{"id":43990,"date":"2022-02-25T09:00:59","date_gmt":"2022-02-25T14:00:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/collegefootball\/?p=43990"},"modified":"2022-02-24T19:10:42","modified_gmt":"2022-02-25T00:10:42","slug":"notre-dame-secondary-2022-preview","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/collegefootball\/2022\/02\/25\/notre-dame-secondary-2022-preview\/","title":{"rendered":"Notre Dame Secondary 2022 Preview"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Notre Dame secondary enters the 2022 season with arguably the most questions on the defensive unit. With a loaded group of returners at defensive line and linebacker, the Irish must solidify their final line of defense. This is arguably one of the more pressing needs on the roster as a whole. Why? For those who watched the Rose Bowl, they saw Ohio State wide receiver catch 15 passes for three scores and 347 yards. All the passes came from quarterback C.J. Stroud<\/strong>. Both players return to the Buckeyes next year. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Notre Dame opens at Ohio State t<\/span>alk about a scary way to start the season.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

So, what does Notre Dame have lined up to oppose the Buckeyes\u2019 lethal attack? Here\u2019s a look at the starters, second-string, and other players to watch in the Notre Dame secondary.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The Starters<\/b><\/h3>\n

Barring a significant defensive change, the Irish, have four available starting spots in the secondary. Here\u2019s who\u2019s in line to claim those spots.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Cornerback: Cam Hart, Clarence Lewis<\/b><\/h3>\n

This is likely the starting duo the Irish will roll out in Columbus. But it\u2019s certainly not finalized. Cam Hart<\/a>, who likely would have been a draft selection had he declared, is as close to a guaranteed starter as the cornerback position has. He\u2019s the most physical corner on the Irish roster. This past season, Hart recorded four-and-a-half tackles for loss plus two interceptions. He\u2019s an experienced playmaker that will be leaned upon all season.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

However, Clarence Lewis<\/a> is in a different situation. A poor performance against Oklahoma State in the Fiesta Bowl put the rising junior under the spotlight. The physicality is a bit of a concern, but Lewis is solid in coverage. He doesn\u2019t get beat by the big play frequently, but he did struggle to contain Oklahoma State\u2019s Tay Martin<\/strong> (10 receptions, 104 yards, three touchdowns). Martin bullied Lewis on a host of 8-12 yard receptions. Given his experience, expect Lewis to retain the starting spot, but it\u2019s not a lock.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Safety: Brandon Joseph, DJ Brown<\/b><\/h3>\n

The first spot is a no-brainer. The Irish secured the commitment of one of the top defensive names in the transfer portal. One can\u2019t just replace All-American safety Kyle Hamilton<\/strong>, but Brandon Joseph<\/a>, with nine career interceptions in two seasons, is about as close as it gets. He\u2019ll be an X-factor in the Notre Dame secondary next season.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The second spot has room for debate, and this projection has DJ Brown<\/a> sliding into the starting role. According to\u00a0the depth chart DJ Brown, spent much of the season behind Houston Griffith<\/a>\u00a0last year until injuries pushed him into a starting role. Many projections have Joseph and Griffith starting, which is a possibility. However, Brown simply was a bigger impact player for the Irish in 2021. He outpaced Griffin with his 42 tackles, one tackle for loss, and three interceptions. There are improvements to be made – open-field tackling was an issue for Brown at times – but he\u2019s a great option at safety and should take on the second starting role.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Second String<\/b><\/h2>\n

Cornerback: Ryan Barnes, Tariq Bracy<\/b><\/h3>\n

There\u2019s little reason for this arrangement to change. Behind Hart, Ryan Barnes<\/strong> is the most physically imposing Notre Dame cornerback. The Irish will groom him to start once Hart leaves. But if Notre Dame feels outmatched with the slightly smaller Lewis starting, they may look to get Barnes some starting reps. That\u2019s not likely to be a Week 1 situation, but Barnes is a name to watch throughout this season.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Tariq Bracy<\/strong>\u2019s role is unlikely to change. He was solid in some of the nickel packages for the Irish this season. Thus, proving more competent as a package player for a top-level program, rather than a full-time starter. He notched two pass breakups and an interception in 2021. He\u2019ll again provide veteran leadership as a prominent second-string player.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Safeties: Houston Griffith, Ramon Henderson\u00a0<\/b><\/h3>\n

Griffith is still a solid veteran presence who should contribute in 2022. However, to elevate to the first string, it feels like he needs to be more disruptive. He\u2019s a guy that the Irish will feel comfortable starting if injury occurs, but Griffith is a high-level second-string player if that\u2019s where he starts.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Ramon Henderson<\/strong> made the switch from corner to safety last season and immediately looked more comfortable. He notched his first career interception at Virginia. He\u2019s still a little raw at the position, but expect Henderson to get some run out of the second-string, as his ceiling should improve throughout the season.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Players To Watch<\/b><\/h2>\n

CB Jaden Mickey<\/b><\/h3>\n

Jaden Mickey<\/a> is the highest-rated Notre Dame secondary recruit in the 2022 class. The four-star is not incredibly likely to play right away, but he does bring fairly traditional size to the cornerback position. A hair under six feet and 175 pounds, Mickey can compete physically, and he demonstrates elite speed. He\u2019s not a Day 1 starter, but he\u2019s a name to watch as the Irish try and optimize their production in the secondary.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

S Justin Walters<\/b><\/h3>\n

Justin Walters<\/strong> played in two games and made four tackles as a true freshman. He\u2019s not cracking the two-deep with Joseph, Brown, Griffith, and Henderson manning the top four spots. But it\u2019s worth noting that the Irish may lose three of those players after 2022. Walters is probably the next man up in the safety room, especially after Notre Dame didn\u2019t land a recruit at the position this year. At 6\u20191, Walter has the size, and he\u2019s shown some ball-hawking ability. In the 2021 Blue and Gold Game, Walters picked off Drew Pyne<\/strong>. Walters is an injury away from being a significant 2022 contributor and a definite name to watch.<\/span><\/p>\n

Xavier Watts<\/b><\/h3>\n

Where is Xavier Watts<\/strong> playing in 2022? Anybody\u2019s guess to some extent. Don\u2019t rule out a return to a thinned-out wide receiver corps. Or slotting in at rover in a deep linebacker group. But if he stays listed as a safety, Watts may have an exceptional ceiling – he looked quite good despite being raw as a defensive player in the collegiate ranks. So if he\u2019s still in the safety room, keep an eye out for Watts. But keep an eye out for him, regardless, he might be anywhere.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The Notre Dame secondary group is a curious situation. They\u2019ve got a star in Joseph and some competent and above-average returning talent. Is that good enough to slow down Stroud in September? Clemson\u2019s DJ Uiagalelei<\/strong> in November? Or Caleb Williams when the Irish close the season at USC? Notre Dame\u2019s defensive ceiling may be set by this group of safeties and corners in 2022. <\/span><\/p>\n

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Embed from Getty Images<\/a><\/div>\n