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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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NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – JANUARY 01: Jerrod Heard #13 of the Texas Longhorns avoids a tackle by J.R. Reed #20 of the Georgia Bulldogs during the Allstate Sugar Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Superdome on January 01, 2019 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images) /

4. Khaleke Hudson (Linebacker, Michigan)

Some may recall that Hudson made this list last season as well. There are high expectations for him (and the rest of the Michigan football team) heading into 2019.

Hudson plays the “Viper” position in Don Brown’s defense. For Notre Dame fans reading this, that position is similar to the Rover position in Clark Lea’s defense. It is a safety-linebacker hybrid.

Hudson finished the 2018 season with 45 total tackles, two sacks, and a pass break up. With the departure of Devin Bush, Hudson should be the anchor of the linebacker group for the Wolverines.

3. J.R. Reed (Safety, Georgia)

As advertised, here is the second Georgia safety on this list. Reed may have had worse statistics than his teammate Richard LeCounte last season, but Reed actually received a higher grade (89.0) from Pro Football Focus for his performance in 2018.

Reed began his college career at Tulsa before transferring to Georgia in 2016. He earned a starting job heading into the 2017 season. When the Bulldogs made the trip to South Bend that year, Reed had a great game. He led the defense with nine total tackles and two quarterback hurries.

The 2019 season should be a great one for Reed. The senior safety earned first team all SEC honors this offseason and is projected to be selected as high as the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft.

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