Notre Dame Football: An update on present and future defensive backs

Notre Dame football has produced NFL talent at defensive back, but looking ahead, can the Irish continue to recruit and develop at defensive back positions?

Notre Dame football has one of the best safety duos in the country in Alohi Gilman and Jalen Elliott. With these two veterans heading up the back portion of the Irish defense, this year looks to be a fantastic one for that part of the secondary.

In addition, they have one of the highest rated safeties from the ‘19 class in Kyle Hamilton, who is set to arrive this summer to prepare for the season. After those three, there are a few players with potential, but not much proof–if any at all–that they can compete at the college level.

While the safety positions look to be in great shape for the upcoming season, it could go downhill quickly, as Jalen Elliott set to graduate and Alohi Gilman possibly leaving early to pursue his dream of playing in the NFL.

And as if that wasn’t enough, next comes the other part of the secondary, the cornerback. With the departure of the beloved Julian Love, the cornerback situation gives fans some reason to worry.

While Troy Pride Jr. is returning for his senior season, hoping to make a big impact, the rest of the cornerback group is looking to prove themselves. Many of them are young with little playing time and others are coming off an injury riddled season.

One last thing that hurts the cornerback position is the transfer of sophomore Noah Boykin. While he accumulated very little playing time in his time with the Irish, he was a four-star recruit coming out of high school and would’ve had the chance to prove himself this upcoming season had he decided to stay.

Now that the current situation has been laid out, what about the future? Both defensive back positions are very high up on the list for recruiting.

Recruitment Update

Who can Irish fans look out for when it comes to players that could possibly be playing in blue and gold in the future?

When it comes to safety recruitment keep an eye on guys like Lathan Ransom, Jordan Morant, Kristian Story, Lovie Jenkins, and Jerrin Thompson. While the first three will be hard pulls, as they are being recruited by many top schools, if Notre Dame could land even one of them, along with one or both of the last two, Irish fans should be very happy.

At the conrnerback position, guys that you should follow in regards to Notre Dame are Landen Bartleson, Elijah Gaines, Enzo Jennings, and Clark Phillips III (arguably Notre Dame’s top target on the board). Phillips III is going to be a hard pull as Ohio State is believed to be the leader in his recruitment, but don’t count the Irish out just yet. Enzo Jennings was high on the Irish early in the process and the Irish were high on him. Since then, other schools have gained more traction with him.

Some players listed above like Jordan Morant and Lovies Jenkies could play both positions at the next level.  As to which one they end up playing that will depend on the school they choose.

Look for the Irish to change that and heat things up with lots of official visits planned over the summer for both defensive backs and recruiting as a whole.