Notre Dame Safety Tae Johnson Has Star Power Potential In 2026
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Notre Dame is starting to string together some really impressive safety performances since 2020. Current NFL star safety Kyle Hamilton was a force on Notre Dame's defense in 2020 and 2021 and was the last Fighting Irish defensive back drafted in the first round of the NFL Draft. The 6-4, 220-pound safety finished his collegiate career with 138 total tackles, 17 passes defended, eight interceptions and one pick six.
Hamilton was followed up by Xavier Watts who is arguably the best safety that's come through South Bend in program history. The 6-0, 203-pound safety finished his collegiate career with 189 total tackles, 16 passes defended, two forced fumbles and 13 interceptions. He won the Bronko Nagurski Award for his performance in 2023, was named a Unanimous All-American in 2023 and was one vote away from being names a Unanimous All-American in 2024.
Currently, the Irish have standout, and captain, safety Adon Shuler who returns for his third season in the starting lineup. He, and middle linebacker Drayk Bowen, will be the heart and soul of this Notre Dame defense in 2026, but there's a redshirt sophomore who is on the verge of breaking out as a national star. Fort Wayne, Indiana native Brauntae Johnson is on the verge of becoming a star, and he didn't waste any time in 2025 making a name for himself.
After only playing a head-scratching nine snaps against Miami in the season opener, Johnson broke out against the Aggies finishing with six solo tackles, one pass defended and a blocked punt return for a touchdown. He was inserted into the starting lineup against the Purdue Boilermakers and started every game until he missed the final two due to a hand injury.
The 6-2, 200-pound safety finished the season with 48 tackles, three passes defended, four interceptions, one pick six and didn't allow a single touchdown this season. Despite only playing three snaps against Miami and none against Syracuse and Stanford, Johnson finished the year fourth on the team in tackles and second on the team in interceptions.
Notre Dame is becoming a school that produces high-level defensive backs at a rapid pace. Former defensive backs coach Mike Mickens laid the foundation for South Bend to be a premier destination for top cornerbacks and safeties in the country. Now, it's up to new defensive backs coach and co-defensive coordinator Aaron Henry to maintain that standard and develop the current talent he has in the room.
The Fighting Irish roster this season is loaded with talent and tons of star power potential on both offense and defense. Obviously, Unanimous All-American Leonard Moore is the one certified star returning for Chris Ash's defense. But it wouldn't shock me in the slightest if we're talking about Johnson at the end of the 2026 season as one of, if not the best, safety in the country.
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