There is nothing but positivity around the Notre Dame defense heading into the 2024 season. There are some expectations that this could be Al Golden’s best unit during his tenure in South Bend, which says a lot based on how strong the group was in 2023. That’s the amount of talent the team returns.

We are firmly into fall camp, which means that some major position battles are raging on. Based on some early fall camp feedback, as well as some projection, here is a preview for what the depth chart could look like when Notre Dame travels to Kyle Field to take on Texas A&M on August 31|

Defensive line

DE – RJ Oben

DE – Joshua Burnham

Vyper – Jordan Botelho

Vyper – Junior Tuihalamaka

NT – Howard Cross III

NT – Donovan Hinish

DT – Rylie Mills

DT – Jason Onye

The rotation on the defensive line is going to be the deepest we have seen in South Bend in a couple of years. The defensive end position is the perfect example. Former Duke transfer is going to play a lot, as is Joshua Burnham. True freshman Bryce Young will also see the field quite a bit. The same can be said at Vyper, where sophomore Boubacar Traore will see some opportunity behind Botelho and Tuihalamaka.

Perhaps the biggest strength on the entire football team heading into the 2024 season is the interior defensive line, where Cross and Mills create arguably the best duo in college football. Behind them, there is also a lot of talent. Al Washington has a lot of raw tools, and impressive frames to work with.

Linebacker

MIKE – Drayk Bowen

MIKE – Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa

WILL – Jack Kiser

WILL – Jaiden Ausberry

Rover – Jaylen Sneed

Rover – Jaiden Ausberry

Speaking of impressive depth, the same can be said at linebacker for the Irish. Sophomore Drayk Bowen and junior Jaylen Sneed get their first shots to start, and expectations are high. I’d also expect Jaiden Ausberry to play all over the place, including a couple different positions. It will also be hard to keep Viliamu-Asa off the field as the season goes on.

While he’s very underrated by most fans, Kiser is extremely important for this Notre Dame team. On top of the production he will add to the WILL linebacker position, Kiser will also provide much needed leadership to a young linebacker group. This unit will make some mistakes early, but should be stellar by the end of the season.

Cornerback

BCB – Benjamin Morrison

BCB – Leonard Moore

FCB – Christian Gray

FCB – Jaden Mickey

Nickel: Jordan Clark

Nickel: Karson Hobbs

With Benjamin Morrison returning, Notre Dame is expected to have one of the more talented cornerback rooms in college football. Along with Morrison, who is a projected first rounder in the 2025 NFL Draft, Gray is expected to make a massive jump as a starter. Mickey will also play a lot of football, as will Jordan Clark at nickel.

Keep an eye on freshman cornerback Leonard Moore and Karson Hobbs. With some defections this offseason, at least one of them will need to be ready to play in 2024.

Safety

FS – Xavier Watts

FS – Ben Munich

BS – Rod Heard II

BS – Adon Shuler

Watts gave Notre Dame a big boost when he decided to return after his All-American campaign in 2023. He brings his seven interceptions back, as well as his leadership skills. Heard, who is a transfer from Northwestern, is the team’s most experienced player on the roster. He played in over 2,000 career snaps for the Wildcats.

Sophomore Adon Shuler will not just be a key reserve, but will play a lot in 2024 whether he wins the starting job or not. He has the athletic ability and size to play either safety spot, providing needed depth to the room. Luke Talich is also a player to watch.

Here is the current projected depth chart heading into the fall: