Notre Dame’s cohesion on defense stood out in spring practices
Notre Dame has been building something special on defense over the past few seasons. The Fighting Irish are set to enter their third year under defensive coordinator Al Golden, who signed a contract this offseason to remain in South Bend through 2027.
They finished this past season fifth in total defense and eight in scoring defense. With many of the key pieces set to return in 2024, they’ll have opportunity to once again be among the best units in the country.
Tyler Horka of Blue and Gold joined On3‘s Andy Staples to discuss what has stood out most about the Notre Dame defense with spring practice recently wrapping up.
“Continuity, chemistry cohesion,” he said. “All of those words. Al Golden’s going into his third year and he’s a guy that a lot of people thought might have gone back to the NFL. He’s just a hot commodity when you lead Notre Dame to a top five ranking in yards allowed per game, which quietly they were last year.
“I know Notre Dame lost three games and were not close to making a four-team College Football Playoff, but if you go back and look at the numbers in some of those bigger games like holding Ohio State to 17 points, they could have easily won that game and it was because of the Notre Dame defense. It’s just a really good group. You’ve got a lot of guys to come back for it.”
There will be one glaring difference for the Fighting Irish this season as edge rusher Javonte Jean-Baptiste has moved on to an NFL career. He led the team with 10.5 tackles for loss and five sacks this past year.
Replacing Jean-Baptiste won’t be easy, but Notre Dame has brought in Duke transfer RJ Oben in attempt to do so. The Fighting Irish are also set to return several other starters on the defensive line including Howard Cross and Riley Mills, who combined for 4.5 sacks in 2023.
The secondary should also be strong with cornerback Benjamin Morrison, who had three interceptions and a team-high 10 passes defended. He is set to be one of several talented pieces on the back end.
“Benjamin Morrison is obviously one of the best players on this defense,” Horka said. “He had shoulder surgery this offseason, so we’re not really sure if he’s gonna play against Texas A&M on Aug. 31, but the cornerback room has become such a strength for this team. That goes back to what I was saying about the continuity and cohesion.
“(DB coach) Mike Mickens is the longest-tenured defensive staffer maybe on the entire Notre Dame coaching staff. He’s recruiting guys that can just plug in and play right away. Christian Gray was a freshman last year. Incredible, acrobatic interception he made against Pitt. He’s probably going to start this year. Jaden Mickey is a guy that could start at a lot of different places as well. They’ve done really good in the transfer portal on the defensive side of the ball too.”
It’s a solid blend of returning talent and new faces for the Fighting Irish that should hopefully yield positive results as they aim to make it to the College Football Playoff this season.
“Getting a guy like Oben to replace Javonte Jean Baptiste is basically a one-for-one swap, Horka said. “Getting Jordan Clark from Arizona State to replace Thomas Harper, who played really well coming in from Oklahoma State. Just the way that this unit on that side of the ball has been able to remain consistent and do all the same things whether it be get guys out of the portal, get guys to stay for fifth or sixth seasons.
“Jack Kiser in the middle is a linebacker who’s here for a sixth year. Local kid from Indiana. Obviously wants to play as much Notre Dame football as he can and he plays it really well. So just a really good group.”
Notre Dame is set to open up the 2024 season on Aug. 31 on the road against Texas A&M.