Everything Notre Dame defensive backs coach Mike Mickens said during spring practice

Notre Dame defensive backs coach Mike Mickens spoke to local reporters in South Bend following the Fighting Irish’s spring practice. Here’s everything he said on a multitude of topics.

On cornerback Cree Thomas

He’s doing a great job. Coming in as a freshman, learning every day. He’s a competitor so he wants to be the best. He’s doing a good job and I’m seeing growth every day.

On cross-training Thomas

Not right now. He’s going to learn both boundary and field. If he has to learn Nickel he’ll learn it as well. To me, boundary/field is interchangeable. If it’s against a tempo team they’re going to be stuck into the boundary or the field, it doesn’t matter. 

On Karson Hobbs learning nickel as a freshman

You try to keep honing in on the details every day. You have to be valuable, and to be valuable you have to know more than one position. That’s the way to do it so we teach it up.

He’s still working at nickel as well.

On the key for Christian Gray this spring

He’s in the details of everything now. How’s his footwork, his recognition, how can he play faster by recognizing the splits and formations. Technique, how to finish on the ball. That’s where he is in his game. He understands what to do in a call, but how can I perfect my game?

On if it’s consistence for Gray that matters most

Yeah, and that’s for every DB: consistency. If you’re an occasionally great corner than you’re an exposed corner. We preach consistently good not occasionally great. That’s not just a him thing, that’s for every corner. 

On going from Al Golden to Chris Ash as Notre Dame defensive coordinator

They have similar philosophies. Very organized, very smart. They know ball and things of that nature. We’re just enhancing a little bit out there with it. Keeping the foundation as it is.

On learning from guys like Golden and Ash to further his own career

Yeah, that’s not just for our players to reach their full potential or our players to continue to grow. I continue to grow as a DB coach. I understand their mindset as a coordinator, understand Coach Freeman’s mindset as a head coach. If every year we’re staying the same we’re regressing. I strive to be the best coach I can be at my position. 

On if it’s hard to go from boundary corner to field or vice versa midseason

You ideally want them to stay the same, but there’s never an ideal season. They have to know what to do at both spots. I don’t think it’s hard to move, it’s just more space to the field. 

To me corner’s corner. I’m a boundary corner; field is fun as well.

On Leonard Moore

He’s just a special player. One that wants to continue to get better. He’s a pro in every way. How he comes out to practice every day. What he moves like. He’s just a pro. 

On mixing in zone with the traditional Notre Dame man defense

It just enhances it. Gives us another tool, another skill that teams are going to have to prepare for. Quarterback has to adjust.

On Notre Dame safety Luke Talich

He’s been growing each year, that’s the good thing about him. He makes strides each year. More confident and it’s happening again this spring. 

On who will replace Xavier Watts as a starting Notre Dame safety

It’s going to be a good competition. My thing is that there should be competition all around. Nobody should be comfortable.

Young Safeties They’re doing a great job. Luke is consistent in communication. [Tae Johnson] is coming along. Very athletic, making plays. Showing up faster this spring as well. 

Jadon [Blair] is a young guy. Growing in understanding how to practice and understanding how to be a college player. He’s really got to grow and take that into the season.

On how he’s grown as a coach

Just honing in. Not being specific to a position but the whole defense and things of that nature.  I just look to continue to grow and take notes from the coordinators that I’ve worked for and who I’ve grown under and shape it into who I am. 

On coaching freshman standouts at Cincinnati and Notre Dame

I tell them in the recruiting process, ‘I’m never going to put you in a box. If you’re ready to come play, that’s what you’re going to do. If you come consistent every day, that’s what we’re going to do.’ Those guys that you named (Benjamin Morrison, Sauce Garnder, Leonard Moore) came in consistent every day were ready to go and there wasn’t no hesitation. Just came and did their jobs every day. That’s what separated them. 

More on Thomas

He’s doing a great job. He’s learning every day, learning the college atmosphere, learning to compete every day. He’s going to be good.

On the opportunities for summer enrollees Mark Zachery and Dallas Golden

Exactly. Those guys won’t be put in a box either. They’ll come in and compete in fall camp. If they do what they have to do, and they standout, we’re rolling. 

On Tae Johnson mostly working at safety but also being able to play corner

Yes. He’s a new kid that can do both, but the majority of the time he’s at safety. 

On Leonard Moore guarding the slant

It’s just little details with that. Recognition of it. The split and things of that nature that are going to give it away. Just technique stuff. He’s constantly trying to get into the best version of himself. 

On if Brophy Prep kids like Thomas come in more advanced

They do a good job. They come from a great high school program. Great mindset from those kids. Competitive. That’s who they are.

He’s a competitive hard worker. Wants to be the best. That’s where it shows up.

On if length is prioritized in Notre Dame’s recruiting

Yeah, I like length. At the end of the day I want you to be able to play some football. 

On teaching kids who have length

It is. Sometimes they don’t use it naturally so you have to detail ‘Hey, you got something there a lot of guys don’t have, so you have to be able to use that ability. 

On Notre Dame losing Xavier Watts and Benjamin Morrison as leaders

We talked to Adon [Shuler] about stepping up. Devonta [Smith]. Leonard has to step up. He might be young but they all have to grow on the field.

On Virginia Tech transfer Jalen Stroman

I just think he’s a mature kid, an NFL kid. Been around that with his brother. Has the mindset of a competitor. He’s played high level football already so I’m excited to see what he can do.

On Notre Dame having a lot of different body types in the secondary

There’s versatility. Guys have different strengths and ways of using their bodies but all good football players. 

On getting support from Ryan Clark to be Notre Dame’s defensive coordinator and where Marcus Freeman stands on his future

It’s humbling. When people notice what I’ve done here. I do it for the guys and the guys do it for me. As far as how we play, we’re in it together.

Marcus knows my goals and where my goals are. So I just continue to work.