Notre Dame football now has clear eyes on the beginning of the 2026 college football season on Sept. 6 when the Fighting Irish head to Lambeau Field to take on the Wisconsin Badgers. With fall camp in the rearview and head coach Marcus Freeman’s squad turning its attention to game prep for that opening contest, it feels like a great time to put together an updated defensive depth chart projection.

On that side of the football, there weren’t as many major surprises coming out of camp. There is, however, plenty of insight into the position battles that played out, the players who ascended toward the top of the rotation, the depth pieces who will contribute in meaningful ways, and the reasons Notre Dame fans should be optimistic going into the year.

Defensive line

Defensive end 

1. Bryce Young, junior 2. Keon Keeley, redshirt junior

Nose tackle

1. Francis Brewu, junior. 2. Tionne Gray, redshirt sophomore 3. Sean Sevilano Jr., redshirt sophomore

Defensive tackle

1. Armel Mukam, redshirt junior 2. Jason Onye, redshirt senior 3. Elijah Hughes, senior

Defensive end

1. Boubacar Traore, redshirt junior 2. Rodney Dunham, freshman

This Notre Dame defensive line has me super excited for what it could potentially accomplish during the 2026 season.

If you saw my previous depth chart projection about a week and a half ago, there aren’t any major surprises here. I believe that defensive end Bryce Young and Keon Keeley will become a great tandem at one spot opposite Boubacar Traore, while Rodney Dunham gets more and more reps in passing situations throughout the season.

Inside, I continue to favor Armel Mukam as the de facto starter next to Pitt transfer Francis Brewu. All of Tionne Gray, Jason Onye, Elijah Hughes, and Sean Sevillano Jr. will play a good volume for Notre Dame this season, though. The depth along this front is a real strength for the Irish defense heading into the fall.

Linebackers

MIKE linebacker

1. Drayk Bowen, senior 2. Jaiden Ausberry, redshirt junior 3. Madden Faraimo, sophomore

WILL linebacker

1. Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa, junior 2. Jaylen Sneed, redshirt senior

With Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa seemingly back near full health from the knee injury he suffered later in the 2025 season, there is a lot of excitement for what KVA can accomplish as a junior. If healthy, I believe he will ascend to being one of the best overall linebackers in the entire country.

There’s a chance that he might be the “backup” middle linebacker on paper to Drayk Bowen. There’s also a chance that he could be so good that you need to get him on the field with that first unit, and you should. Either way, Viliamu-Asa is going to play a lot alongside Jaiden Ausberry, Jaylen Sneed, and sophomore Madden Faraimo. The linebacker room has tremendous upside with that kind of rotation.

Secondary

Boundary cornerback

1. Leonard Moore, junior 2. Mark Zackery IV, sophomore or Khary Adams, freshman 

Field cornerback

1. DJ McKinney, redshirt senior 2. Jayden Sanders, sophomore 3. Mark Zackery IV, sophomore

Nickelback

1. Christian Gray, senior 2. Dallas Golden, sophomore

Boundary safety

1. Adon Shuler, redshirt junior 2. Luke Talich, senior

Field safety

1. Brauntae Johnson, redshirt sophomore 2. Ethan Long, redshirt freshman

The starters on the back end of the defense, at least as projected, should not be a surprise to anyone. All-American cornerback Leonard Moore is going to hold down the boundary. Safety Adon Shuler and Brauntae Johnson form the starting tandem in the back of the defense. Christian Gray will step in as the starting nickel after transitioning from field corner this offseason.

There is a battle that Freeman talked about for the field cornerback position still raging between Colorado transfer DJ McKinney and Michigan transfer Jayden Sanders. For now, I give the edge to McKinney, although Sanders has put himself in position to play both field corner and inside at nickel this season. That kind of versatility only strengthens the overall group.

Ethan Long and Luke Talich will be integral parts of the back end of the defense, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see youngsters like Joey O’Brien and Khary Adams carve out niches this season as well. It’s a loaded secondary, and in my opinion, it is inarguably the best overall unit in all of college football.

Notre Dame’s defense has the talent, the depth, and the development under Freeman to make a serious statement in 2026. The opener against Wisconsin at Lambeau Field will be the first chance to put it all on display.