Marcus Freeman details how the return of Leonard Moore could change the role for an Irish defender who has gotten better and better 

I’m not sure many expected Notre Dame true freshman cornerback Mark Zackery IV to play a substantial role during the 2025 college football season, but an injury to All-American Leonard Moore created some baptism by fire. It hasn’t been an easy transition, but Zackery showed a lot of improvement during this past game against the Arkansas Razorbacks. The future appears to be very bright for the Indiana native. 

The 5-11, 175-pound cover man has played in all four of the games for the Fighting Irish so far, including starting the last two in place of Moore. Zackery has recorded five total tackles, two pass breakups, and a tackle for loss. The key more than raw stats, however, is that he has shown incremental growth each and every week. 

As of today, Moore is still questionable to return this week against the Boise State Broncos. Whether Moore returns this week, or sometime in the near future, there is going to be a new role on the horizon for Zackery. With Moore and Christian Gray both in place, those are your two starting cornerbacks barring more injuries. 

Head coach Marcus Freeman made it clear during his media availability on Monday that Zackery will still have a role once Moore returns. He might even be able to provide some versatility that could make the cornerback room even stronger for the Irish.

Mark Zackery's new role

"What I’ve learned is that he is not a blamer," Coach Freeman explained about Zackery. "He doesn’t point fingers. He wants to be coached. He wants to improve. We knew he had talent, but sometimes in failure, you learn about a guy. Is he a competitive individual who wants to take ownership and say ‘how do I make this better?’ Or is he a “aint my fault type of guy”? I knew that just because I know his parents. I know how he was raised, but that’s what he has done. He has owned the issues. Just like his coach has. Just like we all have. 

"We got a lot of trust in him," continued Freeman. "Whenever Leonard (Moore) gets back this week, he’s questionable right now, we have confidence that now Mark can spell Leonard and Christian (Gray). We need that. You’re not really comfortable with just two cornerbacks in college football right now. We have to have a third guy who we feel like can roll in and help."

Game experience for younger players is invaluable, and that early injury to Moore could end up being a blessing in disguise. Zackery has a unique background already having spent some time at both boundary and field cornerback since he arrived in South Bend. With the depth behind Moore and Gray in question, having a cover man who can do a little of both duties is incredibly important. 

When you look back at Zackery’s career at in-state power Ben Davis, he was lauded for his ability to do a lot of different things. Not only was he a tremendous cornerback in high school, but Zackery also spent the majority of his final two seasons at safety. He was also a standout wide receiver for the team, as well as a dynamic basketball player. Zackery is the definition of an all-around athlete. 

That diversity and athletic background is already showing itself with Freeman’s comments. We will be seeing a lot more of No. 24 throughout the rest of the 2025 season. It just so happens that it could be at both cornerback spots as the main backup.