Christian Gray Is Poised For A Breakout Year In 2025

Notre Dame's cornerback room has been a force to be reckoned with over the past few seasons. Defensive backs coach and defensive pass game coordinator Mike Mickens has begun to string together a list of players who have had loads of success in the defensive backfield. Cam Hart, who now starts for the Los Angeles Chargers, and Ben Morrison, who is a first round draft pick hopeful, are two guys who have gone through his system and have performed above and beyond what some may have hoped. 

Next in line, is soon to be junior Christian Gray. His teammates nicknamed him "Franchise" and for a good reason. In his past two seasons at Notre Dame he has made some highlight reel plays for the Irish. During his freshman year, he made a one-handed interception against Pitt at home that turned a lot of heads. In his freshman year as a whole, he allowed only seven receptions on 19 targets, allowed 86 receiving yards, and only gave up one touchdown in 11 games played. Making that big of a splash in a defensive backfield that included Hart and Morrison is impressive in itself. With Hart departing for the NFL after the 2023 season, he was slotted to be the next man in line in 2024 alongside Morrison. 

Gray's sophomore year had it's ups and downs. The highs were really high, but the struggles were apparent. In the first four games of the season, he was targeted 18 times and allowed 9 receptions for 61 receiving yards, zero touchdowns, and had one interception. He missed the Louisville game with an injury which, leading to true freshman Leonard Moore earning his first start. Gray's performance after missing the Louisville game was up and down as the season progressed. 

The 6-0 187 pound cornerback made some highlight reel plays down the stretch, but also showed moments where he struggled. A microcosm of his season was the final regular season game against USC. Gray allowed eight receptions on 12 targets, 130 yards receiving and two touchdowns. He also finished the game with eight tackles, a huge stop on an early fourth and two while the Trojans were driving, and two pass breakups including a 99 yard pick six that sealed the game in the fourth quarter. 

In the semifinals against Penn State, he played a huge part in Penn State's wide receiving core finishing the game with zero receptions for zero yards. He also intercepted Drew Allar with under a minute to go in the fourth quarter to help set up Notre Dame's game winning field goal that sent them to the National Championship. 

His experience and big play making ability is what leaves so many excited about his potential breakout season in 2025. He started 15 games this past season and played in 11 games his freshman year in 2023. During Notre Dame's first four games of the season, there were many who claimed his performance was outshining Morrison's until Gray's injury that sat him out against Louisville. He returns in 2025 alongside Moore, who's heading into his sophomore season. The two have the opportunity to be one of, if not the best, cornerback duo in college football this upcoming season. A trend that has been consistent in South Bend for the last couple of seasons. 

With Morrison and Xavier Watts departing from the secondary for the NFL draft, Gray will also have to step up in leadership, and he and safety Adon Shuler return having played the most snaps amongst projected starters in the secondary. Despite some of his struggles, Gray finished the year only allowing four touchdowns and 583 yards through 16 games played. He was credited with seven pass breakups by PFF and nine passes defended by ESPN. He finished the season with three interceptions but had the opportunity to have much more. 

This upcoming season, Gray will have the opportunity to flourish under Coach Mickens and will be on the opposite side of the field from a rising sophomore who is receiving a lot of the same hype that he and Morrison received in their younger years with the Irish. If he has the breakout year many believe he can and will have, Notre Dame's defensive backfield will, once again, be one of the best in college football.