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In recent seasons, Notre Dame has become one of the nation's best producers of talented defensive backs, and that is expected to continue in 2026. Notre Dame is considered one of the top contenders for the national championship this season, but if that's going to happen the secondary will need to play to its potential and avoid the ups and downs we saw in 2025.

Notre Dame returns a deep and talented group, but it will have new coaches on the back end of the defense. All the tools are there for the Notre Dame secondary to become a top five secondary, if not emerge as the top group of defensive backs in the country. Notre Dame has all the ingredients you want and need.

STAR POWER

It's a lot easier to have the nation's top secondary when you have elite players, and the Irish certainly have that. Cornerback Leonard Moore was a unanimous All-American last season, and he returns in 2026 as the hands down best cornerback in the country. Moore was a Freshman All-American and was named the Defensive Freshman of the Year in 2024, so he's quickly emerged as a dominant cover player for the Irish. All Moore has to do in 2026 is keep doing what he's already doing, and if he does the Irish will have at least one star player on the back end of the defense.

Moore is the only current star player on the back end, but there is the potential for more this season, as Notre Dame also returns arguably the best safety tandem in the country.

Redshirt sophomore Tae Johnson also has a chance to become a star player in 2026. Like Moore before him, Johnson was a Freshman All-American last season after making 48 tackles, picking off four passes and breaking up two more in just 10 games. Johnson is an extremely athletic player and showed himself to be a big time playmaker last season. Johnson was really starting to take off when he went down with a season-ending injury prior to the Syracuse game. If he can build off his first season in the starting lineup, Johnson could quickly emerge as one of the top safeties in the country, and the latest star safety for Notre Dame.

EXPERIENCE

Notre Dame having the top secondary in the country is more than just the star power of Moore and the potential of Johnson, there is also loads of experience returning in 2026.

Redshirt junior Adon Shuler will likely be a captain yet again this season, as he enters his third season as a starter. Shuler has been an integral part of the defense the last two seasons, and he partnered with Xavier Watts to form one of the best safety duos in 2024. Shuler racked up 112 tackles, six tackles for loss, five interceptions and 10 pass break ups the last two seasons while forcing three fumbles. There's a chance he could emerge as a star level player, but at the very least he's a steady and productive leader that plays an integral role in an elite secondary.

There are times when cornerback Christian Gray plays like a top corner, but consistency has been an issue for him. When Gray is on his game he's outstanding, but now that he goes into his third season the hope is that he can become a more steady playmaker. The question with Gray is where will he play, as there is some talk about him moving inside to nickel, where his game would also project quite well. If Gray becomes a more consistent player by eliminating the technical and focus lapses he'll be a standout for an elite Irish secondary.

Arguably the most underrated portal pickup for Notre Dame is cornerback DJ McKinney, who arrives after starting the last two seasons at Colorado. McKinney has played 2,093 snaps during his career, racked up 137 tackles, picked off four passes and broke up 19 more. McKinney was banged up a bit last season, but his 2024 film is very impressive. If he can return to that form he'll be a steal for the Irish out of the portal. If Gray moves inside to nickel it sets up a great opportunity for McKinney to step into the starting lineup once he arrives this summer.

GREAT DEPTH

Part of what makes Notre Dame so dangerous on the back end is the star power, but another reason is the outstanding depth. On top of the five players mentioned above, Notre Dame returns three more young, talented players that have already earned starts in college. Sophomore corners Dallas Golden and Mark Zackery both started multiple games last season, and both showed flashes of being big time players. Transfer cornerback Jayden Sanders made two starts last season as a true freshman at Michigan.

This trio would start for a lot of teams, and their presence at Notre Dame not only gives the team great depth and insurance against injuries, it also bodes well for the future.

The presence of veteran safety Luke Talich – who had three interceptions last season – provides another playmaker for the safety rotation. Redshirt freshmen Ethan Long and Brandon Logan are both talented young players as well and both will get a chance to push for a rotation spot this season.

Notre Dame also welcomes the best group of freshman secondary players in the country. Safety Joey O'Brien and cornerback Khary Adams were five-star recruits, and cornerback Ayden Pouncey was just on the cusp of being on that level. Cornerback Chas Smith also graded out as a Top 100 recruit, and safety/nickel Nick Reddish was a favorite player of former coach Mike Mickens.

All the tools are there. Star power, loads of experience, tremendous depth and impact potential at every position. The key moving forward is this group showing greater consistency, and defensive coordinator Chris Ash allowing this group to play a more aggressive style. There are legit playmakers in this group, but when they were used more passively last season they weren't as effective. When they were turned loose this group was quite good, and it can – and should – be even better in 2026.

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