Kyle Hamilton, the former Notre Dame star and current Baltimore Ravens safety, came in at No. 1 in ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler’s top 10 safety rankings for 2026.

The rankings, compiled through ballots from NFL coaches, executives, and scouts, showed a widespread consensus around Hamilton as the best safety in the league. His lowest ballot placement was No. 4, and Fowler noted that Hamilton commanded a large portion of the consensus conversation at the position.

Hamilton’s case rested heavily on his versatility. At 6-4, 220 pounds, some evaluators pointed to his work in the big nickel role rather than as a traditional safety. That distinction, however, only reinforced his value. The big nickel position has seen a massive increase in implementation across the NFL, and players like Hamilton are a driving force behind that trend.

Hamilton wasn’t the only former Golden Domer mentioned

Two other former Notre Dame safeties appeared in Fowler’s piece, further strengthening the program’s reputation on the back end.

Xavier Watts, the soon-to-be second-year pro for the Atlanta Falcons, earned an honorable mention just outside the top 10 after a strong rookie season. Evaluators praised Watts’ instincts and his ability to create turnovers. There was even a comparison drawn to his Falcons teammate Jessie Bates for his proactiveness and knack for being around the football despite not possessing elite athleticism.

If Watts puts together another productive year, it is conceivable that Notre Dame could have two top 10 safeties in next year’s edition of Fowler’s rankings.

Julian Love also received votes for his work with the Seattle Seahawks. Love was an All-American cornerback during his time at Notre Dame, and early in his NFL career, he played on the outside before transitioning to nickel and safety. He has flourished at the position over the last few years, including his current run in Seattle.

Three players with Notre Dame backgrounds have established themselves among the better defensive backs in the league. That doesn’t even account for Harrison Smith, who has been one of the better safeties of his generation. It remains up in the air whether Smith will return for another season in 2026.

Notre Dame’s pipeline isn’t slowing down

Safety has not traditionally been a position associated with elite production at Notre Dame. Since the turn of the century, though, the Fighting Irish have built a strong claim as “Safety U” based on how they have developed talent on the back end.

That pipeline shows no signs of stopping. The 2027 NFL Draft could feature both Adon Shuler and Tae Johnson, and both players will be drafted if they enter that cycle. Johnson could end up as a top 50 overall selection and perhaps a first-rounder depending on how his redshirt sophomore season goes after a breakout year.

Shuler may not be drafted as high as Johnson, but he projects as a player who will stick around and be productive at the NFL level for a long time.

That recent success, and Hamilton’s standing at the top of the position, has influenced the next generation of recruits. Players like Joey O’Brien have decided they want to continue that legacy in South Bend. Fowler’s latest rankings only reinforced where Notre Dame stands in the safety development conversation.