Notre Dame Football: Who replaces each player heading to the NFL?
By Jack Leniart
Notre Dame Football: Who replaces each player heading to the NFL?
Who will replace defensive backs, Nick McCloud and Shaun Crawford?
Cornerback Nick McCloud was arguably the most impactful player that Notre Dame added via the transfer portal last year. The former NC State player finished the 2020 season with 33 total tackles, eight pass breakups, and one interception.
Shaun Crawford has seemingly done everything for Notre Dame’s defense. Last year was his sixth season in South Bend. During his time in an Irish uniform, Crawford has lined up at safety, cornerback, and Nickelback. Aside from his versatility, the thing the coaching staff will miss the most about Crawford is his wisdom and leadership.
Next in line on the cornerback depth chart is senior Tariq Bracy and junior Cam Hart. Bracy started six games for the Irish last season and recorded 24 tackles and three pass break-ups. Hart saw action in nine games last season and finished the year with three tackles and two pass break-ups.
Notre Dame has also made offers to a couple of cornerbacks in the transfer portal this offseason. Those players would be directly competing with Bracy and Hart for playing time.
At safety, there are a couple of players who are competing to start alongside future first-round pick Kyle Hamilton. Houston Griffith, who entered and then withdrew from the transfer portal this offseason, is the favorite to win the job. Competing with him is DJ Brown, who became a regular part of Notre Dame’s secondary rotation last season.
Griffith is the most experienced in the group. The senior has recorded 33 total tackles and three pass breakups over the past three seasons. He played in all twelve games for the Irish during the 2020 season.
Brown had eight tackles and two pass breakups last season. One of those pass break-ups should have been an interception, but instead Brown showed Irish fans why he plays defense. Even if Brown is unable to surpass Griffith on the depth chart, he should be a big part of the secondary rotation in 2021.