already paying close attention.

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