Notre Dame 2024 Depth Chart - First Glance Look - Defense Edition

I won't be surprised if at least one player from this depth chart isn't here by the time we get to fall camp, either by transfer or a position switch, but this is where things stand as of today.

Duke transfer R.J. Oben will absolutely be a key part of the defensive end position in 2024, but the question is will he be the starter or the next man in along with rising junior Josh Burnham. A former linebacker, Burnham will likely be making a full-time transition to end after playing the last season and a half at Vyper. Burnham is poised for a breakout season, and if Oben also makes a smooth transition this could be an impactful one-two punch at end.

There's a lot of talent behind that duo, and players like Tyson Ford, Brenan Vernon and incoming freshman Bryce Young will all get a chance to force their way into the rotation next fall.

It was a disappointing senior season for Jordan Botelho, but he'll get another crack to prove himself in 2024. Botelho finished the season on a strong note, but he did the same in the bowl game after the 2022 season. Notre Dame needs Botelho to be a more impactful pass rusher next season.

It was also a disappointing season for Junior Tuihalamaka, but expectations are he makes a jump in 2024 after getting a full year of playing Vyper under his belt. A player to keep an eye on is rising sophomore Boubacar Traore, who is an athletically gifted player with insane length and big time potential. A strong offseason by Traore could result in him being a bigger focal point of the rotation next season.

Both Burnham and Oben could also play Vyper if the need arose, which could be due to injury, the Vyper depth not playing, or other ends stepping up and allowing the staff to have more freedom to play them on both sides.

Notre Dame's entire interior depth chart returns intact, and the Irish should be very, very good up the middle next season.

Getting fifth-year senior Rylie Mills back was huge, and its a big offseason for Jason Onye. He showed flashes this season but never had a breakout, but that could come now that he has some experience under his belt. Donovan Hinish forced his way onto the field this season and showed potential, and he too should see a jump now that he has a season of experience under his belt.

Rising sophomore Armel Mukam might need another year of development, but he's very talented and has a bright future.

With Mills and sixth-year senior Howard Cross III both coming back the Irish should once again have one of the best DT tandems in college football. 

Rising senior Gabriel Rubio battled through injuries all season, and he ultimately missed four games because of those issues. He wasn't full strength most of the season, but Rubio did look more fresh in the bowl game. If he can stay healthy next season he gives the interior a big, physical playmaker. 

Rising sophomore Devan Houstan is another young player with loads of potential. After missing last spring with an injury he should be poised for a jump heading into his second season. Incoming freshman Sean Sevillano adds such much-needed beef to the interior.

Battle: Most of the starting lineup is settled, but we will likely see a battle rage at defensive end with Burnham, Oben and others. Most of the backup spots are also set, at least based on what happened this past season. The young talent on the roster might have a thing or two to say about that, however.

Biggest Question: Can they keep everyone happy? Seriously, that's really the only thing I'm worried about. Can they play the depth enough to keep everyone happy without impacting the flow of the game. This is a deep and talented group of players, and Notre Dame should have one of the best DL in the game in 2024.

LINEBACKER

If I could do this in pencil, I would. I expect there to be a lot of crosstraining, so keep that in mind when looking through the early LB depth chart.

Rising sophomore Drayk Bowen is the heir apparent at Mike linebacker. If Bowen builds on his rookie season I fully expect him to take over the Mike position, but I could also see veteran Jack Kiser, sophomore Jaiden Ausberry, sophomore Preston Zinter or freshman Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa play Mike if Bowen goes down or doesn't perform. 

Even though I list Kahanu Kia as the backup Mike now, I would assume a Will (Kiser, KVA, Zinter) who doesn't win the starting job will crosstrain and also be the No. 2 at Mike.

Based on what we saw in the bowl game it seems Kiser will move inside and get the starting nod at Will after starting the last two seasons at Rover. Zinter is an overlooked player that will make his presence felt this spring, and Viliamu-Asa is an ultra-talented young player that will be hard to keep off the field.

There is too much talent at this position for everyone to stay here full time, so as I stated above, at least one of the Wills that doesn't start will likely crosstrain at Mike as well.

I wouldn't be surprised to see Sneed crosstain either, with Will and Rover being positions he could play. The same is true for Ausberry, who could easily be listed in the battle at Will or Mike. 

Battle: Kiser will start, and both Bowen and Sneed have the inside track to start, but I fully expect the other sophomores (Ausberry, Zinter) and Viliamu-Asa to all push for playing time, if not a starting lineup.

Biggest Question: Who plays where? That's really the big question right now. Injuries could also be a problem for this group. Notre Dame has nine scholarship backers, but three of them are true freshmen. If there is more than one or two injuries the position could get thin in a hurry.

SAFETY

Getting fifth-year senior Xavier Watts to return was huge for Notre Dame, and not just because he was a unanimous All-American and difference maker. The depth behind him is very, very young and shaky.

Sources inside the program are very high on Ben Minich, but he has to prove he can stay healthy. The same is true for ultra-talented incoming freshman Brauntae Johnson.

I have transfer Jordan Clark listed here because he could help at safety, but he was brought in primarily play the nickel position.

Rising sophomore Adon Shuler stepped up as the No. 3 safety for the bowl game, and with DJ Brown gone he will get a shot to earn a starting role in the spring. Even though he's not on scholarship (at least not yet), fellow sophomore Luke Talich needs to be viewed as a scholarship player. He'll get his chance to earn playing time once he returns from the broken collarbone injury that ended his regular season.

Even if Shuler shows himself ready to step into the starting lineup the Irish will need to add to its safety depth chart. Whether that's a transfer, or moving a cornerback to safety, at least one veteran player is needed to help shore up the depth chart on the back end.

Battle: There will be a battle to see who starts next to Watts, although I don't think we know yet who all the players will be in that battle.

Biggest Question: Will youth be served? Notre Dame will be very, very young and inexperienced behind Watts. There is some talent there, no question about that, but this is the one position above all others that could use some assistance from either a position change or portal help standpoint.

CORNERBACK

Star cornerback Benjamin Morrison returns for his junior season, and just like that he's a veteran. Morrison will get a chance to emerge as a leader on the back end next season, and he'll need to fill the leadership void that Cam Hart left behind.

Rising fifth-year senior Clarence Lewis has not yet announced if he's returning for the 2024 season, but hopefully he does, and hopefully he gets moved to safety. I stand by my belief that it's his best position, and he certainly has loads of experience.

Both rising junior Jaden Mickey and rising sophomore Christian Gray played a lot of football in 2023. They are talented players, and while losing Hart is a blow, their presence should allow Notre Dame to continue being elite at cornerback. I'm curious to see if Micah Bell can make a jump in year two either as a cornerback or nickel. Bell has truly elite speed and a lot of natural skill, but he spent his rookie year learning how to play corner.

Battle: There will be a clear battle for the starting field corner position. Mickey got the start in the bowl game, but Gray was the more impressive cover player this season. Both are going to play a ton, and both will make a lot of plays, but there will be a battle for the starting spot.

Biggest Question: I'm also curious to see if there's a battle at nickel, or if Clark just steps into that role and takes over. Mickey is a guy that has a lot of natural nickel traits, or at least he has traits that I think could fit really well there, including being very physical against the run.