The Notre Dame secondary possesses the potential to stand prominently among the elite coverage units in the country in 2023. It helps to be anchored by shutdown cornerbacks Cam Hart and Benjamin Morrison. While the Notre Dame secondary entered last season with questions, Hart and Morrison promptly changed all that. The rising stars delivered some strong performances on the field a year ago. And few corner tandems will command as much respect from opposing offenses as Notre Dame’s secondary this season.
Notre Dame’s defense possesses high-end talent. It includes strong safety DJ Brown and free safety Xavier Watts. Both played in all 13 games last year. Brown started in 10 of them. Watts started the last four games of the season. Hart and Morrison, however, will be looked to as significant contributors. The unit had a solid 2022 season but will need improvement to play at a championship level this year.
Veteran Leadership
Hart, a fifth-year player, was originally recruited as a wide receiver, selecting the Fighting Irish over Virginia, Virginia Tech, and Boston College. In declining to enter the 2023 NFL Draft, Hart gives the Notre Dame secondary a dependable veteran presence. Despite a history of shoulder injuries, Hart has made his presence felt on the field since he became a starter in 2021. That year, he started 10 of 13 games, recording 42 tackles. He broke up nine passes and grabbed two interceptions. Last season Hart started 10 games, making 25 tackles with four passes broken up. And that was while being slowed by a hamstring injury early on and some inconsistent play during the first half of the schedule.
Named one of Notre Dame’s four captains this season, Hart should be able to demonstrate his immense talent, play up to his capability, and be a leader on the field. That is if he can remain healthy.
“It’s a huge honor to be respected by guys in my room, especially the cornerbacks, the defense, and obviously, the entire team,” Hart said this week on IrishSportsDaily. “To have that respect from coaches who trust that I can be a leader on this team is amazing. I’m appreciative of it.”
Game-Changing Instincts
Morrison, a pre-season All-American, grabbed his share of the limelight last year as a freshman. While Rivals.com ranked Morrison as the 30th cornerback in his class, by the end of his freshman season at Notre Dame, everyone knew his name. He started nine of 13 games and recorded 33 tackles. He snagged a team-high six interceptions, broke up four passes, and even returned one interception for a touchdown against Clemson, his second pick in that game. Morrison’s six interceptions were the most for an Irish defender since Manti Te’o recorded seven in 2012.
Ranked as the fourth-best returning cornerback in the country this year by Lindy’s Sports, Morrison comes by his talent and ball-hawking instincts naturally. His father, Darryl, played safety for the Washington Football Team in the NFL for four seasons (1993-96). While Morrison began last season with little fanfare, he concluded it as one of the best cornerbacks in college football. Even with a spectacular breakout season under his belt, he is still hungry to improve.
“The intensity hasn’t changed at all just because I have goals and aspirations for myself,” Morrison said on IrishSportsDaily. “Every year I want to get better. I have things to improve on. The biggest thing for me as a DB is to not get complacent and still find ways to get better out on the field.”
Dominant Duo
With track records that speak volumes, Hart and Morrison appear poised to prove that they are among the best cornerback duos in the land. Notre Dame’s secondary will have plenty of opportunities to take away leading receivers when it matters most in clashes against nationally ranked teams. Facing big-time passing attacks from the likes of Ohio State, Clemson, and USC, Notre Dame will need Hart and Morrison to justify their worth and deliver resounding performances in the clutch if the Fighting Irish are to entertain hopes of a college football playoff bid.
Pre-season accolades are nice. But Hart and Morrison enter the season carrying the weight of the defense’s aspirations on their shoulders. In proving that the Notre Dame secondary is one to be feared, Hart and Morrison will need to script another chapter of lockdown coverage. Further improvement from the standout defenders is a scary prospect for opposing offenses. But a foundational piece of what could be an improved and more effective Notre Dame defense in 2023.
Photo courtesy: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
