Notre Dame Football: Ranking 2020’s most impactful players 25-21
By Jack Leniart
![ORLANDO, FL - DECEMBER 28: TaRiq Bracy #28 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish celebrates after breaking up a pass in the end zone during the Camping World Bowl against the Iowa State Cyclones at Camping World Stadium on December 28, 2019 in Orlando, Florida. Notre Dame defeated Iowa State 33-9. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) ORLANDO, FL - DECEMBER 28: TaRiq Bracy #28 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish celebrates after breaking up a pass in the end zone during the Camping World Bowl against the Iowa State Cyclones at Camping World Stadium on December 28, 2019 in Orlando, Florida. Notre Dame defeated Iowa State 33-9. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/7bff7e7be940dd6db023b0a54b0fa6b3c35c2dba29ad9fce8cf8c19b467956d8.jpg)
22. Tariq Bracy (Cornerback)
Best Ranking: 16
Worst Ranking: Unranked
Tariq Bracy was a three-star cornerback from Milpitas, California and a member of Notre Dame’s 2018 recruiting class. Bracy was one of five defensive backs in that class. Two of the other defensive backs have since transferred out, but you could make the argument that Bracy has performed the best out of that group.
Bracy was able to earn playing time as a true freshman during Notre Dame’s 2018 season. That feat is made even more impressive considering that Julian Love and Troy Pride were on that roster. Bracy appeared in twelve games that year and recorded 18 total tackles and a forced fumble.
As a sophomore in 2019, Bracy made the leap into the starting lineup and had a very productive year. He finished the season with 34 total tackles, seven passes defensed, a forced fumble, and two fumble recoveries.
Expectations are understandably high for Bracy entering his junior season. Notre Dame bolstered their secondary this offseason by adding two graduate transfers: cornerback Nick McCloud and safety Isaiah Pryor. The tandem of Bracy and McCloud should be one of the best in the ACC and potentially one of the best in the country.