Notre dame Fighting Irish have strong argument for a new title following latest ESPN rankings release

When you think of the top position groups that Notre Dame football typically develops, most would mention the offensive line quickly. Others would talk about the tight end group. Those are the two positions that have a long, and successful history for the Fighting Irish program. 

Over the last several years, another position group has begun to trend upward in a big way, safety. ESPN recently put out an article ranking the top ten safeties in the NFL heading into the 2025 season, which took into account feedback from executives, coaches, and scouts. Notre Dame was represented well by Baltimore Ravens star Kyle Hamilton and Julian Love of the Seattle Seahawks. 

With two members in the top ten, only the Alabama Crimson Tide had more members on the list. They came in with three, including Brian Branch (Detroit Lions), Xavier McKinney (Green Bay Packers), and Minkah Fitzpatrick (Miami Dolphins). 

It wasn’t overly surprising to see Hamilton on the list, and in fact, he was on the top of the ranking. Here is what Jeremy Fowler had to say about Hamilton and his placement. 

1. Kyle Hamilton, Baltimore Ravens

Highest ranking: 1 | Lowest ranking: 9

Age: 24 | Last year's ranking: 2

Hamilton gets the benefit of the doubt despite a production dip.

In 2023, he was the only safety with at least 10 tackles for loss and 10 pass deflections. He added three sacks and four interceptions yet finished second behind Antoine Winfield Jr. in the top 10 ranking. This year, he was down significantly in each of those categories yet received more than 60% of the first-place votes.

The reason is simple: His value transcends numbers.

"All-around best player: Size instincts, production, blitz ability," an NFL personnel director said. 

Hamilton's 14.5% ball-hawking rate is decent but unspectacular, coming on 76 targets. But he can line up all over the field, from free safety to "star" linebacker. He played 200 snaps in 2024 "from the slot" as an overhang defender.

He is one of five players over the past two seasons with 15 pass breakups, five interceptions and multiple forced fumbles.

"Great player, scheme specific," an AFC executive said. "In his role, he's very good. He can't man cover and does not have elite range, that's why teams with quicker receivers can have success against him." 

Love is a player that some may have been a bit surprised to see on the list. Formerly a standout for the New York Giants, Love has been tremendous for the Seahawks the last two seasons. Here is what Fowler wrote about his ascension. 

10. Julian Love, Seattle Seahawks

Highest ranking: 5 | Lowest ranking: Unranked

Age: 27 | Last year's ranking: N/A

Love has used his two-year stint in Seattle to catapult his career, racking up 7 interceptions, 22 pass deflections and 232 total tackles. His 21.8% ball-hawking rate topped all safeties with at least 50 targets this past season.

"Range, dart, combo of physicality and ball production. Has developed into a high-end player," an NFC executive said. "Remarkable for a guy that was primarily a corner in college."

The money parallels the on-field ascension. After four years with the Giants, Seattle signed Love to a two-year, $12 million deal in March 2023, only to extend him for three years and $33 million 16 months later.

The craziest part about the list is that Harrison Smith is still a standout for the Minnesota Vikings as well. He opted to return for another year in 2025, meaning that the Fighting Irish have three safeties playing at a high level. That success on the backend isn’t stopping anytime soon, either.

Former Notre Dame All-American Xavier Watts was just selected by the Atlanta Falcons in the third round of the 2025 NFL Draft. There is also a wealth of talent on the current roster as well, with players like Adon Shuler, Jalen Stroman, Luke Talich, Brauntae Johnson, and JaDon Blair all having the talent to potentially develop into NFL players as well.  

If this trend continues, Notre Dame could firmly be a part of the Safety U conversation in the very near future. That is another great indicator for the growth of the Irish program under head coach Marcus Freeman.