The Notre Dame defense shows that it is an elite group against Miami (OH), but still has major room for improvement
This 2024 season has taken several years off of the lives of Notre Dame football fans, not knowing which team you are going to see on a week-to-week basis. At times, this looks like a dominant football team who is ready to compete against anyone. At other times, it looks like a program who can’t […]
This 2024 season has taken several years off of the lives of Notre Dame football fans, not knowing which team you are going to see on a week-to-week basis. At times, this looks like a dominant football team who is ready to compete against anyone. At other times, it looks like a program who can’t beat anyone worth any real hype. It’s infuriating.
The one constant you can depend on, for the most part, is an elite defense. It was far from a perfect day but that unit was still able to showcase their talent during a 28-3 victory over the Miami (OH) RedHawks on Saturday. Here were the standouts from that contest, mostly positive and one negative.
STUDS
Christian Gray
Everyone knows about All-American cornerback Benjamin Morrison. He is arguably your best player on the entire team, and he could go in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft next April. Don’t look now but Notre Dame has another star cornerback who could be one of the best in the country. Gray is extremely athletic, and has been stellar so far this season. The sophomore had his first interception of the season on Saturday, and had another pass breakup that should have been another. Gray has been excellent.
Boubacar Traore
The last two games have been the breakout of Traore, who is the most talented pass rusher that the Irish have had in several years. Traore finished the game against Notre Dame with five total tackles and two sacks. The explosiveness, twitch and length he brings to the table is stellar. We will be seeing a lot more of Traore during the course of the season, which is pretty exciting. The redshirt freshman has the look of a future superstar pass rusher.
Xavier Watts
At one point in the game I said to myself, “Why would anyone ever throw the ball in at Xavier Watts right now?” He’s the player who is playing the most consistent brand of football right now. Watts also seems to be in the right position, and he continues to make plays. The veterans have been a big disappointment for this Notre Dame team so far, but not Watts. He has been stellar when forced to make a play. The senior has lived up to his All-American billing. Watts ended the day with three tackles and two pass breakups, but felt like a lot more.
DUD (S)
Interior defensive line
Coming into the year, many believed that the defensive tackle duo of Howard Cross III and Rylie Mills could be one of the best in the nation. Through four games, they aren’t even in the ballpark. Those struggles continued against the RedHawks, letting up over 100 yards rushing, including 75 (five yards per carry) in the first half against a very poor rushing football team. The perfect microcosm for how much that duo has struggled is Mills, who although he plays a playmaking position at three technique, has yet to record a tackle for loss or sack this season. At this point, Jason Onye needs to play more.
