Mike Mickens Has Changed The Narrative For The Notre Dame Cornerbacks

Notre Dame hasn't always been known as a school that produces top level cornerbacks, but in recent seasons, that narrative is beginning to change. One of the best hires into the program in the past five years has been defensive backs coach Mike Mickens. He came to South Bend after coaching defensive backs at Cincinnati, his alma mater, from 2018-2019. Mickens has been at Notre Dame ever since, and he's changed the landscape of the Irish defensive back field. 

The secondary as a whole has evolved from Mickens' presence, but it took a season to gain some traction. 2020 was an outlier type of season due to COVID, but once he got his feet under him, the defensive backfield took off in ways some didn't see possible.

2020: No. 61 in YPG (230.6); No. 55 in TD allowed (14); No. 58 in INT (7)
2021: No. 63 in YPG (224.2); No. 10 in TD allowed (10); No. 14 in INT (15)
2022: No. 23 in YPG (198.0); No. 64 in TD allowed (20); No. 68 in INT (10)
2023: No. 3 in YPG (157.3); No. 1 in TD allowed (8); No. 10 in INT (16)
2024: No. 4 in YPG (169.4); No. 23 in TD allowed (14); No. 5 in INT (19)

In three seasons, the Notre Dame secondary has not allowed over a 200 yards per game average amongst all of their opponents including the postseason. As a group, they have tallied double digit interceptions in every season except Mickens' first year in South Bend. This is not just a testament to a fantastic coaching job, but also an acknowledgement to the elite level of development the cornerbacks and safeties receiver once they arrive at Notre Dame. 

In 2022, as a true freshman, All-American cornerback Benjamin Morrison burst onto the scene in emphatic fashion. He had a breakout game against Clemson where he recorded two interceptions and returned one of them to the house. Alongside Morrison was Cam Hart, who now starts for the Los Angeles Chargers. Hart and Morrison became a stout duo in 2022 and 2023 only allowing seven total touchdown receptions combined in two seasons according to PFF. 

Once Hart departed after the 2023 season came to an end, it was time for rising sophomore, Christian Gray, to step up into the lineup. Gray flashed as a true freshman in moments throughout 2023. This past season, Gray started out the season hot, had some inconsistencies in the middle post injury but still remained a high level playmaker down the stretch. He put a stamp their final regular season game, returning an interception 98 yards for a touchdown against USC in the Coliseum and recorded the game sealing interception against Penn State in the Orange Bowl that set up Notre Dame's game winning field goal drive. 

Gray and Morrison were slotted to be one of the best cornerback duos in the country in 2024, but an unfortunate hip injury put an end to Morrison's season mid way through the regular season. Enter true freshman Leonard Moore.  

There were several questions surrounding Moore's ability to replace Morrison in the starting lineup, those questions quickly got answered as the season progressed. At 6-2 190 pounds, Moore was a bigger presence in the starting lineup, but was also a couple of steps faster than his predecessor. Moore ended his true freshman campaign with two interceptions, only allowed two touchdowns, recorded 42 tackles and allowed a completion percentage of just 46.4 percent. His performance last season earned him a spot on the FWAA Freshman All-American team. 

Now, looking ahead to 2025, Moore and Gray return to the starting lineup and are being talked about as one of the best cornerback duos in the country. Ten years ago, it would have been difficult to proclaim Notre Dame having the best cornerback duo in the country three consecutive years in a row. Due to great recruiting evaluations, player development and great in-season coaching, the Irish secondary has now become the consistent strength of this defense.