Notre Dame defenders that are set up for bigger roles for the 2025 season following dominant spring performances
Notre Dame football has boasted an elite defense in college football each of the last two seasons. With Al Golden off to lead the Cincinnati Bengals defense, Chris Ash will now lead the talented Fighting Irish unit. Heading into the spring, Notre Dame fans everywhere were anxious to see what this unit looked like. There […]
Notre Dame football has boasted an elite defense in college football each of the last two seasons. With Al Golden off to lead the Cincinnati Bengals defense, Chris Ash will now lead the talented Fighting Irish unit. Heading into the spring, Notre Dame fans everywhere were anxious to see what this unit looked like.
There are, of course, some proven players returning. Everyone already knows about star cornerback Leonard Moore, safety Adon Shuler, and linebacker Drayk Bowen among others. What young players were going to step up, however, was more of a question. It looks like we got some answers with spring ball wrapping.
Here are some underrated defenders who seem to have taken advantage of opportunity in the spring. They could be in line for substantial roles in 2025.
CB Karson Hobbs
With both Leonard Moore and Christian Gray returning as the starting outside cornerbacks, there aren’t many major questions at the position on the back end. As we have seen, depth is important. Hobbs, who will be a sophomore this season, just put together a tremendous spring period. At 6-1 and 190 pounds, Hobbs has the long speed and size to stick on the outside. He also can play in the nickel as well. Expect Hobbs to carve out a role for this stellar secondary in 2025.
Young safeties
Everyone knows that Adon Shuler is going to hold down one safety spot, but who is going to start next to him? There is a lot of talent in that safety room, but figuring out the hierarchy was a bigger question. All of junior Luke Talich, redshirt freshman Brauntae Johnson, and true freshman JaDon Blair had tremendous springs. So much so that Kennedy Urlacher opted for the Transfer Portal. Virginia Tech transfer Jalen Stroman was excepted to start opposite of Shuler, but he will have his work cut out for him this offseason.
DT Jason Onye
While Onye doesn’t fit the description of a “younger player”, he is on a redemption arc that could be huge for Notre Dame next season. After missing the majority of last season with a personal issue, Onye is back, and bigger and better than before. Many people were excited about that return heading into the spring, but nobody knew exactly what to expect from Onye. He looks like he has put himself into a great position to start, and could be a different maker in the fall.
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