Note: This is College Football News Our preview takes a more general perspective for a more national audience and we will be analysing the 2024 Irish squad in more detail over the coming weeks as the season gets underway.
– Al Golden is a great defensive coordinator. His mediocrity at Miami — 32-25 in his four-and-a-half seasons as coach — overshadowed his success building Temple into a winning team over several seasons.
He arrived at Notre Dame in 2022 after several years as an NFL assistant and helped the defense improve from 43rd in the country in his first year to 21st and then to fifth last year. The pass defense allowed 14 touchdowns but only 14 interceptions and was third in the country in yards allowed.
The run defense allowed just under three yards per carry six times, and the pass rush was good with 24 turnovers, which was key. They will have to replace six starters, but they have a great freshman class coming in to add depth and several transfers to fill the gaps. First…
– The pass rush has lost some pieces, but it doesn't matter because they're getting pressure from multiple spots. Jordan Botelho is a big end who can get behind the line but is best able to withstand the run, and Duke transfer RJ Obeng is a key player in applying pressure, recording 14.5 sacks and 20 tackles for loss over the past three seasons.
The tackling is great. Howard Cross (second on the team with 66 tackles) and Riley Mills aren't big, but they can hold their own and move. Veterans Donovan Heinisch and Jason Onye have enough experience to take on larger roles and stay fresh. Running inside against the Irish will be an issue.
–Tackle leader J.D. Bertrand was removed from the linebacker corps after leading the team with 76 stops. Drake Bowen is a slightly bigger player in the midfield, and while he was a bit of a playmaker last season, he should be a star statistically.
The roster is thin and Jalen Snead will have to thrive on the outside after making 14 tackles in limited minutes, but Jack Kiser has 185 tackles over the past four seasons and is a strong veteran who could slot in somewhere on the outside.
– Even if the secondary isn't the team's greatest strength, it's close. Cornerback Cam Hart was traded to the Los Angeles Chargers and safeties DJ Brown and Thomas Harper left with a combined 86 tackles, but this roster is still good.
Benjamin Morrison is one of the top cornerbacks in the country and a promising pro prospect. He has nine interceptions and 14 picks defensed in his first two years. Now it's Jaden Mickey's turn to step up on the other end. Teams will likely look to move past Morrison.
Xavier Watts is an all-purpose safety who had seven interceptions last season and was fourth on the team with 52 interceptions.
Jordan Clark, a sixth-year freshman recruit from Arizona State, has 97 tackles and 13 interceptions over the past two seasons, while Rod Huard, who has 194 tackles, 10 tackles for loss and eight interceptions at Northwestern, will be looking to play.
Notre Dame Preview 2024
Notre Dame Football Preview 2024
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