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Notre Dame Football: Top 10 Defensive Players the Irish Will Face in 2019

By Jack Leniart

SOUTH BEND, IN - SEPTEMBER 01: Khaleke Hudson #7 of the Michigan Wolverines tackles Jafar Armstrong #8 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the first quarter at Notre Dame Stadium on September 1, 2018 in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
SOUTH BEND, IN - SEPTEMBER 01: Khaleke Hudson #7 of the Michigan Wolverines tackles Jafar Armstrong #8 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the first quarter at Notre Dame Stadium on September 1, 2018 in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /
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ANN ARBOR, MI – OCTOBER 13: Lavert Hill #24 of the Michigan Wolverines intercepts a second half pass and returns is for a touchdown while playing the Wisconsin Badgers on October 13, 2018 at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

7. Jay Tufele (Defensive Tackle, USC)

Tufele earned significant playing time as a redshirt freshman last season. He finished the year with 23 total tackles and three sacks.

The auspicious start to Tufele’s college career did not go unnoticed — he was named first team all PAC-12 this offseason.

The USC coaching staff has high hopes for him in 2019. Playing alongside a talented player like Christian Rector should help Tufele’s production as well.

6. Richard LeCounte (Safety, Georgia)

Georgia has one of the best starting safety tandems in the country heading into the 2019 season. Spoiler Alert: both safeties made this list.

LeCounte led the Bulldogs in total tackles last season with 74 as a true sophomore. That is not something you see very often in the SEC.

He also had three pass break ups, two forced fumbles, and an interception. His performance earned him an overall grade of 80.6 from Pro Football Focus.

5. Lavert Hill (Cornerback, Michigan)

Hill had solid season last year, but most of the attention on the Michigan secondary went to the cornerback opposite of him, David Long. Long was selected with the 79th overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft.

Hill could end up being selected higher than Long was if he has a productive senior season. He earned first team all Big Ten honors this summer and is regarded as one of the top cornerbacks in the nation.

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